CONDITION of Mitchel's Pass Hogsback Area EC
Author Topic: CONDITION of Mitchel's Pass Hogsback Area EC (Read 506 times)
« on: February 24, 2019, 03:45:30 pm »
Mitchel's Pass is situated in the Eastern Cape, between Hogsback and a little dorpie by the name of Seymour. From Hogsback in a westerly direction, the distance from Hogsback to Seymour is 22km.
Plenty inquire from time to time on the condition of the pass, as it was at one stage a nightmare to ride on two wheels. No maintenance were done on the pass for several years and with each rain storm or snowfall the road just deteriorated further. Only the bravest of the brave attempted it and some had regrets forever.
So, wifey and myself decided to do in loco (or is it on loco) inspection on the pass.
Well, I have bad and good news.
Good news, we are still alive and kicking to tell the tale.
Bad news, the pass has been upgraded to such a stage that I will attempt it in an Avis sedan.
The big rocks that stood out and the deep ruts is no more. You still have here and there a slight sign of a rut and some lose stones and gravel, but nothing more serious than what we are used to on our normal daily gravel routes.
So for those who always wanted to do Michel's Pass and who where not brave enough previously, now is the opportunity, as you never know for how long the pass will stay as it is currently. For me the pass is now just another route without the challenge, and then of course, do not forget the great scenery you will see there.
Attached some phodies of the pass. As you will see, I tried to take picture of the worst (if you can name it as such) sections. It is now a total breeze to ride the pass.
The 1st two phodies is the location of the pass.
Hope this will assist those who would like to visit the area.
Nichel's pass.jpg (113.48 kB, 1280x719 - viewed 123 times.)
Mitchel's Pass 1.jpg (135.77 kB, 1096x590 - viewed 124 times.)
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Re: CONDITION of Mitchel's Pass Hogsback Area EC
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2019, 03:46:50 pm »
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« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2019, 06:38:43 pm »
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2019, 09:08:20 am »
Wow.. it sure has changed.
It did NOT look like that when we went up there in 2017
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2019, 09:11:20 am »
Thanks for that news Visarende!
My vrou en ek gaan 'n 2 weke trip in April doen, en ek het beplan om daai pad via Seymour te ry van Hogsback na Rhodes. Nou weet ek dis OK! Ek wil nie te moeilike paaie aandurf met twee mense en bagasie op Malificent nie...
« Reply #5 on: February 25, 2019, 10:29:33 am »
Quote from: Mpandla on February 25, 2019, 09:08:20 am
Yip, changed completely, you actually now have time to enjoy the scenery.
Quote from: roxenz on February 25, 2019, 09:11:20 am
Laat weet wanneer julle in die omgewing is dan kan ons so ent saam julle ry as jy gemaklik is daarmee.
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2019, 11:23:10 am »
Thank you for that information. A some great pictures as well.
« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2019, 11:42:00 am »
Quote from: Vis Arend on February 24, 2019, 03:45:30 pm
Lekker Visarend! Ek het hoeka die MItchells Pas in November gery, met 'n Avis Nissan NP300 bakkie en 'n CRF230F agterop die bakkie. Soos jy sê, dit is maar soos enige ander pas.
Wat jy nou moet ry is die Katberg pas!
My vrou maak die fout om te sê dat hulle met die skoolbus daar oor gery het. "Ja, dit is grondpad, maar die bus het selfs by 'n uitkykpunt gestop!"
Wat 'n skoolbus kan doen sal 'n Avis bakkie ook kan doen reken ek. Dit was een van die beste avonture van my lewe. Die slegs 4x4 roete het die NP300 op stadiums teen 500rmp in 1ste laat voortstrompel, met die vrees dat ons enige tyd sou traksie verloor deur die diep slote en groot klippe. Maar ons het dit gemaak! As dit nat was het ons gestaan! Op bykans 1900m bo seespieel het ons links gedraai bo op die Amatola berge verby die Devils Bellows Telkom toring na Tarkastad. Daar kan mens weer afgaan met die Devil's Bellows pas - nog 'n groter uitdaging as ek die roete so kyk.
