Why north on the csr?

...... and a lot like to end up in Broome!

Hi Greg.

Judging from the condition of the dune sections of the track, in respect of scalloping on the dune slopes due to trailers, high pressures, silly 'run-up' efforts etc, it's pretty clear that N to S is vastly easier; presumably because of far lower numbers travelling in that direction.

North slopes are typically 'smooth as' while southern flanks resemble exploded minefields in many places...

Given that Gaynor walked the track, I reckon she'd know the proportions in both directions...

N to S every time :-).

Cheers.

Hello John..

No worries..was just wondering if there was an "official" record of direction of travel or if, as you say, conclusions are based on (possibly well founded) circumstantial evidence.

Next time I go I am going to chop up the north side of the dunes to confuse everyone :)

Cheers
Greg

Have a shoofty at the analysis in 'Work Completed, Canning' the epic CSR history by legendary author P. Bianchi, p592. Phil 'assumes a 70/30 split...

Gaynor, you started this, what's your estimate, proportionally pls...?

Greg, I'll be out there in three weeks time; at least you won't chop it up before then......:-)

Cheers.

No you are right..in ~three weeks time the closest I'll get is Wolfe Creek Crater.

Have a good trip

Cheers
Greg..

Wolfe Creek....Hmmmm.....I hear there is a very friendly "tour guide" operating out of there, Mick something from memory...lol.

Cheers
Pop

Ease of travelling south is because of the wind effect on the dunes over many many years

What's even better is that the "four guide" gives you free lodging and safety harnes.

Were bypassing Wolfe Creek Crater by royal decree!!!

Also going N to S. It's downhill all the way.

However, if someone watching who is travelling S to N counts the oncoming traffic and we will count the same.

Will that do as a representative figure?

Yep, the wind action makes the dunes steeper on the south side. That little bit of north in it means the northerly slopes are slightly gentle and the southern drop offs steeper.

Both ways are good
Last time I did it in 2012 I was in a 1987 vehicle, she was running on the original shockies as well no issues at all, no fuel stops carried all with me
Take your time

Freshstart, there is no question about there being much more northbound traffic, only the 'why' of it.

Would be very interested if you could discover the answers to that. I suspect there is one major common denominator and a sprinkling of other considerations.

Done it in both directions, North 24 years ago and South 2 years ago The good thing about going North is the driver (me) didn't cop the afternoon sun
First trip went up to 5 days without seeing anybody else, last trip would have seen around 5 groups heading North everyday and would assume the same was happening in the Southerly direction also

Ah interesting. See I saw it as driving into sun when heading north because the sun is more over the northern hemisphere in winter. I found that was an irksome factor when walking north in 2011 and driving in 2013 on the supply run.

When walking south the sun was always at my back and sides so not in my face. Track obviously does go east west a lot when running between dunes on some sections, but I look at the majority of the time.

But I do understand the setting sun being on the left of the vehicle when heading north therefore driver getting some relief. I have never been behind the wheel, but as a passenger I do remember having to put up a towel for shade on the passenger side.

And yes, without any doubt it is easier going south due to those dunes being chopped up by more traffic and steeper on the south side.

Thanks for the input!

There is always a comedian :-)

I am however open to more theories ... or better still, northbound traffic from previous years perhaps sharing their reason for choosing that direction?

Mechanical. Sounds like a good contributing reason. Thank you Cookie and Bob.Y.