Trip/Gathering NT - Geographical Centre Simpson Desert

Submitted: Monday, May 10, 2010 at 16:44
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Dates: 02/08/2010 to 12/08/2010
Name: NT - Geographical Centre Simpson Desert
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J Sutton

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Reply By: Member - jay D (VIC) - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 17:09

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 17:09
Jim

You need to check the dates.
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Follow Up By: Member - Jim S (NSW) - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 17:46

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 17:46
Sorry about the dates should read 2/8/10 to 12/8/10 ... Never was good at typing ...
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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 17:17

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 17:17
I would also suggest that it is not the ideal destination to take a group of strangers on, very difficult country so all need to very experienced in cross country, no track travel and vehicles need to be totally self sufficient as regards repairs, tyres, fuel and water.
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Follow Up By: Ozhumvee - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 17:19

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 17:19
Also forgot to add that it will be starting to warm up that time of the year.
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Reply By: Member - Jim S (NSW) - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 17:44

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 17:44
I have done a lot of desert trips all over Oz, French Line 5 times, Hay River and the Madigan line twice, once with a bunch of strangers ... I was a 4WD training officer with my club for 5 years and I have lead many outback trips ..
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Follow Up By: Patrol22 - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 18:11

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 18:11
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.
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Follow Up By: Ozhumvee - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 18:20

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 18:20
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.
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 19:20

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 19:20
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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Follow Up By: Member - Jim S (NSW) - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 19:42

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 19:42
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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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 20:08

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 20:08
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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Follow Up By: Dave B ( BHQ NSW) - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 20:34

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 20:34
As far as I can remember, Geosurveys was Reg Spriggs company.

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 20:54

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 20:54
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.

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Reply By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 18:26

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 18:26
Jim,

To correct the dates in the Gathering page you need to edit the gathering details and changed the end dates then select the update icon.

HTH

Cheers Kev
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Follow Up By: Member - Jim S (NSW) - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 19:27

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 19:27
Thanks for the advice ... Dates are updated ..
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Reply By: Member - Rob S (NSW) - Monday, May 10, 2010 at 18:27

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 18:27
I'm certain last time is was there it was also the annual gathering of the Australian Bush Fly. LOL
They were unbearable.

Don't for get the aero guard

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Reply By: Member - Wim (Qld) - Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 07:57

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 07:57
Jim.

Will be out that way (not quite the centre) in July. Have a great trip.

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Follow Up By: Member - Jim S (NSW) - Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 09:39

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 09:39
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
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Follow Up By: Member - Wim (Qld) - Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 10:05

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 10:05
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.
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Follow Up By: Member - Wim (Qld) - Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 10:09

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 10:09
Jim.

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

Oops.
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Follow Up By: Member - Jim S (NSW) - Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 10:31

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 10:31
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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Reply By: Member - Jim S (NSW) - Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 09:34

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 09:34
You have a great trip also ... It's hard not to have a great try out there isn't it ..
Jim
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 14:55

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 14:55
Hi Jim
Here are a few more points of interest out in that neck of the Simpson

Cheers

Stephen

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