Date: February 26th 2010
Westprint Friday Five
Included
this week:
·
Kidson
Track
·
Burke
and Wills
·
Held
over due to lack of space: Happy Trekkers, RV friendly towns and grey water
storage, How to make your own fly trap, and News from
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Friday
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Disclaimer.
Please
note that the opinions and articles included in the Friday Five are not
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Jo’s comments are in green.
·
Think
you have strength? Want to test your endurance? Why not get a team together and
join us. The aim of the event is to pump a
A
fun day of entertainment for the whole family! These carts are said to be the
fastest in the Southern Hemisphere, maybe even the world!
Get
your teams together because we would love to see you at the
Fantastic
Prize Money to be won
Classic
Male Open 1st Prize $ 800.00, 2nd Prize $ 150.00, 3rd Prize $ 50.00
Female
Open 1st Prize $ 800.00, 2nd Prize $ 150.00, 3rd Prize $ 50.00
Combined
1st Prize $ 400.00, 2nd Prize $ 100.00, 3rd Prize $ 50.00
Event
commences at
Please
note - Age Limit of 15 years and over applies. Registration to Orroroo council
before March 19. gmc@orroroo.sa.gov.au.
Burke
and Wills Treks
·
A
British pair to retrace Burke and Wills trek. Details can be found at the
following link. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/04/2809607.htm
·
The
Royal Society of Victoria is planning a re-enactment trip to coincide with 150
year anniversary of Burke and Wills expedition. The RSV will travel from south
to north along the original 1860 route and in the same timeframe, working with
indigenous rangers and local conservation authorities to assess environmental
impact over the last 150 years and to create plans for repairing this damage.
This expedition will draw on the scientific records left by the original
expedition, which include volumes of observations and numerous plant
samples sent back to
·
Many
of you will remember that Dave Phoenix walked across the Australian continent in
2008 in the faded footsteps of the explorers Burke & Wills. He was assisted
by a support crew of one. Part of Dave’s blog reads:
The
final day of the walk across
“…
[It] was most oppressively hot and sultry, so much so that the slightest
exertion made one feel as if he were in a state of suffocation. The dampness of
the atmosphere prevented any evaporation, and gave one a helpless feeling of
lassitude that I have never before experienced to such an extent.”
Read more at http://walk.burkeandwills.net.au/blog/
Stop Press: I have it on very good authority that a 4WD trek to
commemorate the 150th anniversary is being planned. Places will be limited and
will be on a first registered first in basis. Watch this space!
·
Re
150th anniversary of John McDouall Stuart’s first expedition to
Benjamin Head information will be printed in a couple of weeks.
Trip
Notes - Kidson Track
The following is from Juergen in Germany
·
I
travelled the Kidson Track in beginning of June last year, together with my
friend Harry in a Land cruiser Troopy with roof tent. The Kidson Track is only
quite infrequently used by 4WD enthusiasts, and some parts of it are becoming
overgrown. There are parts with strong growing bush, but this is growing from
the sides of the track and not on the track itself. These sections stretch only
over short distances of the track, which afterwards becomes good again. We
pushed through and added some scratches to the vehicle. Other sections of the
track have deep washouts and forced us to go off-track around them. We
luckily found some nearly invisible wheel tracks in the grass from the people
who must have travelled there some days before us so we did not have to do our
own reconnaissance.
There
are holes in the track all of a sudden, so don't rush but take your time. It
took us two days to travel from Eighty Mile Roadhouse to Kunawarritji, but you
may prefer to plan with three days (more relaxed, especially when towing a
trailer).
The
sand dunes did not pose any difficulty at all to us, but we had had some prior
training on the
You
certainly are aware of the fact that this area is really remote, as most people
are travelling the
You
could phone Kunawarritji Community some days before travelling and ask them for
the latest reports given by other travellers. Nearly everybody coming down the
Kidson fuels up at Kunawarritji, so they will be the ones with the latest
information. Their phone number is: 08 9176 9040. Fuel availability is
reliable as far as I know, but it is never a mistake to give them a call in
advance.
The
Kidson Track is big fun, and it offers a ride through awesome nature away from
any civilisation. If you travel well prepared you will definitely love it.
Cheers from bl...y cold and boring Dortmund/Germany, Juergen
·
I
was there last year; has deteriorated a lot over the last few years. The
sand on the dunes isn’t a problem, but some of the rutting is very serious.
The sheeting has eroded badly. Not a lot of room for error. Bad news if
you go in. Be very cautious and all is good.
