Well 12 to Well 6 (Peirre Spring)
130km
11.9LHK
These guys waiting for us at the well to pull up some water
Early in the day the Prado dropped this:
One of the brothers hit the dune with a bit too much momentum - one too many dig outs from other vehicles wheel spin
We passed a lot of trailers going the other way.
Stopped for one bloke in a patrol with trailer on FLAT and straight track section, sand only a few inches deep - Tyres looked like they were over 30psi as there was little bag in the side walls. He bogged down right in front of us
. Easy to see how the dunes get chewed up.
Anyway, that stone guard had seen a lot of punishment over the years
It was very fortunate timing as this was found:
Brand new radiator installed just before the tour.
Turned out it was some weird factory lug that usually sits snug inside the chassis rail but over the bumps had popped out and lodged on a 45 degree angle into the radiator. Over time hitting each bump and corrugation this lug worked itself further into the radiator side tank.
We caught it soon after it had pierced thru
After cleaning, draining, epoxying and a 5 hour stop we were going again.
Got up to 595m above sea level near well 9
Many trees over the track from this point on - with benefit of hindsight I would take the flag down at Well 9
We saw one sand flag with the upper pole section attached up a tree
Keeping the flag centrally located on the vehicle helps a lot - even so mine took a flogging on this section
Some smooth sections however
No camping between well 9 to 6
A horrible defoliated pastoral lease devoid of trees, ground cover, flowers or native animal life other that the emus and cattle around the stock yards. When I think of a desolated desert - this scenery in this section comes to mind.
Surprising how much life, flora and colour there was on the rest of the track
Beautiful camp ground at Pierre Spring /Well 6 - Took flag down here
Toilet and White gums
The wells attract many birds that appear to rely on track users to haul up, and spill water into catchments
Reconstruction of a whip pole that used to be horse or camel drawn - heaving 200L of water at a time
The toilet was close to overflowing so we set about towing the receptacle to the disposal area first thing in the morning. The container that usually has lime in it was also empty.
Signs at the toilet gave good instructions on how to tip the waste and use ash from the fire as a substitute for lime powder.
Other campers there appeared to be bewildered to see us undertake this duty - had to explain that " the loo doesnt empty itself mate"
Well 6 to 2a
11.7LHK
Random pic: Unsure where this cart was - perhaps around Well 15
Its the remains of a human drawn cart that a Kiwi /Perth based bushwalker Murray Rankin made. He and a companion set out in the 70's to complete the Canning by foot. These carts fell apart ending that attempt. He made another attempt in 73 using a heavier frame design and motor bike wheels that was too heavy before completing the entire track in 1976
Out from Well 6 you go past some impressive grass trees called blackboys. Like a palm tree with a long grassy head. Half of them had a massive 1.5m stem coming out of the top that I assumed was its flower. Didnt stop to take a pic as we had just got underway
Track from here was a bit rough in places, good driving from Well 5 to Well 3 with he exception of some very sharp washouts
Well 4a / Windich Spring
Had a relaxing swim here. A good break from the drive at the this point of the track. A few long neck turtles in this pool
Very Slow from Well 3 to 2 - rocky and washed out sections
We passed thru 660m above sea level then camped at well 2a - the coldest night so far
Very exposed to wind but the abundant dead mulga trees made for good fire wood. A good stone wall fire pit here
2a to Wiluna
The urge for data collection and photos dropped off on this section - was just keen to make it to the end of the track, refuel and resupply
Zebra finch are probably the most common bird you will see along the entire track
Some very long flat fast (over 60km/hr
) down hill sections thru grassy plains interrupted by sharp washouts and turns
Never seen so many budgies - flock after flock up to 200 darting over the track
We didnt stop at Well 1 as the L70 was running on fumes.
The Hilux still had just under 30L left in the tank at Wiluna, Prado had to dip into a 20L jerry to make it to Wiluna
Satisfying making it down the track relatively unscathed.... but we still had to make it home yet