Buffelspoort - January 2010 By Viv Once again this weekend lived up to it`s reputation of providing an unparalleled test of `man & machine` in amazing surroundings! The river level on the Rubicon Trail was low, and the temperatures were in the 30`s during Saturdays 12km 7-hour adventure, guided by Rudi Nel. Departing the Driefontein Farm bush camp and down the riverbed, the first major obstruction is the `Car Wash`, which is a 25m passage through reeds with low visibility, high middelmannetjie, 600-800mm of muddy water, and no escape route. It took 45 minutes to recover one vehicle there. What happens when the river is high is anyone`s guess! `The Devils Workshop` soon followed, the area strewn with rocks from the cliffs on both sides of the ravine. Carefull navigation is constantly required, assisted by Rudi through this area in low-range 1st gear, and there is no right route. Another recovery helped build team spirit, when a vehicle was breached on a rock and eventually jacked up to free it. Lunch under a tree at Slanggat corner with the horseshoe cliffs around us was a welcome break, and then on through reeds and cliff-side tracks to the refreshing swim in the river. Just when we thought we were through one vehicle stuck in the mud, and once again the recovery team were in action. Thanks to the group for their efforts! Die Poort campsite offers wonderful facilities, and our attentive hosts, Rudi & Marion, joined us later for a braai. Sunday morning saw Rudi guiding us up the Slanggat Trail to view the Rubicon 450m below. We found this climb more difficult than before, [perhaps it`s old age!], but the panoramic view remains exceptional. On the way 2 vehicles had problems, and had us wondering: where do you find another guide who changes your punctured tyres, tapes up your burnt-out wiring, undertakes all the road-building, cuts overhanging branches, digs your wheels free and attaches the recovery stuff? Thanks Rudi! Our route home was on gravel roads to Montagu via the Ouberg Pass from Buffelspoort, which deserves greater support from Club members.