Simpson desert crossing

Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 14:52

ThreadID: 84896 Views:2943 Replies:5 FollowUps:16

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Simpson Desert

The Simpson Desert can be crossed via the French Line, WAA line or Rig Road. This trek provides a route using a combination of all 3 routes.

Simpson Desert

Section: Treks

The Simpson Desert can be crossed via the French Line, WAA line or Rig Road. This trek provides a route using a combination of all 3 routes.

Bravo Man

I am heading off soon for 8 mths around OZ solo.I am hoping to cross the Simpson desert west to east weather and floods permitting.
Travelling on a budget so cant afford sat phone or HF radio,
I was wondering if there are other solo travellers or a small group doing the crossing sometime in May/June that wouldn't mind me tagging along.My car is well set up and well maintained,I wouldn't expect any troubles but then no one ever does

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Reply By: Mr Pointyhead - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 16:21

Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 16:21

Hi
I realise you are on a budget, but you may want to consider a EPIRB or at least a "SPOT". See www.findmespot.com

AnswerID: 447774

Follow Up By: Bravo Man - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 16:49

Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 16:49

Thanks Mr Pointy.....I do have a PLB mainly for bushwalking but they are for a last resort emergency,they shouldn't be used in a breakdown or things like that.

FollowupID: 720083

Reply By: rumpig - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 17:31

Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 17:31

do you know that you can hire a sat. phone from Mt. Dare and drop it off at Birdsville instead of buying one?

AnswerID: 447781

Follow Up By: Bravo Man - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 22:31

Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 22:31

Thanks Rumpig....I didnt know that and that sounds like the way to go.Would you have any details on hiring them at Mt Dare,like do you have to book one ahead of time and what the cost is....thanks

FollowupID: 720115

Follow Up By: rumpig - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 22:59

Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 22:59

have a look here.... http://www.mtdare.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=11

can't remember if we had to book in advance, as a mate looked after that job when we crossed the desert last year. that link should have contact details on it somewhere for Mt. Dare, so a phone call will help you sort all finer details anyway.
cheers.

FollowupID: 720118

Follow Up By: Bravo Man - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 11:02

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 11:02

Thanks for that link,I checked it out and it has everything I need to know.I will be contacting them when I get closer to the trip

FollowupID: 720158

Reply By: Gossy - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 19:53

Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 19:53

you'll be fine is you have a well kitted up and reliable vehicle.

EPIRB is handy for emergencies but if you cross during the peak season you would have a good chance of chatting to someone on a 5w UHF on top of a dune (or wait 30 mins and you will). They still might be an hour away but you can still communicate with them.

Set of Maxtrac will guarantee to take some pain out of your day shovelling yourself out of a bog if it happens but 90% of people cross the whole way without getting stuck. The other 10% didn't let down their tyres :)

Have fun.

AnswerID: 447792

Follow Up By: muffin man - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 22:06

Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 22:06

Well that is hopeless advice.
Are you suggesting that people venture out and rely on others if the need arises.
MM

FollowupID: 720109

Follow Up By: Bravo Man - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 22:40

Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 22:40

I suppose everybody is different.I would try hard not to impose on other people for help BUT if I was to come across somebody who was stuck who needed help I wouldn't hesitate in helping them,I think most people would help.

FollowupID: 720116

Follow Up By: Gossy - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 12:29

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 12:29

agree it's the Aussie way. Lets not lose our sense of adventure and become boring old farts as we age. Good on Bravo Man for doing this trip by himself I say.
Crossing the Simpson isn't a life or death situation these days; get out and enjoy it I say. Only live once.

There is no such thing as 'hopeless advice'. Just advice that you don't agree with which is OK in a democracy :)

FollowupID: 720173

Reply By: Member - Ed C (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 20:09

Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 20:09

Better keep an eye on Eyre Creek ;-)

FLOOD WARNING FOR THE GEORGINA RIVER AND EYRE CREEK
Issued at 9:22 AM on Wednesday the 9th of March 2011
by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane.

Major flood levels continue along Eyre Creek between Bedourie and Glengyle and
in King Creek at Cluny.

