Simpson Desert Track conditions
Submitted: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 21:18
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Patrol_Driver
Hi ,
I'm about to leave for the Simpson and was wondering what condition the tracks are in? We did the same trip 2 years ago and the area had some rain a few weeks earlier which made the track very easy going from east to west.
Tried to
check the Desert Parks bulletin but it has not been updated since March.
If anyone has just done a desert crossing or lives in
Birdsville and knows the area, perhaps they can be kind enough to share their opinion?
Thanks!
Reply By: Peter 2 - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 21:27
Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 21:27
do a search as there have been a few posts from recent travellers, basically it is soft, hard going.
AnswerID:
174553
Reply By: Member - Wim (Qld) - Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 07:01
Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 07:01
Patrol_Driver
A group of us were there a couple of weeks ago.
The desert is very dry and the tracks reflect that.
Drive to the conditions and all should be fine.
Regards
AnswerID:
174595
Reply By: Ruth from Birdsville Caravan Park - Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 07:30
Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 07:30
Bring your woollies - it's 3 degrees here at the moment - and will be colder in the SD!! Sure makes a nice change after the summer.
Morning, Wim!
AnswerID:
174601
Follow Up By: Member - Wim (Qld) - Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 14:12
Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 14:12
Hi Ruth.
Those flies got there winter woolies on yet?
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L- Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 18:39
Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 18:39
Hi Willem
You should have taken the photo looking east to show all that live sand on the dune behind the tower. We were there after you, came in via some very remote confluences and
Geosurveys Hill. We did nearly 500kms of all cross country travelling, as you know we were in low range 1st and second for most of the way. When we got back to the French Line, it was like driving on a flat smooth road.
We will have to compare notes.
Best Regards
Stephen
Clare
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Patrol_Driver - Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 07:45
Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 07:45
Thanks for the heads up, it was very cold at night last time I was there but I rather cold weather than hot.
Hopefully I will see you in
Birdsville in a few weeks.
Can't wait to get into that remote country again!
AnswerID:
174604
Reply By: Willem - Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 09:39
Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 09:39
Very sandy in
places but by now some of the sand crests would have been pushed down a tad.
Drop your tyre pressures to 15psi hot and you will be OK
AnswerID:
174639
Reply By: tuck 01 - Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 10:06
Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 10:06
We crossed west to east a couple of weeks ago on French Line. Track was very easy, with only a few dunes needing a "second go" because didn't have enough momentum up.
My overloaded 100 series TD did it all except Big Red in high range. I ran about 20 pounds in my tyres because of the load I was carrying.
East to west looked like it would be a bit more challenging, but still very doable, with more soft sand on east side of dunes.
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Regards
AnswerID:
174645