Cape York or bust May 2012

[blkd4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close blkd4d]

for everyone who has been there or who is going you just cant beat this

[JoshF Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoshF]

Same, going June/July next year too.

Going in about 4 weeks

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

I guess someone has to go first. After the first crossing, this sounds like a sensible precaution.

Given Derek lost momentum for less than a minute, it seems you would have to snatch them all the way across the creek to be safe. From the vids I've seen, I doubt that is practical? How did you prepare for the snatch Steven?

LFaR.

We sent my brother-in-law's hilux with twin lockers across first. He made it - just.

https://vimeo.com/26653327

So I got two snatch straps together - just the right length - and attached my car to his before entering the water. Definitely needed, too! I started to float at the back... no traction once that happens!

[Brett1979 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Brett1979]

Awesome trip report Derek with great photos. Palm Ck sounds like a real doozy at the moment. My side steps are already bent so bending one up even more is no big deal, and I like the sound of having to use a winch on the first crossing. By the way, terrific news that your car is repairable, mate. I'll have my fingers crossed for you that it all works out and you get your weapon back.

[derek11 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close derek11]

Thanks everybody for your replies and glad you all enjoyed the read. I forgot to mention about a swamp on the left hand side of the track between Cockatoo Creek and Fruitbat Falls, can't remember the name but there is a little sign. When i came up thru there in 2004 i stopped there for no reason and lots of turtles came to the waters edge. I remembered this and wanted to show Helga, we stopped and stood by the waters edge, after about a minute or 2, lots of turtles started to swim up to the bank, 6 to 8 turtles were there and Helga was amazed. If you go past this place stop to have a look, the kids will enjoy this.



With regards to our Prado i'm led to believe a fried ecm, and been told they are in the cabin area. Helga's side was the most affected side with water, so maybe the ecm is on that side.
At Nolans the safest way across is to be snatched from one side to the other, once you stop moving the water will pour in, at a metre deep the pressure of the water will overcome the door seals easily.

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

... I forgot to mention about a swamp on the left hand side of the track between Cockatoo Creek and Fruitbat Falls, can't remember the name but there is a little sign. ...

Sheldon's Lagoon is its name.

[Fabes Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fabes]

Thank you for the detailed report we were really enjoying it until you advised that the Prado some what sank.... Good on you for continuing on and getting to the top. Thanks for the great photos. Hope your car is repaired to your satisfaction.

[derek11 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close derek11]

An update on the Prado, we rang the insurance company Tuesday arvo 29th May and went straight to message bank, rang again this morning and was told that they had lost our Prado and only found it yesterday arvo so it could get to the assessors/repairs. Got a phone call today 10 minutes ago asking how high the water in the cab, and why fuel tanks are almost full etc etc. Being in Darwin and not knowing whats going on and the insurance company also based here is giving me grey hairs, now i know where it is i should find out tomorrow whether i still keep my Prado.

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Sorry to read this...leaving for the Cape myself in 5 weeks, have always intended NOT to do Nolans...I value my shiny 150 far to much to attempt that!!

But thanks otherwise for the update and great report

[PLAYDOH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PLAYDOH]

Hey derek11 how have you gone with your insurance claim any word yet? If you don't mind me asking are you with TIO? I'd be interested to know how they have treated you once you made your initial call up until now. If you prefer to PM me that is fine.

[derek11 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close derek11]

Hi Playdo, The insurance claim with TIO went thru all good and got abit more than i expected, their service to us was good considering we were at the Cape and they are in Darwin. We didnt list all the assessories for the Prado so my fault there but can remove most of them before auction and they also gave an extra 5k (for the extras we cannot remove ). Looking for another 150 Prado now and might have found a good one in QLD. We are happy with TIO and their service.

P.S i'll be uploading some more photos of the trip this wednesday on my shift change day, some of the drowning as well.

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

So it was a write-off, after all? Sorry, if I missed it in the thread. The last I read, it sounded like the insurance company was going to repair it.

LFaR.

[PLAYDOH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PLAYDOH]

Looking for another 150 Prado now and might have found a good one in QLD. We are happy with TIO and their service.

We are with TIO through our insurance broker and we talked about possibly changing over, but we decided to stay with them, we had been asked how they are but I can't really comment as I haven't had to deal with them yet.

P.S i'll be uploading some more photos of the trip this wednesday on my shift change day, some of the drowning as well.

Sounds good mate, you can never have to many photo's. I've enjoyed reading about your trip especially seeing as you are from/in Darwin. Again it's a shame to lose your pride and joy to a river crossing but that is what is insurance is for end of the day.

[derek11 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close derek11]

So it was a write-off, after all? Sorry, if I missed it in the thread. The last I read, it sounded like the insurance company was going to repair it.

LFaR.

The toyota dealer in Townsville had it for 4/5 days before they decided it was a write-off so only found out just before flying to work. You didn't miss a thread, that was the first chance i had to write it here. Got some good photos off Pete from the trip that i will put up soon.

[derek11 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close derek11]

this is around Canal Creek.