Trip/Gathering NT - Geographical Centre Simpson Desert

Sorry about the dates should read 2/8/10 to 12/8/10 ... Never was good at typing ...

Also forgot to add that it will be starting to warm up that time of the year.

Go for it Jim S.....the Simpson is fantastic in early August. I'd come along if it wasn't for the fact that work gets in the way.

You have similar experience to mine, I was just worried that you may not know what you were in for, the Geo centre is also harder than the Madigan in some respects depending on which route you take and what the season and growth has been like.
We did it two years ago and had vehicle probs (with toyota's) due to the rough terrain.

Hi Jim
Depending on which way you are going into the Centre, will depend on how easy/hard the trip will be. Make sure that you allow 300 litres of diesel per vehicle, along with lots of plugs. The easy way is from the lower Colson Track.

We have done all that you have done, but came in through via Geosurvey Hill. That way can not be compared with any other Simpson Crossing, including the Madigan.

Have a great trip.

Cheers

Stephen

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Hi Stephen,
Thanks for the advice, haven't decided yet which direction to approach the centre ... have been to Geosurvey Hill twice once in 1996 and 2008 ... The 96 trip was much harder as we travelled via the Madigan Line which in those days was not a track like it is today, piece of cake now .... (Not down to the Hill, it's just the same as it was in 96) ... My original note in the visitors book was still there ... Gives you a good feeling to read it again ... also revisited the football field and found 96 notes in visitors book ... In 96 I was driving a Disco and broke a spring on route from the hill to the claypan, kept going as srpings in Discos don't fall out, ordered new spring on HF and was waiting for us in Birdsville when we arrived 7 days later ...

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Hi Jim
We went to Geosurvey Hill in an almost direct line from the Colson Track coming through Geosurveys Base A. Did you take note of that small sign on the Yellow dropper behind you? that is the one that I erected in May 2006. If you need any help with waypoints etc, send me a MM.

Have a great time.


Cheers


Stephen
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As far as I can remember, Geosurveys was Reg Spriggs company.

Dave

Hi Dave
Yes you are 100% connect. Anyone looking for a great read about Reg and his driving adventures through the Simpson, then the book "Dune is a Four Letter Word" is a great read. Tells of how Reg and his family were the first to drive the Simpson and how he found and named Geosurveys Hill.

Cheers

Stephen

Thanks for the advice ... Dates are updated ..

Where are you going in July?
Is that a trailer behind the vehicle on the left ???
If it is how did you go getting it there and back?
Jim

Jim.

I will be a little further west than you.
Yes that is a trailer but I would not recommend taking one unless the driver has the desert experience this guy has.
The trailer did cause the driver additional problems but as I note above he has heaps of know how and was very well prepared.
This is not a trip to leave to chance.
I am expecting the desert to be more difficult than usual this year and am planning accordingly.
Still no guarantee though.

Again, have a great trip.

Jim.

I am lost already. So much for planning.
A little further "East" than you.

Oops.

Is it the Hay River you are doing ... I did it about 6 years ago and it was after rain and the country was magnificent, green and flowers everywhere ...

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