Progress Report
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Click here to download a ZIP file of all the Google Earth points of Michael's reported locations,and clicking on the GPS coordinates below will allow you to download the individual Google Earth points (KMZs).
(Please note that the location of the Old Andado point on the large map is different from those listed in Google Earth - which I have visually confirmed. The true point is further south so his trek appears (at first) to be heading too far south. I do not know why this discrepancy exists, but the points I have marked are accurate.)
Date |
Trek Day |
Location |
Approx. distance start |
Approx. distance to destination |
Approx distance covered since last point. |
| 24th June 2008 | 2 |
24 31' 49" South, 139 7' 24" East |
40 |
371 |
40 |
| 26th June 2008 | 4 |
24 41' 13" South, 138 41' 25" East |
87 |
325 |
47 |
| 28th June 2008 | 6 |
24 45' 8" South, 138 30' 16" East |
107 |
305 |
20 |
| 30th June 2008 | 8 |
24 47' 9" South, 138 23' 35" East |
119 |
294 |
12 |
| 2nd July 2008 | 10 |
24 50' 7" South, 138 9' 58" East |
141 |
269 |
22 |
| 4th July 2008 | 12 |
24 52' 28" South, 137 51' 39" East |
172 |
239 |
29 |
| 6th July 2008 | 14 |
24 55' 37" South, 137 33' 52" East |
203 |
208 |
31 |
| 8th July 2008 | 16 |
24 59' 43" South, 137 10' 25" East |
243 |
168 |
40 |
| 10th July 2008 | 18 |
25 3' 7" South, 136 48' 3" East |
280 |
129 |
37 |
| 12th July 2008 | 20 |
25 10' 39" South, 136 21' 15" East |
314 |
95 |
34 |
| 14th July 2008 | 22 |
25 17' 28" South, 135 52' 19" East |
364 |
45 |
34 |
| 15th July 2008 | 24 |
25 20' 47" South, 135 36' 45" East |
391 |
18 |
27 |
Diary - From the Alice Springs end during the trek...
24th June 2008 (Day 2)
Message received from Michael that he was 40km west south-west of Bedourie. Telephone call dropped out. Yesterday he got his first puncture on the cart tyre.
26th June 2008 (Day 4)
Michael rang and advised he was at Willkannen Bore He said that the last four days had been more demanding than he'd imagined, but expected it would get better from here on in. At this point the phone cut out.
28th June 2008 (Day 6)
Michael called in late afternoon with an update. He'd crossed the Mulliagn River 2 days prior and had topped up his water supply, and food supplies were also fine. The cart weight was around 150kg right now. Again the telephone call was cut short, but he sounded fine.
30th June 2008 (Day 8)
Message came through that all was well.
2nd July 2008 (Day 10)
No progress report today though other than coordinates.
4th July 2008 (Day 12)
Michael reports that all is well. Once again telephone call was cut short.
6th July 2008 (Day 14)
Michael told me that whilst everything is overall OK, he was really tired - exhausted every day - and felt as though he was digging into his physical reserves just to keep going. Currently consuming 5 litres of water per day but couldreally use another 2 litres per day, but has only enough water for another 10 days so will conserve it. Food supply levels OK.reports that all is well. Michael lost a spoke on on of the wheels but this is not a problem.
Once again telephone call was cut short.
8th July 2008 (Day 16)
Received a call from Michael at around 5.00pm today. The call was not cut off early so I had a good chat about the status of the trek. Unlike the last few hot days, today was considerably cooler due to SW winds and made travel much easier. Yesterday he was concerned about the amount of water that was being consumed and he would like to have, yet today water consumption was reduced and a greater distance covered. He tells me that whilst his legs are really tired he is travelling overall very well. He is happy with his progress.
Temperatures at night are dropping close to zero but this is not a problem.
He's currently around 38km from Geosurvey HIll, which in turn is around 140km from Old Andado.
Overall, things are good with Michael and the supplies.
10th July 2008 (Day 18)
Another 5pm call from Michael who is currently 38kms from Geosurvey Hill - with around 140km to the final destination of Old Andado. Water and food supplies are good, happy with his progress, and he is well. He expects to reach Old Andado late Wednesday coming and will confirm his actual arrival time on the day.
12th July 2008 (Day 20)
Michael rang in today stating that there was only around 95km to go to Old Andado (the destination) which should be 4 full days of walking. He said that it was warming up again, and those of us who've been watching the weather reports can confirm this. (Why didnt he take a television with him again?...) There is a moderate NE breeze and the sand hills aren't as high, so the going isn't too bad, but tomorrow is likely to be warmer again.
When we get extra airtime, I ask him about other matters such as his health, food and water supplies, and the equipment. He told me that the tyre walls on the cart are thinning but not enough to be a problem. I asked him what food he was looking forward to most upon his return - it started as "two large steaks..." then we got cut off. He seems well and excited to be wrapping up the journey soon.
14th July 2008 (Day 22)
Only received a text message from Michael today with his location, and that there is barely 45km between him and those two steaks (poetic license...).
15th July 2008 (Day 23)
Brief chat with Michael who is looking forward to getting home - with only 18km to Old Andado. He expects to walk in shortly after lunch tomorrow. All is well with him, food & water, and the buggy, and that today was a good day.
16th July 2008 (Day 24)
Today Michael arrived at Old Andado Station around lunchtime. The trip was described overall as great.
