Day 26

The day started with a quick fix to reattach the carburettor on the Baja which was moving forward each time the accelerator was pressed. This may have contributed to an alternator problem of 48 hours previously where a wire had melted through and was earthing on the carb causing the alternator warning light to come on.

The driving started OK with about 30km of reasonable tarmac, but as we attempted to fnd the right road out of the next town, we were directed onto a badly rutted track which had several alternative tracks across open ground to the east of the town. After stopping about 2km out of town to replace the previously welded front damper on the Baja and confirming with a passing car that we were on the right route, we returned to town to fill our fuel tanks and stock up on drinking water.

We then drove for about 220km at an average of 30kmph over sand, clay and the remains of a surfaced road with crators up to a metre deep. Tonight all the cars are coated inside and out with fine dust, and air filters clogged with the same.

Lat 48 27 N
Long 55 20 E
Dist 7160km

Will need to adjust distance travelled as odometer is under reading due to larger than standard wheels.