English version below
Texto y fotos: Jota Alemán
Versión en inglés: Elvira Avilés
Los 140 kilómetros de enlace a través de los enrevesados puertos de montaña y los paisajes del Atlas Medio han servido para despertar los cuerpos de los participantes y a sus mecánicas. También, para ir asimilando al ritmo de los Santana y Series, las recomendaciones para el día señaladas en el briefing. Los Land Rover Series, con los dorsales #27 y #29, de Jean Michel y Yannick y Jean-François y Laurence aprovechaban estos kilómetros para cumplir con su proyecto solidario personal.
Tras la amena carretera, en las inmediaciones de Zaida, la caravana de Landys tomaba una pista que los introduciría en una vasta extensión de tierra roja donde las canteras se suceden una tras otra. Seguirlas siempre hacia el Este, los transportará directamente al pasado. Pronto, los Land Rover son engullidos por las gargantas y acantilados que dan forma al cauce del rio Moulouya –una de las cuatro cuencas fluviales más importantes de país-. Las sombras que proyectan sobre estos incombustibles pequeños tractores a través del discurrir de la sinuosa pista que pisan, y los cada vez más numerosos pasos rotos por el agua, ofrecen una vista digna de atesorar.
Las minas, excavadas a cada lado de la interminable garganta del Moulouya hacen su aparición, presentando y dando la bienvenida a la expedición al abandonado pueblo minero de Aouli. Una explotación francesa de plomo y plata que cesó su actividad en la década de los ochenta, cuando estos clásicos todavía se usaban para las tareas en el duro trabajo de la minería. Pues este, también es su legado histórico.
La quietud del lugar se presenta casi absoluta. Junto con las casas rotas y abandonadas, la roca excavada, el cauce del rio, el envejecido hierro de las vías que se usaban para transportar los minerales y el oxido, acumulado durante más de 40 años en las olvidadas instalaciones mineras, forman una amalgama de elementos que parecen estar congelados en el tiempo. El crujir del puente de madera de Aouli, los despide del abandonado pueblo, y los devuelve a la realidad de la jornada tras una última curva entre desfiladeros.
Poco después, la caravana de Land Rover Santana y Series, afrontaba una pista abandonada de 40 kilómetros – técnicos y muy lentos-. Arrasada por los estragos que causa el agua en la zona, la cooperación entre rivales se volvía fundamental.
Con los copilotos fuera de los coches, casi a pie, indicar los pasos, rehacer algún tramo de pista junto al rival y compañero, y buscar la salida entre las zonas rotas y las cárcavas de más de dos metros de profundidad, dejaba claro cuál es el espíritu del Santana Trophy –el nombre no es casualidad-. Juntos afrontaban la zona más deshecha, donde los Rollet –dorsal #25- encontraban el paso final. Jean-François y Laurence rompían los abarcones de las ballestas de su Series. Los Vascos Unai e Iker les dejaban uno y la asistencia mecánica del raid, terminaba de solventarles el problema mientras la caravana continuaba su ya escaso trayecto hasta la meta del día.
Desplegado el potencial de cada equipo para la aventura, en sus cabezas empezaba a dibujarse el ‘Mayor espíritu de equipo’. Galardón que otorgaran ellos mismos al termino de #LaGranAventura en Marrakech.
En el final, después de escasos kilómetros de enlace, tras esta dura jornada, el desgaste físico se deja notar en los equipos. Hoy hacen noche en el campo, junto a sus imparables monturas. En total autonomía. Al abrigo –pero frio- estrellado cielo nocturno de Amersid. Ahí, comentando las hazañas vividas hoy, caían en la cuenta de haber puesto en juego gran parte de los valores que determinan la naturaleza de este raid.
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STAGE TWO. MEKNES – ZAIDA – AMERSID. A LINK TO THE PAST
Even though the first traces of competitiveness are beginning to show, today’s stage changes the participants’ set of mind. The complexity increases; today nobody has any kind of advantage. #TheGreatAdventure that is Santana Trophy drives through an exclusive new route, one based in cooperation. The excitement could be seen in the Organization’s members as they gave the starting signal.
