As Van Zyl's Pass (VZP) is so renowned in the 4x4 community, this post is dedicated to our negotiations to get to the bottom of the pass.
D12(2): Van Zyl's Pass (VZP) (+-10.5km)
The right hand figure on the route below corresponds to the top text box which shows that the gradient was a mere 0.5% near the top of VZP.
The left hand figure on the route reflects the text box which shows -55%.
This is obviously the steep section near the end of VZP.
We stood at the beginning of VZP, drank tea and looked around. Here's a 180 degree view - can you see the road forward slightly to the right of the centre?
From a distance below, the road surface was intimidating.
We were pleased that we were going to drive down VZP with our VZP number plate - quite a coincidence!
Here we go! Down, down, down ...
Then up, up, up ... and down (of course)!
The view into the valley to the left.
All ups are balanced with downs ... this one was serious enough for Mrad to plan his descent carefully.
Serious indeed ...
Perhaps sharing the experience will make it easier??
Stuck, wheels spinning but not for long!
A stone packed here, a rock there ...
and the hole isn't a problem anymore!
A stone packed here, a rock there ...
and the hole isn't a problem anymore!
After most downs an up follows - this section of the road is rather close to the precipice for my liking!
What would be waiting of us around the bend?
Mrad went to check. Siep came to confer ...
it's not too bad ... nothing dramatic ...
What would be waiting of us around the bend?
Mrad went to check. Siep came to confer ...
it's not too bad ... nothing dramatic ...
Some of the sights we passed: a Himba settlement.
A Himba here and a Himba there.
A Himba here and a Himba there.
stunning rock formations,
breathtaking views into the valleys below,
We stopped to wait for our group.
There's Tom!
Here come Siep and Johan!
There's Tom!
Here come Siep and Johan!
The road took us up the hill and down into the dales.
A Himba materialised from nowhere. What a pity we cannot communicate with him - but he managed to convey that he wanted cigarettes. Sorry, we don't smoke, but here are some matches (wide smile). Now our group was together again.
We drive with our windows open to see and smell the world better.
Why is our tyre making such a strange noise??
Oh dear! A flatty in the making.
Why is our tyre making such a strange noise??
Oh dear! A flatty in the making.
All fixed - we'll test the pressure under the next shade tree. 250m further all seemed fine. Let's have tea.
Final check - the back tyre is 100%, but ... now the front tyre was flat. So the team jumped into action (again)!
Onwards! Gentle ups and downs - very easy driving!
Up we go.
Then down.
Can you see BigBlue's wheel up in the air?
Had our wheels also taken turns to hang in the air?
Tom's turn to take the plunge.
Amazing colours - one has to look at the surroundings to stay calm after such a bumpy ride.
Clear of the rocks, the road remains very stoney.
Even here in the mountains, cattle know their rights.
Just checking!
The view remained wonderful.
A Himba lady appeared from nowhere. Here she "explained" to me that the red colouring is a stone from Opuwa which must be ground (see her hands)?
Later we found out that the red colour comes from ground Hematite.
Later we found out that the red colour comes from ground Hematite.
Our first peak at the yellow grass of the Marienfluss just beyond the first two ranges.
We drove to the lookout point +-1km onwards, and within 5 minutes the same lady appeared - cool and calm. How did she move so fast so effortlessly?
Perhaps a clue is the energy with which she moves?
Perhaps a clue is the energy with which she moves?
Marienfluss kept us spellbound.
At least until we remembered
that we should take a group photo!
At least until we remembered
that we should take a group photo!
Soon our Himba lady was joined by young ones who were fascinated to see themselves on our camera.
Time to attempt the last stretch -
infamous for 500m down in 500 m - or something like that ...
Mrad shows how positive he felt about the challenge.
infamous for 500m down in 500 m - or something like that ...
Mrad shows how positive he felt about the challenge.
Now we're talking.
Even an inexperienced eye can see that advanced 4x4 driving skills are required to tackle this descent.
Could we do it?
Actually, we didn't have a choice! We just had to.
Even an inexperienced eye can see that advanced 4x4 driving skills are required to tackle this descent.
Could we do it?
Actually, we didn't have a choice! We just had to.
Are you serious - we have to go down this??
Is it an advantage to be first?
Or does one gain insight from other's experience?
Whichever ... Mrad did a stunning job!
Even walking down took concentration!
Here comes Tom!
We've made it!!
The mountains watched us crawl down VZP.
Can you see the road winding down towards the left?
The last descent was beautifully graded with a wonderful zig-zag road - it really gave one plenty of time to enjoy the view of the dragon-mountains and the tree-dotted valley.
A last 360 degree panorama from the heights.
We made it! A happy and (somewhat) relieved group at the bottom of VZP.
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