2009 Simpson Desert Crossing to 2009 PP Get Together

[lc120_man]

Hi All,

As promised the initial itinerary for 2009 Simpson Desert Crossing Leg.
This is just a bare bones. More details to come up later.

If you got any ideas to incorporate into this please let me know.

We don't have a specific dates set as yet other than it is going to be around school holidays time in June-July 2009.

I am also looking at possibility running the Simpson Crossing at the
end of 2009 PP Get Together instead of on the way to PP Get Together...

Day 1,Day 2,Day 3
Make your own way to Birdsville.
Camp at Birdsville Caravan Park

Day 4 Birdsville Rest Day - To do all the touristy things around Birdsville. Possibly a drive to Big Red for a bit of play on the dunes. Dinner at Birdsville Pub.

Day 5
We head out to Simpson Desert on to QAA Line past Poeppel's Corner

Day 6
French Line, stop at the Knolls on the Knolls Track, then onto the Rig Road

Day 7
Past the Lone Gum Tree and onto the Rig Road

Day 8
Stop at Purnie Bore and Camp at Dalhousie (Hot) Springs

Day 9
from Dalhousie Springs past Mt Dare, Finke, camp at Chambers Pillar

Day 10
Travel from Chambers Pillar to Alice Springs to restock and then onto Ross River Resort to catch up with everyone

The rest of the itinerary for 2009 PP Get Together is in Mav's Tread here:
viewtopic.php?t=2830

Requirements for the Trip:
Permits/Passes
A SA Deser Park Pass (~$90) needs to be organised about a month before the trip start date
http://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/visito ... /index.htm

Fuel
Prado Petrol 180 Liters
Prado Diesel 180 Liters

Water
Minimum 60l per couple per vehicle

Mechanical
pre trip major service/inspection, and spare parts and belts hoses oils shocks etc deemed appropriate.
Front and rear rated recovery points
snatch strap, 2 x 3.5t rated bow shackles
UHF Radio
Vehicle spares, like radiator hoses, heater hoses, belts, fuel filter, wheel nuts and studs as well as anything which may be specific to your vehicle, others may not have. If everyone has 1lt engine, gearbox/diff/trans oil, then there should be enough should anyone require some, between the lot to keep someone mobile.
You will also need to carry spare shocker washers, rubbers, locators, and mounting bolts.
2 spare tyres, AT tyres miniimum with at least 50% thread remaining
tyre repair equipment
min 2 batteries that are in excellent working order preferably less than 3 yr old, and starter and alternator checks, if the vehicle is over 100,000km old.
Sand flag which is 10 feet minimum from the ground.

Other
You need to be fully self sufficient for the trip.
Any questions/etc please let me know

[lc120_man]

I've just updated the requirements section for the trip. Anyone who thinks that they might be going through Simpson Desert please reply to this thread or via PM so I can keep you updated of any changes/etc...

[djolsen4wdtours]

Just my two cents worth. The rig road would be my last choice. First choice WAA, second French Line all the way, last Rig Road which is rough and corrugated and less interesting than WAA.

[GRLITTLE]

Charleville to Birdsville is just a hop for us, plus we were planing a poppel corner trip so we will be in for the desert trek. By the way what direction were you planing to get to birdsville?

[djolsen4wdtours]

If you are willing, PM me and I will offer some suggestions as to route

Cheers
David

[lc120_man]

Charleville to Birdsville is just a hop for us, plus we were planing a poppel corner trip so we will be in for the desert trek. By the way what direction were you planing to get to birdsville?

That makes 4 starters so far. At this stage we are planning to go via Cameron's Corner, Innamincka/Coongie Lakes to Birdsville via Walkers crossing (if open) or Cordillo Downs track.

At this stage the itinerary is quite flexible and I'll try to accommodate all the wishes to visit places/etc. I'll pm David to see what places he recommends to visit on the way as well and will have detailed route details later this week.

Stan

[lc120_man]

If you are willing, PM me and I will offer some suggestions as to route

Cheers
David

Thanks for the offer David. PM sent...

[lc120_man]

OK guys, as promised updated itinerary now with dates. If anyone got any questions/suggestions feel free to contact me either via PM or this thread. This is a not set in stone itinerary, we can change to suit if required to accommodate most participants.

Day 1 - Thursday 25th of June 2009
Everyone arrives to Birdsville, staying in Birdsville Caravan Park
http://www.birdsvillecaravanpark.com/index.html

Day 2 -Friday 26th of June 2009
Birdsville Rest Day - To do all the touristy things around Birdsville on your own. http://www.diamantina.qld.gov.au/attractions/

Possibly a drive to Big Red for a bit of a play on the dunes. Dinner at Birdsville Pub.

