What's your dune climbing technique?

[Cuppa]

Arrived in Birdsville today, camped out of town a bit, down along the river.

Left the Tvan at camp & went out to Big red/Little Red .... whichever - the first one you get to where the bitumen stops.

My first ever sand dune. "Probably not necessary" thought I, "but I'll let the tyres down just in case. Fronts down to 22psi & rears down to 27psi.

Drove up the dune heading away from Birdsville in second low with zero problems - easy peasy.

Down the other side equally easy, although noting that the sand was a lot softer, especially near the top.

I should mention that this was around 3.30pm on a hot sunny day. I knew that the loose/soft sand was looser/softer when hot, but reasoned to myself that we'd seen others coming back with their Simpson desert flags waving, & besides which anyone crossing the Simpson simply couldn't cross all the dunes in the early morning cool of the day.

Well I'm afraid coming back up was such that I was pleased there was no audience other than MrsTea. It took me 7 attempts & I was seriously considering the possibility we would not get back to camp tonight! I had expected to get up in 2nd or 3rd low. But quickly realised that I was going to need more momentum than this allowed. In the end I
got up in 2nd high, foot well down & giving it the berries, & me just a passenger, trying as best I could to stay in the existing wheel tracks. It got me up... just.....but I'm sure I recall reading of folk motoring up the sides of dunes at 2000rpm - taking it easy.

Are most dunes not all soft at the top like this one was, am I just a crap novice dune driver, or is crossing ones chest, yelling "BANZAI" & planting the right boot standard procedure?