Darien gap

[Wortho]

Hi everyone, has anyone here driven the Darien gap or know anyone who has. I would like to get some info off them.

[87County]

G'day Wortho, unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure and I don't think that many people have - there was a Land Rover or Range Rover expedition that attempted in the early 70s and I'm sure that if you google it there will something noted on the web (there usually is).



Are you thinking of brushing up on your Spanish and doing the trip ?

[87County]

found these....

What happens when you abandon a Land Rover in the Darien Gap? - Expedition Portal (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/95233-What-happens-when-you-abandon-a-Land-Rover-in-the-Darien-Gap)

http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/range-rover-darien-gap

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/search'searchTerm=darien+gap&search=Find+book

[clubagreenie]

Given that there's been 3 expeditions that I know of. One successful, and none in recent (last 20 years) I'd be surprised if anyone here had. It's still probably the last true adventure left in the world. And one I'd give a limb to do.

[Wortho]

I know that a Range Rover was the first vehicle to do it, bit of a mission apparently. I am trying to work out possible routes through that would bring you out near a border crossing on the Panamanian side. All part of a little something i am trying to plan at the moment. Any info or thoughts would be much appreciated.

[87County]

I know that a Range Rover was the first vehicle to do it, bit of a mission apparently. I am trying to work out possible routes through that would bring you out near a border crossing on the Panamanian side. All part of a little something i am trying to plan at the moment. Any info or thoughts would be much appreciated.

Since you posted I've been reading about it - the British Army Range Rovers did make it, but apparently a Jeep and a Land Rover S1 did it before that - difficult to find details of that expedition - apparently published in National Geographic mag in the sixties. I reckon I'd start by buying some of those books I linked to in post #3 and I'd be making some enquiries about personal security - life is cheap in that part of the world.

note the interesting hook arrangement

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1378.jpg (http://s708.photobucket.com/user/87county/media/Winching_zps6fc4aa91.jpg.html)




https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1379.jpg (http://s708.photobucket.com/user/87county/media/brokenLRDarienGap_zpsfc1d54ce.jpg.html)

[loanrangie]

I dont think those abandoned landy's are the same as in the BW pic above, bars are different and BW looks like a shorty going by the side window.

[Michael2]

The expedition went from Alaska to Argentina (north to south of the Americas). I remember reading that the Range Rovers were fitted with large swamp tyres for the Amazon leg of the journey. This led to broken diffs. The soldiers complained about the width of the Range Rovers, as they were accustomed to Land Rovers. They bought the SWB Land Rover during the jungle leg of the journey to cut a track for the Range Rovers. They rolled it many times, and every panel was caved in, but it got the Range Rovers out.

[S3ute]

Hi everyone, has anyone here driven the Darien gap or know anyone who has. I would like to get some info off them.

Hi,

Google John Blasford Snell.

He was leader of the British Army expedition that crossed the Gap.

Cheers

[Wortho]

From all the reading I have done on the internet there seems to be a lot of conflicting reports about the feasibility of driving through. One bloke took 741 days on one trip and 49 on another. I think it might be best to contact someone in the area to get some local advise.

[wrinklearthur]

National Geographic ........ March 1961 ....... "We Drove Panama's Darién Gap" ....................... by Kip Ross
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1332.jpg

Popular Mechanics ......... August 1961 ....... "We Built Our Own Road Through the Darien Gap" . by Richard E. Bevir
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1333.jpg

The Autocar ........ December 1st 1961 ....... "Linking the Americas" ..................................... by Richard E. Bevir
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1334.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Darien Breakthrough - Range Rover Classic (http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/range-rover-darien-gap/darien-breakthrough)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1330.jpg
One of the Expedition Range Rovers fully equipped and fitted with extra large 'swamp' tyres. The pristine condition of the vehicle indicates that the worst was yet to come.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1331.jpg


1 Front mounted capstan winch 3,000 lb capacity

2 Reinforced bumper/cow catcher guard

3 Petrol tank undershield

4 Raised exhaust extension

5 Four Quartz-lodine spot and fog lights

6 Two swivel spot lights

7 Split charge two battery system

8 Heavy duty alternator

9 Radiator muff

10 Four extra towing eyes

11 Sirens and air horns

12 Swamp tyres

13 Removable wing panels

14 Roll-bar

15 Roof mounted spare wheels

16 Special low-temperature shock absorbers

17 Insulated body panels

18 Roof rack

19 Steps on tailgate

20 Power point in rear of vehicle for cooker etc.

21 Heated rear screen

22 Wiper/washer equipment for rear screen

23 Extra instruments — tachometer, oil pressure and temperature gauges, ammeter for split charge system

24 Map reading and interior lights

25 Two-way vehicle radio

26 Stereo-tape player and radio

27 Reclining seat with full safety harness and headrest

28 Built-in safe

29 Water keg

30 Partitioned stowage lockers

31 Inspection light, 26ft lead

32 Fully comprehensive tool kit

33 Medical supplies

34 Extra equipment, hand winches, ground anchors, cable, tow ropes etc

35 Coffee maker

.

