Simpson Desert
Submitted: Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 21:18
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Wayne (NSW)
I was not far from Big Red,(west to east crossing) when a early model 4Runner came over a
sand dune. I started to back down but the 4Runner kept moving off of the track part way down the dune to make way for me to come up. After backing right down to the bottom of the dune and calling him down I felt that he was not all that experienced. I asked him if he had any form of
UHF radio and he showed me a $25 a pair toy. I then asked him if he and the two mates he had with him had been across
the Desert before and as he drove off he said somthing about just crossing
the Desert the week before.
I was not felling good about the situation so I was able to get in touch with the convoy that was following to ask how much fuel and
water the 4Runner had. After a time, Col from the following convoy called and said that they had 80lts of fuel and 20lt of
water. Col had also got in touch with another convoy travelling in the same direction as the 4Runner told them what was happening and they said that they would wait for the 4Runner to catch up and then go with it.
When I got to
Birdsville I went and saw Ruth and told her what had happened. Ruth said that the 3 boys were in the Caravan
Park and one of the boys had just walk across
the Desert, that was his crossing that he had done last week. Ruth said that she would get in touch with the
Ranger at
Dalhousie Springs.
I had 6 vehicles with me on the crossing and the best fuel consumption was 97lt from a TD5 Defender and the worst was from a auto 3lt Patrol 127lt. We had refuled at
Oodnadatta to do the crossing and even if he was going to Mt Dare I still think that he was going to run out of fuel that is if he didn't get stuck in the mean time.
Wayne
Reply By: Member - John (Vic) - Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 21:27
Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 21:27
What can we say that you have not already said.
Walked across the Simpson, say's it all.
AnswerID:
79810
Reply By: Willem - Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 22:13
Monday, Oct 11, 2004 at 22:13
I came across
young Tim Wills walking across
the desert on 23rd September unassisted apart from
water and food drops. He was 19 days out of Dalhousie with about 2 days from
Birdsville.
My trip around
the desert was 700km and I used 115 litres over a variety of country. I was quite happy with that usage. Not sure where they were going with 80 litres.
I came across an old fella on the Canning about ten years ago who was carrying only 20litres of spare fuel and no
water. When questioned on this folly he told me in no uncertain terms that he got 35
miles to the gallon from his diesel Rocky. This was at
Well 7 before the real dunes start. There was no way to convince him otherwise. I heard later that he had to be rescued and caused no end of grief for other travellers who tried to help him.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Tuesday, Oct 12, 2004 at 17:55
Tuesday, Oct 12, 2004 at 17:55
Just curious Willem, what was the daytime temperature out there at this time.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Willem - Tuesday, Oct 12, 2004 at 19:16
Tuesday, Oct 12, 2004 at 19:16
G'day Ray
I would say around 30 to 35 degrees. Warm enough to run the airconditioner in the truck.
Now things are hotting up even more and daily temps will be around 40 up till Xmas and then up to the 50's for Jan,Feb,March. Ground temps at that time could go as high as 75-80 degrees
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Tuesday, Oct 12, 2004 at 19:58
Tuesday, Oct 12, 2004 at 19:58
Too damn hot for much walking for me but I suppose being
young Tim
could handle it a bit better. I was surprised he didn't start his trek a bit earlier. Anything over 25 is too hot for me. Thanks Willem
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Reply By: Earvin Johnson - Tuesday, Oct 12, 2004 at 16:51
Tuesday, Oct 12, 2004 at 16:51
I met Tim at
Birdsville CP, he had just finished his crossing a couple of days beforehand. We camped right next to him and had the opportunity to spend some time with him, and have a chat over a few beers.
He was a nice
young fella with a sense of adventure. I think he said it took him 27 days to cross from Dalhousie to
Birdsville. It is obviously in his blood being related to William Wills of Burke and Wills fame. He had also ridden a bicycle from
Wilson's Prom to
Cape York with his brother, prior to this adventure. Certainly a fit
young fella.
I would say that when you passed them Wayne they were headed out to collect the ammo boxes he had buried his supplies in. It is a bit of concern that they may not have been prepared as they should have been though.
Welcome back Wayne.
AnswerID:
79937
Follow Up By: Member - Ruth D (QLD) - Wednesday, Oct 13, 2004 at 18:22
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2004 at 18:22
Hello Earvin - you made it home! Yes it was Tim and they had car trouble to start with and were heading into the storms with no support. They were going in to collect his stashes and hoping to go out the other side and up to Alice for a trip around before he goes back to find a REAL job now he's finished his degree. Somewhere have a web address for him - will search it out.
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Follow Up By: Earvin Johnson - Wednesday, Oct 13, 2004 at 19:05
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2004 at 19:05
Hi Ruth,
Yes made it home safely. We had an amazing time and already have made plans to do the Simpson in July with people we met up with whilst travelling. So will no doubt see you then.
I would definitely be interested in that web address for Tim.
Cheers
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Reply By: Willsy - Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004 at 19:01
Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004 at 19:01
I am Tim Wills (The walker),
I'm not sure why you think I only had 80 litres of fuel, I had over 140 litres of both fuel and
water. While I'm relatively new to 4WDing, I had been planning this trip for the whole year and did actually know what I was doing. Furthermore, I had already driven across the
Simpson Desert before. Both times I drove it, I only used half of the fuel I was carrying. My walk took me from
Dalhousie Springs to
Birdsville and took me 22 days. I had given myself a maximum of 30 days (food and
water).
For anybody who is interested, my website is www.willspower.com
Tim Wills
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004 at 21:19
Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004 at 21:19
Tim
The reason why I said that you had 80lts of fuel is that is what you told Colin. He was in the convoy following me.
My main concern was the lack of communication that you had, the type of vehicle that was very overloaded,over 280kg in fuel and
water, three people and all the gear that I could see. This was your second crossing driving and you were alone, what would you do if you got stuck or broke somthing. A vehicle on its own cannot do much if you get stuck on the up side of one of the
sand dunes. You may have been lucky this time. Planning for a trip for 12months wont stop something breaking.
No I am not interested in your website.
Wayne
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Earvin Johnson - Thursday, Oct 21, 2004 at 06:09
Thursday, Oct 21, 2004 at 06:09
Tim,
I think Wayne is trying to convince you to do some
driver training.
Having done my
driver training with Wayne I would highly recommend him, even if he does seem a bit cranky :)
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