Desert Raid 2013 (are we still allowed to call it that?)

[Digger]

I am allowing 9 days to do the trip...Depart Sat 17 Aug and return Sun 25th. The Raid is on 21 August.

My rough itinerary is as follows;
Sat 17th - Perth to Mullewa,
Sun 18th - Mullewa to Mt Augustus (via Murchison),
Mon 19th - Mt Augustus to Hammersly Gorge (Tom Price),
Tues 20th - Hammersly Gorge to Carawine Gorge,
Wed 21st - Carawine Gorge to Desert Queen Baths,
Thursday 22nd - Lay day to explore,
Fri 23rd - Desert Queen Baths to Kumarina Roadhouse (general vicinity),
Sat 24th - Kumarina to Sandstone (via Wiluna), and
Sun 25th - Sandstone to Perth (via Paynes Find).

If you are thinking about going, do not leave your planning to the last minute because you will need time to test your 'set up'. If you want to tag along then let me know. If you are going during similar dates and are using a different route then let me know also. I might choose to follow you
You could find yourself featuring in the next 'Mongrel Dog Production'.
Disclaimer - Your safety is my concern but your responsabilty!!!
Steve

[Cookie]

Hello Steve,
I'm jealous, sounds like a great trip, look forward to hearing the stories and seeing the video footage upon your return.

[Paddy77]

Hi Digger,

I like the look of your ride route for the Desert Raid (why aren't we allowed to call it that?). I'm certainly going and interested.
On the return leg I am going to head further east to McKay, Q.
I look forward to see how this unwinds.
In the meantime I am going to warm up with a 2 week trip to Adelaide leaving Sunday 3rd.

Cheers

Paddy7

[spacey1]

Hey Steve,

How far is it from the nearest fuel (is that Nullagine?) to the Carawine Gorge and back?

I'd like to join you guys up to Carawine Gorge.

Maybe meet you somewhere on the way out...

-------------------------------------------------------------
Tues 20th - Hammersly Gorge to Carawine Gorge,
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Ta
nev

[Digger]

Hey Steve,
How far is it from the nearest fuel (is that Nullagine?) to the Carawine Gorge and back?
-------------------------------------------------------------
Tues 20th - Hammersly Gorge to Carawine Gorge,
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ta
nev

Nev,
Nulligine is correct...about 280km return or you could exit via Marble Bar which is slightly closer. There could be quite a large group leaving Perth on the 17th including big GS's with some riders peeling off at diifferent stages along the way. You may get to travel some roads you missed out on earlier this year.
Regards

[spacey1]

Fantastic Steve,

Knew you would have it all under control

300 km or so return is great and easily do-able of course...

Look forward to all those dirt roads missed

East Pilbara Shire: http://www.eastpilbara.wa.gov.au/Nullagine.aspx

Road Conditions Report: http://www.eastpilbara.wa.gov.au/Techni ... ports.aspx

Main Roads GIS: https://gis.mainroads.wa.gov.au/RAV2012/

Looking at the Main Roads GIS, is that Skull Springs Road > Woodie Woodie Road > Carawine Gorge > Ripon HIlls Road > Marble Bar

As expected in the winter, it looks like they have had a bit of water up that way

Catch you on the weekend at brekky or Monday AGM.

nev out...

[spacey1]

Further to the northern trek...

The FuelWatch trip planner doesn't mention fuel, however the East Pilbara Nullagine website states Fuel available.

http://www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au/fuelwatc ... anner.jspx

But that does seem pretty useless, as it reckons there is no fuel in Marble Bar either?

[Digger]

Fantastic Steve,
Looking at the Main Roads GIS, is that Skull Springs Road > Woodie Woodie Road > Carawine Gorge > Ripon HIlls Road > Marble Bar
nev out...

Correct...
Regards

[bowewilson@gmail.com]

Re Fuel at Nullagine and Marble Bar.
They both run out from time to time, I got caught last year when they both ran out at the same time, so sat around waiting for the fuel truck to show up, ended up scrounging some off some travellers.
So maybe a phone call at Newman might be the go.

[GSDisciple]

Nullagine to Carawine Gorge is one of the most spectacular and enjoyable rides I have ever been on so enjoy! If you get a chance, drop in to Running Waters along the way. Mike can supply the lat and long if anyone is interested. Refer to ADV Rider, Bring Your A Game for some amazing picks of this section as well as the diversion to Running Waters.

JP

[Digger]

Nullagine to Carawine Gorge....... the diversion to Running Waters.
JP

Running Waters...also known as Eel Pool on some maps.
Regards

[old betsy]

Steve

Will possibly join you on Sunday 18th.
I'll be leaving from Newman that day.

Ahab

[GSDisciple]

Don't camp in the river beds whatever you do!

JP

[old betsy]

Don't camp in the river beds whatever you do!

JP

That's correct because cows attack your tent in the middle of the night, ( in your dreams)

Ahab

[Digger]

Steve

Will possibly join you on Sunday 18th.
I'll be leaving from Newman that day.

Ahab

Probably be at or around Mt Augustus on the night of the 18th and somewhere around Hammersly Gorge on Monday night the 19th. Could meet up at Tom Price on Monday...gotta get fuel from there.