Kaokoland...makes you thirsty...for more!

[Sheepman]

Day 10.3: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg

More Doros...

Stunning pics Henk 

[chopperpilot]

Day 10.3: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg

More Doros...

Stunning pics Henk 

Duncan, Hennie, Abel and Jannie made a contribution too.

And I obtained a few pics from our communial Google site from Lance and Zanie for the first few days.

[chopperpilot]

Day 10.4: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg

We left the Doros Crater ravine, routing on the plains to intercept the D2303, a gravel highway that runs al the way to the coast at Bocock's Bay/Mile 100.

We would however turn off towards the Messum river at approximately 30kms from reaching the coast on the D2303.

Once on the plain myself and Brian stopped, to wait for Hennie and Duncan to join us. They did not arrive and Brian rode back to find them, where they were resting at a cave in the Doros ravine.

I utilised the time having a rest, lying on my back next to the 500.

Pic 1: Brian at a welwitschia, on his departure to find Hennie and Duncan

Pic 2: The terrain, as observed from resting next to the 500.

[chopperpilot]

Day 10.5: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg

Brian gathered the "lost sheep" and routed to my position, from where we routed to the D2303

This area is desolated, so there was no reason not to maintain a good pace on this gravel highway.

Pic 1: Passing this signboard on the D2303. No indication on my T4A map, but on the position of the boundary of the conservancy in which the Brandberg lies. Google has info on the Dorob National Park. Dorob means "dry land", which we can testify of!

Pic 2 & 3: Having a break next to the D2303, before turning off on the jeep track, which routed South to intercept the Messum river, from where would start heading in the general direction of Brandberg, initially following the Messum river.

Pic 4: The Dorob National Park runs along the coast, from the south of Walvis Bay, up to the Ugab river. Although it is a protected area, it was proclaimed in 2010 to establish an area allowing adventure tourism.

[Vis Arend]

Day 10.5: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg


Pic 1: Passing this signboard on the D2303. No indication on my T4A map, but on the position of the boundary of the conservancy in which the Brandberg lies. Google has info on the Dorob National Park. Dorob means "dry land", which we can testify of!

Sorry vir die hi-jack.

Snap op jou 1ste foto.   

That is really an unforgiving area, get it wrong there and you will be in trouble.   
You mention it was a gravel highway.     When we, the wife and I did it in 2013 that piece of road to the Ugab was a nightmare.  Will see if I can get the vid to show the condition of that "road".  I had my hand full in trying to keep the bike in the road and the heat on the day did not help, it was a cool 47 degrees Celcuis.   

Nice rr, keep it coming.   

[chopperpilot]

@Vis Arend

Louis

Jy's meer as welkom om jul wedervaringe hier te deel!

47 Grade....met ń noodgeval het mens probleme! 

In April was daar ń aanlandige vloei van koel lug toe ons in die rigting van die see gery het.. Seker so middel 20s. 

Op pad na Puros was dit 39 grade, warm, maar leefbaar.

[Vis Arend]

@Vis Arend

In April was daar ń aanlandige vloei van koel lug toe ons in die rigting van die see gery het.. Seker so middel 20s. 

Op pad na Puros was dit 39 grade, warm, maar leefbaar.

Dis 90% van die kere die geval as jy van die binneland see se kant toe beweeg, maar in ons geval het ons die welbekende Oos weer geslaan toe ons daar was. 

"Climate:
Although Swakopmund lies in a true desert, the cold Benguela current flowing south to north up Namibia's Atlantic coast, acts as a moderating influence. The climate is temperate and the town receives little rain (less than 15mm per annum). However, the sea mist creates moisture and sustains plants and lichens up to 100km (156 miles) inland.
In the interior during the summer months, temperatures exceed 35°C (95°F), but Swakopmund is a cool haven from the heat and temperatures remain pretty stable year round. Occasionally things heat up a bit as the easterly wind blows hot desert air over the town."

[chopperpilot]

@Vis Arend

Dankie Louis!

Wonder waar Swakopmund hul drinkwater vandaan kry?

[chopperpilot]

Day 10.6: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg

After about 14km on the D2303 gravel highway, at 30 km road wise from the coast, we turned south and followed a jeep track for 10 kms, where the jeep track intersected the Messum river.

Brian's bladder was about to explode, so an obligatory pit/piss stop was made, before routing in the direction of Branberg. This jeep track followed the Messum river for 19km to the Messum crater area. 

The jeep track consistent of mostly fine loose grave, and was fun on our bikes!

Pics: Pit/piss stop. Brian finding some privacy in the back ground, at about the only shrubs in the area.

         Seems as we stopped at someones wild camping fire place!

          Duncan's stance, can only indicate having a leak himself!

[Dwerg]

That was my favourite day and section of the trip. That messum river sand texture is something else

[chopperpilot]

That was my favourite day and section of the trip. That messum river sand texture is something else

Agree Dwerg, it was fun riding it!

[chopperpilot]

Day 10.7: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg

At about the time we were having a break at the Messum river, the other group of riders reached the D2303, after exiting the Doros crater area. 

This was to be their rendevouz point with the back-up vehicle group, which were behind them. (More on this later. )

Herewith a pic of Hennie Oubones, Duncan Buckley, Peter King, Lance and Zanie, waiting/resting patiently for the back-up team to arrive.

[trevo]

That was my favourite day and section of the trip. That messum river sand texture is something else

Also enjoyed it, long day due to stupid decisions that resulted in a flat tire only to be topped with the lion incident. Planning in progress to do this trip with my sons in the near future

[Vis Arend]

@Vis Arend

Dankie Louis!

Wonder waar Swakopmund hul drinkwater vandaan kry?

Sover ek weet van die Omdel Dam en dan onlangs, ek dink van 2010, see water.  Die suiweringsaanleg van die soutwater na varswater is so 25-30km noord van Swakop naby Wlotzkasbaken.  Dan suiwer hulle ook rioolwater vir hergebruik.      

[chopperpilot]

That was my favourite day and section of the trip. That messum river sand texture is something else

Also enjoyed it, long day due to stupid decisions that resulted in a flat tire only to be topped with the lion incident. Planning in progress to do this trip with my sons in the near future

@trevo

Lion incident? 

Your Dakar appears exceptionally high...different suspension?

[chopperpilot]

@Vis Arend

Dankie Louis!

Wonder waar Swakopmund hul drinkwater vandaan kry?

Sover ek weet van die Omdel Dam en dan onlangs, ek dink van 2010, see water.  Die suiweringsaanleg van die soutwater na varswater is so 25-30km noord van Swakop naby Wlotzkasbaken.  Dan suiwer hulle ook rioolwater vir hergebruik.      

@Vis Arend

Dankie vir die inligting Louis!

[Tom van Brits]

The pictures are amazingly beautiful, tells the story!!

[chopperpilot]

The pictures are amazingly beautiful, tells the story!!

[chopperpilot]

Day 10.8: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg

We got going on the first 25km along the Messum river from our rest stop, towards the Messum crater area.

We quickly came upon these rock formations, and had to stop for a few pics.

I found some pics on Google, but no info on these type of rock formations. With the many round rocks/pebbles in the formation, it must have the river bed many years ago. 

Yes, we parked underneath the overhang!

[chopperpilot]

Day 10.9: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg

From the rock formations I rode with Brian, with Hennie and Duncan leaving some distance for dust.

Me and Brian had another rest stop, took some pics and had a chat to 2 locals that were following us in there bakkie. They mentioned that they run a lodge on the coast.

As can be seen, we stopped next to a welwitschia.