S1 - Ep 133 - Hel se Pad Pass was a last-minute decision!

This last-minute decision to take the Hel se Pad Pass was a great one! On our way to the pass, we stopped off at Grasberg and Bokkefontein which are two very old settlements with an amazing history. Then it was time to tackle Hel se Pad Pass. There were no vehicle tracks visible at all and very obvious that no-one had travelled on this pass for a long time and this made me quite nervous! After walking a few meters, I decided it can be done. I am so happy that we did it, what an experience! Reaching the bottom of the pass did not mean that the challenge was over. We then had to navigate our way out of the Knersvlakte. The route is not marked at all. I have put a link to the map I made of the route we used to get out below. Do yourself a favour and do this pass when in the area, it's a once-in-a-lifetime pass! #DustBugs #adventuretravel #southafrica #southafricavlog #willemsrivier #helsepadpass #knersvlakte #grasberg #bokkefontein
Hel se Pad Pass Map Link: www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edi...
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[@munesumangava9751]

I like Sonia saying ‘You know what you doing right😳’ 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Deontjie]

Right?

[@munesumangava9751]

What a history for Grasberg! And the old pump!!!Wow

[@susannaemmerich1166]

The two of you remind me soooo much of my husband and myself. He was always "bok" for unplanned things. If anything happens today Curtis, you are in DEEP trouble.❤🙃👍🙏

[@munesumangava9751]

Wow….. the view from the gate on the pass….Stunning!!!

[@carinacourtney8023]

Loved this one...those two old settlements are fascinating and that "canyon" just too beautiful.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you so much! We couldn't believe our luck that we stumbled upon those two farms before the pass, they are steeped in such rich history. 📚 Those places have such amazing stories to tell.

[@fireandicewine]

This couple truly enjoys the views from the multitude of mountain passes in the Cape. These are fun to watch episodes.

[@DustBugsTravel]

True story! 😁 And if they're gravel passes, we love them even more. 🥰 We're glad you enjoy watching, we enjoy filming! 🤩

[@frederikbrits9559]

Look at the smile, so evil.......hehehe o my dear

[@charlesmodisane5457]

Your laughter is so relaxing and shows how you and Sharon enjoy your expedition

[@flodillon991]

I am speechless I was sitting on edge for you both, but the name says it all (Hell se Pas) amazing those sceneries were to die for. I can't imagine the wagons going there. They had lots of courage. Wow thank for a more then interesting episode.

[@DustBugsTravel]

So happy that you enjoyed it. I would've regretted it if we didn't do it and you're right, the name is very fitting. 🔥 There were a few scary moments. Like you, I also struggle to imagine ox wagons going up and down on this pass, those folks were tough as nails!

[@jenbee6713]

Great video, I really enjoyed the adventure. It must be so quiet on that pass, I'd love to stop there for a while and enjoy the peace.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you! It was a fantastic drive and super quiet with no-one or nothing in sight. We were rather anxious to get to the bottom though and figure out how to get out of the Knersvlakte. That took a while! 🚗😁

[@61sunset]

Really enjoyed that trip. Am so impressed with the Kwid, going over the sharp rocks and crevices. Thanks all the best with the next leg of the journey. I really feel like a back seat driver. : )

[@DustBugsTravel]

It's awesome to have you in the back seat! 😁 That little car continues to surprise us time after time. I got out a few times though to make sure that we're not taking any unnecessary chances.

[@ebaab9913]

Think Sonja had the right opinion, but the trip while sitting in my lounger was fun 😂 Here in NZ and AUS the car rental companies make you sign that you will not go on dirt roads! Awsome trip, thanks guys.

[@funkdunk]

You're really showing off the Kwid's capabilities as its sibling (the Duster) biggest competitor, I always wonder if the carhire co is watching 👀 🤣...

[@seanchallenge]

Datsun Go chassis very good road clearance wow

[@DustBugsTravel]

My goal is always to give the car back in the same condition I found it in, so I have to be super careful and responsible. Nothing wrong with a few uneven surfaces and a stretch or two of roughish dirt road in-between though! 😁

[@mj3299]

😀 They say the best 4 x 4 by far is a rental. With that said in the days of the Model T Fords, roads like these were the norm. What accessory you can add to a normal two wheel drive vehicle is chains for the driving wheels, but those are more for muddy/sandy circumstances. You will be amazed where a normal vehicle can go.

[@deonzar]

We went up the pass in our Landcruisers last year...and here you sommer go down in a karretjie..no man.. ! :-)...well done

[@DustBugsTravel]

Well done to you guys for doing the up route, I'm not sure we could've done that, let alone find the start of the Pass! It's a little confusing down below on the Knersvlakte! 😁 This remains one of the highlights of that trip for us, it was super nerve-racking at times, but wildly exciting and we loved every minute. That little car impresses me no end, all the time! 🚗🤩

[@deonzar]

@@DustBugsTravel Yes I must say the gravel spoor at the bottom of the pass could lead you in circles but we had Tracks4Afrika maps in our gps so it was rather easy. Funny enough I told the other guys K would like to do it again...going down this time...you see such a lot more.

[@samanthashepheard]

Lol Sonia and Curtis the two of you make me laugh 😂. Poor Sonia I can only imagine how nervous must be, I'm not even in the car with you and I'm stressing out lol. I get so nervous and get worried if you get a flat tire or don't have enough petrol and in the middle of nowhere with no cell signal, it will be disastrous lol🤦‍♀️. I must say the two of you are so good for each other and make a great team, love it ❤

[@seanchallenge]

Awesome really enjoyed the wagon track you travelled. Once again thank you for sharing your experiences. Plus the map info great , PS you must visit KZN to see Sani Pass and Underberg area

[@DustBugsTravel]

KZN, including Underberg, is most definitely on our list for future trips when we start venturing further away from home. We're not super fond of the cold weather though, so will have to tackle those areas and particularly the Sani Pass in the warmer months. 🥶 Good to hear you enjoyed this video, thank you!

