Hair-Raising moments as Forward Controls conquer Lesotho. The Land Rover forward control is one of the most un-Land Rover looking vehicles. But it is just a normal Land Rover under that big body and just as capable.
In late December 1991 two Forward Controls departed on an epic trip through Lesotho. It was a hair raising experience with breakdowns in the steep rough mountains as the Forward Controls conquer Lesotho.
In late 1991 I had travelled to the USA on a working holiday where I spent several months travelling across the USA. So I was not on this trip but I remember many fond trips in this Forward Control as a teenager. My parents had built up this ex military forward control into a dedicated camper as our original Series 2A LWB had gotten a bit small for us all to fit into. On this trip they had also taken Grand mother Ouma Sarie who was a seasoned overlander. My brother Brian was on the trip and did a lot of the driving. I chatted to him about it recently.
Lesotho – The Mountain Kingdom
Lesotho is a small independent country within the borders of South Africa. The Kingdom of Lesotho is situated in the Maluti mountains with a population of 2 million people covering 30 000km2. It is famous for its steep mountain passes and rugged roads. The lowest point is 1400m and 80% of the country is above 1800m.
I also caught up with Jan and Leone who were in the other Forward Control with their two daughters. These two families did many Forward control trips together.
According to Leonie We came from Fouriesburg. Route was Butha Buthe, Moteng pass( Low Range), Oxbow, Tlaeng pass (3275m), Tlokoeng, Mokhotlong, Thabon, . Sebong, (very steep road)
My mother was always full of ideas on these trips and Leonie rekated the story about idiot cards. “It was all laughs in spite of the mechanical challenges. Ina thought up idiot cards; Somehow we each “transgressed hilariously, and had to wear the idiot badge for a day .
Travelling in Lesotho
Camping and travelling in Lesotho is a unique experience. There are very few established places to camp. Yet there are many beautiful spots to camp on hilltops, on hillsides or next to the many streams. All of them with amazing views and a distinct sense of wilderness.
Many of the roads were still untarred very narrow and steep. Narrow steep roads and heavy forward controls make for some exciting driving. On one particularly steep and tight descent with Brian driving the harpin bends were getting tighter and tighter. With Ina filming out of the window you can hear her concern. Near the bottom suddenly it looks like the won’t make the harpin bend s the approach was just too fast. After some nervous moments they do get through and continue to the bottom.
Passing on these narrow roads is not always easy and often a challenge in itself. Encountering broken vehicles is also not uncommon. If you breakdown in these mountains at the wrong time it could be fatal and you could be in for a long wait before any help arrives.
Mechanical Problems
Leonie explains how the mechanicals on their forward control were becoming a problem. “Our fwd control’s Front drive shaft breaks. Our left rear side shaft brakes. Right rear side shaft damaged. Brian walks all the way down to look Then he walks up the mountain to remove their front prop shaft and walks down with it. for us to install. We drove up and removed prop shaft to attach again on the Cotton LR.
At scenic Sethlabathebe we camped wild about 100m from the lodge. New years day was festive , with a ” contrived Christmas tree” .Tant Sarie baked bread, We hiked and then played boggle while it rained.
New years eve we produced an amazing dinner from the Weber and played Trivial Pursuit until midnight.
After 2 weeks in the mountains the two forward controls excited Lesotho into nata at Hillside Camp.
Leonie leaves us with some memories from this amazing trip “At Hillside Camp all 6 went horse riding. After supper we sat on the grass around the campfire and decided that the best place for dirty plastic dishes and cutlery, would be wherever they land when we threw them over the left shoulder…”
You can see the full video as these Forward Controls Conquer Lesotho at The Overland Legend on YouTube
