First Madigan Line crossig for 2012

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 15, 2012 at 20:35

ThreadID: 94920 Views:2595 Replies:3 FollowUps:4

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Member - Krakka

Well we are home from our successful crossing, organised by Blaze. Great trip, awesome scenery and surroundings. No major dramas encountered, most common issue was staked tyres as expected, one radiator holed but fixed by one of those tubs of commercially available particle sealer. Very hot at times, we estimated temps between 35 and about 42 deg C. Spinifex wasn't much of a problem thanks to last years fires and early in the season. It is growing very nicely though. Left Mt. Dare on Sunday April 1st and arrived in Birdsville on Monday April 9th.
Was a great trip and thoroughly enjoyed by all involved. Many thanks again to Glenn (Blaze) and all the people here who helped me with advice.

Cheers Peter

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Reply By: Member - reggy 2 (VIC) - Sunday, Apr 15, 2012 at 21:22

Sunday, Apr 15, 2012 at 21:22

Hi Peter
Glad to hear that you had a good trip did you do camps 20-21-22? we traveled last year there was to much water to do camp 20 but we backed tracked to do camps 21-22.(or finish at Hay Rv)
Sorry to hear about tyres but it must be expected in places like that it is a great trip to do.
Are you going to put in a full report in a Blog
Cheers reggy2

AnswerID: 483224

Follow Up By: Member - Krakka - Sunday, Apr 15, 2012 at 21:56

Sunday, Apr 15, 2012 at 21:56

Hi reggy2, camp 20 was out in the water somewhere, yes we found camp 21 and 22 no probs.
I think Blaze is going to do a blog sometime in the future.

Cheers

FollowupID: 758477

Reply By: Member - Boobook - Monday, Apr 16, 2012 at 07:39

Monday, Apr 16, 2012 at 07:39

Interesting Peter,

Was there a particular bad area for the tyres, like crossing the Hale River or did you have problems most of the way.

Also was the section east of Hay river the worst?

I am toying around with the idea of taking my Tvan from Mt Dare to Hay River then North, do you think that is possible or reasonable, if there are a few vehicles?

AnswerID: 483256

Follow Up By: Member - Krakka - Monday, Apr 16, 2012 at 09:13

Monday, Apr 16, 2012 at 09:13

Howdy Boobook,

Worst area for punctures was from Camp 2 to about Camp 7, so yes areas around Hale River did seem worst, mainly cross country there with a lot of burnt areas of scrub, particularly those large Rattlepod bushes.

East of Hay River was generally easier going, a bit of track to follow here and there, hard to pick up at times and a lot of moguls to slow the travelling down a bit.
We have a T Van ourselves and after being there we would definately not take it at all, very hard going with just the vehicle on its own let alone dragging an extra ton of dead weight, I doubt you would get up many dunes at all and would be a massive hinderance in a group. Fuel would be a major issue as well, we used 198lt from Mt. Dare to Birdsville.

Cheers

FollowupID: 758500

Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Monday, Apr 16, 2012 at 09:37

Monday, Apr 16, 2012 at 09:37

Thanks Peter.

FollowupID: 758506

Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, Apr 16, 2012 at 21:35

Monday, Apr 16, 2012 at 21:35

Boobook, I agree with Peter,
I wouldn't take our Tvan on the Madigan line - too hard on the vehicle.

And Peter - well done. Glad it all went well.

Cheers
phil

FollowupID: 758574