Simpson Desert Feedback

Yeah we are crossing the desert also but in another way which allows us to do a complete crossing almost, then exit near the qld/nt border....
We are guessing there is no chance of making a complete west/east or similar crossing till at least aug.

Voxson where do you go from there, we were planning to cross east to west early July also but were now thinking we will enter and exit from the west and try and see as much as our fuel / water supply allows???

Don Rawlins and others have told me that our crossing in July should be possible via the northern detour of Eyre Creek.

From the corner we are heading north-ish... Permits are required for travel north.... We will come out on the plenty hwy at Jervois....
Like Olsen said below fuel usage for him has increased as less people traverse the tracks because of the closures now....

I still stand by my above guestimates because they are from track records....
But i always allow 35% more than what i think i will use..

You can come in from mt dare and do a loop via french,,, round to waa and out for eg.......Then you get to see dalhousie twice...

I am taking 310litres for our trek with others in the group varying from 270 to 230......
6 vehicles are going.

Olsen,,,

If thats the case then thats good for most travellers....

But we had to make a call and because of uncertainty we made it into a large trip.....
And we cant wait...
Even if the Eyre is open for business we will continue north...

There is still time for a permit ya know... lol.

I understand that. Imagine my problems if Don is wrong :-(
BTW, you can call me David
Don has been pretty reliable to date and he says May 29 is the next inspection of Eyre Creek. I hear that the big lake east of Lake Peoppel and on the K1 is full, so I'd be expecting tough conditions.

ah har Don... The Don is good....

I will keep my fingers crossed for you,,, because i guess a few people are counting on you to wave a magic wand..

I have 6 vehicles so not to disappoint an early decision was made so we get to see Ood, Mt D, Dal, Fr L, WAA, poep, hay river, then later back thru Birdsville for the ferry...

A loop could have been on the cards but it is always nice to exit somewhere else.

And if the ferry isnt going then flip a coin for return...

Oh and yes,,, the eastern side of peoppel has given us some surprises over the years..

We hope to cross in late july, leaving Quorn on the 24th.

Will be interested in any feedback that you post.

Thanks.

R

"Last year my 4.2TD GU used 145 litres whereas it normally uses 90. I carry 160. I'll be carrying 180 this year."
You raise an excellent point. Almost all fuel statistics & condition reports in previous Trek Notes are bordering on useless for this year. Detours around flooded areas & track damage due to wind will make for longer distances & a far tougher crossing particually if towing.
Cheers Craig............

Expecting to see you Deanna - don't think you will have much trouble - be a well worn highway by then - you might still get a paddle on the eastern end.

"don't think you will have much trouble - be a well worn highway by then -"


Thanks Ruth, that's what I want to hear, Looking forward to catching up with you this time.

Cheers

Deanna

"If you work on 15 litres per 100km you'll be fine."
Well you might be but as the track is far softer & less obvious this year than ever before & with the unknown detour distances around flooded salt lakes & the Eyre Creek there is no real precedent to work out accurate fuel usage. As Olsen has suggested it may require up to 50 to 80% more fuel than what most were using several years ago.
Cheers Craig..............