Simpson Desert June 2014 - Any one want to join us

Not sure how flexible you are, but 'pajero' (thread 108102) is doing solo mid July, as he had companions drop out.

Hello Bill,

Oh how I wish that I was available to accompany you on your Simpson crossing.

I have just viewed the video of your London to Tokyo journey in a 1913 Vauxhall. What an incredible odyssey and it would be great to hear you talk of it. Compared to that, the Simpson crossing in a 100 series will be like a walk around the block.

I wish you well and envy those who may travel with you.

For EO Forum viewers who may have missed it, go to the YouTube address at the foot of Bill's post for an incredible story.

You'll be fine on your own.
We've taken our very young family across a couple of times solo and with others and solo is so much better.
Presuming 3 of you are kids you'll enjoy the much more relaxed pace of setting/packing up etc.

Turbo 1 is spot on. I have crossed three times with my daughters when they were 3 and 5, 5 and 7, and 7 and 9.
There are plenty of people out there so you will never be far from support should you need it.
I have found that (almost) all that do this trip have a common interest and are very helpful and friendly to other travellers.
Prepare well, relax and enjoy.

Hi Bill

By the sounds of things, this is your first Simpson Desert crossing???

If you are prepared for a remote desert trip, you will be fine. A long handled shovel and MaxTax will also be a great friend to have with you also and please make sure you use a sand flag and monitor channel 10 on the UHF.

My only advise for any traveller in the Simpson Desert is the correct tyre pressures. Get them wrong, and your so called great family trip will turn into a trip from Hell.

If in doubt, stick with 14 psi all round and you will be able to cross all the dunes with ease. Even though you are going the steeper sided way, I always prefer an East West crossing over the West East way.

If the night sky's are clear, prepare yourself for some very cool nights and mornings, with below zero common.



Enjoy the Simpson



Cheers


Stephen

Thanks All for your encouragement. Yes indeed it is our first crossing. 10 more sleeps to go!
Im as prepared as I can be, much of it from this site.
Still it would be good to have company.

So firewood?....bring it from Sydney, Bourke or Tiboorburra or can you get it in Birdsville? Ive read a couple of bags is ok but what do you folks think?

You probably already know this but just in case you missed it due to going to a desert, it's getting extremely cold at night out there and the little kids will feel the cold way more than the adults. We have thermals, flannel pyjamas and most importantly really warm sleeping bags and sleeping mats for our kids. I would recommend a negative 5 sleeping bag at least! We had water freezing in the bottom of pots last year. The sleeping mats need to be insulated. The cheapest option is a $15 closed cell foam mat from any camping store all the way through to a $300 deluxe exped mat. Just remember if they don't sleep, you don't sleep.
Don't forget marshmallows for toasting, kids both big and small love em!

If this was 2015 I'd be interested, but I can't make it this year sadly. Good luck and can't wait to see your pics!

Hi Bill.. Hope to hear a trip report, esp on night time temps! I'm doing a west to east crossing leaving Mt Dare 13/7.. I'm setting up my swag on top of a camp stretcher so it will be off the ground and will have two sleeping bags plus woolen blankets! I'm sure it will get chilly but I've been itching to do this trip for about 35 years..

I'm sure you will enjoy the trip!!