28 Day Northern Simpson Desert
Expedition
1 day road transfer from Alice Springs, 25
days by camel, 2 day return road transfer to Alice Springs.
"Expedition"
- in the adventure tourism world these days, the words 'desert expedition'
seem to be applied in an offhand way to any 'tour', usually involving 4WD vehicles, that
promises some degree of difficulty or ruggedness. And usually the difficulty is for the
vehicle and not the participant.
Simplistically speaking, the Northern Simpson Desert Expedition is not a tour, nor
even a "holiday", nor a vacation.
This journey is an authentic, contemporary expedition in every sense of the word
and it requires the active participation from all the expedition members for it to be
successful. The camel string is totally self-sufficient and once we depart and walk over
that first sand dune, we are on our own. There is no fleet of support Land Rovers
discreetly following behind ready to set up camp with a shower and a cold beer. Indeed, we leave only foot & padprints and not tyre tracks. The country
we will traverse is very remote. We would not have been on this traverse before and as we
are the only people operating commercial camel expeditions in the Simpson Desert, it is
highly unlikely that anyone else has either. Certainly very few whitefellas, if any, would
have trodden the dunes before us. There are no aboriginal communities en-route, no tracks
nor roads and we won't run into any other 'tour operators'. Indeed, we will not see anyone
at all during the entire journey. This is as remote as it gets.
The Expedition will be hard work, there may be hot
weather, there will be strict water rationing and it will be both fascinating and
educational working with the camels and I can assure you that the whole experience will be
worth every minute. If you feel that this sort of adventure is beyond your threshold, then
perhaps you would be better suited to a 9 day trek. But if you are looking for an
experience that may well change your perspective on life, then please read on!
Andrew Harper, FRGS
Expedition Leader
Owner, Outback Camel Company |
Good
physical fitness, a love of the outdoors and a constructive mental attitude are
fundamental to the success of your trek or expedition. Due to the very nature of your
journey and the remote areas that you may visit, conditions may be outside that of your
normal experience. After leaving the comforts of civilisation behind, you should be
prepared to enjoy the desert on its own terms. Group sizes are usually between 10 to 13
trekkers plus 4 cameleers and 4 or 5 ecologists.
Our trekking holidays have been graded easy,
moderate or strenuous depending on their difficulty. Camel trekking (desert bushwalking)
can be a very personal experience - one man's stroll can be another's expedition.
Please do not bite off more than you can chew! It is important that you choose the
correct grade for your capabilities so please read the detailed trip notes to check if the
journey is right for you. If you have any concerns please do discuss this with our
knowledgeable team who are trekking experts. On our more challenging expeditions we will
require you to complete a fitness questionnaire.
This expedition is graded
as Challenging
Easy - this grade applies to the 6 day Western Simpson Desert Explorer. This trek
operates at a slower pace than our moderate treks, as there is not as much walking with
the camels.
Importantly however, remember that you will be bush camping for the duration of the trek! You must be prepared to actively participate in the
day-to-day running of your trek. A moderate level
of fitness is required and a flexible, open-minded approach is essential.
Moderate -
A good level of fitness is required an you also must be prepared to actively participate in the day-to-day running of your trek. Our
walking pace is approximately 3 to 5 kilometres per hour, depending on the terrain being
covered.The average distance travelled per day is usually between 10 to 15 kilometres with
distances up to 18 kilometres sometimes covered depending upon the wishes &
capabilities of the trekking group. Trekking may involve some spells of continuous,
although moderate, dune climbing on firm sand. Occasionally, you will make camp at
lunchtime, allowing the afternoon 'free' to explore or (if available) to relax by a
waterhole. During the trek we will be making camp early so as to accommodate our various
survey jobs as the case may be. On other days you may cover a little more ground in search
of a suitable campsite with enough feed for the camels. Water is available for drinking
only but will not be strictly rationed - common sense will prevail. Travel will be
cross-country, away from tracks and roads, unless specified in the trek notes and the
itinerary of each trek is flexible allowing the leader to adjust the pace of the trek to
the wishes and capabilities of the group.
