Simpson closed over summer

Regeneration during the heat of summer ?

This is what SA Parks web site says

"Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and the whole of the Simpson Desert Conservation Park

Edward Gregory Leaman, Director of National Parks and Wildlife, has authorised the closure to the public the whole of the Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and the whole of the Simpson Desert Conservation Park from:

6 pm on Sunday, 30 November 2008 until 6 pm on Sunday, 15 March 2009

The purpose of the closure is in the interest of public safety as a result of the anticipated high daytime temperatures likely to be experienced in the reserves during the closure period.

Contact Ranger for this closure is Tony Magor, District Ranger - Desert Parks, Outback Region Ph: (61 8) 8648 5344"

Its been well discussed on this forum already. I remember the retrieval of unprepared tourists and their vehicles in the extreme heat and soft sand was a major issue.

Are you planning a trip this summer??

The issue as I see it is that Parks SA wants to keep poorly equipped and prepared people out of the Simpson in summer. I agree completely with that sentiment – however - I don’t believe a total closure is the best way to achieve that aim.
I've been in the Simpson in summer and also in the north of SA and some other areas. Yes it can be very hot. I do volunteer work in search and rescue where I live and while I agree with the sentiments of Ruth from Birdsville I’m a little wary of using the argument that rescuers are “putting their lives at risk” by retrieving someone in the Simpson. The professional people on both sides of the Simpson are very well equipped, experienced and are very capable. If these people were asked to mount a rescue / evac in summer I’m confident it would be run safely and without further risk to life. I’ve spoken with some of the potential Simpson Desert rescuers on this topic and the answers invariably matched the way we feel about going into remote areas near where I live to search for people when conditions aren’t ideal – we take extra precautions and we make sure our teams are well trained and experienced. But we would never say we can’t go because it’s too hot or cold or uncomfortable etc. That’s why we are involved in S&R and I’m sure that the locals around the Simpson would feel the same way. They might curse the stupidity of poorly prepared travelers in the same way we curse the stupidity of a small number of bushwalkers in our local area. But these people still need to be looked after.
And lets put the issue of the heat and remoteness into perspective – there are many places on earth where people work and live in similar climatic conditions. Sure, a poorly prepared visitor can easily get into trouble but the idea that a rescuer is venturing into the death zone to drag someone out is overstating things a bit.
The real issue is – what’s the best way to prevent poorly equipped people venturing into the desert in summer (or at anytime for that matter). Off the top of my head here are a few options that Parks SA could use:

1. perhaps have a rule that says no solo vehicles in summer?
2. maybe you need to be a member of a 4WD club?
3. you need to carry a few items of mandatory equipment (sat-phone, recovery gear etc)
4. maybe a special permit can be set up so competent people can still apply and have access if they can prove to be well equipped and experienced enough?

These options may or may not all be practical but I’m sure that with consultation with 4WD groups and local people a sensible package could be worked out that helps to keep the wrong people out of the desert in summer.

And it would give the small number of people who do go to the Simpson in summer the chance to do so.

I loved my time in the Simpson in summer a few years ago – it was in the high 40s (it had been over 50 when we stayed a few days around Innamincka), there wasn’t a soul around and the beauty and emptiness of the landscape was breathtaking. It’s hard to find places that are truly remote these days – I’d like to think we can keep the incompetents out while still allowing suitably experienced people to enjoy the place.
Lucas