Bridge Building with the Camel Trophy Guys

At the Overland Expo 2012

By Grace Howard

In the past, I have gone on trails, driven Rovers, gone camping and spotted vehicles, but I never thought I would build a bridge with Camel Trophy guys.  This year at the Overland Expo I did.  On Saturday, after teaching and a good lunch I went over to the Camel Trophy Area.  There Andy Dacey and Duncan Barbour taught me how to build a bridge.

Duncan and I lashing two logs together.

The first step is to cut four logs about the same length.  Then put two next to each other.  Next you tie a timber hitch around one and start wrapping the rope around several times.  Then you frap it.  While frapping one person beats on the rope with a stick and another person pulls on the rope to get it even tighter. Two of the four logs had already been lashed together.  I found out that other AZLRO people had lashed those logs together.  The people that helped in the morning were Ryan Hemphill, Bob Kolander and Craig & Davin Ludwig. 

After frapping you use a winch to move the logs into place.

Here is some "Man Heaving"

  Otherwise you, “Man heave it!” as Duncan put it.  Duncan is funny!   

As we were working over a trench, one person said, “I would just drive my car around the trench!” and someone else said “That’s not how we do it when there are Camel Trophy guys around.”  Some people just don’t know how to have fun!!

They winched the two set of logs across and we fastened them to the ground. I worked with Duncan to show everyone how to fasten the logs in place. 

I helped Andy make sure we placed the logs in the right place, by measuring the wheels of the Defender.  I used a rope and measured from the center of the front tires. 

Then my Mom, Dad and I worked on another set and fastened it in place.  It was fun to work together as a family.  My Mom and I were the only girls who helped with the bridge.

Then they drove a Camel Trophy Defender across. 




Then they drove a remote control Camel Trophy Defender across as well. It was really funny when they let Duncan drive the remote control car.  The remote control car was looking like it was going to fall off.  So, there were lots of comments like, “Camel Trophy guys never give up,”  “Camel Trophy guys never go backward.”  To this Duncan said, “Save your vehicle, not your pride!”  It was one of my favorite things I heard all weekend.  So many times guys are macho on the trail and do crazy things. 

It was great fun!!  Something I never want to do for real, but I now know how to tie a timber hitch and overhand knot, I know what frapping is, and I got to spend a great afternoon working as a team with awesome people.