Losper already started on day 1, so let me add some pictures with short commentary from my side.
Here is the start of our ascent from the Khubelu valley up the escarpment. I have done this twice before on my own, battling in places, but this time it was by far the worst for me. The track was heading up steep valley almost straight east and as we were there very early that meant we had sun full force in our face. I maintain that the only appropriate helmet for adv riding/dual sporting is open face so I ride trial's helmet that makes interactions with local much easier, but it came to bite me in the ass here, as it has very short beak and hence is useless against direct sun. So I was riding up the rutted offcamber cattle tracks more or less blind getting stuck all the time and properly annoyed making Losper probably wonder why did he teamed up with this grumpy sod (we have never met before, so he didn't know what to expect). I've made it up eventually with Losper's help once or twice, but it was inauspicious start into the day to say the least.
Losper at the start of ascent:
And at the top scaling the top of the range ahead:
From my prior stint here, when I walked next 4 km, I knew that there is initially uncomfortably steep km or two long offcamber section. I approached it very tentatively and battled in places, but not keen to make total ass of myself in front of Losper (there is a reason why I like to ride on my own...) I pushed and made it through. I have learned since from Losper that my tyres were not the best - I was using C02s which are great knobblies for general dual sporting as they last, but they are too hard. I have been there again later on on my own with softer tyres and what a difference they made!
One of my whoopsies, you can see the cattle tracks we were to follow on the side of the hill at the background:
We made it through the tough bit. What followed was still very rock and quite offcamber, but somewhat easier than that initial 2 km on the top of the range. Losper checking out the Orange valley on the other side of the range:
That teethy section on the left of the horizon is where the Source of Orange is about 10 - 15 km away:
Losper thinks he is number 1. Well yes, in this company he is, but that is kind of like feeling elated at passing 30% matric pass rate...
It got flatter at the top, but still very rocky, so I don't thinkw we got out of 2nd gear, and if then for only very short periods:
Losper with Letseng mine visible on the horizon on the opposite side of the Khubelu valley:
Topic: Mission: Finding the origin of the orange river (Read 3592 times)
