Canning Stock Route

Hi PhilB Should have added that we are looking for people to join us or us to join them on the trip.
We may be able to leave the van at Fitzroy Crossing and tent it. It means doubling back but if that is the easiest way them we will do it.
As well as looking for company we are looking for advise.
Sorry for the confusion.
KCD

Hi KCD,


If it helps, friends left their camper in Halls Creek CP for almost 4 weeks in 2011, they got a special rate and the van was a safe as houses.


I hope you don't mind me weighing into 'the should or shouldn't you take the camper' discussion. I have travelled the CSR many times since the mid 90s and I also own a off road camper trailer which I have taken to the most remote of places. I would not take a CT on the CSR.


Firstly let me raise a few points
* I don't know how much experience you have with a CT,
* or what others say are do-able or not,
* where they've been on the CSR,
* or what places they've missed because they had a CT.


Why I would not take a CT on the CSR:
* its a very long and arduous trip - 1800+ kms,
* with over 1000 dunes some super tall and soft,
* many are dug out due to vehicles WITHOUT CTs being bogged,
* there a lots of side trip opportunities that you may miss if you don't park the CT - if you want to park the CT out there where do you park it?


All of the above will make for a a difficult time with a CT. You'll soon tire of boggings, reversing and trying again, missing sites and sights because of the CT.


Do your trip research well, make sure you've decided which side trips you wish to do and sound out travellers coming the other way for things to look out for good and bad. Whatever you do get a copy of the Gard's Travellers guide to the CSR (available on EO site) you'll enjoy the trip so much more.

All the best with your CSR trip.


cheers

George You should be the ideal person to ask this.

We are looking at a drive down the Canning. We just crossed through the Simpson along the WAA line. At the time it was reportedly the hardest.

In your mind how do the two drives compare?

Phil

Hi Phil,
When you say you have just crossed the Simpson, I hope you don't mean in the last couple of weeks. The best time of the year for the CSR is between July and October. To compare the CSR with the Simpson WAA line is difficult. I have also done the WAA line. With the Simpson it does depend on time of the year. The sand dunes on the WAA line change more than the CSR due to the prevailing winds. Also keep in mind that the CSR is considerably longer then the WAA line. However having said all that, I would consider the CSR to be more difficult than the Simpson WAA line, if only for these reasons.
The CSR is a lot longer
Some of the dunes are higher, this may be argued by others.
The track is quite corrugated along most of it's length, particularly 20km each side of well 33.
You need to be well prepared with fuel, water and food supplies.
For fuel, there are only 2 places along the CSR, Kunawarritji Community at well 33 and the Capricorn Road House fuel dump at well 23 (with prior arrangements)
Trailers are banned from the CSR between well 1 and 5 and must enter/exit the CSR via Granite Peak stn.
I hope this helps. Cheers

Thanks George.

Just ignore the PM. It gave you a option for a private response.

No way would I cross the Simpson at this time of year. I don't think that the fridges (2) would keep the beer cold. While I am not a mad drinker I do like a coldie now and then. Nah No in the summer.

Taking the same things into account the differences are well acceptable. The distance, a few higher sand dunes and the corrugations are fine. And yes we do prepare correctly. We do not tow any more either as we found it too restrictive especially in the very tight and steep lesser travelled tracks of the high victorian and nsw country.

The only worry I have is vehicle reliability. While it is well maintained by a good mechanic and gets a serious pre trek inspection by the boss himself, I have a blood issue that means I get terribly sick lying on my back under a car. I cannot work under the car and have lost heaps of strength in my arms and legs. I can change tyres, shock absorbers etc where I can work upright but nothing under the car if longer than a minute or more. I would be okay to get the spinifex and grasses out.

There is my concern. If I was 100% healthy and had "normal" strength then I would be fine. But this cancer has a few drawbacks and I have to be careful.

Thanks heaps. Yes. Your post helped.

Phil

Hi Phil, with your condition it would be highly recommended that your either have an HF radio installed in your car or carry a sat phone. Both should be registered with VKS-737 Australian National Radio Network. They provide regular radio skeds every day, Australia wide, and also provide a 24/7 emergency point of contact. They also have an affiliation with the RFDS. I must mention that I have a vested interest in VKS-737. There are other HF clubs around.
VKS-737 website..http://www.vks737.on.net/
Cheers.

George

Dont worry all that stuff. All covered. I just wanted the comparison.

Thanks

Phil

They say it's easier from north to south,i dont know from exsperience having only gone nth to sth.