Day 3 - Saturday 27th of June 2009
We leave going Birdsville going via Big Red, QAA Line toward Poeppel Corner

Day 4 - Sunday 28th of June 2009
We continue on to K1 line, stop at Poeppel Corner, then on to French Line,
to David Lindsay Corner (Lindsay Junction) then down the Knolls Track,
visit Approdinna Attora Knolls and continue down the Knolls towards WAA corner

Day 5 - Monday 29th of June 2009
Knolls Track onto the WAA Line toWAA Junction then down the Erabena track to the Lone Gum Tree, back to the WAA Junction and then continue on the WAA Line towards the Lynnie junction.

Day 6 - Tuesday 30th of June 2009
On to French Line via Lynnie junction and we continue then along the French Line, stop at Purnie Bore and camp Dalhousie Springs (Don't forget your swimming gear!!!)

Day 7 - Wednesday 1st of July 2009
Rest Day at Dalhousie (Hot) Springs.

At this point of the trip people can choose to leave us to continue journey on their own, or join us for the reminder of the trip to Alice Springs/PradoPoint Get Together. If you are planning on joining us here please contact me before hand so that we know to expect you.

Day 8 - Thursday 2nd of July 2009
From Dalhousie Springs we are going to Mt Dare to refill.

Mt Dare got probably most expensive fuel in Australia, but we have no choice (well at least Petrol vehicles don't). So make sure you got enough cash on you to fill up (just in case if eftpos facilities are out of action).

From Mt Dare on to Finke, camp at Lambert's Centre of Australia

Day 9 - Friday 3rd of July 2009
From Lambert's Center to Chambers Pillar via Old Ghan Railway Track
with a stop at Maryvale (Tijikala) art gallery

Day 10 - Saturday 4th of July 2009
Travel from Chambers Pillar to Alice Springs with the stop at Ewaninga to look at the Aboriginal Rock Carvings. We stop at Alice Spring to restock and refuel and then onto Ross River Resort to catch up with everyone

[dirttracker]

Ic120_Man,
I am surprised at the dates for the Simmo crossing. I thought that the talk was about the simmo crossing would be in NSW school hols and the GTG would be after the hols. The dates that you have provided are 2 1/2 before the hols start. Do we have dates for the GTG? Is there any possibilities for the crossing to be closer to the hols or for it to be on the return journey?

Martin

[dirttracker]

Found the dates for the GTG

Martin

[dirttracker]

I wonder if there are any Prados interested in doing a return journey through the Simpson. It would not be as long as the journey proposed by Ic120_Man but would be a crossing in company.

The reason for the proposal is the difficultiy in taking too much time at the end of term. Teacher. I could make the GTG but the proposed crossing would be a stretch over so many days.

Martin

[lc120_man]

Ic120_Man,
I am surprised at the dates for the Simmo crossing. I thought that the talk was about the simmo crossing would be in NSW school hols and the GTG would be after the hols. The dates that you have provided are 2 1/2 before the hols start. Do we have dates for the GTG? Is there any possibilities for the crossing to be closer to the hols or for it to be on the return journey?

Martin

Martin,

Unfortunately NSW School holidays are seriously out of sync with the rest of the states ie:

NT: 22/06/2009-19/07/2009
QLD/VIC: 27/06/2009-12/07/2009
WA/ACT/SA 04/07/2009-19/07/2009
NSW 11/07/2009-26/07/2009

We can shorten the itinerary a bit, and doing Simpson return journey is OK by me as well, I'll have to check with everyone else to see what they think/what suits. The main reason I put Simpson Trip on the way to Get Together is that people are typically less tired and less fatigued at the start of holidays...

Stan

[djolsen4wdtours]

When you arrive at Maryvale, ask at the store if you can go see the gallery. You will be pointed into the community which looks just like every other aboriginal community in the outback- don't be put off- some of the stuff in the gallery is fantastic!

David

[lc120_man]

I have added a Poll for Simpson Desert Crossing here:
http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?t=2964

[siukalo]

newbies welcome? Also a stock d4d would make the trip?

[dirttracker]

Interesting question Alan,
I am sure various people have an opinion about this. It is my view that the standard Prado is a very capable vehicle and with care and caution, these vehicles can be put into "out there" situations. My vehicle was standard when we went to fraser and did not get bogged or look like we were. However, we had to do some panel beating on the sump panels when we got back to Syd.

