Wanted; Travelling Companions Canning Stock Route

Submitted: Friday, Mar 02, 2012 at 15:03
ThreadID: 92239 Views:2592 Replies:5 FollowUps:4
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Hi Explorers

My wife and I are seeking a few more travelling companions to do the Canning Stock Route (CSR) sometime between June 5th and about 10th July 2012. We have a two well equipped LandCruisers in the trip right now, both owned by experienced, retired travellers. We would like two more to make a group of at least 4 vehicles. No trailers please.

Alternatively, we would be happy to join someone else’s trip.

We would like to spend about 20-24 days on the CSR proper. Doesn’t matter if we start in Wiluna or Hall’s Creek – that depends on what people want. Also we have flexibility in the end date, right up to end of July if necessary.

No need to say anything more about the CSR. It’s one of those “must do” trails on one of the world’s longest, remote tracks. See the Trek Notes for more information
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Reply By: ExplorOz - Friday, Mar 02, 2012 at 15:12

Friday, Mar 02, 2012 at 15:12
Good luck Roganmay - did you know that as a Member benefit you have the ability to create a page in the Trips & Gatherings section to help you promote such a requirement? We fully support Members wanting to find travel companions through this resource. So pop one in there too (unless you have already and I've missed it, in which case apologies for my hastiness).
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Reply By: GaryW - Friday, Mar 02, 2012 at 15:36

Friday, Mar 02, 2012 at 15:36
Roganmay,

12 months too early for us. We are planning a trip for April / May 2013. Planning to chase a solar eclipse.

Good luck with your trip.

Oh and shame about the trailer we plan to take our Karavan.
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Follow Up By: Member - Jan Z (QLD) - Saturday, Mar 03, 2012 at 17:44

Saturday, Mar 03, 2012 at 17:44
Hi GaryW, we too would like to do it in 2013. Will look out for any members' timing. Jan
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Follow Up By: GaryW - Saturday, Mar 03, 2012 at 18:19

Saturday, Mar 03, 2012 at 18:19
Hi Jan,

We are planning to hit the CSR at Well 33. Coming in from the east via Gary Jct Road. Then head north on the CSR. I want to hit the CSR around May 10th to photograph a Solar Eclipse.

Let me know if any of that sounds interesting enough to continue a conversation about travelling together.

G
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Follow Up By: Member - Jan Z (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 04, 2012 at 11:11

Sunday, Mar 04, 2012 at 11:11
That sounds like a great trip Gary. We would like to do the whole track, as we have come in from Talawana on another journey, so will keep this in mind. Good luck and will be in touch.
Jan
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Reply By: CSeaJay - Friday, Mar 02, 2012 at 17:22

Friday, Mar 02, 2012 at 17:22
Roganmay

It is a wonderful trip and I am sure you will enjoy it.

Word of wisdom - it is a long trip and doing it with friends may strain the relationship. I am sure you know your friends well enough and that you have respect for each others routine, habits, driving styles, and the like

But joining two or three weeks with relative strangers may be a big ask. How often do you stop, do they smell the roses along the way or just get annoyed. Do they want to stop at different places, drive much faster or slower? Kids? Eating? Some like to start at sunrise, others sleep in. Do you want to spend 1 day or 4 days at Durba? Are they bored when you stop at Sturt Desert peas, or walk for an hour up a gorge to see rock art?etc, etc.

It may seem trivial, but at least be prepared do this every day for 15-20 days.

I am sad that we drifted apart from good friends we did it with, however it was part of a 5 week trip but be prepared

CJ

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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Saturday, Mar 03, 2012 at 14:05

Saturday, Mar 03, 2012 at 14:05
I'd endorse CJ's comments.

On any trip other people's priorities will differ from your own. Little things can build on each other - the time "wasted" taking photos, or travelling that little bit too fast or too slow, or starting the noisy diesel for a 5 minute warmup long before others are ready for lift off. With friends you know well enough to talk these little issues through with, they can be resolved and not build up. Inviting strangers onto your trip though is very likely to end in tears, especially when, as on the CSR, there really isn't any escape route and in fact there is a moral obligation when remote to provide mutual support.

I wouldn't choose to travel the CSR as a sole vehicle because of the support that a second vehicle can provide - a competent companion in a suitable vehicle and a snatch strap can save a lot of shovel work. A second vehicle provides a safety net for when things go really wrong. Duplication also applies to drivers - each vehicle should have 2 competent drivers.

BUT - it's a great trip that could too easily be spoiled by incompatible personalities or expectations. I wouldn't invite too many to join you, especially not strangers. As CJ has indicated, and I can confirm, one can lose valued friends on such a trip.

Cheers

John
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Reply By: Member - Ric M (WA) - Friday, Mar 02, 2012 at 19:36

Friday, Mar 02, 2012 at 19:36
Hi there Roganmay
Having done it last year I highly recommend it we did the trip in a convoy of 2 and found this number to be almost perfect as your group grows so does your trip time.
The larger the group there is always a one slower to get under way in the morning and taking more time over lunch etc.
Then some of the camp sites are limited to a smaller group so 2 is an easy number to find a suitable camp site each night.

My advice is stick with your 2 you will have a ball

Having done it once with 2 I would be happy also to go it alone, well you not alone really there are as much as 200 vehicles on it at any time during the season, and you will pass 2 to 10 heading the other way if travelling north and 10 to 20 if you are heading south.

my advice here is head North you will have less cars to pass heading the other way.
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Reply By: Bush Wanderer - Friday, Mar 02, 2012 at 22:16

Friday, Mar 02, 2012 at 22:16
G'day Roganmay,

As others have stated two cars will be enough.

I did it in 2008 and with only one car due to others pulling out at the last minute. I and my family traveled north to south. No sun in my eyes, steeper dunes but much shorter and much easier due to smoothness of approach, came across heaps of travelers (these other travelers traveling north rarely came across others as they were all heading the same way), and camped every night with others. We could share info about the road ahead with them and vice versa.

Next time I will travel with another car, but I was incredibly well equipped and have travelled extensively in remote areas before. Got to help heaps of travelers with repairs.

Have fun wit the company that you have.
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