numpty
9th September 2006, 10:07 AM
Our 2nd day on the Hay R track was a short one covering only 50km. It was also uneventful and just a pleasant days drive along what was a very easy sand track, with numerous stops to check out anything that looked remotely interesting. There are so few landmarks out here that even an eagle’s nest is pinpointed on the map!! Unfortunately we never did find the eagles nest but found an excellent large sand dune that we spent some time climbing up and walking along, looking at animal tracks, and spying a large group of camels on a distant gibber plain. We also spent a short time chasing a group of 4 camels along the track.
On the 3rd day we pushed on, but still only covering 70km. The river bed began to peter out into numerous channels. At the Batton Hill end the riverbed is quite wide, but as we headed into the desert it gradually became smaller.
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/numpty_01/Hay%20River/0456Camp9-HR2006HayR0032.jpg
One of the landmarks on the map was an aboriginal midden. We decided we had traveled too far south and headed back along the track to find it. On the way we heard on the UHF other voices, and while stopped checking out a potential track to Madigan’s Camp 14, a Rangie and D3 topped the dune to the left and joined us on the track. They were also on their way to the midden, so after a bit of LR discussion we all set off northwards and located the midden not far from where we were. Not much to see there. A few stone chips scattered around the dunes is all that is left. We left the Rangie and D3 to make their way north and we again headed south back to the dun where we met them. The first real dune crossing of the trip. We deflated the tyres a little more and over we went.
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/numpty_01/Hay%20River/0542HR2006Camp11-0032.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/numpty_01/Hay%20River/0557HR2006Camp11-0002.jpg
Once over the dune the track was less distinct and the going much rougher and we were crossing the dunes (the main Hay R track follows the swales between the dunes). Speed was down to 5-10k. At a fork in the track we then headed left (although 2 of the 3 GPS units being carried said we had gone past the point we were looking for) and into Madigan’s Camp 14. A very desolate place and one wonders why Madigan chose that particular spot to camp. The only clue to this being his camp is the plaque left by Owen Correa back in 1999.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
We then headed out in the direction of Madigan’s Camp 15. It was at this point in the trip where those fated words hit the airwaves…”OOPS…NO CLUTCH”. We all stopped. At this stage the Defender (trayback with canopy) still had forward motion but could not change gears, so a decision was made, being late in the afternoon, to tow him to a suitable campsite and have a think…and a beer!!
With some discussion on possible cause it was decided that while there was still forward motion, maybe we could make Birdsville and get the vehicle fixed there. So out with the sat phone and a call to Birdsville Auto to see if they can handle the job, if we organise the parts. No problem. So, onto 4WD Spares in Melbourne to order every conceivable possible clutch part needed and get it shipped to Birdsville.
At this stage there was nothing more to be done, but to settle in for the night with the usual campfire and a beer or two and ponder the possibilities.
On the 3rd day we pushed on, but still only covering 70km. The river bed began to peter out into numerous channels. At the Batton Hill end the riverbed is quite wide, but as we headed into the desert it gradually became smaller.
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/numpty_01/Hay%20River/0456Camp9-HR2006HayR0032.jpg
One of the landmarks on the map was an aboriginal midden. We decided we had traveled too far south and headed back along the track to find it. On the way we heard on the UHF other voices, and while stopped checking out a potential track to Madigan’s Camp 14, a Rangie and D3 topped the dune to the left and joined us on the track. They were also on their way to the midden, so after a bit of LR discussion we all set off northwards and located the midden not far from where we were. Not much to see there. A few stone chips scattered around the dunes is all that is left. We left the Rangie and D3 to make their way north and we again headed south back to the dun where we met them. The first real dune crossing of the trip. We deflated the tyres a little more and over we went.
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/numpty_01/Hay%20River/0542HR2006Camp11-0032.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/numpty_01/Hay%20River/0557HR2006Camp11-0002.jpg
Once over the dune the track was less distinct and the going much rougher and we were crossing the dunes (the main Hay R track follows the swales between the dunes). Speed was down to 5-10k. At a fork in the track we then headed left (although 2 of the 3 GPS units being carried said we had gone past the point we were looking for) and into Madigan’s Camp 14. A very desolate place and one wonders why Madigan chose that particular spot to camp. The only clue to this being his camp is the plaque left by Owen Correa back in 1999.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
We then headed out in the direction of Madigan’s Camp 15. It was at this point in the trip where those fated words hit the airwaves…”OOPS…NO CLUTCH”. We all stopped. At this stage the Defender (trayback with canopy) still had forward motion but could not change gears, so a decision was made, being late in the afternoon, to tow him to a suitable campsite and have a think…and a beer!!
With some discussion on possible cause it was decided that while there was still forward motion, maybe we could make Birdsville and get the vehicle fixed there. So out with the sat phone and a call to Birdsville Auto to see if they can handle the job, if we organise the parts. No problem. So, onto 4WD Spares in Melbourne to order every conceivable possible clutch part needed and get it shipped to Birdsville.
At this stage there was nothing more to be done, but to settle in for the night with the usual campfire and a beer or two and ponder the possibilities.