Simpson in early March???

Ben,

I would think it would be very hot in March, and there would be very little tracks to follow. It would also be very lonely.

I have not been out that way at that time of year and was trying to find some information on the weather patterns for that time of year. No luck so far.

I know of another member who has been out that way early in the season, he might be able to help.

Wayne

Ben,
Have I read this correct??
Are you planning on having a lady who is 7+months pregnant with twins out in the heat of the Simpson in March???? Or is it just her husband who's going? Does he know that most twin pregnancies deliver early?

It can be bloody hot out there, and you'll struggle to find a tree for shade.

Cheers
phil

Bit hot then Mate ,,,

Cheers
Bucky

Ben,

Not only will it be very hot, but if we get half a wet, then you'll struggle to even get to the Simpson.

With a bit of luck the Cooper will be in flood, and the Diamantina likewise, making Birdsville isolated. Don't forget Eyre Ck too.

Wait for a few months, and bring the twins as well.

Did we tell you how hot it can be in March?....

Hooroo,
Bob.

Hi Ben
There is no way in the world that you would want to take a pregnant lady let alone one who is expecting twins (I know first hand how uncomfortable it is for a lady expecting twins, we have had them), or else you will find that you will have a desert delivery.

Depending on the summer winds, there are very good chances that a lot of the tracks will be blown over, with very soft approaches and drop off lips at the top of every dune. You would spend more time out of your vehicles than in them, digging or snatching your way out.

Even in April, it will still be very hot, with day time temperatures well over 40C. The earliest that we have ever been was early May, and it was still the wrong time of the year, most days 38C with a couple of 43C days, and still very soft dunes, and many recoveries.

Please put off you trip for the safety of your group and go when the weather is cooler (our southern winter) and you will enjoy the mighty Simpson and will want to return, again and again.


Cheers

Stephen

Apart from the hot weather most dune caps may have a 1-2 metre soft sanddrift making progress along most of the Simpson tracks difficult to negotiate unless you are a very experienced desert driver.

Yep yer, kidding yourselves....lol

Cheers

Ben

Might be worth checking past weather data too:

Birdsville Weather History

You can see last March was up around 40degC a lot, but mean max is 35degC.

best wishes JD

Hi Ben

Ive crossed it 3 times 1st time was April 04 bloody hot 40 odd deg every day 25 deg of a night
my G/F is 7 months gone and i wont take her on a 1 hour drive down to the river over a very rough track let alone 1100 odd sand dunes in the middle of know where my advice is DONT GO
wait to Sept or Oct and go then no good putting you and your mate wife and her unborn twins at risk which is what you a doing if you go in March

Glenn...

Thanks all,

Just read my original post and better clarify. HE's coming, not HER. I'll let the others know and we'll postpone until he can get a leave pass hopefully later in the year.

Thanks again, Ben

A very high probablility that it'll still be quite fierce then - it is often still knocking on 40 C in regions surrounding that desert, late in April !! And while air conditioned car travel can make it tolerable to an an extent, its what you can put up with while doing vehicle repairs at noon with no shade ............. perish the thought !

I think it is a wise choice to go some other time

Having said that
I was there at easter this year (Birdsville 8-4-07) for an east west crossing.
We went via the rig road (first for the season)
We had a great time even though I travel with my family (three girls) no one really complained about the heat, only the flys!

It was a fine line between going and not going as the desert had only been officially opened for a week due to the creek being flooded. Not an ideal situation to be in when a lot of planning has gone into a holiday.