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Climbing

The idea for this overland trip was born off the back of a little jaunt around Kenya and Uganda in a super-dodgy Suzuki LG80. Jools was working in Kenya at the time when Killy came out and made the excellent purchase of an ancient and dilapidated Suzuki. After 8 weeks and 5,000 kilometers, 3 head gaskets, 2 petrol tanks, 2 cranks, 2 alternators, 1 egg-filled radiator and a whole lot of fun we decided that overlanding was the best thing in the world … just with a better vehicle.

The intended route is to travel down the west of Africa, mostly because the east is so passé and the middle is suicidal. We are hoping to see wonderful contrasts from desert to jungle and the challenges therein, for the vehicle and ourselves. For more detailed info on our 1). country ‘hit list’, 2). vaccinations, 3). documents, 4). equipment, 5). books and 6). visa sources click here.

After deciding the general route of the journey we then set about looking to see what conservation projects we could visit. With Julie’s experience in managing primate projects and Keith’s new found welding skills (as well as veterinary) we were hoping to be able to contribute in some way as we wound our way down through Africa. Through Julie’s contacts at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) we have become involved with the ‘Great Primate Handshake’ and 'Wildlife Direct', two new and innovative conservation programs which will hopefully be a focus for our interaction with the projects we visit. Click here for more info.

As we are travelling across Africa we will hopefully be coming across new and infrequently visited crags and boulders. Our hope would be to be able to climb and document any existing routes which may not be widely known and also to jibber up any other obvious lines. We will be frequenting more famous areas such as Todra Gorge, Hombori, Hoggar, Spitzkoppe and Table Mountain. We will also have a bit of a fanny-about in France and Spain. Click here for a quick link to our climbing pages.

In deciding which vehicle to take, the choice was between Landrover or Landcruiser, until Uncle Martin introduced us to the Steyr Puch Pinzgauer 712. Six wheels, 3 diff-locks, 10 gears and no eggs (no radiator). We bought the vehicle from Emden Hesketh of MoreX4 in January 2006 and drove it into Glynn Davies shed to start the process of the transformation from mobile ambulance to mobile home, from stretchers to beds. We made several sketches arranging the inside of the body and decided to lengthen and strengthen the original glassfibre body with a steel frame and move the back door to the side. The whole thing was lavished with glassfibre whilst dressed as giant sperm. Holes were then cut out for the windows, roof-hatch, fridge, water, gas, cat-flap, mailbox and periscope. The interior was kitted out with storage cupboards, sink, cooker, lock-boxes, bed and a table capable of supporting the vehicle in an earthquake (a large case of over-engineering). The electrical nest of vipers was finally subdued into an organised web, linking solar-panel, charge controller, inverter, battery charger, alternator, external hook-up and winch-mounted escape pod. We both have a great love of music so stupid money was spent on the bombastic sound stereo. To cap it all, the most important thing in Africa is first impressions. On no account look like a military vehicle, but what the heck…..cheap paint. Click here for more vehicle info and photo's