Anysberg Nature Reserve - 15th to 17th February 2008 'The team: Clive and Linda, Greg and Karen, Frikkie and Lenie, Dave and Judy, Andy and Veronica, Richard, Leah and Kristin, John and Jacqui, Arthur and Linda, Pierre and Adele, Jorg and Rochelle as well as four very well behaved children Dirk-Wouter, Marie, Claudia and Tina. The group departing from Cape Town met at the N1 Winelands 1-Stop under rainy skies more reminiscent of a Cape winter, which had us wondering if we were in for a wet weekend's offroading. The prospect of camping at over 1600m altitude in foul weather was not an appealing thought at all. We met up with various members of the party along the way and as we emerged from the du Toits Kloof Tunnel we were met by a bright sun shining from a virtually cloudless sky. This was looking promising. As we drove past Worcester and on through the Hex River Valley one couldn't help being struck once again by the sheer beauty and grand magnificence of the Cape's mountains especially with green vineyards in the foreground. This vista changed to typical Karoo landscape the closer we got to Touwsrivier our last fuel stop and final rendezvous point. The now complete 11 vehicle convoy having aired down for the upcoming gravel roads, finally left civilisation (Touwsrivier has a PEP Stores after all) a little after 16:40 and made its way in the softening light of the setting sun past farm lands and ultimately onto the Anysberg Nature Reserve. Our first night's camp site was at Allemorgensfontein, next to an abandoned farmhouse on the property. Although rather exposed to a freshening wind, being on the top of a slight rise, we made ourselves comfortable around a warm central fire and the process of socialising and getting to know each other commenced with great enthusiasm being displayed by all. We couldn't help but glance up every so often to the distant Anysberg mountain and note the cloud shrouded peak with sometrepidation. Saturday morning dawned and slowly the camp came alive with discussions of various unrecognisable nocturnal sounds. Eventually the snorting was identified as having been from the species Cape Mountain Hippo. After breakfast we packed-up camp, completed the driver briefing and finally deflated tyres low enough for offroad driving. Then the group moved off slowly out into the reserve and the start of the trail. The initial part of the 4x4 Mountain Route takes one across the valley floor towards the foot of the mountain and along the way saw black backed jackal, steenbok and a large group of young ostriches. The climb up the western side of the Anysberg mountain took about two hours, with many stops along the way to stretch legs, take photos or simply to 'smell the fynbos'. There was evidence of heavy recent rains with frequent wash-aways across the track which necessitated proceeding with care. The route itself is probably a grade 2-3 (although this will change radically when the trail is wet) and is typical of numerous other mountainous rocky 4x4 tracks in the Cape. Some of the inclines and declines are quite steep with loose shale and sandstone a potential hazard, but when tackled slowly and with caution and when the correct line is driven, it presents little danger for damage to either track or vehicle. Some of the lower vehicles scraped their undercarriages a few times, but without cause for major concern. As we climbed higher one could distinctly notice the change in the flora from low Karoo bush to mountain fynbos with protea species proliferent. It was noticeable too how much rain the entire area had received being unseasonaly green for mid-late summer. Everywhere the grass, bushes, flowers, reeds and trees were lush and green. Once on top of the plateau section, we parked on a flattish part of the track and broke for an hour's lunch break. The earlier cold morning breeze had left us and it became very hot under the cloudless sky. This spot was only 4kms from our over night camp site yet we first had to make the final climb up a very steep series of turns. With the vegetation getting greener and more lush, it was difficult staying on the track and once or twice I had to walk ahead to locate it. At one such spot I stopped to find the best way past a badly eroded section and as I reversed back to take a detour, the rear left wheel slipped over the edge of a metre deep gulley and the Cruiser was hung up resting with its axle on a slab of rock. With no traction at the left rear and right front wheels and with no diff-lock, I was going nowhere. Andy was quick to show me an article in a recent copy of the SA 4x4 Magazine in which their correspondent had done exactly the same thing at the same spot, and for the same reason just some weeks before! Fortunately we were able to manoeuvre Clive's Cruiser ahead of mine, attach a tow strap and without too much fuss, move off the obstacle. This side show was much appreciated by the rest of the group and we were thanked for 'adding some spice and excitement' to the proceedings! These things even happen to guides. That little mishap was the only one of the trail and just shows that one should always reverse straight back exactly on your tracks and then turn, and not turn whilst reversing. Anyhow, we drove the remaining few km arriving early enough for us to set up camp and still had a few hours of sunlight to enjoy at leisure. For some of the Mountain Hippos it was an unexpected opportunity to catch an afternoon nap and the area soon reverberated with their rumbling grunting calls! The camp site itself is flattish with much soft sand underfoot, which made it much more comfortable for those in ground tents. Once again some fine socialising was done around the fire that night in the age old South African tradition. In the earlier stages of the evening a brisk chilly breeze was blowing right though camp and the temperature dropped significantly, allowing some particularly thermally challenged folk to don all the clothes they had brought in an attempt to keep warm! As the evening wore on the cloud cover left us and the most amazing night sky showed itself with bright stars clearly visible. Periodically the mist would cover the moon but soon it showed itself again. After most had turned in for the night, some particularly keen socialisers kept going longer a tad later, due mainly to the introduction of 'Die Potstil'. And this despite the efforts of the ever present snorting Mountain Hippos! Sunday morning dawned with not a breath of wind nor a cloud or any mist or haze in the richest blue sky above our camp site. The air was unbelievably clear and we all felt privileged to be in this special place where few people ever come. We left the overnight camp spot and ahead of us was still some three hour's driving to get off the