Same
news for some sections of the track. Washed away and needs some tight
manoeuvring. Slightly overgrown in places. Bottom section for 60km or so
from the
·
I
travelled this road from 80 mile beach to Kunawarritji in 2005 and had no
trouble. Some sections are loose sand. Lower tyre pressures are a given. I
wasn't towing anything either but it’s a great drive. Max
·
We
travelled the Kidson Track (
Overall
the entire track was very scenic and well worth travelling, better still we only
met one other group for the entire distance. 80 mile beach was a great sight
after desert camping from Ayers Rock through to the West coast. Michael
·
We
travelled from
·
I
travelled the Kidson Track in May last year. The vehicle was a Land Cruiser, V8
automatic, and 94L long range tank. 3 people with tents, swags and
necessities for 2 weeks other than fuel & water.
Fuel:
Filled up at
Camps:
Bush camp by Mt Lebig (dry), Jupiter Well 2 nights (water undrinkable),
Razor Blade Bore (wonderful spot), middle of the road (20º29'484"S; 122º19'680"E),
80 mile beach CP.
The
Roads:
Razor
Blade Bore to Great Northern Hwy. Now it changed from a road to a (goat) track.
Some stretches full width and with a good surface. More sand hills but again
nothing dramatic like on the CSR. More stretches of two wheel tracks and many
places where the side growth bushes met across the track (you hoped nobody was
coming the other way!) There were several sections where the surface was like a
very rough cobbled street and you had to go slow. The real excitement was the
rain gutters. Although a few went across the track many were the track and a new
track had been made alongside but in the bush. One gutter was about 100m long
and 1m deep!! Very slow cautious going! Once we got over the Old Telegraph
line the track improved, and obviously got station vehicles, all the way to the
GNH. David
·
Last
year we did Kunawarritji to 80 Mile Beach on Kidson Track and then WAPET Track
using the Lewis and Savage guide book. Great trip easy driving with odd
interesting wash outs. Suitable for a 4x4 and camper trailer. We did
it slowly in 3 days. A bit over grown hence an odd scratch or two.
We didn’t have trailers as this was a side trip off the Canning. Easy
navigation and I think suitable for single vehicle trip. Ian.
·
We
travelled with 9 other vehicles the Kidson Track (
Could
you also mention that we were a trip convoy from the Toyota Land Cruiser Club in
WA? Greg
Sure we can. The contact details for the
·
We
travelled the Kidson Track in mid 2008, taking an easy 3 days from 80 Mile Beach
to Kunawarritji. The track is a comparatively easy drive having been graded (and
capped with clay where required) by WAPET so they could get their drill rigs
across. It’s in generally reasonable condition but needs care in the low areas
as there are some deep washouts. These usually coincide with very dense,
scratchy wattle. The few sand dunes are capped but the clay has some deep scours
and they need care. All the usual cautions about remote travel apply and then
some as it’s comparatively little used – we only met one vehicle in “peak
season”. The only water is at Razorback Bore. Frankly, it’s not the most
interesting drive in the outback and the highlight will be reaching 80 Mile
Beach – allow several days there! Jack
And another query from Dorothy and Richard.
Thank
you so much for all the information on the Kidson Track. The emails
received were really helpful. We are now a bit reluctant to tackle the
Kidson with our Quantum trailer. Would you mind asking your readers if
anyone has information on the section between the
Trip Notes
– Mt Hopeless
·
Without
being there I can’t be sure, but I believe the hill can be seen. 125m is 125m
relative to sea level, not the surrounding country side. All the peaks at this
extreme end of the
May
I further suggest a bearing be taken and an observation made from Blanchewater
to confirm; and that bearings be taken to the other peaks & cross checked on
a topo map?
Finally,
I am not sure that there is a Mt Hopeless Station, so utilising that as a
reference point could be misleading. It is not officially listed as a Pastoral
Lease. There are
Trip Notes – Roper Bar
·
We
travelled through the area last year from
Information Wanted – Plenty and Sandover Highways
·
Does
anyone know the best route north east of
Innamincka
·
Info
below supplied by SA National Parks re Innamincka flood water, levels, condition
etc. Graeme Heritage. Proprietor, Aussie Heritage Tours.
Innamincka
and
Since
Innamincka
Causeway: Closed. Currently the water is at 7.5m at the Causeway and rising.
Innamincka
Campsites: Closed. There is no access to any camping facilities at Innamincka
Regional Reserve due to flooding.
Burke
and Wills sites: Closed. Due to flooding sites are not expected to open until
April.
Walkers
Crossing: Closed due to flooding. Not accessible until June.
For
those wanting to visit Innamincka in the near future there is limited
accommodation available in the township, however bookings are essential. The
mosquitoes and sand flies are particularly bad this time of year so make sure
you come prepared.
For
the latest information on road conditions check the Department of Transport,
Energy and Infrastructure website
http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/quicklinks/northern_roads/northern.asp
For
more information please contact the Innamincka Regional Reserve office (08) 8675
9909. Updated
Satphones
·
You
will find the Telstra Iridium sim card under the battery in your Motorola
9505.
