Preparing a PC Challenger manual for the Simpson

[Drjohn11]

Sympathize with you. Same happened to us in 2016. Changed plans as only able to get to Coward Springs and then William Creek. Then detoured through Coober Pedy, Kingoonya, Lake Gairdner NP, Gawler Ranges , Streaky Bay and Coffin Bay. Always pays to have a backup plan. good luck may the weather gods be kind to you.

Alex

[conquistador]

40+mm in Oodnadatta and Mt Dare in last 24 hours, Oodnadatta, Strzelecki and Birdsville tracks all closed.

https://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/OutbackRoads

OJ.

That would do it. Closed the birdsville development road between windorah behind us a few years back think it was 7 days before it reopened. I love camel pies...but

Birdsville starting point way might be the go this time. Got to get there from the east though.

[old Jack]

That would do it. Closed the birdsville development road between windorah behind us a few years back think it was 7 days before it reopened. I love camel pies...but

Birdsville starting point way might be the go this time. Got to get there from the east though.

Birdsville got 9mm yesterday and Oodnadatta another 12mm so Oodnadatta has had over 50mm of rain.

"Njswb" called last night, he has just finished a east to west crossing with the Pajero Club of Victoria.
They only just got out of Mt Dare in time and went north to Finke and west to Kulgera. Kulgera has also reported over 50mm of rain in the last 2 days also.

As for crossing the desert at the moment, access from Birdsville may be ok in a day or so as temperatures are forecast in the high 20's to mid 30's. The problem will be getting out at the western side as all access tracks westerly for a 350km radius of Dalhousie Springs have had 50+mm of rain. Local weather is forecast high 20's to high 30's for the next week so light 4wd access could be possible in 5 to 7 days but heavy vehicle access could take up to 10 or 14 days. This means fuel tankers will not be able to get through so once local supplies are out you have to wait.

We wait and see what Ent's ends up doing, such extensive preparation for his first Simpson crossing and the the weather gods have intervened, gotta feel sorry for the guy.

OJ.

[conquistador]

True. Give it a few days maybe. Definetly ring through to MT dare before disembarking. I have had trouble in the dry.

Alternative might be via plenty highway from the north, hay river or binns?? track. Need permits for hayriver and it would be dependant on peoppel corner.

The fish weren't on last week around Fraser Island either

[Ent]

Hi

Currently at Yantu camped. Watching weather forcast. Heaviest rain fall in fifty three years which is close enough to my age. Heck as a Tasmanian we are all over rain!

Loaded DooSo up with all fuel and water plus supplies to test things out. Suspension working a treat maintaining height but on sealed roads no issues really to be expected. But long gravel run tommorrow.

Interesting the travels in a strange land. Cheaper fuel, long flat roads, howling side winds, and animals. Suddenly the bullbar looks like a good thing! In Tassie taking out a Wallby is maybe a broken bit or plastic or if unlucky a crack radiator. One large grey kangaroo tested the brakes. Suicidal Emu also. Brother missed a goat determined to go to the afterlife. Was rather not expecting horses but most things here can do serious damage if hit.

Suffered a bit in the mad rush packing so over crammed a bit, plus madly shopping for groceries as did not pack them. Friend found out about the fruit fly line so had to dump fresh food items. Gradually sorted the food out so car not so cluttered.

Battling figuring out the HF radio and the antenna height. It appears mine is well programmed but brother's is not. He has lost his clarifier option on the Codan NGT yellow face. Sellcall is a mystery. At least finally got the mute to work on mine. It as set up for Sellcall only.

The GME commercial unit is working a treat. Reasonable convey range on these long flat plains. Wierd as in Tassie coverage can fade in half a kilometre.

Highlight of the setup is the rear hatch lights and 30 litre drawer fridge. Inverter handy for some things as well. Maybe less crap next time as how many shoes does a bloke need? Overdone on clothes as well.

Roof pod brilliant as in driving rain heading out of Melbourne not a drop of water in.

So now in the hands of the weather gods. We have a day or two to delay so any side trips as must do? We broke today up for more relaxing morning at Broken Hill and Silvertown with stop at Yantu. Planned gravel route run did not happen as Hema maps simply wrong. Yes, to us a private road means private road so the run from Silvertown to Yantu by gravel roads did not happen.

Now to bed next to a highway. Where are those ear plugs again?

Cheers

[nj swb]

Birdsville track is open again, to 4wd up to 3 tonnes, no towing.

Oodnadatta Track from Marree to William Creek is open to all vehicles, closed north of William Creek. Everything in / out of Dalhousie is still closed.

[colby61]

the birdsville track is graded and most is re-sheated in gravel. but I think they wouldn't want it cut up til it dried out again. this will save them re grading the lot. Good fuel price at Yunta, 124.9 it was 126.9 in Peterborough, 160 in birdie and 124.9 at the united in south alice (but take a coles docket and you will get the discount). I know that sounds cheap but I got 166lts that's $6.64 saved, well the schooners of great northern at birdie pub were $5 so I got 1.33 free beers, more than enough to get me drunk on!

