The Finals Sponsored by: GOODYEAR, TOYOTA, BANKFIN, TOTAL, AFRICAN BOTTLE CAP,
MEYERTON TOYOTA, KENWOOD COMMUNICATIONS,MET TRAX RUNNING BOARDS AND CLOVER
Report: A day to day Report of the Finals of the
Eco Challenge 2001
Day Zero:
It was after all worth it - all the effort and nerves, all the costs involved, and the long hours of hard work!
Arriving at Meyerton Toyota RV Centre, with 10 Toyota Hilux SRX Double Cabs - branded to the tee with all the sponsor's logos, shining new Goodyear Tyres and loaded with accessories for the Namib! We felt like Father Christmas, and created quite a stir.
The contestants had a few nervous moments, after receiving the keys to their vehicles, at the press function, with Francois Rossouw of the RSG 4x4 Club as master of ceremony. With all the dignitaries and the press watching their every move, they had to put the vehicles through their paces at the new track that Pieter Matthee designed especially for this event. It was a great success and all the spectators were suitably impressed.
Day One:
Get up and go!! At the crack of dawn - it was still dark - all had to be packed, and the convoy was on the road - a total new experience to most of us, but Johann du Toit handled us like the pro he really is.
One of his remarks made me so excited - this team of contestants are such a dedicated, eager group - they are the kind of people that I would like to have on all my tours around Southern Africa!!
The teams are working together as one big family, helping out - they have all been delegated tasks that changes daily, and with 15 vehicles, a cameraman from Topcar to be manoeuvred, it is no easy task.
Stopping at Kuruman's Toyota Garage to refuel, Harry Leach and his team were waiting for us with sandwiches, coffee and tea for all!! Thanks guys - it was a very welcome stop over. It took us quite a while to get all the vehicles filled, but we left there still ahead of schedule!! Our timing went according to plan, and despite a few stops en-route for camera action, we arrived in Upington at 4'0clock.
Riell Gresse of C.A.Y Toyota escorted us into the lovely Green Kalahari.
He really pulled out al the stops to make us feel very special and important. We booked in at the River City Inn, and after a quick shower, left for The Dros, where Pieter and his team entertained us - we felt like Royalty!! Although everyone was so tired, we had to drag some of them away - it was a great party, lovely spitbraai and then - off to bed, for our last night of luxurious between clean, white sheets. Surely everyone had a bath and restful night before we hit the long road to Keetmanshoop.
Day Two
After breakfast at the hotel its time pack our bags, refuel the vehicles and hit the road to Onseepkans where we will be crossing the border which hopefully won't take too much of our time. And then we going on to Lafenis Rest Camp near Keetmanshoop we were will have to pitch our tents for the first time.
We hope to keep you updated on a daily basis, but please bare with us because communications via satellite is not a very easy task when you in the bush.
Day Two Continues
Yes, we crossed the border at Onseepkans at a record time of one hour - driving through the most beautiful Quiver Trees with stunning boulders and views across the valleys that looked similar to the Kuiseb Canyon.
We arrived Keetmans - Lafenis Restcamp at approximately 4 o clock the afternoon, where Mr. Piet Blaauw and his staff gave us their facilities for free~!!! The teams went to action and in record time the camp was set up, the fires started and it was time to relax. Our camera crew took some of the visitors with, on a sunset shoot at a scenic spot. Fortunately we have a blond on board, to give the shoot more depth.
We were so shocked to hear the devastating news of the disasters that happened in America, and managed to get some news reports via radio news, and watching CNN broadcasts in the bar of the Restcamp.
It was very cold at Keetmans, and every one crowded around the campfire for warmth and to enjoy excellent storytelling. A few awards for little mistakes were handed out, and every one crawled into bed - thankful for the warmth of their tents.
Day Three
On the road again - today we are heading for Windhoek, where we will refuel at Nick du Preez's Total garage and be escorted by Llewellyn Anthony through the town, on towards the Swakopmund area. We will be staying over in his castle, 80 km. Ahead of Swakopmund, and looking forward to it very much. His hospitality is much appreciated by all, and we will also explore a short 4x4 trail on his farm.
FROM SWAKOPMUND TO THE NAMIB AND BACK
The last time we were able to communicate, was in Swakopmund. After four days of traversing the majestic Namib Dunes, we are back in Lauberville, on our way South.
