Saturday, Jun 03, 2006 at 17:54
Hi Jugs
If you send me your email address, I can send you a full report. I am having a story in one of the National 4WD Magazines, as
well as 4Wheelin SA. There was nothing that we could have left at
home. We had to take 110 litres of water, 275 litres total of Diesel, as I am a 4 cylinder diesel, as
well as supplies for 1 month. The age of you vehicles does not matter, just as long as it is 110% mechanically sound. The only problems that we encountered with the vehicles, should never have happened.
1. Alternator mounting bracket bolt lost---Had the Alternator serviced before the trip and they did not do it up, no fault of vehicle.
2. Lost count of the number of punctures for the group. As I was the lead vehicle, I was
clearing the way, so all punctures were by the first 4 vehicles.
3. Take extra tyres changing gear, as by the end of the trip, all
puncture gear was getting very low.
4. Front circlips on driver side front drive shaft came off, not put back correctly when they checked my front wheel bearings before the trip, again no fault of vehicle.
5. Broken front brake line front mulga stake, again no fault of vehicle.
Make sure that you go with people that you know. We are all friends, so we all get on great. Have heard of some bad stories of some groups not getting on.
We have travelled the Simpson many times an every time it will be very different from your last trip. Make sure that you do get out there, as if you like that country, you will want to go back time after time.
In a nut
shell, Madigan's Camps 1 and 2, then cross country to our first confluence of S25º E136º, we were the first ever group there, cross country out to Colson Track. Down Colson Track approx 10kms, then cross country to
Geosurveys Hill. Up to next confluence of S25º E137º, find along the way much evidence of early aboriginal occupation-stone chippings, grinding stone etc, then down to the Geographical Centre of the
Simpson Desert. From there east to old shot line - good condition. Only 6kms as crow flies, but 2 hours of hard driving. South for approx 40kms, then east cross country to more old shot line. These were very hard to find even with OziExplorer. They had not seen a vehicles in decades. They would dissapear as quick as we found then. South Again towards Thomas Oil
Well. This is when I had brake problems, so made a B Line for the French Line. This cut our trip by about 2 days short in the Desert propper. Once back on the French Line, it was like driving an a seales road.
Again, if ou want a full story, let me know.
Regards
Stephen
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