Sani Pass in the snow

[Ramkat]

We had 40cm deep snowfalls in Kokstad and surrounding area on Friday night. For the average guy in the Bantam this is bad news, but for a 4x4 Hilux owner, this is great news!
Did 4 recoveries on my way to work on Saturday morning and had lots more fun throughout the day on Saturday messing around in the snow.

Sunday morning 9 o'clock I decided that the oppurtunity to tackle a snowy Sani pass could not be missed, and by 10 o'clock we were on our way. Unfortunately I could not find another vehicle to join me on such short notice. The roads to Sani through Swartberg, Underburg and Himeville was still full of snow, and it was slow going, but just after 12 we reached the turnoff to Sani Pass. The gravel road leading to the border controll was a muddy mess due to the snow melting, but made for interresting driving in 4x4 High range. Just as we got through border controll we had 2 Ford Rangers coming down the pass with the drivers shaking their heads and waving not to attempt the pass, they only went up about 2km and then decided to turn back. I wanted to see for myself, so decided to push forward. I punched Sani Pass in as the destination on my GPS before leaving Kokstad, and when we got to the border control it said that we had 6.6km to go to reach our destination. After about 4km we met up with 2 other vehicles,one was a Land Cruiser station wagon, and I can't remember what the other vehicle was,they also turned back, and said that things was getting very slippery around the next corner. They were right, but after some slipping and sliding for about 15 minutes we got through the corner and pushed on, with only momentum keeping us moving for the next 1km or so. Around the next corner, there was no more tracks, no other vehicle went this far. After a bit more slipping and sliding, ending up in a ditch, some rocking the Hilux and some sweat from me and some tears from my wife we got through the bad patch and drove on in second gear low range making fresh tracks in the snow for about another 700m or so. Around the next corner came a short wheel base Land Rover and a little Suzuki Jeep. They went up the pass on Saturday, was snowed in, and was the first vehicles to come down from Lesotho on Sunday morning. After some discussions with the Land Rover and Suzuki drivers, and some more tears from my wife, I decided to call it quits with Sani and turn back down. Damn!!! The GPS said 950m to go!

It was a very nice and exciting outing with a few nerve wrecking moments, but good fun. If only I had another Hilux with me I'm sure we could have made it all the way to the top.

Will post some pictures tomorrow.

[CasKru]

Thanks for the report Jack.... Can't wait to see those fodies :)

[Family_Dog]

Hi Jack,

Long time no hear!

Look forward to seeing the photos as well :)


-F_D

[Ramkat]

Hi Jack,

Long time no hear!

Look forward to seeing the photos as well :)


-F_D

I've been busy with other things!

[CasKru]

Geeeeeeeezzzzzzz.... there must have been a lot of snow. So much that it makes the Hilux look like a trail bike!

[Ramkat]

Pictures as promised, unfortunately not many due to technical complications!

[Bosvark]

Very nice Jack

[dalkill]

so how is it like driving on snow.
Do you have to put on snow chains and stuff

[Ramkat]

so how is it like driving on snow.
Do you have to put on snow chains and stuff

It's like driving through deep mud, not much control, lots of spinning and slipping. The back of the Hilux likes spinning out because it is so light. Ideally you need a bit of weight on the back. Driving through fresh snow is actually easier than driving on someone else's track. The problem starts once the snow gets compacted and turns into ice, then you've got no traction!