I've got into the habit of always doing the Sani Pass with the same colleague: she's a chick who doesn't scare easily, loves boogeying up and down this groot kopje and downing a welcome sherry or two while at the top.
Last year we did the trip together in a Mitsubishi Triton 4x4 in August 2008 but we had another mate with us as well as my 10-year-old daughter. At the time we'd been hugely impressed with the 3.2 diesel machine and were all excited about the comfort, the space and the bakkie's ability.
This previous trip we were just two-up (well, technically there was a third but he'd leapt out at the bottom of the pass, removed his KTM from the back of the Clubcab and screamed up the hill in a blur of orange and dust, so he doesn't count). This time we were in a petrol 3.5 litre 4x2 Triton MPi V6.
I'd been a bit apprehensive about not having 4x4; we'd been warned that bad weather had made the pass more challenging than usual - but the Triton did have a rear diff-lock button in case of trouble...
By the way, although the bakkie, or Clubcab, has only two seats, there's enough space for either two small passengers (take cushions!) or one large one and some handbags etc.
This is a good-looking vehicle: high, with a superb driving position, lots of windows and light (the little rear side windows snap open easily), a lovely sculpted shape and a great big butch front and rear. Inside, tons of legroom, an eyewear holder, big cubby - but no mirror on the driver's sun-visor (maybe they don't expect women to buy these?). Anti-lock brakes and two crash bags are standard.
Driving to Himeville reassured me there'd probably be more than enough grunt for the Triton to climb the pass sans 4x4. It's got huge torque - 303Nm of the stuff at 3750rpm.
I was right. Not only were we impressed by the suspension but also awed by how it negotiated that very crappy route. Only once did Tracy knyp a bit, when a front tyre wedged in a hole and we started wheel-spinning, battling for traction. I simply reversed several metres downhill (one eye warily on the drop on the passenger side!) then pumped the loud pedal.
The beast gave an almighty roar and surged forward.
...AND THEN THE MIST ROLLED IN
We'd barely finished our lunch on the Lesotho side when cloud rolled in, swirling around us so quickly that within minutes we couldn't see the car park. Quickly we got our passports stamped and set off down again, anxious about visibility.
Luckily we drove beneath the mist but halfway down the heavens opened and the rain came down in buckets. The Triton never faltered but once, on the newly gravelled road after the border, we had a wobbly moment, sliding sideways on thick clay when the wheels lost traction.
Back on terra firma we agreed the Mitsubishi had been superb: a real warrior and if my ship comes in I'd buy one tomorrow. Oh, and I never used the diff lock at all.
Price: R257 000