What a trip.
4days to get to Ayres Rock where we started the trip. A 100 series, 2x 4.2 and a 3lt Nissan, all turbo, made up the convey and of course the Troopie.
We all had at least 320lt of diesel, in hind site too much fuel, 100lt of
water food for 4 weeks and spares.
All the vehicles had two spare tyres which weren't required. They all had BFG, 1set of A/T and 3sets of M/T, I was running Coopers STT M/T. Tyre pressure was let down on the way into
Calvert Range, which had some of the hardest
sand dunes to cross on the trip.
Calvert Range was burnt out recently and the whole area looked like a moon scape, with a heard of camels (6) were found dead next to the track. The
Aboriginal rock art in this area is very good and plenty of it,
well worth the trip in.
Durba Springs was another surprise with green grass White Gums and
water pools, a great place to spend a rest day.
So far we have only come across other travelers every 2 to 3 days so the track was not busy at all. At
well 23, where got our fuel drop we come across a convey that had not seen anyone for 9 days. We had 5 drums of diesel waiting for us but we had to leave about 120lts in one drum. A note was left on the drum saying it was for emergency use only. In future any fuel we can't fit in the fuel tanks I will take extra empty jerry cans and fill them. Either side of
well 23 there were empty drums left every where, not a pretty site.
At
well 33 fuel is available from the Community but only at certain times and days, with a $10 call out fee per vehicle for service outside the trading hours. Fuel was $2.20 per litre.
We were able to get to every
well with only one wet day,with the track drying out very quick. Most days were warm with the nights cool with some moisture on the vehicles in the morning. One morning there was ice on the tents but this didn't last long after the sun came up.
The
sand dunes were different to the Simpson in as much as that to cross them a sharpe turn at the base of the dune had to be done before the drive across. This slowed the run up which meant most dunes were crossed in 1st gear high range. On some approaches another run up has been put in to get a straight run at the dune.
More later
Wayne