Challenging - all expeditions fall
into this category. Physical preparation is
essential as you may be walking for 7 hours per day or longer for up to 19 days. These are
genuine contemporary expeditions that travel in a traditional style just as the early
explorers would have done, whilst encountering the rich desert diversity entwined with the
rewarding experience of working with the camels. Due to their duration and terrain
covered, these explorations are far more challenging than any trek. The expeditions may
travel between 320 - 400 kilometres (unless otherwise noted) and have a definite
objective, whether it be to cross an entire desert or to arrive at the designated base camp at journeys end. Full rest days during the expedition are not guaranteed and the average distance
covered per day can be between 15 to 22 kilometres. Water
rationing is strictly enforced and there are neither permanent camps nor
any type of vehicle back-up. On such a journey it is essential that
you are prepared, both mentally & physically, to fully participate as an expedition
member.
Please note that the grading
system is not a straightforward measure of how far you are walking. Rather it is an
overall indication of how tough it will be and it takes into account the number of hours
trekking, the average temperatures and weather conditions. So even though a trek is graded
Easy it does not mean you will never feel tired! Similarly, inexperienced trekkers
need not necessarily avoid treks graded as Challenging.
So you do not need any previous camel trekking
experience to join one of our expeditions. You just
need to be prepared to spend up to 25 days out bush - this is perhaps where the 'fitness'
and 'mental preparation' come into the equation. Our expeditions are not hard, but with
appropriate preparation and a good mental attitude, at journeys end you can expect to be
tired but also fulfilled with a great sense of personal accomplishment.
Common
characteristics of all treks & expeditions are:Team participation & walking with a string of up to 22 camels
Sleeping in swags under the stars
Camping at non permanent camps
(excluding the first & last nights and unless otherwise noted)
Camp cooking in camp-ovens & woks
on open fires
The subtle beauty of the desert
landscape
Self sufficiency – there is no
vehicle back-up - and the desert silence!
On
all treks & expeditions, the camels carry all your personal gear, excluding your day
pack.
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A Typical Day
Please note:
The following is based around the 'normal' structure of one of our typical
expeditions.
Remembering that the success of the expedition depends on the
active participation of all members, we ask that you participate to the best of your
ability without over doing it. Working together as a team, assisting the crew in the daily
routine of running the expedition, is an important factor in enjoying our time in the
desert. Typical duties would include helping to saddle the camels, load and unload
equipment, collecting firewood or assisting with shepherding the camels at the end of the
day. We feel that the journey represents a balanced mix of healthy work, relaxation and
personal discovery - "what we all put into it, we all get out of it".
The day begins at first light when the crew untie the camels
from their night trees and shepherd the camels (perhaps with your help!) whilst they feed.
The campfire is brought back to life, the billy boiled and breakfast is served. After
breakfast, we pack up camp and the camels are brought in ready to be loaded with saddles
and equipment. Everyone helps in this precision exercise. We usually break camp between
8.00 & 9.30 a.m. and our pace of travel is based around that of the camels. They
normally walk at about 4 kilometres per hour on flat country and 3 kilometres per hour
over dunes. We are not in a rush and one of the first things that you will notice as you
walk along is the sheer immensity of the desert silence. As you become involved in the
day, your senses will soon become attuned to the surrounding desert.
During the morning we stop every hour to adjust loads and
have a break, before pulling up for lunch about midday for an hour or so. Lunch is laid
out on the tables and this is a time to rest and relax a while.
The afternoon walk follows a similar pattern to that of the
morning. Camp is usually struck sometime between 3 and 4.30 p.m. at a suitable place where
there is feed for the camels - this is the most critical factor in selecting a campsite.
Again, everyone helps to unsaddle the camels and collect firewood etc. The camp is run
like a traditional 'stock camp', similar to those that you would find on any large
Australian cattle station and is well equipped but not overloaded with the clutter that
seems to accompany modern day camping. We carry the essentials - water, food, shelter
& swags (bedrolls).
Swag, blue tarp and black kitbag
supplied by OCC
Whilst the camels are grazing, this is a time for you to
collect your swag & personal gear and relax, read, or write up the diary. The crew
will be preparing dinner and may need some help shepherding camels to make sure that they
don't stray too far from camp. All meals are cooked on the campfire in camp-ovens or woks.
