Chambers Pillar to Old Andado to Mt Dare
Submitted: Friday, Apr 01, 2011 at 23:06
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stew1978
After visiting Uluru and Kings Canyon in July we plan to cross the
Simpson Desert. For part of the trip we plan to go to
Chambers Pillar then Old
Andado and finally Mt Dare before heading across
the desert.
I understand that this section of the trip is reasonably remote but I was wondering if the tracks get much traffic. We will be travelling alone so should the car break down or something we would need to rely of passing traffic for help. We will be hiring a sat phone from Mt Dare for
the desert crossing but wont have one until then.
I'm not so concerned about the section of the trip from
Chambers Pillar to Old
Andado. The track I assume that is rarely used is the track that heads south from
Andado to Mt Dare. Any comments? Also what is that track like to drive?
Finally any real life experiance regarding trip times for this part of the trip?
Any advice welcome
Reply By: Member - John and Val - Saturday, Apr 02, 2011 at 08:40
Saturday, Apr 02, 2011 at 08:40
Hi Stew,
Have done that track 3 times, most recently in 07 and 08. While there was not a lot of traffic on the track it had had very heavy use by mining/exploration vehicles including trucks. As a result the track was in only fair condition with some very big patches of bulldust, some extending for maybe a kilometre with dust reaching to the underside of the vehicles. There was a maze of sidetracks around the worst stretches. Given all the rain since then it would pay to
check with Mt Dare re its present condition.
We took a day to get from Old
Andado to Dalhousie but we do stop a lot to explore, take photos etc, and there is plenty to see along that track, and a few gates.
Check out the Mac Clarke Acacia peuce reserve.
Cheers,
Val.
| J and V
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Follow Up By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Saturday, Apr 02, 2011 at 10:08
Saturday, Apr 02, 2011 at 10:08
Agreed
Rain is the biggest problem on this track. Given what we have had recently, I'd certainly be talking to Mt Dare. As J&V say, there are plenty of little side tracks that can be confusing, but when I went through a few years ago, the marking was reasonable. A GPS and Ozieexplorer would be good.
I'd also have lots of anti mozzie gear. Absoilutely the worst mozzies I have ever had (tropics and
Kakadu included and yes, Yellow water was horrific) was at Old
Andado about 4 years ago.
Fuel up that way is understandably expensive. Cheapest is at Uluru surprisingly. I think they subsidize it.
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