The Simpson 2012

Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 27, 2011 at 10:50
ThreadID: 90846 Views:2982 Replies:2 FollowUps:3
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Merry Christmas everyone,

Ruth and I did our first trip to the Simpson last July (2011) and we had a splendid trip with our friends who followed us. We were held up by Eyre Creek and it's flooding. We had to camp on its shores and travel no further west. This year we have 3 weeks starting Easter. We were thinking of wrapping around through Broken Hill, Port Augusta, Woomera and up to Mt Dare. From there if the Simpson is open we would make a crossing and return to Sydney as we did last year.
We thought maybe even squeezing in Chambers Pillars but that might be asking to much of the time we have.

From what Iam reading the crossings for Eyre Creek are passable now even though the Simpson is officially closed. It will be rains from QLD that would stuff things up. Is that right?

April is early in the season and not much time for things to dry up what are our chances this year?

I think a second or third route would be a good idea to plan for with the possibility of being thwarted at Eyre Creek again.

I like the looks of the Hay River trek. Does that cross over Eyre Creek? Is that a possibility if Eyre creek is flooded again?

Thanks again for all the help last year

Ruth and Chris
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Reply By: Member - John and Val - Tuesday, Dec 27, 2011 at 11:47

Tuesday, Dec 27, 2011 at 11:47
Hi Christiaan,

Impossible now to say what Eyre Ck might be like in April next year. Eyre Ck originates a long way north in western Qld so it will depend on what rain the current wet season brings. Even one cyclone could fill the catchment and make the creeks flood again.

The Hay River track is a wonderful trek, it does not cross Eyre Ck but it does go through swampy country near Lake Caroline so again you would need to monitor track conditions. Be aware though that you would need to carry extra fuel to get from Mt Dare up to Jervois - its a long way. Early in the season the track may be hard to follow in places so you would need to be well equipped with maps and navigation gear.

Re Chambers Pillar - its a bit of a detour but you would only need to spend a night in there, so really would not take much time out of your trip. Its not a difficult drive.

Cheers,

Val.
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Wednesday, Dec 28, 2011 at 10:03

Wednesday, Dec 28, 2011 at 10:03
Christiaan,

Further to Val's opening sentence, all the rivers/creeks from Mt Isa to Soudan station have run recently, so the top of the Georgina/Eyre Creek catchment is ready to "rock 'n roll" should Cyclone Grant or one of his cronies arc up over there.

This will assure a good run down towards Goyder's Lagoon, but one would need a very polished crystal ball to know whether you would be blocked in April. It is a bit early, as many of those streams are only just starting to drop then.

Maybe more research late Feb-early March might be the go,

Bob.
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Follow Up By: Christiaan J - Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 17:55

Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 17:55
Val

Explore Oz keeps looping us out about to Alice Springs to get to Chambers Pillar. Looking at my HEMA map there is a track from Mount Dare to New Crown, Finke, Titjikala and over to the pillar. Is that track open and just a glitch with the Explore Oz "trip Planner" ? Roughly looking at this track it is 350 kilometers from Mount Dare to The Pillar. Is this thinking right? How many days to and from Mount Dare (weather and road conditions permitting) does it require to make that trip?

Thanks so much for sharing your experience

Chris
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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 12:26

Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 12:26
Hi Christiaan,

Yes the track from Mt Dare to Finke and then north along the old Ghan railway line would be the way to go, though its a long detour unless you are going to have a look around the Alice Springs/Macdonnell Ranges area.

We went up there in 09 and the road was OK - corrugated on the old Ghan track and keep a good eye out for old railway spikes. (If you have a look in our 09 blgs you will get an idea of conditions).

I assume the road is currently open. Given the length of the detour it might be better to leave Chambers Pillar until you have time to explore the area around Alice as there are many other great spots to see in that general area. But if you did do it you could probably manage it in 2 days, overnighting at Chambers Pillar, exiting via the Hugh Stock Route and then going back down the highway and east to Mt Dare.

Cheers,

Val
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Reply By: Christiaan J - Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 13:05

Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 13:05
Thank you Val and Bob

We are sitting down today planning out fuel, food, and places to camp. We will have to monitor conditions over the next couple of months closely.

Chris and Ruth
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