Cape York river crossings

Thanks for your good advice Bruce, it's much appreciated. We always like to err on the side of caution rather than have something disastrous happen. It'll be assuring to know that there will be other experienced travellers up there to call upon for their knowledge should we need it.

Thanks
Russ and Sam

Russ & Sam,

Actually the biggest threat to you going up The Cape are the bogans who insist on driving up the Development road at 120 Kph and drive from Cairns to the top and back in a three day weekend.

At 120 k's they only hit the road every 5-6 meters so it smooths out the ride.

Coming out of the dips at 100 k's gives them at least 10 meters of air time as well.

When you see (or if you see) these bogans coming slow right down, pull to the side of the road (yes, they will be using ALL the road) and let the dust settle.

Bruce

To say nothing of the rocks they throw up into your windscreen!

And Bruce that's good advice about pulling to the side. I had one power past (on his side) leaving a great cloud of dust behind him. Fortunately I DID slow right up and pull over because right behind him in the dust cloud came his mate, maybe trying to pass him, right over on MY side of the road. Just missed me as it was. B@$t@%#s.

I asked this same question a few years back on a motorcycling forum in Australia just prior to an expedition to the tip and around the top, all I got was;

'Chuck a Kiwi in and if he reaches the other side, it should be safe from crocs!'

I survived, more by luck than knowledge Im sure!

Jamie(NZ)

It's reassuring that there will be back-up if we need it Al. We certainly will take all advice on board, and no doubt this will be a trip to always remember.

Thanks
Russ and Sam

The Crocs on the OTL don't bite............................











They suck awful hard tho :-)

I would very strongly advise against crossing the Jardine at the old crossing. Since the ferry went in, the crossing is very very very very very treacherous.

Yeh we were planning to take the car ferry across the Jardine anyway - if that option is there, why wouldn't you. That's a good idea to mark out any deep holes just in case - even better if you had a set of croc-proof stilts... he he he

Thanks for your input Steve. Just wondering, once you stop mid-way crossing a creek does that make the 'car bra' become ineffective and also because you're not moving forward if it's deep, would water start leaking through the door seals?

With the diesel the engine turned over with no problems because they don't have the auto electricals in the engine to drown. We have a Safari (brand) snorkel fitted which stops the air intake sucking water into the engine. The vehicle sat there idling for about five minutes until we were pulled out.

A lot of water seeped in through the door seals, as well as the where cables run through the fire wall. The water was up to the passenger seat inside. It took about a minute for it to really start coming in. We had made sure anything of value was put up high before we crossed any of the creeks really. The only loss was two sachets of hot chocolate in our food drawer, and the young ones claimed that.
The water is fresh water so that wasn't an issue and with the temperasture up there, plus the heat generated in the floor pan driving we never had an issue with the carpets drying out. Everything was back to normal within a few days.

The reason we got stuck was because I really didn't concentrate going into the crossing. I went in too slow, and "in high range". I'm not sure if it was because we had crossed so many creeks, or what, but I went into a one metre deep crossing, with a sandy, composted vegetation base creek like I was crossing a causeway with six inches of water. We wre lucky but we were prepared for a recovery and had the strap on the front before we went in.

The Old Telegraph Track is not hard if you have some experience and have a vehicle with good tyres and a sorkel. It would be best done with someone else as a moral support, if nothing else. In June there are plenty of people up there and we found it a great experience.

Then there's the Frenchmans Track .....