Simpson Desert Report

Hi Folks,

last crossing of the season for us from Mt Dare on the French Line and K1 ending up in Birdsville again then back to Brisbane.

We spent 4 days on rescue missions before finally getting away from Mt Dare last week. The rescues were interesting, a Britz camper bogged in sand at the end of the Spring Creek Delta bypass and a Mitsubishi Canter 5 1/2 truck on the Rig Road 6 km from K1. Willem will recognise the country.

Next season the SCD bypass may be permanent so be prepared. Sand conditions at the K1 / Rig Road intersection hasn't improved since the early season reports. Extreemely difficult if not impossible for trailers (that said nothing is impossible) and is not worth the damage / agravation. Even if trailers are brought up to Poeppels the sand is soft, blown with lips. The good news is that the lips seem to be going back to a traditional eastern face lip rather western side. We followed a sand storm over and the desert was pristine if not difficult. Care should be taken early next year!

The WAA was the pick of the easy crossings earlier this month and the French Line between Colson and Erabena challenging. Between Erabena and Knolls was very rough with successive speed bumps being formed with a fresh sand.

See you all at Mt Dare next season and there will be further info on the pub opening in May 2007. Pat and I have 2 months working on Kangeroo Island till the end of January and be back at Mt Dare at Easter.

Cheers
Ian @ Mt Dare