Louis Ekcnol, North Simpson Solo Desert Traverse unsupported

Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 16, 2016 at 19:49
ThreadID: 133230 Views:2988 Replies:5 FollowUps:1
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Louis departed Old Andado Station on an incredible Traverse of the North Simpson Desert on foot on the 12th of August this first leg is directly to the Simpson Geographical Centre , Poeppels Corner then on to Birdsville .You can read this story herehttp://simpson-desert-trek.blogspot.com.au/2016_08_01_archive.html
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Reply By: Malcom M - Thursday, Aug 18, 2016 at 11:56

Thursday, Aug 18, 2016 at 11:56
"Daily news of the Simpson expedition 2017"

Must be getting the reports out of the way before commencing the trip :)
AnswerID: 603492

Reply By: maurice b - Thursday, Aug 18, 2016 at 20:51

Thursday, Aug 18, 2016 at 20:51
An update of Louis's progress
Day 5 // 16 of august :[due to bad communications we do not have the correct position for the moment]. I feel good but I cannot progress as fast as I would due to my heavy backpack and the impossibility I have to walk straight. Anyway, I progress, it is the most important.
Day 6 // 17 of august : S 25° 20.13' - E 136° 12.28'. I have lost some useful time today due to spinifex. I had to take care of my equipement (to preserve eg. my matress from puncture, etc.). But for the rest, everything is ok.
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Reply By: maurice b - Saturday, Aug 20, 2016 at 18:19

Saturday, Aug 20, 2016 at 18:19
For those interested ,an update came thru from Louis . This was his position yesterday. 40 km west of the Geocentre. If he reached the geocentre today it would have been a slog for him. This was this first leg. 166 km as the crow flys add more due to the dunes he would of traversed . His next leg is directly down to Poeppels a distance of 118 km on the map . This is some pretty tough country. We came up this way last year with 3 vehicles. Quote.. Day7/18 of august: [due to bad communications we do not have the correct position for the moment]. Many thanks to all you support messages. It is very good for mental motivation ?? ! I start to be used to flies and other unpleasant small thing of the daily life in the desert. It is a good sign : I more and more a part of this sublime environment.
Day 8 // 19 of august : S25° 20.00' - E136 41.20. I am at 40 km of the desert center. I aim to reach it in the next few hours. I feel much better than the past two days, I mean it was very hot and I suffered from the sun. There would have less dunes soon on my path to I will be able to progress faster.
AnswerID: 603615

Reply By: Gaynor - Monday, Aug 22, 2016 at 00:41

Monday, Aug 22, 2016 at 00:41
Thank you for the link and updates Maurice.

I love detail, but can find none on his website. I did read that he is only carrying a backpack and that it weighs around 49kg and that he is carrying in that, 9-10 days of water, plus unspecified food and equipment.

Are you able to offer any details?
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Reply By: Les - PK Ranger - Monday, Aug 22, 2016 at 04:30

Monday, Aug 22, 2016 at 04:30
Hope he makes it alright.
He's a very experienced adventurer, and a tough cookie by the looks, but just carrying is hard yakka, he abandoned using a cart, too hard as C Warren Bonython found in many of his northern walks in the 50's / 60's.

On a little walk from the Flinder to Cameron Cnr once, we carried all out needs inc 16lt water for 6 days self reliant.
I walked out with the final mouthfuls taken as we approached the cnr antenna on the final hot afternoon, though had the opportunity to get some from Lindon as we walked though hear their property.

I think Mairice might have some Faceache / website addresses with more details.
AnswerID: 603687

Follow Up By: Gaynor - Monday, Aug 22, 2016 at 17:38

Monday, Aug 22, 2016 at 17:38
Off topic, but always interested in conversation with people who have practiced self reliance in walking outback.

Les, 16 litre per person for 6 days?
Did you access water from the terrain to supplement?
Or manage on 2.6 litres per day?

I have heard that people do manage this, although I am a water guzzler myself. Hiking with 30kg I consume about 8 litres of water in 24 hours in day time temps of 30C degrees, walking in firm sand dunes.
About 4 litres in cool 20C walking on stone and flatter surfaces than dunes.

How many of you were hiking and the weight of your packs?
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FollowupID: 873309

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