Just returned from a 2 week Desert Trip up the
Birdsville Track, then via
Walkers Crossing to
Innamincka and down the Strzlecki Track to the
Flinders Ranges.
Walkers Crossing in particular was fascinating. Such a diverse change in scenery along the track.
The track is
well signposted at intersections with other tracks to assist the traveller.
Did an interesting 50 kilometre waltz in the mud the first stretch out of Mungerannie but apart from that, only one little glitch occurred about 130 k’s south of
Birdsville and this is the topic of the post heading.
I BROKE MY REAR WINDOW on the Jack.
The bl@@dy stone imbedded in the bottom left corner of the glass was about half the size of my little finger nail and it missed the rear mounted tyre but not the glass. My Off Road Trailer was fitted with a mesh style deflector but the stone must have bounced off the Drawbar or perhaps the deflector frame.
So - LISTEN TO WHAT RUTH TELLS YOU !!! Fit a piece of cardboard or other impact absorbing material to the window. The deflector does little except maybe protect the trailer.
A “minor” inconvenience to a successful trip anyway. Held the glass together by some strategically placed duct tape.
Missed meeting Willem by a couple of days Ruth told me.
A couple of high points of the trip should be mentioned.
A mandatory trip out to Big Red had to be made by me of course.
The 40 litre Engel and dual battery system (USB 77Ah deep cycle battery coupled to a Piranha DBE 150S MKII Electronic Isolator performed exceptionally
well, as did the Bridgestone 694 Dueller tyres.
One thing I did find out though. The bull dust plays havoc with the gas cooking equipment.
It may pay to invest in some spare jets if you use this gear.
(fortunately, the
camp ovens didn’t block up).
I’m now thinking of changing my screen name from “Sand Man” to “Mud Man”.
(is it already taken?)
Took the Jack to the car wash today to use a pressure hose to remove the worst of the mud.
Exploremites let me tell you, while I was cleaning the Car, the attendant was cleaning the Car Wash Bay. He! He! He!
Overall,
the Desert Experience was all I expected it to be and the pre-planning I did, primed with information gained from this ExplorOz
forum, (except for ignoring Ruth’s advice) made the whole experience all the more enjoyable and memorable.