Rust De Winter - River Run - March 2023
12 March 2023 - Clint Mason
It was unfortunate that there were insufficient members present to warrant the guided Rust De Winter Mountain Drive, a drive that I have long wanted to do, but the River Run has never failed to be exciting, and this time, with water levels high, it was certainly that.
For the 3 members Camping – of which I was one, it was a relatively easy morning, with the sunup early warming up the ground and chilled air left by the night before. It wasn’t long before the sound of kettles boiling and cups clunked as coffee and breakfast was served and devoured.
At around 9 in the morning, the last of the 3 Landys that would be completing the trail arrived and shortly afterward the small convoy headed out of the camping ground and into the Gymkhana area to commence with the River Run Route to deflate their tyres.
With all vehicle preparations done, it didn’t take us long before we were playing around in the muddy slop left behind on the banks of the recently overflowing river. I can’t help myself, if there is mud and water I head straight in… it’s just so exciting.
However, this red route obstacle, combined with what felt like quicksand and zero traction quickly became impassable. In my rearview mirror, I could see Paul smiling as the thought of unceremoniously dragging me out backward must have crossed his mind. Not wanting any new evidence of me stuck in my vehicle, I spoke nicely to Emma my Defender 90 and with some effort, flying mud and spinning wheels we made it out.
You may be thinking that it would be a lesson learned, but no. It wasn’t long before we were again wheel arch-deep in water, as we criss-crossed through the river, up and down obstacles which have been carved into the riverbank.
After a close call, where we dipped further below the water line than expected, we calmed the horses and proceeded with a more cautious approach. The drive through the river was spectacular, even when applying a greater degree of caution.
Arriving at the last river crossing before the route doubles back towards the campgrounds, it was obvious that it was going to be a deep crossing. I decided to give it a try, and edged Emma down the steep embankment into the river. With the angle of the bank and my bonnet dropping below the waterline, I decided it wasn’t my best idea. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, going backward was proving a slippery failure, so I plucked up the courage and pushed forward.
There is something about completing a deep-water crossing in your Landy. Your heart is pumping, the adrenaline is going. It’s an amazing feeling! Not one though that my fellow LROC members felt like taking on though and after successfully getting through to the other side, I attached recovery gear and prepared my return. With a more gradual incline, the water level doesn’t feel as high, but the videos showing the bow wave push over the bonnet told a different story.
With the success of the water crossings under my belt, we decided to drive back the way we had come, knowing that all of the vehicles would make it. About 200m into our return, we found an escape route which crossed back to the original trail, which brought us back into the trail. We headed out to a picnic spot to enjoy a well-earned lunch and cold drink.
The scenery was beautiful, and we were able to relax and take in the surroundings. It’s always awesome chatting with fellow Club Members. Everyone has such amazing stories and experiences to share, there is never a dull moment once the conversation gets going. It was a great opportunity to bond and share our passion for off-road driving.
After food, drinks, and photos were done, it was time to follow the track away from the river and back to the Gymkhana area, where I convinced the convoy that we should play a little more, completing some of the man-made obstacles in this area. It was an excellent opportunity to test our skills and vehicles further. We all had a lot of fun, with some members trying out new techniques and routes, which resulted in lots of laughter and cheers.
Unfortunately, the fun had to come to an end, and after saying our goodbyes and packing up camp, it was time to tackle the highway home. As I drove back, I couldn’t help but reflect on the adventure we had just experienced. The Rust De Winter River Run was a fantastic experience and one that I’ll never forget. The combination of the challenging terrain and the high water levels made it even more thrilling. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend a weekend with fellow Land Rover enthusiasts.
