"Shooting Stars" weekend to The Tankwa Karoo
Fri Nov 20, 17:00 - Sun Nov 22, 12:00
Tankwa Tented Camp
ABOUT
It's time to celebrate those celestial bodies traveling near the speed of light. Them elusive chunks of ice and dust...and what better vantage can you get than the Tankwa Karoo. That magical place that those fortunate enough call home. Generously allowing us humble homo sapiens to behave....badly
Meals:
• Breakfast included
• Lunch/Dinner Make own arrangements OR Braai packs available for R 75 each.
On Friday there will be an “outrageous headgear” Sokkie and then, On Saturday open decks. And in between, a whole bunch of silliness. Don't dress normal.
The shooting stars have been very thin of late. We should make our own. Set it alight or make it fly.
The Leonid meteor shower peaks around 17 Nov. You should be able to see a few shooting stars per hour. Radiating from the constellation Leo, this shower has produced some of the greatest meteor storms in history. In 1966 many thousands of meteors per hour could be seen caused by Earth plowing through the meteoroid stream left by comet 55P: Tempel Tuttle. In most years, the Lion whimpers rather than roars, sometimes producing only 10-15 meteors per hour. Best viewed from about 03h00 and displayinh the greatest meteor numbers just before dawn.
http://www.bashewa.com/wxmeteor-showers.php?shower=Leonids]. Maybe we will also see Comet ISON.
For those interested, a 250km off road adventure over the Oubergpas and then the Gaganna pas via Middelpos for off-road bikes, 4x4’s and bakkies. This out ride is spectacular and is the only way to experience the real Tankwa Karoo.
Other Information:
• NB: ALL vehicles to stick to established roads as this is a fragile desert environment. No new tracks PLEASE. For off-road bikes wanting to play, there is an area for play.
• No refuse removal in the Tankwa, so please double bag your rubbish and take it home with you.
• The outride is highly recommended for anyone with an off-road bike, 4x4 or Bakkie, so please join. Two spectacular mountain passes, 250km 5-6 hours with 2 pit stops.
• Recommended to sleep under the stars.
• Drive carefully on the dirt road. Especially the last 30 km before Tankwa Tented camp.
Directions:
Tankwa Tented Camp
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=207786546159705975256.0004cdef214c88b7aee9c]
--Via Ceres and Tulbagh: Approx 302 km, 4h25min from CT
Take the R44 through Stellenbosch and/or Klapmuts toward Wellington. Just before Wellington take the R44 and left toward and travel 78km to Ceres. Continue through Tankwa PadstalCeres on the R46. After 40km the road becomes a dirt road (R355). Tankwa Padstal is 45km further on the right. After another 60 km turn right into “Stonehenge” just after crossing the Tankwa River bridge. Tankwa Tented camp is 6km away.
--Via Ceres and Bainskloof Pass: Approx 281 km, 4h25min from CT
Travel along N1 and take exit 47 Stellenbosch/R101/Klapmuts/Wellington R44 toward Wellington. From Wellington take the R301, then R43 and R46 to Ceres. Go through Ceres on the R46. After 40km the road becomes a dirt road (R355). After another 45km you will find Tankwa Padstal on the right. After another 60 km turn right into “Stonehenge” just after crossing the Tankwa River bridge. Tankwa Tented camp is 6km away.
--Via Worcester and De Doorns: Approx 320 km. 4h35min from CT)
Travel along N1 through toll and through Worcester. 35km after DeDoorns take the R46 Ceres turnoff to the left. After 30km, turn right at the T-junction onto the R355 where rhe road becomes a dirt road. After another 45km you will find Tankwa Padstal on the right. After another 60 km turn right into “Stonehenge” just after crossing the Tankwa River bridge. Tankwa Tented camp is 6km away.
Outride Information (for off road bikes, 4x4’s and bakkies):
This out ride is spectacular and is the only way to experience the real Tankwa Karoo. It is a serious experience and is STRONGLY encouraged. The surrounds are home to some other very beautiful, breathtaking and albeit nerve wracking passes including the Verlatenkloof Pass, Oubergpas and Ganagga Pass.
Starting from Tankwa Tented camp, we head about 94 km to Ouberg pass. Ouberg Pass is just along the R354 west of Sutherland. It winds itself down the Roggeveld Mountains into the Karoo Basin, a thousand metres below. It is an experience of absolute beauty as one looks over the entire basin, seeing Ceres in the distance, and even as far as Towerkop near Ladismith. On the pass you will find the very rare Olifantsvoet, and Sterboom, both endemic to this area.
After the pass (about 73km), the next major stop is Middelpos where there is a fuel stop and refreshments at the Middelpos Hotel. Then we head about 23 km toward the Ganagga pass where there will be more refreshments at the Ganagga Lodge.
The Gannaga Pass was set out by the Bain family and built as part of a public works program during the Great Depression. It is a pass that has to be experienced. One is offered quite a bargain in the deal when visiting this beautiful pass. The Gannaga Pass is a one track, gravel pass and takes one onto the Roggeveld escarpment, a beautiful stretch of Karoo resplendent in flora.
Gannaga is a spectacular pass, held in place by impressive stonewalls, rising sharply along 700m of Roggeveld escarpment. It is 6km of dramatic switchbacks not for the particularly fainthearted. Once at the peak, one is rewarded for one’s trepidation with breathtaking views of the Tankwa Karoo basin below. Most of the pass is within the Tankwa Karoo National Park. About halfway down the pass is a very healthy Botterboom forest. There is a wealth of birdlife, heralded by the circling Black Eagles suspended in the air in graceful flight, while searching for prey.