What a wonderful experience, so difficult to describe with words. Even the photos and video footage will not be able to portray accurately what we experienced. The Namib Dunes are impressive, to say the least. After leaving Swakopmund, we travelled via Walvisbay towards Lauberville, and were met by our guides - Rudolf and Marius. After a short explanation of the history of the Topnaar Community as well as their living conditions, and what they hope to achieve with this 4x4 Trail, Johann, Gerhard and Francois briefed the drivers on the conditions they could expect in the Dunes.
No amount of information could prepare them for the impact of that first experience of putting their vehicles to the test in the overwhelming dunes. The first steep dunes were very intimidating, and a few nervous expressions, minor mistakes on the initial approach of the dunes, and a few sighs of relief, were common. Thinking back, it is hard to believe that on the second day, they were already driving like old hands. Heston and Sippie won the red Induna's Jackets after obtaining the highest score in the first general knowledge questionnaire.
The southwesterly wind kept blowing the whole day, and we had a difficult task choosing a protected spot to set up camp for the first evening. The expert advise of Cobus Alberts, of Nature Conservation was called in, and in no time, we had a site, the tents were erected, and Vermaak Senosi and his kitchen team, had supper going. The wind kept howling the whole night long, and we were very thankful when dawn broke, the next morning, and it was time to get into our vehicles. Very soon, they become not just a means of transport, but a trustworthy guard and companion against the elements.
EN-ROUTE TO MEOB BAY
Fortunately the wind died down the next morning, and we had a wonderful drive through the dunes, on our way to the coastline. Passing Empfangenis Bucht and the saltpans, we were so happy to reach the shore, and our first sighting of Conception Bay, were celebrated with lots of photos and film shoots. For the rest of the day, we travelled along the shoreline towards Meob Bay, actually called Fischersbrunn, passing old whale stations, with the remains of longboats and boilers. Arriving at Meob Bay with its shower and one toilet, for the whole group, we were happy to stand in the queue for this luxury. Jan and Awie won the red jackets for great initiatives shown. That evening Rudolf Dausab from the Topnaar Community, had a chance to tell the group all about the Narra plant and its many uses, as well as the new research for the feasibility of the oil that are pressed from the seeds.
FROM MEOB TO THE MINING TOWNS
After a huge breakfast it was time to hit the road via the old pipeline towards the ghost mining towns of Holstasia and Charlottenfelde. We were astonished to see the remains of this infrastructure and hear all the stories attached to it. The desert is slowly reclaiming the derelict remains of past industries, with a rich history of human suffering, all for the search of diamonds.
The last stop was at the Police Station of Conception Bay, with more stories of ghosts and wild shootings. Then it was time to cross the dunes again, on our way back to Lauberville. Our final camp sight was amongst the highest and most intimidating dunes that we'd had to cross so far and the slip face was the most awesome yet, soaring no less than 180 meters at 34 degrees with electrostatic discharge sounds in the background. That evening the mist started rolling in, and the dampness soon chilled the bones. Neil and Nico earned the red jackets for the best application of skills taught.
FINAL DAY OF DUNE CROSSING
The next morning we had to cross those same magnificent dunes, but with the peaks still covered in mist. It was an awesome sight, watching the vehicles driving up the dunes, and then disappearing in the mist. The progress of the convoy improved daily, as the participants honed their skills. As danger was ever present, with the desert around us to remind us of our vulnerability, concentration was the name of the game. Especially after we spotted the remains of an aircraft that crashed in the dunes, during 1982.
Despite detailed planning, one of the vehicles had to be left behind, when it ran out of fuel - in the punishing deep, sand of the Namib, fuel consumption increases dramatically, even doubling. On our arrival back in Lauberville, one of the vehicles drove to Walvisbay, collected fuel and then returned to recover the convoy's "lost lamb."
That evening it was time to say goodbye to Cobus and Marisa, Rudolf and Marius. Their expertise in leading the convoy, as well as all the information they shared with us, during our travelling through the Namib Desert, enriched everybody, and will leave them with a treasure for the rest of their lives.
DAY EIGHT
Sad to say, but we are on our way home - southwards bound. The convoy will be refuelling in Walvisbay this morning, and then travel via the Kuiseb Canyon towards the border. The campsite for tonight will be determined by the progress. Hopefully another surprise for the group, to make sure that every one enjoys themselves till the last moment.
WE ARE SO THANKFUL THAT EVERY THING WENT SUPERBLY WELL, THE TEAMS, AS WELL AS ALL THE HELPERS, AND PRESS WERE GREAT - THANK YOU GUYS FOR THIS MAGNIFICANT TEAMSPIRIT
A VERY BIG THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSERS THAT MADE THIS DREAM POSSIBLE FOR US! |
