Simpson Desert, early April

High Mike

I did it last April east to west.6 4WD via the French Line Large Sand drifts on top of all hills 1100 of them,I have a detail story in Treks Simpson Desert , & a lot of information in Thread 38575 down the page Travelled 69 Km only one day but a great trip ,back next year north to South.

Mike,

I have not driven the Simpson in April but I would imagine it would be very soft and tracks would not be visible. The sand would be soft and wind blown. Tyre pressures might have to be a bit lower and fuel usage could also be up.

As you probably already know that the desert changes almost daily. Crossing in April would still be a lottery.

Wayne

I've crossed in April. All the above comments are true. When we did it, it was easy, but the last few years, early travellers have found it very difficult, especially west to east due to unseasonal winds producing lips on the western side. Normally west to east is easier.

Dave O

Hi Mike,
Like all the above. We have had many crossing, in both directions. My preferred months are June/July. We did my Simpson Geo Expedition in early May this year, crossing the French Line from the East, then cross country for 500kms from Mac Clarke Reserve, back down to Poeppel Corner.

The sands early in the season are very soft if there is no summer rain. Expect hot day temperatures, most days were in the 37ºC to 39ºC range, with 3 days of 42ºC and 43ºC.Make sure you take extra water and fuel, use lower than normal tyre pressure and expect many snatch recoveries.

Cheers

Stephen

I was out there in April this year, my 6th Simpson trek

Sand blows were a metre or so over the crests of the dunes.

Travelling either way meant low tyre pressures and plenty of torque. I was towing a trailer as well. Coming in from the west I turned north at Erabena Junction and drove to the Geo Centre of the Simpson. Backtracked along another route and came back on to the French Line 8km west of the Atolls Track. Fuel consumption went up to 28l/100km in a 4.2 Nissan diesel. Good fun.

Going to attempt the north trek from the French Line again next year in July. Haven't worked out an exit route yet.

Cheers

Hi Mike,

We were out in the Simpson from March this year with 5 major excursions from Birdsville before Easter when we crossed East to West on Easter Monday. Big lips on the western side of the crest up to 4m with about 1m average. Easier east to west than reverse in the early season. All trips solo except one and lots of attempts needed on some dunes. It was tough!! Fuel use was up about 50% greater than normal and tyre pressures well down. Impossible to crawl over the dunes, all required momentum. After the rain in July it was a piece of p***

I expect the desert to dish up similar fare after this coming summer. We were out there again 4 weeks ago after a sand storm, plenty of soft blown sand. We leave for 10 days in the desert again in the next 2 days covering most of the common tracks and a few less common. Our 20th desert excursion in 2 years.

Willem, I should have a plot file in a couple weeks on the north south treks that comes out at camp 8 on the Madigan after coming up from Geosurveys. A good exit.

Cheers
Ian@Mt Dare

G'day and thank you to all who have answered :-)
It confirms how great this forum is!

Your answers are very much as I expected.
They should help convince a bleep who wants me to take him and 4 of his mates on a trip through the Simpson at the beginning of April.

Worst of it is that none of them has any experience with driving on sand.

Thanks again,
Mike.

Have a look at members gatherings on this website or/and do forum site search). The Mt Dare pub is holding an official opening event / bash first week in May 2007, followed by a special Simpson Desert 4Wd adventure (not all details available yet). May interest you if you can shift your dates a bit.