Well what a blast that was. I don’t use the word “Epic” much, but I think this trip qualifies.
A touch under 6,100 K’m in 19 days.
I wasn’t expecting easy…. hell that’s part of the reason of doing a trip like this. I wouldn’t like to characterise it as Burke and Wills difficult, but every day was just so full on. Throw in an issue or two, and the idea that one of us may have ended up making it out on the back of truck was a real possibility. Those issues really made me think at times we might not make it across. I started most of the desert days with the thought, “Will we make it through today?” That adds to the stress.
* Desert Crossing
In preparing for this trip, in the back of my mind, was the idea that one day I might like do it East to West, just for the challenge…… Forget it, certainly in a stock standard MUX. There were a half a dozen or so dunes I only got down the east side due to gravity. Mostly due to the depth of the scallops (holes dug out by spinning tyres of cars coming up the other way), I can’t see any way I would have got up them. Having said that we crossed paths a couple of people towing camper trailers, so with the right gear it certainly is possible.
I’ve got to say, seeing a big soft dune in front of you, picking the right line, cresting and then seeing the track lead out for as far as the eye can see is so rewarding. Despite the lack of ground clearance, the mighty MUX (which is 100% stock standard) did a fantastic job on the whole trip.
Other than the 1st day where we seemed to hit a number of convoys that obviously had left the Birdsville races a few days earlier, we didn’t come across as many travellers as I thought. I guess a lot were travelling in the same direction as us, and as we dropped down to the WAA and Rig road we missed some of them. Speaking of other tracks, this route worked out so well and it was surprising to see how different each track was.
As for planning. The days were pretty much spot on, even as I planned it I knew day 6 would be big and we might not make it. I probably should have listened to myself better and planned around that day. Having said that, the accident of staying at Beresford Siding, was one of the better accidents of the trip!
Food wise, we took WAY too much. The idea of have two full meals a day just didn’t happen. Between all the driving, heat and the damn flies, the idea of stopping for a full lunch just didn’t appeal. Even when we pulled up in the late afternoon, we’d need to wait till around 7 for the flies to die down. Somehow eating a big meal just didn’t appeal. Some food was just for emergencies, so the fact that some came back was understandable.
We didn’t need much in the way of recovery gear, the Maxtrax where about the only thing we needed. I guess that’s a good thing. It was still sensible to have it all.
I should have paid more attention to the Mt Dare vehicle prep guide that suggested Roof Racks where then number 1 issue. While staying within load limits, we just overloaded too much for the conditions. Having said that I think we were both surprised at the small bolts that are used to hold these things down, seems like they are designed to fail?
Most of my damage happened on the SkyTrek 4×4 trail, and that was really done on just one hump I misjudged, it looked like the dozens of other rock steps we’d climbed that day.
Backing into a tree could have happened anywhere, and was 100% driver (my) fault.
So in the desert itself, I lost a bit of plastic undercover protection, and we broke the roof rack mounts. At some level I think we might have gotten off lightly.
I certainly need to pack a bit lighter and given how much everything was shook around, maybe come up with a better system of storing everything. Everything has scuff and scrape marks on it.
The roads where mostly in fantastic condition, the Oodnadatta, the Arrabury and Old Strzelecki where sensational, the while the Mt Dare road was sketchy, that remote, I guess it’s to be expected. I’m so glad I got to experience some of these iconic tracks before they start to seal them.
All the towns where great, but places like Birdsville, William Creek and Innamincka where such a pleasant surprise to visit.
So glad I did it. Would I do it again? Sure, maybe not right away, I might need a few years to recover (and to get the red dust out of the car….).
A huge thanks to my family, particularly Justine for letting me take the time away for such an adventure.
Well I sure enjoyed it but one question is it a trip to do alone and are you glad you had traveling companions ?
Hey, I’d never planned to do to the full crossing solo, the first plan was just the north south K1 line. That would have been pretty simple. I would have made it solo (this time), but it would have been a lot more stressful. It was good to have the company and to share the experience with the other guys.