Colson Track to Alice Andado Road

Submitted: Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 21:09
ThreadID: 45699 Views:2356 Replies:5 FollowUps:9
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Has anyone driven across from the Colson Track to the Mac Clark Acacia Peuce CR or vice versa?

Cheers
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Reply By: Peter 2 - Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 21:36

Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 21:36
Willem it can be done, we are doing it as part of a Madigan crossing in July, you just have to miss the Aboriginal land.
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Follow Up By: Willem - Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 21:56

Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 21:56
Thanks Peter.

Are you driving from the Colson or from the Alice Andado Road?
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 21:43

Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 21:43
Hi Willem,

Best to get the latest from IanS at Mt Dare, but he's half way across the Madigan Line at present. Ian has been trying to promote a common track across here for travellers doing the Madigan Line. Its a pretty challenging drive - some of the steepest dunes are the few immediately west of the Colson track. Forget about doing it from the East - we've done it twice from the west and the dunes are the most difficult we've had in the Simpson. Unless Ian's found an easier way? Dave at Mt Dare may also give you the latest.

Its also densly vegetated thru the Todd/Hale Rivers.

You'll need to chat to the Bloomfields at Andado Station, as you'll be on their property. They are very obliging people, but don't want you driving off road and creating new tracks. I tried last year to get official permission from CLC but nothing happened there.

Have a read of the Leyland brothers book "Where dead men lie" and see what they thought about it, after busting some diffs. Theres some debate as to where they went after turning back - the French Line was put thru a year or two earlier ;-)

Cheers
Phil
AnswerID: 241275

Follow Up By: Willem - Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 21:53

Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 21:53
G'day Phil

Yes the dunes west of the Colson are high. Had a good look at them in 93 when we drove the Colson.

Ian S was on here a couple of days ago testing out Satellite Broadband from Camp 9 on the Madigan. There is a very narrow band of Aboriginal land to cross through which shouldnt be a problem. But I am only speculating on another adventure. Still have to do the Madigan as well but having crossed the desert east west and north south I don't know if I will get that way. Who knows...lol

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 22:24

Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 22:24
Yeah, 2006, the dunes were softer than 2004. One of the locals from Alice Springs did the Madigan Line from the east last year - we saw his notes in the visitors book - don't know whether he made it. Apart from that, I only know of one person who has done the Madgan Line in that direction, and he said he'd not do it again :-))

Re the patches of aboriginal land east of camps 1 and 2, there's nothing obvious out there. I think Ian's route takes you through the narrowest point of the aboriginal land, and is the route that should be taken these days.

After reading Cecil Madigan's book, its nice to see North Bore, and take the station tracks north look at camps 1A and 2. To climb up the Twins, and see the notes in the cans buried in the milo and tobacco tins, was rather good. Many travellers take the easy route via camps 3,4,5 which travels through a lot of the areas the CLC want you to keep away from. I attempted to get a transit permit for this last year, but failed to be able to make contact with the relevant people who were responsible for that particular area.

Madigan's Line was a good experience - the track is now well formed from Camp 6 eastwards, but is still a slow crawl. With the recent rain, it might be a good year to do it.

Cheers
Phil
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 22:51

Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 22:51
Phil, I was discussing that narrow neck of indiginous land with a party that will be doing it in July. It's certainly causing them some head scratching, so I suggested that they try and get in touch with Ian.
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 23:00

Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 23:00
Fotty,
Yep, put them in touch with Ian, who will give them the latest. But I thought Ian had a new job with Hema, so not sure how much he'll be at Mt Dare.
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 23:07

Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 23:07
Thanks, Phil. I didn't know about the new job. I'll tell em Mt Dare, because even if he's not there I'm sure that he'll have discussed it with them there.
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Reply By: Pete and Lez S.A. - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 16:10

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 16:10
Willem, I didn't think there were any made tracks left that you have not drinen on.
Cheers Peter and Lez
AnswerID: 241407

Follow Up By: Willem - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 16:12

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 16:12
Hahahahaha

I have hardly scratched the surface....lol

Cheers
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FollowupID: 502352

Reply By: Crackles - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 18:16

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 18:16
Went that way last year William & despite it being dryer & softer than previous years would have no hesitation in going East West for a challenge. We cut accross below the Aboriginal land on a bearing from Poodinitterra Hill to the Colson before heading back up onto the Madigan at camp 6.
Cheers Craig..........
AnswerID: 241430

Follow Up By: Willem - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 18:38

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 18:38
Crackles

I would like to talk to you via email on this. I am now not sure if I have your email address so could you please email me at willem@kempen.id.au I do have a Craig in my addressbook tho...lol

Cheers
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FollowupID: 502391

Reply By: TheMajor - Friday, May 25, 2007 at 18:04

Friday, May 25, 2007 at 18:04
G'day Willem
I quite often read your threads and it seems you have been around quite a bit. I am following close behind you actually. Since being retired I have been out and about. However, the question you are asking today...this particular trip has been recently undertaken by the editor of 4X4 Auatralia, Dean Mellor, with a number of other vehicles in his party. A full brief of the trip can be found on page 90 of the 4X4 Australia "25 Incredible Getaways" No. 3. It recently came as an inclusion with the latest 4X4 Australia magazine. The article is very informative and it should give you all the info you require for your proposed trip. All the best and I might see you on the track some time
Regards The Major
AnswerID: 242360

Follow Up By: Willem - Friday, May 25, 2007 at 18:19

Friday, May 25, 2007 at 18:19
Thanks The Major

I used to contribute freelance to 4x4 Australia in the days when Ron Moon was editor. Thanks for the info, I will go buy the mag and have a look. I am taking in all the little nooks and crannies which I have missed over the years and this winter will do the few teacks of the Simpson I haven't done yet.

Cheers
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