Then we head back about 68 km to the Tankwa Tented camp.
Google maps Link for route below:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=207786546159705975256.0004ccf2b566fed4e46d1]
Meals:
• Breakfast included
• Lunch/Dinner Make own arrangements OR Braai packs available for R 75 each.
On Friday there will be an “outrageous headgear” Sokkie and then, On Saturday open decks. And in between, a whole bunch of silliness. Don't dress normal.
The shooting stars have been very thin of late. We should make our own. Set it alight or make it fly.
The Leonid meteor shower peaks around 17 Nov. You should be able to see a few shooting stars per hour. Radiating from the constellation Leo, this shower has produced some of the greatest meteor storms in history. In 1966 many thousands of meteors per hour could be seen caused by Earth plowing through the meteoroid stream left by comet 55P: Tempel Tuttle. In most years, the Lion whimpers rather than roars, sometimes producing only 10-15 meteors per hour. Best viewed from about 03h00 and displayinh the greatest meteor numbers just before dawn.
http://www.bashewa.com/wxmeteor-showers.php?shower=Leonids]. Maybe we will also see Comet ISON.
For those interested, a 250km off road adventure over the Oubergpas and then the Gaganna pas via Middelpos for off-road bikes, 4x4’s and bakkies. This out ride is spectacular and is the only way to experience the real Tankwa Karoo.
Other Information:
• NB: ALL vehicles to stick to established roads as this is a fragile desert environment. No new tracks PLEASE. For off-road bikes wanting to play, there is an area for play.
• No refuse removal in the Tankwa, so please double bag your rubbish and take it home with you.
• The outride is highly recommended for anyone with an off-road bike, 4x4 or Bakkie, so please join. Two spectacular mountain passes, 250km 5-6 hours with 2 pit stops.
• Recommended to sleep under the stars.
• Drive carefully on the dirt road. Especially the last 30 km before Tankwa Tented camp.
Directions:
Tankwa Tented Camp
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=207786546159705975256.0004cdef214c88b7aee9c]
--Via Ceres and Tulbagh: Approx 302 km, 4h25min from CT
Take the R44 through Stellenbosch and/or Klapmuts toward Wellington. Just before Wellington take the R44 and left toward and travel 78km to Ceres. Continue through Tankwa PadstalCeres on the R46. After 40km the road becomes a dirt road (R355). Tankwa Padstal is 45km further on the right. After another 60 km turn right into “Stonehenge” just after crossing the Tankwa River bridge. Tankwa Tented camp is 6km away.
--Via Ceres and Bainskloof Pass: Approx 281 km, 4h25min from CT
Travel along N1 and take exit 47 Stellenbosch/R101/Klapmuts/Wellington R44 toward Wellington. From Wellington take the R301, then R43 and R46 to Ceres. Go through Ceres on the R46. After 40km the road becomes a dirt road (R355). After another 45km you will find Tankwa Padstal on the right. After another 60 km turn right into “Stonehenge” just after crossing the Tankwa River bridge. Tankwa Tented camp is 6km away.
--Via Worcester and De Doorns: Approx 320 km. 4h35min from CT)
Travel along N1 through toll and through Worcester. 35km after DeDoorns take the R46 Ceres turnoff to the left. After 30km, turn right at the T-junction onto the R355 where rhe road becomes a dirt road. After another 45km you will find Tankwa Padstal on the right. After another 60 km turn right into “Stonehenge” just after crossing the Tankwa River bridge. Tankwa Tented camp is 6km away.
Outride Information (for off road bikes, 4x4’s and bakkies):
This out ride is spectacular and is the only way to experience the real Tankwa Karoo. It is a serious experience and is STRONGLY encouraged. The surrounds are home to some other very beautiful, breathtaking and albeit nerve wracking passes including the Verlatenkloof Pass, Oubergpas and Ganagga Pass.
Starting from Tankwa Tented camp, we head about 94 km to Ouberg pass. Ouberg Pass is just along the R354 west of Sutherland. It winds itself down the Roggeveld Mountains into the Karoo Basin, a thousand metres below. It is an experience of absolute beauty as one looks over the entire basin, seeing Ceres in the distance, and even as far as Towerkop near Ladismith. On the pass you will find the very rare Olifantsvoet, and Sterboom, both endemic to this area.
After the pass (about 73km), the next major stop is Middelpos where there is a fuel stop and refreshments at the Middelpos Hotel. Then we head about 23 km toward the Ganagga pass where there will be more refreshments at the Ganagga Lodge.
The Gannaga Pass was set out by the Bain family and built as part of a public works program during the Great Depression. It is a pass that has to be experienced. One is offered quite a bargain in the deal when visiting this beautiful pass. The Gannaga Pass is a one track, gravel pass and takes one onto the Roggeveld escarpment, a beautiful stretch of Karoo resplendent in flora.
Gannaga is a spectacular pass, held in place by impressive stonewalls, rising sharply along 700m of Roggeveld escarpment. It is 6km of dramatic switchbacks not for the particularly fainthearted. Once at the peak, one is rewarded for one’s trepidation with breathtaking views of the Tankwa Karoo basin below. Most of the pass is within the Tankwa Karoo National Park. About halfway down the pass is a very healthy Botterboom forest. There is a wealth of birdlife, heralded by the circling Black Eagles suspended in the air in graceful flight, while searching for prey.
Then we head back about 68 km to the Tankwa Tented camp.
Google maps Link for route below:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=207786546159705975256.0004ccf2b566fed4e46d1]