Talking about the Oodnadatta Track . . . .

Submitted: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 08:43
ThreadID: 132373 Views:3076 Replies:7 FollowUps:12
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A recent post from the SA contingent advised of heavy rain on the way across the Desert and Oodnadatta Track regions.
Hamilton Station received 65mm with predictions of Creeks running for 2 to 3 weeks due also to water coming in from the West.

SA track info shows the Oodnadatta Track closed from Marree.

We have decided to leave the umbrellas at home to see if that dry's things up;)

Cheers

dad
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Reply By: Ozi M - Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 08:49

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 08:49
>We have decided to leave the umbrellas at home to see if that dry's things up;)
Murphys law clearly states that if you want it to rain don't take an umbrella
It only rains when it has someone to aim at who is unprepared, so best to take your umbrella, raincoats and water wings, then it won't rain at all :)
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Follow Up By: Jackolux - Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 10:43

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 10:43
Yep that's right just like if you take 2 spare wheels you won't need any .
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Reply By: LAZYLUX16 - Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 12:14

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 12:14
So is there roughly a time frame of when likely we can drive up that way .I was planning heading of in a weeks time up to Lake Eyre..And remember to wash ya car if you want it to rain .
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Follow Up By: dean ( SA ) - Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 13:00

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 13:00
If no more rain you'll be right.
Oodnadatta Track is now open but not beyond Oodnadatta.
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Follow Up By: dad1340 - Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 15:45

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 15:45
Hi '16', mate we leave Oodnadatta 30/05
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Reply By: Life Member - Fred B (ex-NT) - Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 12:19

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 12:19
Everybody knows about Murphy's Law....
But are you aware of O'Toole's Law...?

"Murphy was an optimist".... lol...

So all things being equal, we should have a great run we we head there in October lol...

Regards
Fred B
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Follow Up By: Les - PK Ranger - Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 13:40

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 13:40
What about O'Reillys Law ??
If you've got a 50/50 chance of getting something right / wrong, then it's 90/10 you'll get it WRONG !!
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Reply By: stephen n2 - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 10:07

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 10:07
Does anyone know if 2 asian couples made it to Mt Dare they left Birdsville on 4th May .Little bit conserned as they were on there own in a blue van.
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Follow Up By: Member - drew2026 - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 11:33

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 11:33
were they crossing the Simpson or taking the Birdsville & Oodndatta Tracks?

Either way, a blue van doesn't sound ideal transport!
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Follow Up By: dad1340 - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 12:50

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 12:50
A Blue Van ????

If your concerned (obviously are) Start ringing the Pubs first; Marree, Mt Dare and see if they have booked in or have been seen. Birdsville Tourist Info will also check they are very helpful.
A Blue Van and 2 Asian couples should stand out.
The Van could be dark red by now.

If all fails call the police and let them know.

PS Your hearts in the right place mate but in situations like this the Coppers are best positioned to help not forums.

Cheers

dad
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Follow Up By: stephen n2 - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 13:11

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 13:11
Yeah thanks drew and dad .These guys seemed determined to do the simpson .they had a lot of weight up top 40lts water 60lts unleaded they did have 4x4 but will struggle we had just done the rig road and french line with 2 new rangers and a cruiser and found it tough much harder than 2001.

Ihave only been on exploroz since we came back so hope im not to painful
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Follow Up By: dad1340 - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 14:51

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 14:51
Steve, when you described the Rig as 'Tough' can you give any detail because we will be following your tracks in about 3 weeks.

Cheers

dad
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Follow Up By: Les - PK Ranger - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 16:48

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 16:48
Rig Rd has been in pretty good nick up until the rains through summer.
When Bob Y and I did it in Sept / Oct last year it could have been done by a 2WD van with a bit of driving sense.

French Line however has been very bumpy and undulating, esp between Knolls and Rig far junction.

60lts of unleaded though, pretty sure they would really struggle with this if doing French or WAA !!
With 2 couples and associated gear (sounds like they were backpacking it ?), this would also be an incredible feat to achieve.

