SIMPSON DESERT/WALKERS CROSSING UPDATE
Submitted: Saturday, Mar 12, 2005 at 13:12
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Ruth from Birdsville Caravan Park
The first vehicles to travel west to east arrived in yesterday - very hot, tired and dusty. Can advise the French Line, QAA are both good with the usual section in middle of French Line - rough. They have a friend towing a trailer who is, and I quote, 'floundering' along the
Rig Road. The western sides of the dunes, which have been untouched all summer are something to be seen.
Walkers Crossing has now dried out and vehicles came out of there today and up the
Inside Track - although the Diamantina River water is heading down that way, we are not sure where it is at the moment, and unsure whether it will cut the
Inside Track this time (there is a possibility that the Cattle Drive will have to go the Outside Track at end of April). If anyone is thinking about this track - please
check very carefully with locals before going in there.
After a week of very nice days 17 - 34 the last two days have been up to 43 again - evaporation is very high in the rivers and billabongs. Hakana matata.
Reply By: Member - Banjo (SA) - Saturday, Mar 12, 2005 at 15:12
Saturday, Mar 12, 2005 at 15:12
Thanks Ruth - noted.
Re the first travellers across the SD for the year in early March - "Oi shakes me head - some people" ! Glad to see them in safe and
well (or are they ?). Was it one of your cappucinos or a slab that went down first ?
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Follow Up By: Ruth from Birdsville Caravan Park - Saturday, Mar 12, 2005 at 18:18
Saturday, Mar 12, 2005 at 18:18
Slab, then washing before showers! No sign of the ones from the
Rig Road yet.
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Follow Up By: Ruth from Birdsville Caravan Park - Saturday, Mar 12, 2005 at 23:34
Saturday, Mar 12, 2005 at 23:34
The couple from the
Rig Road turned up this afternoon - woud you believe the trailer is really a pop-top caravan.
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Follow Up By: Member - David 0- Sunday, Mar 13, 2005 at 17:57
Sunday, Mar 13, 2005 at 17:57
woud you believe the trailer is really a pop-top caravan.
NO I wouldn't (shakes head)
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Reply By: ianmc - Saturday, Mar 12, 2005 at 22:23
Saturday, Mar 12, 2005 at 22:23
Like to know what the oil temps in motors & trans would be at 43c over the dunes??
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Follow Up By: Ruth from Birdsville Caravan Park - Saturday, Mar 12, 2005 at 23:33
Saturday, Mar 12, 2005 at 23:33
I'll ask for you in the morning.
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Follow Up By: Ruth from Birdsville Caravan Park - Sunday, Mar 13, 2005 at 13:55
Sunday, Mar 13, 2005 at 13:55
They shot through at day break so no chance to ask.
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Reply By: Andrew - Saturday, Mar 12, 2005 at 23:50
Saturday, Mar 12, 2005 at 23:50
First across the desert after months of wind and no traffic would be a good challenge, but very hard on vehicles. Aircon on too, and dont stop or get out of the vehicle between 9am and sunset.
Might have to organise a February crossing for next year. LOL
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Follow Up By: Ruth from Birdsville Caravan Park - Sunday, Mar 13, 2005 at 13:56
Sunday, Mar 13, 2005 at 13:56
But the aircons pack it in! Trust me.
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Reply By: Member - Bernie. (Vic) - Sunday, Mar 13, 2005 at 14:18
Sunday, Mar 13, 2005 at 14:18
A mate has done it, very experienced & with several vehicles,
it's a night time drive with the days spent on top of a sand
hill under a big tarp.
Not my cup of tea
Cheers
PS Ruth seems it has warmed up a bit hopefully it will change by the 20th see you then
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Reply By: Mike - Sunday, Mar 13, 2005 at 18:06
Sunday, Mar 13, 2005 at 18:06
Hi Ruth. As usual, thanks for the latest news. I guess you now know it's official, we're booked in for July. Can't wait, see you then.
Happy trails, Mike.
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