[@tshireletsotshire9171]

I recently drove around Northern Cape thanks to you guys. A beautiful province. It's a pity I did not drive through this hel se pas. It was just after the rain and one guest house lady told me it bad! So I skipped

[@andrecoetzee8614]

O julle dit is baie smart. Dankie julle ons saam neem elke keer. Tog ek dink julle kan my maar aanneem, mon bagasie en ek is al verby my tiener jare

[@DustBugsTravel]

🤣 We're more than happy to take you along for the ride every time. Thank you for your kind comment, it's good to know you enjoyed the video.

[@debbiekruger9414]

Oh my word, that pass!! Very very exciting. And that view. I'm also impressed with that Kwid

[@DustBugsTravel]

The Knersvlakte blew our minds from the very first time we saw it, it's like no other plain! The pass was super exciting, I'm so glad we decided to do it. What can I say about the Kwid, we love it so much! ❤️🚗

[@annawitter5161]

What a beautiful rugged pass! So glad you made it.

[@DustBugsTravel]

It was beautiful and exciting all at once, so glad we did that one! 😝🚗

[@hevanzyl7896]

Ek het dit baie geniet om saam met julle te ry. Mooi herinneringe teruggebring. Baie bly julle voertuig het geen skade opgedoen nie, veral die bande.

[@nadoubidou]

So awesome! Glad i found your channel while just looking for where to find the Church in Leliefontein. And now i see you took this pass which is just a bit southern from our "holiday farm", and I've always been scared to take that road because it's said to be in bad condition. I think it's the best way of documenting it and I'm definitely going to take this pass next time I want to go to Nieuwoudtville from our farm. There's another lovely road to take, also making a loop, just northern from Die Hel, but for that one you do need a 4x4, and it goes through our farm

[@munesumangava9751]

And I had my fingers crossed for you guys all the time going over that pass coz I’m thinking if ever there’s a breakdown yhooooooo😳😳😳😳

[@moheganforfreedom4265]

It's covered in flours during spring. Even the ruins

[@debbiekruger9414]

Those buildings are fabulous

[@DustBugsTravel]

We loved them too! 😍 So much history, we just had to stop there!

[@walterfick157]

We were a couple of weeks ago in that area...we were not aware of all these little settlements...we will definitely go back... thanks for a great video 👍

[@DustBugsTravel]

I know! We didn't even know about those two farms until the farm owner at Willemsrivier told us. Definitely worth a visit when you're in the area next. You will love it! 👌🏻

[@walterfick157]

@@DustBugsTravel maybe next time I should leave the caravan in VanRhynsdorp and do this Pass as a day trip 🤔👍

[@Deontjie]

You should do the Moedverloor road south to Botterkloof and Doringrivier. Including the glacier floor scratchings.

[@debbiekruger9414]

What a trip.

[@DustBugsTravel]

It was super cool! 🤩

[@Cape_Town_7655]

u step on break in car it stop if cattle move u move they handbrake was oo with 8 or 12 in front of wagon .im glad today have enjine and propper brakes

[@DustBugsTravel]

I agree with you fully! I definitely don't want to be stopped by eight or more cattle, thank you very much! 🐂🐂🐂

[@user-wk4po9tg9f]

Shame I feel for you Sonia. 😮

[@riagouws3211]

Hoe dis pragtig dankie Knersvlakte

[@DustBugsTravel]

That plain is truly fantastic and we think back to these specific views quite often. I'm glad you enjoy our videos so much, we appreciate you watching! 🚙😍

[@pieterbeukes1411]

Vrou lief maak my sile, "Daai evel smile" ,daar toe jy die hek oop gemaak het, en kordaat terugstap voertuig toe. Laat my dink aan Celest en ek. Soms beland ek ook in n sutuasiewat vir Kaster olie roep,🧐😳😵‍💫 en ek moet tande trekker speel vit n wyle

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yes, I know I had an evil smile that day! I was absolutely in my element and was having a ball of a time on that pass. Exhilarating stuff! So glad you guys can identify with us, we appreciate you watching! 😁🚗

[@Cape_Town_7655]

i dont like hight stay by bains kloof pass but its thin and tared now they fixed its better but gravel pass i dont have option like voortrekkers if i get to gate ill turn around

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm happy to hear that the Bainskloof Pass is ready to travel on again, we've tried twice before, but it was closed both times. Can't wait to travel there in the future. Glad you enjoyed this one! 😃

[@Cape_Town_7655]

wat happen if bottom gate was locked lol

[@DustBugsTravel]

To answer your question, I wasn't going back up the pass, that's for sure! 😁

[@moheganforfreedom4265]

Further is Tea farm Rogland

[@Cape_Town_7655]

but good on camera and experiance like tell kids dont show of do things u like and enjoy every rollocaster they have track back toe were u start

[@DustBugsTravel]

We love documenting our trips, it's fun to share with others who also enjoy the backroads and the beauty of nature. ⛰️

[@Cape_Town_7655]

were u have been not even animals there

[@DustBugsTravel]

It was super quiet in the wildlife department until we saw the two springbok, which we enjoyed tremendously. 🦌 Luckily the pass and the plain were exciting enough!

[@mariannaskontorp5545]

You should tel Renault to pay you for advertisement of their car.

[@DustBugsTravel]

😁 It's no secret that we love the Kwid and are often amazed at its performance. It handled the pass beautifully and it was a fantastic experience doing it in that little car. 🚗