Dinner is served soon after nightfall. At the end of the day, sitting around a campfire in
the Australian Outback, surrounded by the desert night, is one of life's great pleasures.
It's time to discuss the day's events or just sit back on your swag and absorb the
brilliant glow of the stars and the thunderous silence that thousands of square kilometres
of desert produces. The camels inevitably become a talking point as our day completely
revolves around their day and their ability to negotiate the dunes with their loads which
may weigh as much as 250kg.
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Day-to-Day Itinerary
The actual day-to-day itinerary of any trek is, to a large
degree, unplanned! That is the beauty of travelling with camels and exploring the desert.
As the expedition is self-sufficient and the camels can travel virtually anywhere, the
only definite objective is our final destination. For instance, it is seldom known in the
morning exactly where that nights camp will be, as the route taken, weather conditions,
availability of camel feed and 'unexpected discoveries' all determine the position of
camp. The one constant however, is the daily routine of loading and unloading the
equipment onto and off the camels, as well as the general camp duties.
On day 1, you depart Alice Springs in the
early AM and begin the drive in an OKA 4WD vehicle to Old Andado Station. This scenic
drive via the Rodinga Ranges usually takes about 5 hours with lunch along the way. Upon
arrival at the camel camp and will meet your crew and the camels. We will have food and
other equipment to pack as we establish our base camp. Your help with this important task
is welcome. You will have time to acclimatise to your new surroundings and organise your
personal gear. There will be time to visit the heritage listed homestead.
Day 2 will be spent at camp preparing for
the journey and giving you time to acquaint yourself with the routine Your leader will
talk about the expedition route and objectives, the camels and other important safety
points.
Day 3 - This first walking day is also a
'learning day' as your crew will demonstrate how to handle the camels and how the tonnes
of saddles & equipment are carried. As the days pass and you become more familiar with
the daily activities, when we do begin to use the camels, the loading/unloading time
decreases and the daily expedition routine begins to take shape.
Days 4 to 25 will consist of the same daily
routine. Depending on the weather conditions and wishes & capability of the expedition
party, your leader may decide to call a half-day of trekking. There will be strict water
rationing during the journey, but be assured that no one will go thirsty. On day
26 we will camp earlier to allow for preparations to depart the next morning and
the vehicles will meet us that night.
On the morning of day 27 you board the OKA
for the drive back to Alice Springs, bush camping that night. Day 28 sees
you arrive back in Alice Springs.
WATER - the expedition will carry up
to 62 twenty-two litre jerry cans of water when we depart Andado. As we will cross the
Colson Track en route, we will call at a pre-arranged water dump to replenish supplies and
if necessary to water the camels.Therefore we may have
facilities for an occasional wash but this is certainly not guaranteed.
Please note that the water we carry is for drinking and not washing bodies!
*Please
note: IMPORTANT!! The Plenty Highway may be closed during prolonged wet weather.
We strongly advise that you should build in a 'buffer zone' due to any delays
caused by wet weather. Schedule your outgoing flights at least 24 hours after our
expected arrival time in Alice Springs. If we encounter wet weather, we will do our best
to get you back to town on time, however we cannot be held responsible for a late arrival.
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An OKA 4WD used on our transfer runs
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Brushing down the camels before loading
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The team. The trekking party
comprises 10 to 13 trekkers, 4 cameleers and up to 22 camels. Your fellow trekkers will
come from many countries. Most of our clients are from Australia and New Zealand however
you can expect people from the UK, North America and Europe to be in your group. Most
would have had no previous camel trekking experience, whilst others may have been enjoying
our treks for many years.
Our leaders. Our leaders are
experienced cameleers, each with a love and respect for the camels and the desert and are
happy to share their knowledge with you. All are trained in First Aid, as is at least one
other crew member.
Camping Equipment. OCC provides all
the camping equipment. You do not need to bring tents or swags. In the event of
rain, we have freestanding tent flys. Yes, it can rain in the desert during winter! We
carry kitchen tables and a kitchen tent for when it rains. Your swag doubles as a
comfortable ‘chair’ at night around the campfire in the evenings, however we
also carry small plastic fold-up stools.
Before
departure we will send you a comprehensive Explorer Pack
which will contain everything you need to know about preparations for the trek. |
