Trip leader Michael McCready

Overnight trip to Chamber’s Pillar during a nearly new moon (1% waxing crescent) that should be good for nighttime photography.

Trip details:

This is at least a 330km round trip, so plan your fuel appropriately. There are no bins at the campground, so anything packed in will need to be packed out. Pets are not permitted in the reserve, so please leave your pets at home.

Saturday, 14 July:
Meet at the Heavy Tree Gap servo for a prompt 09:00 start. Travel down Old South Road to Chambers Pillar. The track can be a bit rough and corrugated with deep sand drifts, so a 4WD and recovery
gear is essential. This even more so after the Finke Race.
Category B camping fees will apply; correct change is advised.
$3.30 per adult
$1.65 per child (5-15 years)
$7.70 per family (2 adults and 4 children)

Sunday, 15 July:
Return to Alice Springs

Food:
It is an overnight trip so you will need appropriate food and water and water for:
Saturday: Lunch and dinner
Sunday: Breakfast
Snacks are at your discretion. Bring more water than you think you need (at least 10L/day/person)! It still gets warm during the day.

Facilities:
fire pits
public toilets
camping
walking tracks
**NOTE: As of May 2018, gas barbecues are no longer available at Chambers Pillar

Once we arrive and set up camp, we can go for a walk/explore or just kick back and relax under a shady tree.
July 14 Sunset: 6:04pm
Moonset: 7:23pm
July 15 Sunrise: 7:16am
Moonrise: 9:05am

The moon is in a 1% waxing crescent on the 14th, and sets at 7:23pm. As it will not rise again until 9:05am the following day it should make for some spectacular views of the Milky Way galaxy above the pillar (provided it isn’t cloudy). If you are planning on taking nighttime photography, a tripod is HIGHLY recommended. Be sure your camera is able to take longer exposures (longer than 10-20 seconds). Higher ISO settings are beneficial, but not necessarily required.

Errata:
There may be flies during the day; plan appropriately.
It WILL get chilly at night
There may not be much firewood on the way in; if you desire a campfire you may want to bring your firewood with you.

Location

Chambers Pillar