canning conditions

Not sure how that can be. The CSR as it exists these days, begins at the Tanami road south of Halls Creek, so no matter whether you go via Halls Creek of the Tanami road, you still start at the very northern end of the CSR. Perhaps they were avoiding the southern end.

I understand that said friends are part of a commercial tag along tour that was to start from Halls Creek but was changed to Alice Springs because of water at the northern end of CSR. Hema maps show a track from the Tanami Road that loops south of the lakes in the area and joins the CSR at Well 51. Perhaps they were planning to use that route. Last contact was from Alice Springs and information was based on intensions and not events.
A different source from the area advises that the northern end of the track is in bad condition and will be for the next 4 to 5 weeks. If I find out more I will do another post to cover it.
Kevin