140km of winding mountain ports and the landscapes of the mid Atlas allow the teams to dissipate the last threads of sleep from their bodies and from their machines, and to get used to the Santana and Series rhythm and assimilate the daily roadbook recommendations. The Series, #27 and #29, with Jean Michel and Yannick, and Jean-François and Laurence, used these kilometres to keep up the numbers in their personal charity project.
After this stretch of road, close to Zaida, the Landys caravan take an off-road route to a vast extension of red earth full of mines, which, if followed always towards the East, will lead them to a road down the past. Soon, the Land Rovers are surrounded by the cliffs and deep gorges that form the path of the Moulouya river, one of the four main fluvial areas in the country-. The shadows that project against the incombustible small tractors through the sinuous trail they travel on, and the many paths broken by the passing of water, offer a view one should hold on forever.
The mines eroded into both sides of the unending Moulouya gorge begin to appear, welcoming the expedition party into the abandoned mining town of Aouli. This used to be a French exploitation for silver and lead which ceased its activity in the 80s, when these classics were still used in the hard mining work. This is also their legacy.
The calm is almost absolute. The abandoned and broken down homes, the excavated rock, the lay of the river and the overused iron that transported minerals and rust, form a peculiar picture that looks frozen in time. The creaking of the Aouli wood bridge bid the teams farewell and takes them back to reality after a last curve among canyons.
Some time later, the Land Rover convoy arrives at an abandoned 40km track, slow going and very technical. Destroyed by the pass of angered water through the area, the cooperation among competitors becomes crucial.
Even though the first traces of competitiveness are beginning to show, today’s stage changes the participants’ set of mind. The complexity increases; today nobody has any kind of advantage. #TheGreatAdventure that is Santana Trophy drives through an exclusive new route, one based in cooperation. The excitement could be seen in the Organization’s members as they gave the starting signal.
140km of winding mountain ports and the landscapes of the mid Atlas allow the teams to dissipate the last threads of sleep from their bodies and from their machines, and to get used to the Santana and Series rhythm and assimilate the daily roadbook recommendations. The Series, #27 and #29, with Jean Michel and Yannick, and Jean-François and Laurence, used these kilometres to keep up the numbers in their personal charity project.
After this stretch of road, close to Zaida, the Landys caravan take an off-road route to a vast extension of red earth full of mines, which, if followed always towards the East, will lead them to a road down the past. Soon, the Land Rovers are surrounded by the cliffs and deep gorges that form the path of the Moulouya river, one of the four main fluvial areas in the country-. The shadows that project against the incombustible small tractors through the sinuous trail they travel on, and the many paths broken by the passing of water, offer a view one should hold on forever.
The mines eroded into both sides of the unending Moulouya gorge begin to appear, welcoming the expedition party into the abandoned mining town of Aouli. This used to be a French exploitation for silver and lead which ceased its activity in the 80s, when these classics were still used in the hard mining work. This is also their legacy.
The calm is almost absolute. The abandoned and broken down homes, the excavated rock, the lay of the river and the overused iron that transported minerals and rust, form a peculiar picture that looks frozen in time. The creaking of the Aouli wood bridge bid the teams farewell and takes them back to reality after a last curve among canyons.
Some time later, the Land Rover convoy arrives at an abandoned 40km track, slow going and very technical. Destroyed by the pass of angered water through the area, the cooperation among competitors becomes crucial.
With the co-pilots out of the vehicles, on foot, and taking care of each passing point, even having to go back a few times to redo the path and to search for the way out among the broken trail and crevasses over 2 metres deep, this stage really showed what the Santana Trophy spirit is –the name is not a mere coincidence-. Together, the teams faced the most difficult area, where team Rollet, #25, found the final passage. Jean François and Laurence broke their suspension supports, Vasque participants Unai and Iker lent them a replacement, and the raid’s mechanics finished the repair while the line of vehicles continued the rest of the way to the end of the stage.
Having made use of all of their potential for adventure, the first traces of the idea for the “Best Team Spirit” award begin to form in their minds, a prize the participants will decide at the end of #TheGreatAdventure, in Marrakech.
With the day almost over, and after only a few more kilometres towards today’s camping spot, the strain of the long and arduous day shows on every participant’s face. Today they will sleep next to their machines, in total autonomy. Under Amersid’s starry sky, talking about today’s adventures, they seem to realize how much they’d ended up using the main beliefs that determine the nature of this raid.