Cape York 2014 - Old Telegraph Track North

We woke up at Eliot Falls Camp quietly concerned about the day ahead of us. Today is the leg of the journey we'd eagerly anticipated. It was also the leg of the journey which has been destroying cars. Bridge Creek (Nolan's Brook) was claiming cars every day so we'd be told. Patrols / Landcruisers, it didn't matter. Not everyone was getting through. Well, they were the stories coming back from travellers who had been to the top already.

Colin nearly drove over this edge. A close call. 

With some smaller water crossings to start with we were gently introduced to the type of terrain we should expect. Either sandy or rocky bottom crossings but generally firm.

The deepest, an unnamed Ford was looking like being a challenge. Our plan was to let the cars cool and explore the best path to take. We were joined today by Charlie, Amanda and Matt from Hervey Bay in their chopped GU Patrol. Charlie took the short water crossing to the right which started with a quick drop into some slop ... but it worked.

2 guys on motorbikes were heading south here and required some winching to get them across.

Christian and I were keen to take on the length of the Ford to see how the cars handled it. We had walked a path - the bottom was sandy but firm enough. We dropped tyres to 25 PSI and both drive through without a problem.

Checking depth

The next crossing - Bridge Creek, Nolan's Brook. People has set up camp on the North side and were keen to watch the action. On the North side were half a dozen cars .. 3 of them dead cars. One of the onlookers offered to tow our first car if we got stuck. Colin headed for the fridge and grabbed a 'can of courage' in the mid-strength variety.
We all walked the Brook and agreed on the best path. There were plenty of deep dips with soft bottoms. After watching plenty of YouTube videos of this crossing we thought we knew it all. Things had changed, today's path was nothing like we'd seen on the net.
We placed Charlie's son Matt on the left at a strategic point in the water to indicate the route to take. Once we reach Matt we would turn right across the middle and head for the 'viewing area'. We lined up the recovery vehicle with enough straps to recover standed car from any point. One person stood in the water ready to attach it and any time.
We dropped out tyres to 15psi all around to give serious traction with fully loaded vehicles. I'd never run the Patrol this low but I'd never done a water crossing like this either. Each car used a water tarp over the front to help create a bow wave of water and keep the engine a bit drier....if that's possible.
Charlie lined up his GU and headed in. No problem, he drove the planned route without incident. The plan worked!!
Colin waited around 10 minutes for the sand to settle before following suit. Christian followed and all agreed this worked perfectly. The next car wasn't quite so lucky. After reaching Matt and the half-way point he drove straight for the exit and it was too soft. His rear sunk and he stopped. We quickly hooked him up and dragged him out. His engine stayed dry so no harm done.
We were all very relieved to have made it. Hi fives and hugs were shared before we prepared a quick lunch.

After getting each car through Colin lifted the bonnet of our Patrol to find it mostly dry. Amazing considering the depth we were in.
We were able to provide tools to a family in a flooded Patrol. The factory snorkel had not done its job. Luckily the owner was a mechanic and knew that he should now remove his glow plugs and pump the water out of his engine. I hope I see my long series 12mm socket again in a few days.
After lunch we continued North heading for our next camp on the south side of the Jardine River (Jardine National Park)

The not so lucky ones

Posted by TeamBray

Cape York 2014 - Eliot Falls Camp in Jardine National Park

Today (Tuesday) - a sleep-in day followed by the last of our bacon and eggs for breakfast. Hopefully we can re-stock further North in Bamaga. We were getting low on some essential items. Hopefully they sell bug spray as we're on rations.

Hannah spotted some firewood in an abandoned camp so we'll be having a fire tonight!!
After breakfast we walked down to Eliot and Twin Falls. We had a great time exploring them both before walking back to the Saucepan for another swim.

Amanda cooked up some noodles for lunch and then it was time for a chill in the shade. Kids were missing Internet connection and were playing iPod games that didn't require it. How primitive !!
Message from Team Percy on the Sat phone last night was that his parts were in Cairns. Hopefully they get to Cooktown today so repairs can be done tomorrow.

Posted by TeamBray

Cape York 2014 - Old Telegraph Track South

We were up before sunrise once again. Had a quick Brekky (no bacon) and packed up to get to the Bramwell Junction to start the Telegraph Track. We dropped our tyre pressures to 30psi to take the edge off the corrugations.

We pulled up at Bramwell Junction and hopefully an Iced Coffee. We got Diesel ok ($2.20/litre) but the only beverages available were Coke and XXXX. We did manage to pick up a sausage roll for the driver :)
We then hit the Telegraph Track. An iconic track, sure, but mostly narrow tracks with some wash outs, some nice creek crossings ..... so far.
The first creek crossing, Palm Creek, was busy to the left main crossing. We took the right hand track which had a slippery exit but nothing serious. We pulled out a Cruiser behind us. To his credit he was pulling a trailer.