[numpty]

I dont think those abandoned landy's are the same as in the BW pic above, bars are different and BW looks like a shorty going by the side window.

And they're all S11's not S1

[Dougal]

Given that there's been 3 expeditions that I know of. One successful, and none in recent (last 20 years) I'd be surprised if anyone here had. It's still probably the last true adventure left in the world. And one I'd give a limb to do.

You'd be a very brave man indeed.

Those "swamp tyres" were called 750-16 SAT. But the width doesn't look like any 750-16 I've seen before and the rims are about twice as wide.

[clubagreenie]

Ahh...

But then I could say I'd driven the Gap with three limbs.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Panama Vegetation 1981 (http://www.zonu.com/detail-en/2009-09-17-1648/Panama-Vegetation-1981.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1325.jpg
Panama Vegetation 1981
Source: CIA - Central Intelligence Agency
.

[Dougal]

Ahh...

But then I could say I'd driven the Gap with three limbs.

I think you'd lose another 1 or 2 along the way.

[Wortho]

I think you'd lose another 1 or 2 along the way.

Well there seems to be just as many people who hike through there that say it's ok as long as you follow basic common sense as there is people who say it's hell on earth. Don't for a second think it would be remotely easy(in fact the opposite wherein lies the appeal) just trying to gain some perspective on actual conditions on the ground.

[clubagreenie]

Like any expedition, logistics is the key. And that in a foreign country along with finding a reliable local contact is key. Been there before.

[Fifth Columnist]

One of the Range Rovers is in the Dunsfold Collection, the other resides in the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1246.jpg (http://s175.photobucket.com/user/helenalaurie/media/Dunsfold2009/9bca86fc.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1247.jpg (http://s175.photobucket.com/user/helenalaurie/media/Dunsfold2009/a7fdc300.jpg.html)

[Don 130]

A bloke I know ( sort of a rellie) was part of an expedition that travelled through south, then north america by Land Rover, but I don't think they went through the Darien. Now you've raised this matter, I've ordered a second hand copy of the book.
It's called 'Year with three Summers' and is described thus:


Book Description: The Adventure Club, London, 1966. Hardcover, with dust jacket To the Arctic Circle via Argentina and Cape Horn - four young men in a Land Rover, vetinarians checking out methods of animal husbandry in Latin and North America - drove from Patagonia in the South to Fairbanks in Alaska. It was officially called the 'Cambridge Trans-America Expedition' and despite the many hazards, this tales is told with humout and insight. Photographs.

[Wortho]

As a point of interest I think I have found the email address's for the two main militia groups active in the area and I will send them an email asking them to clarify there position on foreign nationals traveling through. I'll post up any (if any) reply I get.

[stallie]

Yes - the biggest issue is not the wilderness or the terrain. It's AK47's sadly. I think that;s why so few have travelled through it recently.

The situation in Colombia has settled, but I think the not so nice people have been pushed to that corner and the far east. As you would have seen on your google searches, most (everyone?) now gets a boat around the Gap.

[isuzurover]

Is Camillo ( k1000o ) Still a user on here??? He has moved back to Colombia.

[123rover50]

A bloke I know ( sort of a rellie) was part of an expedition that travelled through south, then north america by Land Rover, but I don't think they went through the Darien. Now you've raised this matter, I've ordered a second hand copy of the book.
It's called 'Year with three Summers' and is described thus:


Book Description: The Adventure Club, London, 1966. Hardcover, with dust jacket To the Arctic Circle via Argentina and Cape Horn - four young men in a Land Rover, vetinarians checking out methods of animal husbandry in Latin and North America - drove from Patagonia in the South to Fairbanks in Alaska. It was officially called the 'Cambridge Trans-America Expedition' and despite the many hazards, this tales is told with humout and insight. Photographs.

Sounds a good yarn so being ex vet services I ordered one too:D

Didiman