Gales in the deserts
Submitted: Monday, Aug 22, 2016 at 18:41
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Member - Andy M (QLD)
I'm planning travels in the deserts west of Alice via
Gary Junction Road, Sandy Blight
Junction Track,
Great Central Road, Connie Sue Highway and
Anne Beadell Highway in September, possibly into October.
Len Beadell in his book "Too long in the bush" says .."by far the most disturbing period of the year follows the winter, with a succession of gales,making camping out in the open most disconcerting.".. and .." these experiences all happened at around the same time of year, so we look forward to having September behind us,..."
Anyone care to comment about their experiences with wind (of the meteorological variety!) and effects on camping in these areas in Sept and October?
cheers Andy
Reply By: Ron N - Monday, Aug 22, 2016 at 20:05
Monday, Aug 22, 2016 at 20:05
Andy - Yes, the wind can be very strong in the Spring in Outback and inland rural areas, particularly where you encounter a lot of flat country.
However, from my experience of camping in many remote areas, the greatest damage comes from violent thunderstorms, and surprisingly, - small, but violent willy-willys.
I've had a substantial caravan awning totally destroyed by a small willy-willy on a moderately hot day.
My father told me how he found a windmill frame nearly twisted into wire rope by an extremely violent willy-willy.
Pegging your camper, caravan awning or tent down securely will alleviate most strong, persistent wind problems - and if you can find a patch of vegetation - even thick scrubby broombush or mulga, the vegetation will do a lot to break the wind strength.
Cheers, Ron.
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Follow Up By: Steve - Monday, Aug 22, 2016 at 21:42
Monday, Aug 22, 2016 at 21:42
Same happened to me, Ron.
Perfectly calm sunny day, I spotted it about 50 m away. By the time I pointed it out to my wife and we closed the van door to keep the dust out, our awning was gone. All within about 20 seconds after spotting it. As we related the story to others in the
camp, they looked at us as if we'd invented it as there'd been no wind to speak of. We'd seen them many a time on the roadside as we travelled but this was our first real experience.
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Reply By: Member - Trouper (NSW) - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2016 at 12:14
Tuesday, Aug 23, 2016 at 12:14
September 2005 travelling south of
Birdsville on the track looking for the
Walkers Crossing junction a dust storm started up and got so bad that our party of 4 vehicles wondered around for hour and a half (no GPS then and no signage of the track just used the 'dead reckoning' method. Visibility down to about 10 meters it was a shocker. Finally found it and headed to innaminka arrived in the afternoon and went to the pub for a couple of hours hoping the storm would cease.
Well it didnt and we drove out to the Cullumurra
waterhole put up the tents with great difficulty and waited till it stopped. About 1.30am it stopped all was quiet then the lightening started then the rain came. Let me tell you it was hot and very very dusty in the tent. Finally opened the tent and laid there exhausted after a crappy day and even worse night. The morning was fine and sunny as if nothing untoward had happened.
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