need advice - SANI PASS

[IndianHiluxLover]

Hwsit guys. i will be attempting sani pass nex weekend 21/10/2011 - 23/10/2011.We will be going in 3 4x4s namely, my hilux d4d ,2010 prado d4d and fortuner d4d. I have done a 4x4 training course and drove most of gautengs 4x4 trails so its fair to say i have some offroad experience.The other 2 drivers are new to offroading and sani will be their 1st. Anyway long story short i need advice on the ffg:



1.What experience is needed to conquer sani pass?would the other amature drivers be capable of doing it?

2.Any chance of vehicle damage or scratches? all vehicles are standard

3.When is the best time of day to drive up sani?and how long does it take return? we will be doing it on saturday

4.What recovery gear would we need to take with?

5.Whats the best speed and gear to drive up n down? (high range or low range 1,2,3 ? )

6.Lastly how is the weather at the top this time of year? and any other advice?



Thanx guys your advice would be appreciated

[Ou vale1]

Piece of pie, it's a gravel road going up a mountain, just don't look down

[JohanM]

I have answered your questions below: Hope it helps you!

1.What experience is needed to conquer sani pass?would the other amature drivers be capable of doing it?


Yes in almost all weather conditions you will be able to drive up there with even very limited driving skills.

2.Any chance of vehicle damage or scratches? all vehicles are standard

No unless you do something really silly!!!

3.When is the best time of day to drive up sani?and how long does it take return? we will be doing it on saturday

Go in the Morning, take it easy, have lunch at Sani Top Chalets and have a drink, drive to the escarpment, and then go down in the afternoon. I would spend one day taking it easy up and down, no need to make a timed event of it. Remember there is a lot of vehicles travelling that pass daily so best is go early morning and come back after lunch taking it easy and taking pictures of everything

4.What recovery gear would we need to take with?

Standard Recovery kit with snatch & tow rope witch shackles will be suffiecient for most off road excursions. Here it is a steep rutted mountain track. Never needed any recovery gear on Sani Pass in 5 trips

5.Whats the best speed and gear to drive up n down? (high range or low range 1,2,3 ? )

I usually start out in High4 and going to Low4 when i feel the road is getting rough and I do not want to bounce around, also at the switchbacks its easier on the drivetrain to be in Low4 as you can idle your way up there.

6.Lastly how is the weather at the top this time of year? and any other advice?

Weather is usually warm on the pass if the sun is out and shining. Wind is always chilly up @ Sani top chalets!! take Warm jackets and clothing with as in this weather & area things can and do get cold quickly. Also take drinking water along and lots of spare batteries for the camera.

Enjoy it and just be gentle and you'll make it there and back with lots of pictures to show us.

[Rebel 4x4]

I have answered your questions below: Hope it helps you!

1.What experience is needed to conquer sani pass?would the other amature drivers be capable of doing it?


Yes in almost all weather conditions you will be able to drive up there with even very limited driving skills.

2.Any chance of vehicle damage or scratches? all vehicles are standard

No unless you do something really silly!!!

3.When is the best time of day to drive up sani?and how long does it take return? we will be doing it on saturday

Go in the Morning, take it easy, have lunch at Sani Top Chalets and have a drink, drive to the escarpment, and then go down in the afternoon. I would spend one day taking it easy up and down, no need to make a timed event of it. Remember there is a lot of vehicles travelling that pass daily so best is go early morning and come back after lunch taking it easy and taking pictures of everything

4.What recovery gear would we need to take with?

Standard Recovery kit with snatch & tow rope witch shackles will be suffiecient for most off road excursions. Here it is a steep rutted mountain track. Never needed any recovery gear on Sani Pass in 5 trips

5.Whats the best speed and gear to drive up n down? (high range or low range 1,2,3 ? )

I usually start out in High4 and going to Low4 when i feel the road is getting rough and I do not want to bounce around, also at the switchbacks its easier on the drivetrain to be in Low4 as you can idle your way up there.

6.Lastly how is the weather at the top this time of year? and any other advice?

Weather is usually warm on the pass if the sun is out and shining. Wind is always chilly up @ Sani top chalets!! take Warm jackets and clothing with as in this weather & area things can and do get cold quickly. Also take drinking water along and lots of spare batteries for the camera.

Enjoy it and just be gentle and you'll make it there and back with lots of pictures to show us.

Kan 'n 2WD voertuig ook dit maak (Met diff lock)

[OOOOMS]

[quoteKan 'n 2WD voertuig ook dit maak (Met diff lock)][/quote]

Sonder dif lock, as dit droog is

[ThysdJ]

Kan 'n 2WD voertuig ook dit maak (Met diff lock)

Jy gaan die L/R mis as jy afkom.. jy gaan heeltyd op jou brieke ry. Soos Mark se, sonder difflock as dit droog is.

[Kader]

So I did some mountain passes in the Eastern Cape in April 2011 after which I did Sani Pass.
Was surprised to find that it is a taxi route with Toyota Hiaces going up and down.
Sani Pass is a big disappointment for me - I was up in 18 minutes!
The drive down is wonderful as you can then enjoy the view.
I don't think a 4 wheel drive is required unless you hit wet weather.