There may be a question as to what standard actually is. Does dual batteries make it "unstandard"? Mine were dealer fitted so... I would think that it is a question of the gear that you take with you and whether you need to build in things to keep the truck in order. Have a look at the equipment that is really a requirement and the only thing that is non-standard and hence built in is the dual battery. Why, I would imagine for the fridge that you will need. No ice out there. Possibly for the emergency start should you have trouble with the start battery and need help getting going. However, plemty of walker use dried meat and just use water, no wine or beer. Of course some countries drink their beer warm, so...

Can you put on a flag? It is hard to fit it to a standard bumper, but if you have a tow pack you could put it on the tow bar and remove it upon opening the tailgate. Mine will be mounted on the homemade roof rack and is a fishing rod with a red piece of material attached! $5 at Vinnies. Another place is to fit an aerial mounting point on the edge of the bonnet and use that, if you have a bottom fitted, commercial pole.

Lights? Are you really going to drive at night?

Storage? MDF is cheap and only has to last one trip! You dont really need to use draws as long as you are prepared to unload gear to get to other gear. You can get some good boxes from Bunnings which can store a lot of gear and these can go in the back or behind the front seats if they can be restrained properly.

One mod that will be essential is a cargo barrier. for the sake of the whole group, ie, mopping up the mess!, you need to be able to control all the gear in the vehicle. A medical emergency has a serious impact on everyone.

what non standard parts of the vehicle were you thinking of?

Martin

[dirttracker]

Alan,
I have had another thought. Tyres might be the area to look at. Standard tyres are not a problem on Fraser, but if you stake a tyre you can get another one. Not so in the desert. The vunerable area in the desert are the side walls and so it is recommended everywhere if you are going into these types of areas, that you have Light Truck construction which gives you a thicker side wall. The tread on the standard tyre is actually quite good in sand! Better than Cooper ST or STTs or equivilent.

Martin

[lc120_man]

Alan,

As long as passengers and vechicle meet the requirements below you should be OK.

The biggest point would be - how experienced are you in camping without
any facilities - we'll be at least 4-5 days without access to any kind of shops, etc. 3 nights camping in the desert without any facilities (no toilets,
no shower, etc), possibly cold nights/etc...

So if the above doesn't scare you then it should be OK ...

Requirements for the Trip:
Permits/Passes
A SA Deser Park Pass (~$90) needs to be organised about a month before the trip start date
http://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/visito ... /index.htm

Fuel
Prado Petrol 180 Liters
Prado Diesel 180 Liters

Water
Minimum 60l per couple per vehicle

Mechanical
pre trip major service/inspection, and spare parts and belts hoses oils shocks etc deemed appropriate.
Front and rear rated recovery points
snatch strap, 2 x 3.5t rated bow shackles
UHF Radio
Vehicle spares, like radiator hoses, heater hoses, belts, fuel filter, wheel nuts and studs as well as anything which may be specific to your vehicle, others may not have. If everyone has 1lt engine, gearbox/diff/trans oil, then there should be enough should anyone require some, between the lot to keep someone mobile.
You will also need to carry spare shocker washers, rubbers, locators, and mounting bolts.
2 spare tyres, AT tyres miniimum with at least 50% thread remaining
tyre repair equipment
min 2 batteries that are in excellent working order preferably less than 3 yr old, and starter and alternator checks, if the vehicle is over 100,000km old.
Sand flag which is 10 feet minimum from the ground.

Other
You need to be fully self sufficient for the trip.

[siukalo]

Hi Martin!

I suppose I am a bit too generic in my questions. The question should have been "Does the stock Grande Suspension can cope with all those things on the trip?" I cannot lift my car as the car needs to be daily driven by wife in n out of shopping centre......

As for mods, I currently have dual battery installed with an Engel 40L fridge for food which I think should be enough.

I do have a Toyota alloy bar so flags should be ok. Got a pair of lightforce 170 on the bar is well. Got a UHF Radio....is well.

Storage is something I am thinking about what to do with it. I think of something.......

Cargo barrier I have one is well. As for tyres I have D694 is that ok?

Thanks....[/quote]

[dirttracker]

Alan,
You have a modified Prado!!

Yours traction controls will be better than my LSD.

Tyres should be fine, just make sure that you have good tread, more than 50 or 60% and two spares and be prepared to get more at the Alice should you tear any or better for me, at Birdsville when you cross on the way back!!!

Cheers

Martin