If they doubled that amount of fuel, they MIGHT just make it.
Wonder how much water they had on board ?
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Follow Up By: dad1340 - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 17:20

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 17:20
Thanks again Les,
The Pedirka, Rig, Knolls etc will be a 'give it a go show' based on info closer to the time. About 2.5 weeks to dry. Graham Scott at Mt Dare is optimistic with no further rain expected.

"The Blue Van"
These couples preparedness and planning are evident. After rain, centre of gravity issues and with water running out for four adults it's another event for the media.

We are carrying 219L all up and taking it steady unless I'm advised otherwise for the Rig.
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Follow Up By: Les - PK Ranger - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 17:54

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 17:54
Pedirka was also really good (graded) back in Sept / Oct, best I've ever seen, but of course it could be deteriorated by now again.
But I like it as a route, a few good things to see along there.
Going up it there's Pedirka siding, Cherrikana Waterhole, Dalhousie ruins, Dalhousie Springs (proper) lookout, so worth it I feel.

Are you going from Dalhousie Springs to Mt Dare first ?
(Mt Dare new folks are settling in well, nice people, they did a dandy suspension repair for me July last year tha saved my butt.)
If so, go via Bloods Ck Tk, the direct route is tempting as it's more direct, but very rough (boulders from cricket ball to bowling ball size).

Perdika - Rig - Knolls - QAA you will romp it in with 219lt if area is dry.
Rig is fast we did it Warburton X camp to 3 O'Clock Ck 2 days, with one camp at Walkandi 2 junction . . . it was hot, we just wanted to cross and get the drive done, but it was an easy drive in good daylight each day.

Knolls is a good run up corridors too, QAA will always be more like normal with the traffic it gets, but fun with the dune sizes.

ULP, mate with Pajero 3.0 v6 (1988 model !) did it with me in April 2014, French Line, he used 117lt Mt Dare to BV, while I used only a little less in the 3.0tdi at 106lt, so petrol not too bad in some cases.
He had no dramas going up the dunes steady, but that motor does have good low end torque.

Enjoy the drive dad, always good to hit the desert.
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Reply By: Member - JOHN C16 - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 19:11

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 19:11
Desert parks bulletin 10 May: Cooper Creek rose to 5.6 metres over the causeway at Innamincka on the morning of 10 May.

5.6 metres is a lot of water. It has to go somewhere. We might have to pay the ferryman on the Birdsville Track again soon.
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Follow Up By: Member - drew2026 - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 21:39

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 21:39
great to hear of that much water in the Cooper and outback water systems. I read on the Lake Eyre Yacht Club site that the Coongie Lakes are full - what a great winter season to be travelling our outback!
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Reply By: Meridith D - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 20:26

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 20:26
We have just come off the Oodnadatta Trck a few days ago. Went from Roxby Downs up the borefield Rd to the track and made it into Coward Springs where an overnight stop took 3 days. The mud was unbelievable! And we had two dogs to help keep everything muddier.
We managed to get to William Creek when the road opened, but all roads north closed except the track to Coober Pedy. Good in parts but VERY slippery and muddy in other parts.
We have a MY16 Landcruiser towing a 17' off road van so luckily had the power to drag a not-too-big van through the mire.
We are now in alice Springs and will be attempting to get the red dirt off tomorrow before the car goes in for a service -haha
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Reply By: Ron N - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 22:06

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 22:06
Stepdaughter has just returned (to Perth) from her FIFO shift at Moomba.
Beach Energy is using a chopper to fly their staff to the airstrip, so they can get out.
The airstrip is open and flights are being made back to Adelaide.

SD mentioned that the chopper is normally a medevac chopper, and the pilot said he wasn't used to going around, just picking up healthy people! - but he's been doing that, and is tasked to fly around and rescue anyone he sights, that is stranded in the region, and in distress or potential distress.

He's been pretty busy apparently, having done a number of rescues, and they are still flying about, checking on anyone else who appears to be stranded.

Cheers, Ron.
AnswerID: 599937

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