Mark de Graff 1972 Trip

That's a top read, Alan!

Walkabout used to have some great stories, with photography to match. Don't know that I'd agree with with his decision to make the trek at that time of the year, but then they didn't have the........was going to say hindsight, the foresight that we have these days, with weather radar and satellite imagery.

He must have been in tune with The Landy's recent thread too, as he appears to have adhered to the 6P principle as well, and planned really methodically.

Was working in the Timber Creek area that year, but don't recall the expedition, or Cyclone Sally. Those were the days, Holden HT ute's, kero fridges, no phones and no bitumen from Willeroo through to the "Golden Gates" (WA/NT border)

Thanks Alan.

Bob.

Strewth what a ripper Al. Imagine that journey on split rims and racing razor blades, yikes. A far cry from what the Canning is today. A pity they didn't mention the condition of the Talawana or Gary Hwy down to Lake Cohen. They just describe it as 4x4 tracks. It would havve been interesting to see it within a decade of Len having cut it.

To be travelling in the height of summer as well. You have to wonder at times yet they had done a lot of planning. The fuel dumps seemed a fair logistical exercise in their own right. I was interested to note that they carried weld mesh in strips across the front of the Landies. That's what I used to haul around in the early 80's as well. Had a series of u shaped hangers under the rack in the ute.

A pretty awesome trip by the sound of it but most tracks were in those days. Even in the 80's, the Beadell Tracks were a significant undertaking. Mind you I can't see the communal bath being introduced to any of our trips soon...or then again.... lol.

What a find Alan and what a trip especially at that time of the year,we were living in Derby at the time and I recall a cyclone but can't remember the name crossing the coast north of us and travelling inland over Mt House station and then on inland ,I guess that could have been the one that caused their problems.
An epic journey and good to see the old Landrovers.

Cheers Dave

Thanks Alan for posting this, it is indeed a fantastic article. Just shows that even way back people were tackling the CSR with gusto.
de Graff was passionate about his tyre choices and was an excellent bushman and anthropologist. Sadly he has disappeared and I haven't been able to track him down.

cheers

Alan,

thanks for finding and posting that. I almost feel motivated to have a look at the CSR after that, although still prefer the road less travelled ;-) Last week we crossed the described route at Well 33, Wiluna and Rawlinna.

What sort of vehicles were they driving? I couldn't quite make out the badges in the photos! Surely they weren't Land Rovers!

Bob

Thanks Al, very interesting read. Do you know if the documentary they were making ever saw the light of day? If it now digitised (somewhere) it would be very interesting viewing.
Seems odd that they didn't just continue south to Willuna instead of heading East the way that they did.
The use of an outrider sounds very familiar to somebody else we know of more recent/current times.

Cheers

Dunc

Wow what a trip - tough men, and tough conditions. Thanks for posting that great read, Alan.
Regards, Graham.