The Finke Experience

     So next weekend is the Finke Desert Race which takes place between Alice Springs and the community of Finke. People come from all over to race bikes, quads, cars, and buggies. I went last year to the start line for the cars and buggies, which was quite exciting. The more popular thing to do though is camp along the over 200km long race track through the desert scrub between Alice Springs and Finke. There is a parallel bush road to the track and people camp alongside that bush road the entire way. I didn't go last year as I didn't know many folks yet and the one friend I had made was away for the weekend. I did go to the start line last year with my bushwalking buddy, but he wasn't keen to camp as it was cold and rainy that weekend. Yes, it does get cold in the desert, but nothing like a Canadian winter, so no big deal for me. This year will be completely different - I know a ton of people and we have several of us heading out to camp together along the track, and it should be a total blast!
     The buggies are worth a half a million bucks if you can believe that, but they are so exciting to watch bouncing down the trail, vrroooomm! I didn't get to see the bikes or quads last year, so this year it will be new for me. It's also well known to be quite a piss up (drunk) which can be both exciting and annoying if you find yourself camped next to a group of rowdies, so choosing a good campsite will be very important. No services on the bush road either, so we have to bring everything, and boy am I glad I hung on to my portable toilet seat. I went out and bought a small shovel to go with it, as the rule is here, crap where you like, but bury it when you are done, so one must head off into the bush with the toilet seat, the shovel and some toilet paper. The toilet seat will come in real handy as it has legs so you don't have to squat/hover...I know men have it easy, they can just stand up and whiz, but women have a far more difficult task and as one gets more intoxicated, it becomes quite a difficult task, so the seat will hopefully help a great deal.

billy can

     I've been adding to my camping gear stock each time I head out, and have managed to gather a good collection of stuff to make camping a pleasant experience for all. I have a good bit of kitchen gear for outdoor cooking - no plastic plates or paper cups for me! I have not yet bought a billy can as I have a nice set of pots from Mountain Equipment Coop back home that works just as well, if not better. I may buy one at some point just for the novelty of it as they are super popular here in Australia. I also have a dual burner stove, a single burner stove, and a portable barbecue, so lots to cook on. I haven't had to use them much at campgrounds as they provide free gas barbecues at most of them. Well, at least their version of a barbecue. I like the open grill. I've been through a few tents and chairs so far, but have a real nice chair and am on my third tent. I've also had to replace the first table I bought. It was a nice table, but with repeated use, and cheap fittings, the plastic broke and the table became very unstable, which is not good when your supper is sitting on it, or the cookstove is boiling the kettle. I bought a better table in WA when my sis and I were camping out. I've also been using my foamie that I had in the Karma van which is not too bad on it's own, but I could use some more thickness. I might see about a better one that is not as wide and thicker. The ground is hard underneath when you're bush camping - no grassy spots to find, only prickly spinifex grass which is like needles.
     It will be awesome to be out under the stars again, so I hope the sky doesn't cloud over. Campgrounds are dark enough most of the time, but to be away from all artificial light will be just amazing. I've been able to find the Southern Cross every night, along with a few other constellations I hadn't seen before. We'll be on the last quarter of the moon next weekend, so won't get much brightness from that. Of course, we'll have a campfire, candles, lanterns and such, but because the landscape is so very flat around here when you're away from the mountain ranges, the sky is enormous! I shall be taking my good camera with me for some awesome photos.



the desert track

taking the bumps

bikes lining up

start line in Alice Springs

tearing up the dirt!

vrrrrrrooommm!

racing along the track

    So I've included some photos here from the internet of the race in past years. I'll be posting my own after we return from the races. I just wanted to put in a few here to give you an idea of what the race track and vehicles are like. Vrrooooommmm!