Simpson Desert - First group through East/West

Submitted: Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 14:42

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Simpson Desert French Line

The French Line is the most direct route across the desert and traverses directly across the tops of over 1200 red sand dunes, with Big Red being the major challenge.

Ozrover

Hi all,

The first group of vehicles are through from Birdsville today, it took them quite a while to negotiate their way around the northern Eyre Creek bypass track back to the QAA line.

There is still a lot of water in the swales between the dunes to the west of Eyre Creek, so quite a bit of cross country work was needed.

There is also a lot of water arund the K1 lake & Poeple lake, so take extreme care when travelling in this area.

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Reply By: Peter McG (Member, Melbourne) - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 14:50

Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 14:50

Many thanks Jeff. Let's hope it dries out more in the next few weeks. We hope to be there at the end of August.

Peter

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Reply By: Member - Andrew L (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 16:17

Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 16:17

Wet between the swales and in the claypans. I hope people know just how corrosive that stuff is.

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Reply By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 20:38

Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 20:38

This is what the Simpson Desert west of Birdsville looked like two weeks ago.
Kevin

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Follow Up By: roger ramjet - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 23:07

Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 23:07

wow Im impressed.

Ive only ever seen it dry and red...and dry and red.

Do you own a helicopter?

awesome.
R

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Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 08:16

Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 08:16

I wish! The pics were taken on a Wrights Air 3 day tour from a Cessna 210 at about 5,000 ft. On the first day we flew from Marree to Bedourie over the full length of Lake Eyre and then over the Eastern Simpson. I good way to get an overall view of the huge area covered by these fascinating places.
Kevin

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Reply By: Member - Andrew L (QLD) - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 06:42

Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 06:42

The Simpson i beaut place, but with the lasst few wet years, it is artificially beautiful with vegetaion etc.

I miss the old Simpson. I'll go around it this year, and wait for the return of the real Simpson Desert.

When it is wet like it is this year again, it is hard on vehicles and those unprepared. It's not just hard out there, it is after the trip as well when you should thoroughly clean your vehicle, and not just a hose down.

I have done 4 trips, 2 were wet due to seasonal rain, and passing storm fronts.

Just spent $5k replacing all wheel bearings, swivel hub bearings, CV, uni's, slip joint, 7 brake caliper pistons and 2 diff rebuilds. Some of this is just accumulated wear from my trips over the last few years, but a lot was from last years particulary tough trip, including recovery of a broken vehicle in my party.

If you are lucky to get out there this year and across it, enjoy and be careful.

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Follow Up By: Member - Richard W (NSW) - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 06:46

Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 06:46

Andrew,

Must be almost as good as new and ready for the next trip.

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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew L (QLD) - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 06:50

Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 06:50

Yes Richard, 9 days to go, then hit the roads, tracks and trails for 8 weeks. :o)

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Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 08:25

Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 08:25

Good pics Andrew. I'm glad I saw it from the air and not the ground. I would like to cross the Simpson but would prefer it to be dry. I think dust beats mud any day. We aborted a drive up the Birdsville Track a week ago because of rain and mud at the south end. I was just not interested in driving it in those conditions.
Kevin

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