Mokhotlong Lesotho

WayneSchalk · Post by **WayneSchalk** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 3:30 pm

After very short notice from my company I was on my way to Letseng Diamond mine in Lesotho. the best parts was the drive on Mahlasela and Moteng Pass in the Maluti Mountains.

Here are some pics

WayneSchalk · Post by **WayneSchalk** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 3:43 pm

Here we encountered a jack knifed truck, lucky I had my kettel with me for a hot cup while the locals placed some stones for a way around.

WayneSchalk · Post by **WayneSchalk** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 3:53 pm

so after we cleared the obstetrical we moved up and up to 3000 meters

We came across a hitch hiker, unfortunately he waited for days, it was to late for him....

WayneSchalk · Post by **WayneSchalk** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 4:00 pm

and here is Afriski

GI Jane · Post by **GI Jane** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 4:08 pm

Whew, it looks very cold there.... pity about the jack knifed truck and the hitch hiker... but some stunning places...

WayneSchalk · Post by **WayneSchalk** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 4:09 pm

Here is where we stayed at the mine.

We attempted to fish for trout but the cold was too much, the road from the lake and the mine was not scraped and we had a close call, almost got stuck. So after that we decided to head strait back home and not attempt to do Sani Pass alone :?

RiyadhFortuner · Post by **RiyadhFortuner** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 4:14 pm

great stuff, nice pics

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 4:23 pm

Lyk lekker .... en na pret

zepplin · Post by **zepplin** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 5:09 pm

That truck doesn't look to have jack knifed!! Maybe just a case of brain-fade??

Sebata · Post by **Sebata** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:05 pm

Wayne no, why didn't you invite me :problem: That looks awesome

WayneSchalk · Post by **WayneSchalk** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 4:47 pm

Here is a bit of snow driving, I got stuck but after letting the tires down a bit I came right.

[YouTube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj3bs-mp ... ature=plcp[/YouTube]

WayneSchalk · Post by **WayneSchalk** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 4:48 pm

PS tried to embed it but im to tired.

Mountain Man · Post by **Mountain Man** » Sat Jun 30, 2012 6:18 pm

Wayne:
Just a tip and no disrespect meant, your tyres do not look adequet for snow driving. If I'm not mistaken you have Good Year Wrangler?? For good snow driving you need MUD tyres. When I say snow driving I mean like in your picture of the ungraded track.

If you encounter compacted snow which is almost ice then the best tyres would be winter tyres which we seldom get in RSA but the closest you will come are some of the soft roader tyres with lots of small lugs and lots and lots of sipes (little cuts in the tyres). The big tread blocks of the mud tyres are not as good in the ice. Soft snow they work great.

Unladen tyre pressures (depending on vehicle and type of tyres) about 50Kpa - 80Kpa (0.5-0.8 Bar)

Also, especially when ascending, you want to keep the wheels spinning a little bit, not too much but just a little bit and it sort of helps dig and throw out the snow from the tread. Obviously if you have picked up enough speed then you DON'T want the wheels spinning as you could loose control.

WayneSchalk · Post by **WayneSchalk** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 12:01 pm

Hi Craig

It was a short notice trip for work, I for one will not buy a new set of tires just for snow application and to top it one trip, the possibility of me going back in the near future is close to zero. My tyres got me there and back safely.

Donkey · Post by **Donkey** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 11:16 pm

Thanks for sharing Wayne, going home end of the month

Mountain Man · Post by **Mountain Man** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 11:45 am

WayneSchalk wrote:Hi Craig

It was a short notice trip for work, I for one will not buy a new set of tires just for snow application and to top it one trip, the possibility of me going back in the near future is close to zero. My tyres got me there and back safely.

Wayne:
I didn't mean to offend, it was only an observation.

BTW the Moteng Pass is amazing. I have been lucky enough to do it a couple of times in a vehicle and once on a motorbike.

Thanks for the pictures, I love Lesotho.

WayneSchalk · Post by **WayneSchalk** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 12:03 pm

Mountain Man wrote:
WayneSchalk wrote:Hi Craig

It was a short notice trip for work, I for one will not buy a new set of tires just for snow application and to top it one trip, the possibility of me going back in the near future is close to zero. My tyres got me there and back safely.
Wayne:
I didn't mean to offend, it was only an observation.

BTW the Moteng Pass is amazing. I have been lucky enough to do it a couple of times in a vehicle and once on a motorbike.

Thanks for the pictures, I love Lesotho.

No Worries

I'd say you are brave doing it on a bike

Post by **Mud Dog** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 2:57 pm

Beautiful pics Wayne!!

4x4Maniac · Post by **4x4Maniac** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 12:17 am

Nice pics and snowman! Would have loved to be there!

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