McTavish Claypan
Submitted: Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 20:48
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SIF4X4
I am planning a trip from
Alice Springs across to the Western Australian coast and will be travelling along the
Kintore Road and then to
Kunawarritji and further on via the Kidson Track to the coast.
I see on my mapping a track running out to McTavish Claypan to the north of the Kidson. Has anybody been out there? Might want to go have a look just for the hell of it. Would I need to get an access permit and if so from which Council?
Cheers
Spero
Reply By: equinox - Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 21:23
Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 21:23
Hi Spero,
Interesting location that claypan, as it lies within one of the last sections of unallocated crown land in the western deserts. In the image below it lies within the isosceles triangle of land between Nyangumarta People Land and Ngurrara Land.
Image Could Not Be Found
To get permission to use the overgrown track that leads there from the Kidson contact the
Kimberley Land Council - 91 940 100. I haven't been there.
Cheers
Alan
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Follow Up By: SIF4X4 - Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 22:17
Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 22:17
Thanks for the info and the map, Alan.
Cheers
Spero
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Reply By: Mick O - Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 22:04
Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 22:04
Spero, I was out there two years back trying to push my way up to
Joanna Spring (successfully I might add). The track is extremely overgrown along most of its length. It's OK for a few Kilometres around the Grabowski Range due to the harder soil. In most other areas, the tracks and cut lines have become infested with Hakea, arcacia and other woody shrubs. You will spend more time off the track than on it because the going is easier out in the spinifex. Put on a couple of good coats of Scratchpro and take plenty of plugs and tubes...you'll need them.
Try these videos. They'll show you what you're up against. Links to blog entries covering the route are also included below.
Great Sandy Desert - Into the unknown (and an unexpected Discovery) GSD - Mowing a path through some harsh countryGSD - A day of stakes and hard going (and a masterclass in outback tyre repairs)
Always worth the drive out that way but be prepared though.
Cheers Mick
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Follow Up By: SIF4X4 - Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 22:43
Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 22:43
Thanks Mick.....awesome footage of your adventures. How did your mates Ultimate fare on the trip? I would have thought that towing across that sort of terrain would have made it too hard.
I might have to do a rethink before venturing into that country. I suppose getting the right tyres for that sort of terrain is a problem? Don't think my Maxxis M/T would be up to it
Cheers
Spero
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Follow Up By: Mick O - Wednesday, May 04, 2011 at 07:10
Wednesday, May 04, 2011 at 07:10
Spero,
I've looked at the Maxxi's and in my opinion, the side walls are not strong enough for that type of country. They'll get in there I'm sure but the treacherous nature of the terrain is a killer on tyres, particularly on heavily laden vehicles. If you can, compare the sidewall construction and thickness against my current shoe of choice, the Toyo Open Country MT and you'll see what I mean.
The Ulti went extremely
well although the sandhills were so high we often had to look for better
places to cross. Amazing units.
Image Could Not Be Found
Cheers Mick
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