This guy built a website discussing the history of the petroleum-engineering exploration of the Simpson Desert. They pushed lots of bulldozers, seismic equipment, explosives, and beer across this giant wasteland.
Eldridge is now set as an admin.
Also, need to choose a different template. I'll look around at blogskins.com and pick something out.
European Launcher Development Organisation at Woomera is a now-closed(?) space launcher site.
Stumbled onto this ambitituous outback tour report today...
Reading more around the host's site, I found a page on personalized tour itineraries that they sell for $100AUD. (about $50USD) In some ways, not a back idea, in some ways takes the fun out of it. Almost would want to figure out the trail first, and then have him vet it or add other ideas.
I was reading the Westprint Newsletter and came across this gem:
I think the 'health concerns for young people' is not carcinogenic emissions or anything... I think that they must have a problem with kids huffing gasoline. Fuck.
Lonely Planet recommended a few maps to the outback.
Westprint was said to have lots of points of interest along the Outback trails. I joined the mailing list for their Outback Newsletter.
Hema Maps has a number of collections of Desert Tracks maps. Check under 4wd. This would be a fun trip to win. This is their principal product. It would be nice to figure out how good their CD Pack and software is. Knowing what a piece of shit Garmin Mapsource is, I am always a bit nervous. But $79AUD is only around $40US. I'll take a flyer on it. I'll doublecheck that it is compatible w/ Garmin first. (at least insofar as Garmin telling the laptop the location, and it showing up on the software. (sort of gross). 'Mapco' is their Singapore distributor, though short on details. Ph: +65 282 7597 Fax: +65 253 2553.
The maps provided by the National Mining Division of Geoscience Australia are said to have 'Staggering Detail'.
There is Hepatitis in Australia (everywhere, for that matter). I assume most of you haven't been vaccinated for HepA&B. You ought to do it now, because one of the innoculation series (A?) is three jabs over the course of six months. The other is two jabs across two months. It's good to have it anyway, even if we aren't specifically exposed to it in Australia. There is no vaccine for HepC--just don't have sex with Pamela Anderson.
Picked up a copy of Lonely Planet Outback Australia. LP books fluctuate in quality. This one appears to be in the upper percentile. The maps (particularly) and route details seem very thorough. It gave me a decent macro view of the outback and its trails and now I have at least a starting point for strategy. It looks to have good enough detail to be a principal reference throughout the trip.