A few creek crossings and healthy corrugations further North and we arrived at Gunshot creek. We thought we were back in a Logan 4x4 park with all the yelling and yeeehaaaas coming out of the creek bed and someone yelling instructions over a megaphone. THE Gunshot wasn't being tackled and looked untouched. We weren't there to be heros so we looked at what the rest were doing. There was a chicken track to the left but all the fun was being had to the right. At the bottom of a small drop was a mud hole which dropped down into the creek bed. We decided we'd give it a try. It looked harmless enough.
Muddy Gun shot - Bogan Method- grab 6 mates loaded with XXXX and have them stand in the Creek to cheer you on. Slide your stock 'toya fitted with your mates muddies and a 6 foot Roo Systems light bar down the drop. Half way down the wall hit the loud pedal and bash and bounce, wheels in the air, through the mud as hard as you can until you land in the creek. Plough through the creek to wash off the mud and wet your mates. From there it's a tight right and climb up the muddy semi technical exit and receive a roaring cheer from the onlookers.
Muddy Gun shot - how we did it. Position wife in creek alongside remaining 'lads' armed with cameras, standing in thigh deep water. Husband drives carefully down wall, gets to mud, reaches for Diff lock switch (should have thought of that sooner) and completes a perfect Patrol stall in the mud hole. Before too many notice the Patrol fires back to life, reverses back a little then simply pushes forward through the slop. The creek bed is firm and it's an easy drive out. With the front diff locked it was an easy climb up the muddy exit. No cheers for this drive, just a comment from the creek bed "ahh, the Patrols do it too easy". Christian followed in much the same way but without the engine stall.
On the other side it was hectic. Cars parked everywhere. A Hilux owner stood up, to watch us pass, with a tail shaft in his hands - he'd obviously been having too much encouragement from XXXX yielding mates. We left Gunshot expecting more but looking forward to relaxing at camp. Eliot Falls camp - only 40km away.

We pulled into Eliot Falls camp feeling exhausted. With only around 100k to go to the top we were still happy to be stopping for 2 nights to chill.
Eliot Falls campground had toilets and water taps near various camp sites which were very handy for washing up.

Eliot Falls Camping

 After setup we walked down to the Saucepan which we heard was a quiet swimming area. The rumours were correct. The water was crystal clear, flowing and warm. No need for a shower today :)
That night we noticed that if you looked around on the ground wearing a head torch you could see many single tiny reflections of light. They were spiders eyes. They were everywhere much to the horror of Hannah.

Posted by TeamBray

Cape York 2014 - Saltwater Creek to Moreton Telegraph Station

After a big sleep-in and a cooked Brekky we set off around 10am for Wenlock River. We continued along Lakefield Road until Musgrave where we met up with the Peninsula Development Road. We quickly realise the more popular development road is much worse than what we had been on.

Saltwater Creek Camp Breakfast TeamBray

After lunch at Coen we had a quick fuel and toilet stop at the Archer River Roadshouse (diesel was $2.25 per litre) and we were on our way to find a camp for the night.

Saltwater Creek Camp Breakfast TeamBray

A Coen local watching us eat lunch

Coen lunch break

If you wanted Milk from Archer River Roadhouse you're in luck .... it's only $6 per litre for fresh milk.

Archer River Roadhouse

Fuel stops so far

After turning Right toward the Lockhart River township we pulled into the Wenlock Free stay (turn right just before the Wenlock river crossing) and found a great camp site on the river. Another car had arrived only seconds before us so we figured we'd leave them in peace and push on to Moreton Telegraph Station.
The road improved later in the day as we turned toward Moreton. For much of the way we could sit on 100-110kmh .... until an oncoming car approached when we were blinded with dust for a few seconds.
We arrived at Moreton Telegraph station at around 4pm and found it to have large grassy areas with lots of shady camp sitses. Toilets and showers will be nice tonight. We're almost 1 day ahead of schedule so we'll spend 2 nights here before tackling the Old Telegraph Track.
News from Team Percy back in Cooktown is that parts for their Jeep are being Air freighted from Melbourne in time for a Wednesday repair. If all goes well they should be on the road Thursday and catch up to us in 2 or 3 days.

Moreton Telegraph Station - TeamBray

TeamBray Camp Moreton Telegraph Station

TeamBray breakfast Moreton Telegraph Station

Upgraded accommodation Moreton Telegraph Station

Walking down to the Barra fishing hole Moreton Telegraph Station

Colin carrying 'sticks' to the Barra fishing hole

Barra fishing hole Moreton Telegraph Station

Nathan eating another Coconut at Moreton Telegraph Station

'Sticks' standing at the flood stick - Moreton Telegraph Station

As we spent the afternoon contemplating tomorrow's start of the Old Telegraph track we heard the skidding of tyres and a crunch from down the road. A quick investigation and we found this guy had lost control and parked in an awkward place. No-one hurt, just a blown tyre. By the look of it he was not the first as the guard rail and Wenlock Creek sign was already wiped out.

Posted by TeamBray