Simpson Desert Feedback

Read thread 73560.

In July/August it can get busy out there, so its probably the best time to travel solo. Communications are very important, and if travelling solo, you have to consider the possibility of wearing the high cost of a recovery, if you break down.

I don't think it matters which direction you travel, although I prefer to go from the east. Chances are the approaches to the dunes are a bit smoother on the eastern faces and if a sandy lip is on the dunes (unlikely in July/August) then its easier from the east.

July August you should meet a a fellow adventurer every couple of hours...so you will not be alone out there

Experience in Outback Travel is helpful but experience in Desert Sand Travel is better

Comprehensive set of recovery gear?? What does this include? Also you must have to ability to use whatever recovery gear you have. Best equipment for Simpson is a shovel, sand mats and tyre pressure gauge

East west is steeper but generally smoother as prevailing winds are from the west. West side of dune slopes normally more chopped out as surface is harder and hundreds of travellers traverse the dunes with incorrect tyre pressures.

Suitable radio or phone communication is a must.

Hi there. People have mentioned the volume of other travellers, but haven't mentioned that the traffic flow depends on which route you take!! OK, so the French Line route is the most common, but there are others (eg Rig Road).
If there's lots of people, especially travelling in the opposite direction, then a BIG sand flag and UHF on Ch 10 are vital (even tho some other drivers use neither). If there are not lots of people, then snatch straps etc won't be much use, and shovel/MaxTrax/winch and similar become more the order of battle. I wouldn't go solo if I could avoid it, but I guess Satphone and EPIRB could compensate (one way hire of Satphone is available at Mt Dare and Birdsville).
I can't comment on direction, but repeat there is also the question of the choice of route which will have a bearing on difficulty and also traffic volumes.
The desert is fantastic, but it is also potentially daunting. If you travel with others, you can share the task of walking the dubious dunes to establish the best options. Remember, the wind can often remove tyre tracks over the dune tops within minutes, and you're left like Lawrence of Arabia without his camel.
Enjoy.

Seachanger
Many good replies above. With at bit of experience, you should get through if you follow a few very basis requirements, that surprisingly not every one follows. The ones that do not follow it are the Cowboys, Have 4x4 can go anywhere with no preparation or exception.

We have travelled the Simpson countless times, and it will get you in. We prefer the east/west crossings, a little more of a challenge, but still no dramas.

July/August are peak times our there, and the best time to drive it. Days should be perfect, mid to high 20's, even low 30's. Nights will depend on any cloud cover from well below 0 to teens when cloud cover. If you follow what I suggest, you should have a very enjoyable and safe trip.

At the base of either Big/Little Red, depending which way you want to go over, drop your tyre pressure to 14psi.

You must have a good sand flag, at least 3m high from ground level.

Use channel 10 UHF, but also scan, and keep a listen out for any radio traffic that may be in the area that you will be.

Do not go like a Bull at a Gate, gentle as she goes are the best results.

When at the top of the larger dune in the area that you are going over, put out a call on channel 10, asking if anyone is travelling the track that you are travelling.

Set up camp early, so you can go for a walk, get the fire going and take in the surroundings before it gets dark.

Having said what I have said, if you are experienced, you will know what I am talking about.

Drive to the conditions and your experience and will have a great trip.

Cheers

Stephen

Seachanger

I doubt it makes much difference west to east or east to west. Done both a few weeks apart earlier this year. The main problem is the chopping up of the tracks by other vehicles (too fast and too high tyre pressures) and this was more or less the same both ways when I did it.

The trips I did were alone as in one vehicle one person. Since you say "we" I guess there will be two or more people in your one vehicle. As others have said there is a lot of traffic out there these days and it would be fairly easy to join up with some others and travel together for a few days if that is what you wanted to do.

Special considerations for travelling alone would be communication. Two CBs, one of them being a good hand held would be a start. Maxtrax and a long handled shovel would be the most important recovery gear. Plus at least one air compressor, two is better.

Keep centre of gravity low. Avoid roof racks. Might sound like I am preaching, and probably am, but I think biggest problems are caused by overloading. There was one or two occasions on the Rig Road after the sand was blown around by a strong wind that I was very pleased I had no weight up high. To get around some of the dunes that were encroaching on the track it was necessary to drive tilted at a bit of an angle so the lower the centre of gravity the better.

Did the East to west crossing a couple of years ago. It was fine. I think better than from the west. The Eastern approaches were fairly straight forward. Dropping down on the western side often meant a sharp drop of 20 or so metres then an abrupt levelling off followed by another drop into the next swale. The Eastern approaches were much smoother by my reckoning. I'd rather be doing the rougher bit on the way down than the way up. Maybe personal preference has more to do with it. We went in at Clifton Hills Stn, camped on the Warburton, then got to the first dunes and it rained 2 inches. No way back so we kept going. Travelled the Rig rd, Knoll track and French line. We had several days of rain. Rd was closed at Spring Creek Delta, so we used the northern bypass. It was bloody cold a lot of the time and quite warm at other times. Have warm clobber. Travelled several km on 45 cm water covered sections. We walked these sections first to check for washouts, but they ended up being fine. The water was super chilly. Had another vehicle with us. Boggy along the edges of the tracks so stay on line, or its axle deep fun. X-Trail had no trouble. Our friends had a Patrol. Be ready for any eventuality. A 2 inch downpour can strand you for a while if you are not careful. If on your own have good comms. Met several large groups 20+ vehicles coming from the west, so would be looked after, provided you are on the more frequented part of the network of roads.
Stay alert, tall flag, UHF and don't hit a camel! Have a great time. Take some fire wood with you, and 1200+ km of fuel.