A major flood peak of about 5.7 metres was recorded at Bedourie on Monday on
Eyre Creek which is understood to be the highest level since 1974. At 6am
Wednesday, the creek level at Bedourie was 5.29 metres and falling, which is
about 0.9 metres above the level of the Eyre Creek Bridge.

Major flood levels have also peaked in King Creek at Cluny with further rises
expected at Glengyle in the coming days.

Upstream, minor flood levels are easing along the Georgina River at Marion
Downs.

:)

Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand,
....Not necessarily mechanic!!"

Member
My Profile Send Message

AnswerID: 447793

Follow Up By: Bravo Man - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 22:43

Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 22:43

Thanks for that info.Its still a few months away and I wont be trying it if there is any doubt about the conditions

FollowupID: 720117

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 09:59

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 09:59

Ed

Can you give me the link to that report please.

Phil

FollowupID: 720146

Follow Up By: Member - Ed C (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 13:07

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 13:07

G'day Phil,

That's a copy & paste. I have no idea if there's a way to retrieve "expired" warnings from the BOM site (?)

Here's the link for today's (Q'ld) summary >>

Queensland Warnings Summary

Note that the Georgina River, while falling slowly at Marion Downs, is rising upstream at Glenormiston, and at Roxborough Downs, so it appears that there's still a bit of water on the way...

It remains to be seen if there's enough in this lot to make it all the way, but any further rainfall in the Georgina / Hamilton catchments will give it a good ol' push along ;-)

As I said, if I was planning a desert crossing this season, I'd be keeping a close eye on this one...

Catch ya later... Ed

:)

Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand,
....Not necessarily mechanic!!"

Member
My Profile Send Message

FollowupID: 720181

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 13:27

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 13:27

Thanks Ed

It was the link that I wanted.

We also have a plan for May to head up to Birdsville via Camerons Corner. From Birdsville it all depends on the Simpson conditions. Whilst I don't shy away from the mud it's just that we don't "need it". So if the Simpson is off we will just head north and roam. I had my fun in mud when a little younger and in the Army with a recce mech offsiders job for national service.

But the Simpson drive is the priority. It part of my bucket list. So all advance info is usefull.

Thanks

Phil

FollowupID: 720184

Reply By: vk1dx - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 10:08

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 10:08

If you intend travelling quite a bit then check out if your are eligible for the Satellite Phone Subsidy.

I pick ours up this afternoon. We are only paying $500. The one we are getting may not be the best in a canyon but it was the only one, among those that I had found, that had a prepay option.

ACMA Satellite Phone Subsidy

Phil

AnswerID: 447836

Follow Up By: Bravo Man - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 11:00

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 11:00

Thanks for that link,It would be good to get a sat phone but I would not be elligable as I live close to Sydney

FollowupID: 720157

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 11:46

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 11:46

We live in Canberra. But we have Vodaphone mobile phone access. The most out back they get is Broken Hill. So any drive away from a major city can be included in the 180 days. Also up in the Snowy and Vic Alps can also be counted. Now add a few 3-4 week outback trips and a few shorter ones it isn't too hard to get to 180 days without mobile access.

What about down in Newnes or even in Abercrombie near Oberon. What about in Kanangra etc. We do not have access there either so the weekends there count.

Phil

FollowupID: 720163

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 11:54

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 11:54

We live in Canberra. We have Vodafone for the mobile. The most out back they get is Broken Hill. Basically any drive away from a major town can be included in the 180 days. Also up in the Snowy and Vic Alps can also be counted. Now add a few 3-4 week outback trips and a few shorter ones and it isn't too hard to get to 180 days without mobile access.

What about down in Newnes or even in Abercrombie near Oberon. What about in Kanangra etc. We do not have access there either so the weekends there count.

Phil

FollowupID: 720166

Follow Up By: Bravo Man - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 12:12

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 12:12

Thanks vk1dx...I will look into it a bit more

FollowupID: 720169

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 13:13

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 13:13

Any time mate.

Strange having two posts there. Wonder what I did.

I better get back to getting the car ready. We are off into the WET Vic Alps for a week. And it raining. Should be interesting. The boys wanted to come but they couldn't get time off. What a shame just my wife and I and the club. Room for more beers.

Cheers

Phil

FollowupID: 720182