[DID Dash]

Think I was parked next to ENT at Wilpena yesterday 2 Oct on our LWE in SA, just did a bit of camping near Quorn and then onward to the Flinders Ranges, beaut weather. Hope he gets through, car looks well set up.

[whynot]

Information taken from Outback 4wd Club
Fyi

Please note advanced notice, I spoke with Mt Dare this afternoon & have been advised that the Finke is in flood. An email will be sent out shortly to all members & those planning on going, but we have been advised to travel via Kulgera & Finke in both directions, with the last 4 kms wet, recovery gear essential.

[old Jack]

I wonder how and where Ent and his travelling companions are going.

This week the weather has been warm but the roads north of Oodnadatta to the Mt Dare are still closed as is the Oodnadatta Track between Oodnadatta and William Creek.
Mt Dare to Finke is 4wd but the Simpson Desert National Park is still apparently closed.
Access to Birdsville is limited to 4wd
Another weather front is approaching and a between 5mm and 10mm of rain is forecast in the next day or so. If this rain falls then the road closures will continue.

OJ.

[Ent]

Hi All

In Birdsville at the hotel for much needed R&R. The navigation brains trust decided too risky attempting the Mount Dare Crossing so we took the Warburton Track to Poeppel Corner and then out via the QAA Line.

We got hammered in the mud with fuel consumption heading to 28.5/100 and had the interesting experience of "sailing" across lakes. Thanks to poor gear choice got stuck in heavy mud and stalled my brother's car but low low and all lockers in DooSo broke free but brother's Triton need a tug. Similar thing when Zook got bogged. The Ranger bogged a few times but got itself out.

We were monitoring channel ten but using 69 for convoy Comms but when we called our position in near Poeppel Corner received a call for assistance. Group had attempted a Birdsville to Mount Dare crossing and got turned around about 60kms from Mount Dare. Fuel was very low. DooSo lost 20 litres as did brother's Triton. They had to abandon vehicles and people further up the track. They were then on a mercy dash for more fuel at Birdsville.

Heading out we ran into two motorcycles that had no water. They had raided fuel from a Hummer sixty kms from Mount Dare but no water. We handed over enough water they could carry and topped up their fuel.

Camped not far on the QAA line and final radio check of the evening brought another emergency call. Convey of four vehicles with two on low fuel warning light. We did the sums so brother handed over ten litres and I did the same. Zook handed over 20 litres to the unleaded cruiser. Both got to Birdsville with 9 litres and 3 litres left.

The mercy runner was stopped by the police as they had arranged emergency supplies to come out of Mount Dare, by boat?

Now what the heck had happened. We had toyed with the idea but not enough fuel to back track so had abandoned it. Best we could established the motor cycles and one group had not understood the weather forecast. The other group was very well prepared and had checked in at Peoppel Corner with SA PArks and told ok to Mount Dare. This advice was crap as they were stopped sixity kilometres short. They were planning to abandon two of their group and use the other two as fuel runners but we saved them the effort.

So DooSo with 112 litre tank and 50 litres in Jerries became a fuel tanker and my brother's Triton with about 190 litres aboard similar and even Zook kicked in with 140 litres on board. We had decided to have a test of full fuel load. DooSo averaged out atr 20-21/100.

Damage report. Triton broke its Sandflag so the HF antenna was pressed into service. Rangers roof racks came forward and dented the roof. The Prorack sit on roof racks not really up to the job.

So what to do in the next week. Toying with heading down the Walker Crossing Track to wander back to Melbourne.

I ran 16psi cold and 18 psi hot in the tyres. Frighten the others but DooSo had plenty of traction and no punctures. Love to know the GVM as likely GMV plus 150kg with full fuel and ninety litres of water on board.

Very happy with DooSo apart from the much higher than expected fuel consumption. Zook performed a treat.

However, the Triton and my Challenger 4WD indicator lights did not enjoy the sailing so would flash on and then off. Once dried out both came right.

[littleriver]

Just hope they stay safe .. sure Ent has packed enough supplies if they get stranded

...

[littleriver]

That fuel average is pretty good .. you usually work on doubling your average consumption when out there ..

Hats of to you and the crew .. well done in helping others out .. true 4wd code of practice ...which tyres and size did you bring on this trip again? ...

[conquistador]

That fuel average is pretty good .. you usually work on doubling your average consumption when out there ..

Hats of to you and the crew .. well done in helping others out .. true 4wd code of practice ...which tyres and size did you bring on this trip again? ...

Im a little confused about the fuel consumption. Is 28l/100 what they used or what they were giving away.

[old Jack]

Glad to near you are all safe, having an adventure and helping others.
Looking forward to photos and trip report.

OJ.