Simpson Desert in May 2007
Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 27, 2006 at 17:18
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MickO13
Anybody thinking of crossing the
Simpson Desert in mid May, 2007. I was intending to leave Melb for
Birdsville about 13th May. Will travel north via the Flinders and Gammons. Intend crossing the Simpson east to west on QAA and French lines. Wouldn't mind an accompanying vehicle or two (group). Thanks and Happy New Year. Mick O. (P.S. Drive a very
well equiped and tested GU Patrol)
Reply By: Ozrover - Wednesday, Dec 27, 2006 at 19:18
Wednesday, Dec 27, 2006 at 19:18
Mick, have a look at the Member trips/gatherings, from Mt Dare to
Birdsville & back early to mid May! This might suit you.
I'm meeting the brother in law at
Birdsville, May 15th & crossing back to Mt Dare, then on to Alise Springs.
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Reply By: Member - Ian S (NT) - Thursday, Dec 28, 2006 at 21:32
Thursday, Dec 28, 2006 at 21:32
Hi Mick,
We crossed the Simpson for the last time this year in November. The impression I had was that 2007 early in the season will be an interesting prospect. A month earlier we followed a sand storm on an west-east crossing.
There are lots of soft sand blown crests, particularly on the French line between Knolls and Colson intersections. These crests have developed lips on both sides of the crest up to 4m high. Between Knolls and Poeppel there were series of sand blown speed bumps. Early in the season this year the QAA had big lips on the western face but was quite driveable in the East-West direction. The impression I have from the prevaling winds is for a East face lip early next year.
Despite many solo crossings I think an early season crossing would be best in company. We had to dig ourselves out many times on our November crossing, hard work!
Just a note to others contemplating the
Rig Road. The section between K1 and the start of the
Rig Road has dangerous lips on both sides of the crests for the 1st 3km. Not an advisable place for a trailer/camper trailer.
Good travelling
Regards
Ian@Mt Dare (currently on
Kangaroo Island)
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Follow Up By: MickO13 - Thursday, Dec 28, 2006 at 22:42
Thursday, Dec 28, 2006 at 22:42
Thanks for the info Ian. That's why I think I may try and find someone to travel with. I struck some big wind faces on dunes earlier this year on
Googs Track, made a tad more difficult due to the trailer I was towing. One in particular was a real heartbreaker but we got thru in the end (travelled south to north as recommended). No trailer next year and I've moved up in the world from the Navara to a Patrol for the coming trip. Am
well equipped and reasonably proficient as far as things go but it's never a substitute for a another vehicle. Thinking I may cancel some previous plans for early May and head across with some of the people heading for the Mt Dare pub opening (EO member "Teabag" is coming across East to west). That's sure to be an experience. Got rained out last time I tried to cross in the mid 80's and spent nearly 2 weeks in the
Marree pub (They'd only drop food from the plane...no scotch!). Simpson is first leg in a 3 month haul back to the west and Rudall River so vehicle is going to be heavy....real heavy! You haven't been along the Giles- Mulga
Park Road (including Surveyor General's Corner) lately have you? Thanks again. Mick O.
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