Three Mitsubishis across the Simpson

[geopaj]

Great photos and story. I’m looking forward to the next leg of the trip

[rc211e]

Thanks guys great reports.

[sa_on_patrol]

Great trip and photos, thanks for sharing.

[Turorit]

Great writeup and photos

I'm looking at doing the trip later this year- any tips for young players?
At this stage its just my NJ and my mates 95 series Prado.

How did you go managing food/water? Quantity & distributing between the cars?

[old Jack]

Great writeup and photos

I'm looking at doing the trip later this year- any tips for young players?
At this stage its just my NJ and my mates 95 series Prado.

How did you go managing food/water? Quantity & distributing between the cars?

My Top 10 +1!Tips


Tip #1; Go with experienced people if possible or at least talk to experienced people to find out what works and what does not. Both NJswb and myself have done 4 Simpson crossings each so it was routine to us, but it was Pajero 12's first remote trip so he learnt a lot.
Tip #2; Allow for 20ltres per 100kms across the desert, all 3 vehicles used about 17lt/100km, also allow an extra 100kms on your planned distance.
Tip #3; When traveling remote from Point A to Point B only use 40% of your resources to cover 60% of the distance. If you use this rule as a point in time/distance traveled to check your progress then you know you have the option to turn around and you have the resources to get back to where you started from.
Tip #4; Travel as light as you can but have enough food that will last as emergency rations for at least 10 days to 2 weeks. If it rains in the desert you cannot move, water is not a problem but food can be and aerial food drops cost $$$$!.
Tip #5; Water we allow about 3 litres per day per person for all water consumption, thats drinking, cooking and washing but we actually use about 2 litres per day per person. Conserve water buy keeping meals simple, use paper towel to wipe clean pots, plates and cutlery before washing in hot water. We all carry a hand spray bottle of water and this is used for small cleaning jobs.
Tip #6; Travel as light and as slow as you can, most suspension systems really suffer under heavy loads and constant sand dune driving. We all have Extra Extra Heavy Duty rear suspension so we can carry weights to axle limits and still have ride heights similar or higher than factory unladen specifications. We have done this in preparation for the CSR next year where we will need 1000kms safe fuel range, 20 days food + 10 days of emergency rations.
Tip #7; Safety first, be ultra careful look after your eyes, hands, feet and back, do not take any unnecessary risks as medical help is a long way away. Do not over look personal hygiene, if you get a dose of camp belly then this is particularly unpleasant when doing a desert crossing and can be highly contagious. Use hand sanitizer all the time, do not reuse use tea towels unless they are 100% dry, that damp tea towel can bred nasty bugs quicker than you can throw up!
Burn used toilet paper in the hole before you fill the hole in. It amazes me how many people do not know to do this!
Tip #8; Preserve you vehicle it has to last until you get home. Drive with mechanical sympathy, if something does not sound right stop and check, do end of day vehicle checks.
Tip #9; Regularly announce your position and direction of travel on Channel 10 UHF, many people do not. Do this to reduce the risks of head on collisions on dune crests.
Tip #10; Only help others if you are not risking your own gear, vehicle or selves.
Tip #11; Enjoy yourselves, take time to look at the sunsets, sunrises and night skies. Turn the music off and listen to the silence.



OJ.

[wazza5]

OJ

A good 11 tips. (doubled up on 8)

[old Jack]

OJ

A good 11 tips. (doubled up on 8)

Thanks and post corrected.

OJ.