[Wave]

A mate of mine did Sani in a Murano... I'm sure your Lux will do it without even trying

[IndianHiluxLover]

Thanx for the advice johan much appreciated.will post some pics wen i get back.

ouvale1 and kader, thats a bit dissapointing to hear was hoping it would be challenging so i could test out my lux. guess il just have to pray it rains

[2.8 d/cab SFA]

not difficult at all, if dry, if wet can be slippery in the steeper sections. Sani about the view, go slow enjoy it

[oxydog]

So I did some mountain passes in the Eastern Cape in April 2011 after which I did Sani Pass.
Was surprised to find that it is a taxi route with Toyota Hiaces going up and down.
Sani Pass is a big disappointment for me - I was up in 18 minutes!
The drive down is wonderful as you can then enjoy the view.
I don't think a 4 wheel drive is required unless you hit wet weather.

Keep in mind, those are 4x4 Hi-Aces. In winter they drive up there with chains on the wheels (for the ice).

[oxydog]

Hwsit guys. i will be attempting sani pass nex weekend 21/10/2011 - 23/10/2011.We will be going in 3 4x4s namely, my hilux d4d ,2010 prado d4d and fortuner d4d. I have done a 4x4 training course and drove most of gautengs 4x4 trails so its fair to say i have some offroad experience.The other 2 drivers are new to offroading and sani will be their 1st. Anyway long story short i need advice on the ffg:



1.What experience is needed to conquer sani pass?would the other amature drivers be capable of doing it?

2.Any chance of vehicle damage or scratches? all vehicles are standard

3.When is the best time of day to drive up sani?and how long does it take return? we will be doing it on saturday

4.What recovery gear would we need to take with?

5.Whats the best speed and gear to drive up n down? (high range or low range 1,2,3 ? )

6.Lastly how is the weather at the top this time of year? and any other advice?



Thanx guys your advice would be appreciated

Down is almost certainly more difficult (still not THAT difficult). On the steep parts, switch to 4L, 1st gear, and keep your foot off the brakes.

[ThysdJ]

Sani about the view, go slow enjoy it

Agreed, Sani is not a 4x4 challenging route, but the spectaculr views make it worth while.

[oxydog]

[quoteKan 'n 2WD voertuig ook dit maak (Met diff lock)]

Sonder dif lock, as dit droog is [/quote]

Ek stem saam, 2WD sal dit maak (as dit nie sneeu nie), maar toe ons laas daar was, was daar 'n kennisgewing by SA grenspos wat sê "slegs 4x4's". Wat meer is, 2WD sal moet remme gebruik met afkom, wat niks pret is op 'n gruispad nie.

[Lets Play]

Yeah, It is beautiful and worth the while

[Mountain Man]

I used to go up and down the pass in my Landcruiser Pick Up 4.2D in H2. But my Hilux used to run out of power due to a worn carb. I have done it in H2 with the Hilux with the EFI. Done the pass in excess of 20 times and really it is no challenge. Think of a district road, but steep and basically that is the pass. The only time you will ever get stuck is if you are going up in the snow. Even in the worst rain you won't get stuck due to the stony nature of the road. The 4WD magazines have painted an over rated picture of the trecherous and formidible Sani pass. The distance from the lower SA border to the top Lesotho border is 11Km. Easily do it in 1/2 hour. However if it is your first time then there are many places you can stop and stake pictures etc. Do youreslf a favour and don't stop at the Sani Top Chalet only, rather carry on the road until you reach Black Mountain Pass. This is in less then 20Km from the Sani Top, and although not as steep as Sani Pass, once you are at the top you will be able to enjoy panoramic views of Lesotho.

[IndianHiluxLover]

bags n bakkie are packed and ready to go.

mountain man- is black mountain pass also jus a gravel road like sani? and is it easy to get ther directions wise? would i need a gps?

[OOOOMS]

bags n bakkie are packed and ready to go.

mountain man- is black mountain pass also jus a gravel road like sani? and is it easy to get ther directions wise? would i need a gps?

Also gravel road and scenic

[Mountain Man]

bags n bakkie are packed and ready to go.

mountain man- is black mountain pass also jus a gravel road like sani? and is it easy to get ther directions wise? would i need a gps?

There is only one road so you can't get lost. Just go through the border, stop at the pub for a drink, then carry on the road until you climb another pass al be it a lot smaller then Sani. If you feel a like it you don't have to turn around at the top of the pass but you can carry on down into the valley, it really is your choice. Then turn around when you feel like it, head back to Sani, have another drink and make your way through the border and down the pass. A blind mad driving at night cannot get lost.

[OOOOMS]

There is a nice lookout point halfway down BM

[OOOOMS]

Here is a nice little detour1km for want some adventure:

S29 31.378
E29 12.113

[ThysdJ]

Yes, and if you watch TV you'll see the in the new Cheri ad they also drive up Sani...