Simpson on our own
Submitted: Friday, Jul 13, 2001 at 00:00
ThreadID:
311
Views:
2162
Replies:
8
FollowUps:
0
This Thread has been Archived
JIm
Most articles you read say to drive The Simpson with company.We have always done our travelling on our own ( Innaminka, Arkaroola,
William Creek, Old Ghan to Alice etc )and are
well set up accept we only have U.H.F. radio. Any comments would be appreciated.
Reply By: warren - Sunday, Jul 15, 2001 at 00:00
Sunday, Jul 15, 2001 at 00:00
Jim We did the
simpson desert, a few years back depending on the time of year you should have no problems But do insure you carry a red flag suspended high above your vehicle to warn oncoming of your approach. Because there are a lot of people travelling in both directions There is a
sign at purnie
bore advising of uhf channels which reads, repeaters on ch,2,4,8 west of
purni bore i believe the rangers monitor uhf ch 10& 15 have good trip Wasa
AnswerID:
764
Reply By: Trev - Saturday, Jul 21, 2001 at 00:00
Saturday, Jul 21, 2001 at 00:00
Jim, we arrived back
home last night from the Simpson etc. We had a party of 4 but lost one when we were delayed he went OK and made it.
The red, or brightly coloured flag is a must. UHF channel 10 is the one used and if you go in school holidays, as we did, it will take you a long time because of the traffic. Everyone stops to talk. We travelled at 20 kph and by the end of the day had had a neck full of sand dunes. The beer around the fire was great. At this time of the year it was OK. There was more desert either side of
the desert.
I have written an brief article on our trip. I can send it to you if you like.
Trev
AnswerID:
783
Reply By: Kevin - Saturday, Jul 21, 2001 at 00:00
Saturday, Jul 21, 2001 at 00:00
Yes, we arrived back last Wednesday, after a great trip. You definitely need a flag, and if you are on your own, the higher the better, and UHF channel 10 is the go, but keep scanning for other traffic. On your own is much more difficult, as others can't hear you coming, and you therefore need to talk from time to time, just to let others know you are about. We did feel uncomfortable about the few we met going the other way on their own, as you couldn't tell they were there until the last minute. Make sure you have a good radio & arial, to get good distance reception, and
check at the top of the dunes.
AnswerID:
784
Reply By: Ruth - Friday, Aug 03, 2001 at 00:00
Friday, Aug 03, 2001 at 00:00
Jim, you are probably back from
the Desert by now but I'll make the suggestion in any case. You can now rent from
Oodnadatta and
Birdsville Police a Sat phone - leave it with the
Police Station on other side. I'm not sure of the price - I think about $23 per day. Makes good sense. There was a fatal accident in
the Desert this week - so pays to be able to communicate with someone.
I'm going to the
Simpson Desert tomorrow for the weekend - looking at birds and the fabulous
wildflowers which are coming out now with the recent rains and now the warmer weather.
Happy travels.
AnswerID:
841