mountain. The first two hours included more steep ascents and descents over very loose rock which had to be taken with caution as we made our way eastwards along the Anysberg. This section of the trail shows signs of badly degraded road surfaces which have either been filled in with rocks and stones or concreted over in the steeper more badly eroded areas. As you descend the mountain, you drop from over 1600m to about 500m in the space of a few kms which shows how steep the gradient is. The track zig-zags down to the valley floor and it becomes obvious why the trial may these days only be driven from west to east. In the past, groups have driven up from the eastern side without deflating theirs tyres and the damage from wheel spinning is as noticeable as it was avoidable. By noon the whole group had reached the bottom of the mountain and we stopped under a copse of eucalyptus trees for lunch in their cool shade. Some families decided to remain here and swim in the converted farm reservoir swimming pool, whilst the rest of us embarked on the Horse trail a two hour circular drive. This section is not often driven as it is the route taken by the horse back safaris which the reserve offers. It is a flattish 2x4 farm track and after an hour you reach the overnight spot for the horse trails. There is a wonderful braai pit, fresh water and stabling facilities which would be quite adequate for a night under the stars. On the way back, you pass a spot where some bushman paintings can be seen just off the track, but due to the heat and the hour, this was a very brief stop so we'll have to return to explore more thoroughly some time. Well that was basically the end of the outing. From here we took the long road home on dirt roads via Montagu where we stopped for the final time to say our good bye's. A visit to Anysberg is a wonderful opportunity to unwind and to experience the Karoo landscape's tranquility and that elusive sense of solitude. You get the impression that where you are walking may never have seen a human foot before yours. Just come prepared, there are no facilities at all. My thanks to the entire group for yet another wonderful opportunity to meet like minded people and make new friends within the club. Greetings Philip and Lesley Scott Comments from some of those on the trip. "Thanks again for a wonderful weekend and congratulations for organising everything so well. Leah, Kristin and I really enjoyed every moment. It was a great privilege to be able to visit such a special out of the way place and it was good not to be too hectic time-wise and driving-wise with time out to just enjoy being there. That's what it is all about in my opinion. I am particularly glad because it has restored Leah's enjoyment of 4x4 excursions. She is all gung-ho to do more trips." Richard Poulter "Nogmaals baie dankie vir die lekker naweek en al die relings wat jy getref het. Dit was wonderlik om nuwe mense te ontmoet, nuwe vriende te maak, nuwe plekke te sien en weer vir n' slag buite te slaap. Hopelik kry ek die kans om weer eendag saam met jou te ry." Groete Pierre Bester Beste Greg, Dit was meer as vyf jaar gelede dat ek met die Klub saam op 'n uitstappie gegaan het. So het ek en my vrou, Lenie, besluit om die naweek saam te gaan Anysberg toe. En wat 'n wonderlike naweek. Die toerleier Philip Scott, met sy vrou, het ons dadelik tuis laat voel deur ons toe te rus met naamplaatjies en so kon ons dadelik met die ander lede van die groep assosieer en hulle leer ken. Dit was net 'n plesier en lekker om met so 'n aangename groepie mense jou vryetyd te kon deurbring. Die reis na ons bestemming het ook rustig verloop deurdat die spoedgrens geëerbiedig is en dat padveiligheid voorop gestel was, so ook met die terugtog. Die roete was ook 'n belewenis. Die natuurtonele het ons gou van die daaglikse gejaagdheid laat vergeet en al die aandag was toegespits op die pad met sy klippe en gate en die asemrowende rotsformasies. Ons het heerlik gekamp en die braaivuur het nie net lekker kos opgelewer nie, maar die kuier om die vuur na die dag se geskud was baie gemaklik en genotvol. Die lede om die vuur was ook baie gemoedelik en Arthur was nie eers ontsteld dat ek sy Kalaharie kreef in die sand laat val het nie. Sondag, bergaf het ook die bestuursvermoeë beproef, maar almal het hulle goed van hulle taak gekwyt en almal het veilig onder geland. Ons het te alle tye die gevoel gekry dat ons toerleier, Philip, saam met sy vrou, ons belange en veiligheid op die hart dra en dit het bygedra dat ons ontspanne ons naweek kon geniet. Die naweek was vir ons net soveel werd soos 'n week vakansie en ons sal probeer om dit meer gereeld te doen. Nogmaals dankie vir wat jy en jou komitee vir die Klub en ons lede doen, dit word opreg waardeer. Groete en sterkte vorentoe, Frikkie en Lenie van Eeden Hi Greg, As you know Veronica and I have been members of the club for many years, by my reckoning since late 1999 or possibly early 2000. Sadly, our geographical location makes it difficult from a logistical point of view for us to take part in as many of the club's activitires as we would wish. Although we have never been away with any other club I know, from discussions with many people who offroad, that the 4x4 Offroad Adventure Club is unique. Every trip, and the past weekend's Anysberg trip yet again underlined this, is led by members with high integrity, are sensitive to the fragility of the environment and eco systems through which we travel and have a good working knowledge of the history and places of interest in the area. This weekend Veronica and I were again able to renew acquaintances with many people whom we have not seen for a while. We were, as always, welcomed as old friends. This is the particular quality of this club. Its members are of like mind, share similar values with regards to behaviour, pitch in and assist the rest of the group or another individual where possible, and observe everyone's fundamental right to privacy when such is required. Over the years we have, through both the short trips and the long trips that we have participated in, found ourselves as part of a special community of people. The networking that casually takes place through the club, be it in respect of tyres, TV aerials, radios and GPS, mechanical matters, steel bumpers, packing systems etc. etc, always leads to receiving expert and professional advice and never leaves you with a "ripped off" feeling. Greg, congratulations to you and your committee for maintaining, year after year, the high standards that your members have grown to expect. It is indeed a privelege to be a part of this club.Veronica and I are looking forward to sharing the 10th anniversary celebrations with you and Alan at Gariep Dam in May. Kind Regards Andy & Veronica Brown