GETTING THERE

Fifteen power dinghy racers drove from Perth in The Bus through Thursday night  to the Murchison River,  with the intention of navigating the lower reaches of the river over the next four days.

Coolcalalaya Road follows the river from the North West Coastal Highway all the way to  the Mullewa Road and it was intended to drive along this road and start upriver as far as possible.  Water across the road only a few kilometres from the Highway turnoff forced a change of plans and a change of Start Point back to the Galena Bridge on the Highway.  This forced change was of little consequence to the overall aim of navigating the entire length of the river because the previous expedition in 1994 had finished at the Galena Bridge. Covering the 125 kilometres of river below Galena Bridge to Kalbarri would complete the first journey (by any means) along the length of the Murchison River.
 

The Bus arrived at the Galena Bridge just before daybreak. 

Two hours were allowed to prepare the boats, clean out and repack The Bus, prepare breakfast, make lunches and plan the first leg.
 

Sunrise
 

Phil Hargrave’s ducky was not a purpose-built race boat but had performed admirably in the 1994 Murchison River Expedition.  However, with the expected rapids and standing waves it was deemed wise to put some drain holes in it.

Shane Kelly and “Techscrew” Tony Overstone cut two holes in the transom that, while not ideal, were better than having none at all.  This emergency modification was made without fuss and without delaying the departure.

While all this was being done Kim Epton was sorting out the crew combinations.

“Tay was having second thoughts about going in the boat so I hightailed it to the top of roof rack and Snooksie drew the short straw.” - Kim Thorson.

Mike Lenz and Dave Snooks were in the Nav Boat.  Cliff Hills was driving his rubber duck, teamed with John Haynes; Bill Breheny was driving his blue skinned inflatable with Cameron Wilkie as his co-driver; Adrian Bock was teamed with Scott Overstone; and Shane Kelly was driving Phil Hargrave’s V-hull inflatable. 
 

Stretch checks out the water level