Chambers Pillar/Maryvale

Hi James,

I was out there a month ago, and no problems. But things can change a lot in 3 months, so maybe re-ask the question a week or two before you go.
We travelled north from Mt. Dare, through Finke and Chambers Pillar onto the Alice. From Finke to Maryvale is sandy, but no worries. From Maryvale into Chambers Pillar is slow going in places, but again not a problem. From Maryvale into Alice is heavily corrugated and also sandy in places. We were travelling in a convoy, but I would have been quite happy alone. Make sure you run on soft tyres - pressures in our group ranged from 18 - 28 psi, and I think we all dropped to about 20 psi before we got into the chamber. Between Finke and Maryvale we didn't see another vehicle, but there was constant traffic between Maryvale and the Pillar and also into Alice. The locals all get around in old Falcons, so you shouldn't have any troubles in a forby. Corrugations. I never want to see another corrugation again. I hate them. They're as bad as up in the Cape. One of our group had a can of spagheti bolognese explode on the way into the Pillar which made a lovely mess and his shockers had failed by the time we got to Alice. Would I go back to Chambers Pillar? Tomorrow if I had the opportunity.
Keep the shiny side up.
Cheers Ferris

Hi James,

I agree with Ferris that it is very do-able and folks either head out for CP each day from here or arrive having done the trek from Alice and CP.

The Old South Road or Ghan Track is rough, we use the term undulating rather than corrugated. Undulated is larger corrugations or whoopsies that create a phenomena of load dumping. It tends to give suspensions and shockies a work out as it extends and compresses. Load dumping occurs when you are travelling too fast and your speed needs to be reduced until the load at the back doesn't crash down over each bump.

Reduced tyre pressure id important to have the tyre working as the first stage of the suspension. So slowly goes is the way. The last jump up before CP is relatively steep on both sides and with the loose rock on the track, you tend to fire rocks as you grip. Disconcerting if you have never done it before, but otherwise OK. CP is well worth the effort if you have not seen it before, and even if you have.

Another detour is to take the Hugh River Stock Route from the South Road across to the Stuart Highway to Stuarts Well (Jims Place) then duck back inton Rainbow Valley. Do from Mt Dare north or from Alice Springs south.

Enjoy
Regards
Ian@Mt Dare

Hi James.. might see you out that way.. I'll be heading through Solo too.. will be coming through from Simspon should be around 5-7th Sept or so.. I'll watch this thread with interest..

Hi James
We did the trip from Mount Dare to Finke up the Old Ghan along the fence line into Maryvale, (good store at the Maryvale Station) then the trip into Alice. We travelled Solo and had no trouble at all, just took our time, lowered the tyre pressures and had a great trip.
Ray

Gday James,
Apart from the little rocky jump up just South of Rodinga there is no where that will give you any trouble. Take note of what Ian said about your speed and you will be fine, most dammage to vehicles on that track is suspension caused by wrong speed. Plenty of blackfellas use the track so if you did get stuck for some reason you will be able to get help.
Have fun

The trip plan was day 1 we travelled to Dalhousie Springs and O/N with a soak in the hot springs evening and next morning. Traveled to Mt Dare and then to the Lambert Centre, then camped at Rumbalara ruins. Next day to Chambers Pillar and stayed two night (free gas BBQ's) Then from Chambers Pillar to Alice. In Hindsight should have gone from Chambers to Rainbow Valley then to Alice however we wanted to travel the lenght of the Old Ghan track which is what we did. Had a great time.

Ray

I went there a week after the Finke desert races this year. From Alice to the Pillar. The track was a bit rough because of all the traffic but easy as. I travelled alone aswell. Its as easy as the Gibb River Road and The Bungles Track. But there is no need to let your tyres down on the track from alice to the pillar. The sand hills near the pillar are fairly firm. 4wd is needed over the dunes but nothing to worry about at all. I was in a '96 hilux diesel.