Ek het die roete gery met 'n CRF230F AGTEROP die bakkie. Volgende keer is dit met twee wiele!
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2019, 11:42:54 am »
Die T aansluiting bo op Katberg pas.
KatbergPasBo.JPG (194.79 kB, 1219x593 - viewed 89 times.)
« Reply #9 on: February 25, 2019, 11:44:38 am »
Mens moet glo 70km/h op bo op die Amatola ry...
OppadnaDevilsBellows.JPG (159.74 kB, 1228x596 - viewed 91 times.)
« Reply #10 on: February 25, 2019, 11:45:08 am »
Die ou het dit met sy Polo probeer!
PoloDevils Bellows.JPG (202.52 kB, 1230x599 - viewed 92 times.)
« Reply #11 on: February 25, 2019, 11:48:17 am »
Mitchells Pas vanaf Hogsback in 'n noordelike rigting. Daar was baie skilpaaie.
Mitchells Pas.JPG (46.64 kB, 450x920 - viewed 89 times.)
« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2019, 12:40:15 pm »
Thanks for the info Vissie. Now that it's looking more 'age appropriate' for me I'll keep it in mind for next time Jaco organises the Slumdogs Katberg bash.
« Reply #13 on: February 25, 2019, 05:55:38 pm »
Quote from: Jacobsroodt on February 25, 2019, 11:42:00 am
Devil's Bellows pas - nog 'n groter uitdaging as ek die roete so kyk.
Het daai roete al paar keer gedoen. Ons gaan Katberg die naweek doen en sal terugvoer gee.
« Reply #14 on: February 26, 2019, 10:17:11 am »
Quote from: Vis Arend on February 25, 2019, 05:55:38 pm
Die gevoel bo op die berg is ongelooflik. Ek weet nie of daar meer perde as beeste is nie...
En dit raak net koel daar bo, Van daar af is dit koeler, koud en vriesend...
Die pad word so min gebruik dat dit permanent met gras oorgroei is.
Laat weet, ek sal graag wil weet hoe Katberg met 'n fiets was. En Devil's Bellows lyk na 'n lekker uitdaging!
« Reply #15 on: February 26, 2019, 11:33:38 am »
Quote from: Jacobsroodt on February 26, 2019, 10:17:11 am
Baie mooi area daai en jy kry al 4 seisoene daar.
Hier is 'n rr van 'n vorige trip om jou 'n idee te gee.
« Reply #16 on: February 26, 2019, 12:11:07 pm »
Baie mooi area van ons land, waar is dit nie mooi in ons land anyway?
« Reply #17 on: February 26, 2019, 12:35:28 pm »
last time i was there was lekka ruff
michell 1.JPG (139.38 kB, 900x671 - viewed 59 times.)
michell 2.JPG (101.29 kB, 665x673 - viewed 59 times.)
« Reply #18 on: February 26, 2019, 01:10:01 pm »
@Jacobsroodt - daai pad vanaf die Telkom toring na Tarkastad is altyd mooi, MAAAAR dis vir my 'n baie vervelige pad. Weet nie hoekom nie, maar dis hoe ek voel. Ek persoonlik verkies om af te gaan na Tarka via Post Retief.
@Jacobsroodt - Daai Polo is al geruime tyd daar. Dis blykbaar die roete wat die ouens gebruik as hul vee en karre steel - aldus Frikkie by Winterberg Klubhuis.
@Vis Arend - Altyd mooi om daar te ry. Ek en Theuns het nou die dag so gery Katberg toe, iets gedrink en toe weer terug huis toe via Mpofu en Fort Fordyce.
Op daai reguit stuk pad met die heinings weerskante hardloop 'n perd eendag so voor my en David uit. Vir lank saam met ons gehol.
« Reply #19 on: February 26, 2019, 01:13:54 pm »
@Vis Arend @Mev Vis Arend ...on a side note ...how are pappie and mammie enjoying those 250's?
« Last Edit: February 26, 2019, 01:55:13 pm by McSack »