·
The
satphone / Telstra sim card issue was covered (admittedly with some confusion)
in the 5 some time ago. (Yes, and we are still confused!) A quick summary of what my Motorola
9500 does is:
1.
I insert my Telstra sim card in a credit card sized holder (using masking
tape at the back to hold firm). It is a number beginning with 04 and is not a
pre paid. Insert same in sat phone.
2.
It connects me to any Australian phone number without any other prefix, eg. 03
4440 8897.
3.
I use this regularly when walking or fishing to let my better half know I am
still upright and breathing. At least once a month.
4.
The charge at $4 per minute appears on my monthly Telstra bill.
5.
My sat phone will connect me to emergency number 112 without a sim card in
place. I once annoyed a 112 operator by trying it and the explanation was not
appreciated and a terse "connecting you to police" preceded my quickly
hanging up. Doug. Gloucester.
·
I
have a 9505a Motorola Satellite Phone, which works exclusively with the Iridium
Satellite Communications System. (This system has the widest coverage). The
9500, 9505, 9505a, and I believe the 9555 sat phones all have Subscriber
Identity Modules (sim), normally located under the battery (which must be
removed to access the sim). The 9500 uses an older large sim, but the later
models use the current small sim, exactly as used in most mobile phones. A sim
must be present to use the sat phone for all calls except emergency 112 calls.
Many
sat phone hirers and suppliers provide Sims, normally by way of a contract
to pay regular fees, and then pay charges per call - similar to your
standard mobile contract. Included in the list of suppliers is Telstra, which
has direct connections to the Iridium network. If you are a current Telstra
mobile customer, on contract (eg $30 per month), then you can remove the sim
from your mobile and use it in the sat phone. You do not need a separate
contract. Your calls (in & out) will be charged as though you are overseas,
at international rates. Before you use the sim in the sat phone, you should call
Telstra to have International Roaming enabled on you mobile. It does not cost.
The telephone number of the satphone will be your normal mobile number. Geoff
Speed limits
in the
·
The
default speed limit in NT is 110 km. Some roads are marked at 130km. If no sign
posts it is definitely 110 km max outside of built up areas. John
·
The
130 km/h open road limit only applies on the Stuart,
· See the link below. Pete
· http://www.caradvice.com.au/1059/northern-territory-indtroduces-speed-limits/
·
The
open road sections on the Stuart & Arnhem Hwy's are well signed and having
just returned I can confirm that on open rd sections the limit is 130 kph.
Tom B
·
Unless
otherwise sign-posted, the legal maximum is 130 km/h, NOT 110 km/h. Andrew.
Katherine
·
The
speed limit is 110 kph in NT apart from four highways where 130 kph is allowed.
These are sign posted accordingly.
Canal Rocks
footbridge - Open
·
The
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) wishes to advise that the works
being conducted on the Canal Rocks footbridge south of Smiths Beach in the
Leeuwuin Naturaliste National Park is completed and the footbridge is reopened.
For more information contact DEC Busselton (08) 9752 5555.
National Parks and Wildlife
DESERT PARKS BULLETIN NO. 354.
Coongie
Track – Closed due to recent rains.
Walkers
Crossing Track – Closed due to recent rains.
15
Mile Track and Access to
Cullyamurra
Track – Closed due to recent rains.
Bore
Track – Closed due to recent rains. Contact Bollards Lagoon (61 8 8091 3873)
prior to crossing private land.
Warburton
Crossing – Closed until March 16 when the
Friday
Funnies
·
I
prefer to describe myself as a "Contemporary Anthropological Interactive
Observer" because it has just the right amount of flair.
Besides...."stalker" is such an ugly word.
·
A
teacher was putting on a play of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears.' One student's
mother quickly gave her a cuddly brown costume for the baby bear and another
lent two larger, snow white polar bear costumes for the mother and father bear.
When it got to the part in the play where the father bear asked "Who's been
sleeping in my bed?" a parent from the back giggled, "You may well
ask!"
·
Today
is the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon mission. The Russians actually sent a
dog into space. They had to fire up a Frisbee first, but they did it.
A DEA
officer stopped at a ranch in
The DEA officer verbally exploded saying, “Mister, I have the authority of the
Federal Government with me." Reaching into his rear pant's pocket, he
removed his badge and proudly displayed it to the rancher. "See this badge?
This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish . . . on any land. No
questions asked or answered. Have I made myself clear? Do you
understand?"
The rancher nodded politely, apologized, and went about his chores.
A short time later, the old rancher heard loud screams and saw the
DEA officer running for his life chased by the rancher’s big Santa Gertrudis
bull.
With every step the bull was gaining ground on the officer and it seemed likely that he would be gored before he reached safety. The officer was clearly terrified... The rancher threw down his tools, ran to the fence and yelled at the top of his lungs. . .
"Your badge... Show him your BADGE!"
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Cheers for now,
Jo
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