Gordon River Crossing

[pazzar]

I was just wondering what the crossing of the Gordon River on the way to Gordonvale is like. How long is it, and is it uncrossable while the river is up? I am taking a few friends up to Lake Rhona and they were asking about the crossing. I'm sure a bit of water wont hurt them though

[stepbystep]

See here for the most benign of conditions http://www.youtube.com/user/THEDIGITALS ... zBwyio1qtk
When it's low you can wade across ankle deep, after a few days rain you could be stuck on the wrong side for days as the floodplain is wide and the river impassable.
Having said that there is a big tree across the river so you don't have to get your boots wet see last 2 pics in this gallery http://picasaweb.google.com.au/11705262 ... LakeRhona#
The tree will get washed away this winter but I'm sure there hasn't been enough rain to flood the river since I was there
Best to plan for an extra couple of nights food and have a PLB if things get too bad.
Have fun....

[pazzar]

Thanks for that. We are heading just after Easter, so unless we get some big rains we should be alright

[ILUVSWTAS]

Yup, you should be right mate! SBS's video gives you a good idea of the river. It's generally very tame!
My only trip to Rhona was at the end of winter, had snow at the lake which was very pretty but got me quite freaked out about the river crossing. So I flew out of there the next day tail between my legs to find the water level had actually gone down! It was freezing cold, but still under knee deep.

Just wait til NORTS sees this thread though, he has a nice little story about being stranded at this spot......

[stepbystep]

See this link http://picasaweb.google.com.au/pidasms/BattlementHills# for some pics of Gordon in flood, it does get worse than this too.

[prickle]

Hi

I have a couple of friends that did that walk weekend before last .. I'll ask them what it was like and let you know tomorrow

Stuart

[pazzar]

Thanks for that - also what is the protest situation like on Florentine Road? It seems they are focused on the Weld Valley at the moment, so hopefully they stay away for a bit

[prickle]

Hi

I have a couple of friends that did that walk weekend before last .. I'll ask them what it was like and let you know tomorrow

Stuart

"Last weekend it was fine less than a metre deep, probably as easy as it gets" ... hm not real wordy is he but hopefully it gives an idea of what it's like

As far as weather from the last few weeks this might help

http://www.eldersweather.com.au/tas/wes ... rathgordon and here http://www.eldersweather.com.au/dailysu ... e&lc=97053

Stuart

[Azza]

Last weekend it was fine less than a metre deep, probably as easy as it gets" ...

Its always been ankle deep when I've gone in. Sounds like its up a little bit.

Actually except for that one time in September when it was a raging torrent of flood water..

[Beeper]

Around knee deep or less is typical summer flow, over 1 metre and beyond is normal winter flow. Unless the flow is placid I wouldn't jump in.

[alliecat]

See this thread also. There are a couple of graphs of river level there that are interesting.

One thing to note is that if there is any significant rainfall at all, the river can rise suddenly. It can easily rise 1-2 metres in 6-12 hours (or less), and stay there for days if the rainfall is sustained. Since this can happen any time of year, don't just assume that because it's summer, the river will be low - the key thing is recent rainfall. So pay close attention to the forecast and if you get a decent bit of rain while you're on the other side of the river, be prepared for it to be high and flowing fast.

Cheers,
Alliecat

[pazzar]

Turns out there is currently a huge tree across the river that can be used to cross. Wasn't too deep to wade in any case. I must say the toilet situation at the lake is getting beyond a joke. You have to watch every step around the campsites, as some campers are getting so lazy that they dont even bother digging a hole anymore. Often it was just the business with a rock on top. Its definately time PWS put a toilet tank in there. I was talking to people on my way in, and they were saying that there were over 20 tents in over the Easter weekend, and continuous groups after that, surely that justifies a well used campsite?

[tastrax]

.... Alternatively we could get some of the track rangers off the Overland Track and send them into more remote areas to keep educating users on doing the right thing re hygiene.

At one time track rangers were employed in these less well known areas as well as the "high profile" tracks... I assume that funding has meant that these have been dropped over the years.

Maybe this could be a trial area for a concerted "Poo tube" campaign??

[walkinTas]

Maybe this could be a trial area for a concerted "Poo tube" campaign??

Sounds good to me Phil. It really annoys me that people go to all that trouble to walk into paradise just to crap all over it. So yes, make them carry it back out.

[pazzar]

I have read about the "poo tube". I guess it could work up there, I think you may find that people will choose to ignore that in many cases though. I think the best option is definately a fly-in tank. Lets hope PWS get a generous allowance in the next budget. The poo tube will just be another item to carry, and if it is enforced, people may choose just not visit instead.

[stepbystep]

I have read about the "poo tube". I guess it could work up there, I think you may find that people will choose to ignore that in many cases though. I think the best option is definately a fly-in tank. Lets hope PWS get a generous allowance in the next budget. The poo tube will just be another item to carry, and if it is enforced, people may choose just not visit instead.

Agreed, this is a practical attitude, Rhona is a magnet, as it should be - but it's neither remote or manageable.
Signs and facilities will be the only resolution for this magical place!

[walkinTas]

Pazzar, SbS I do agree with you both, a permanent toilet is probably the only real solution. It is so annoying and so frustrating that people can't have the common decency to clean up after themselves. There is no inexpensive way to make people take responsibility and no easy way to police any rules requiring them to do so.

[stepbystep]

Pazzar, SbS I do agree with you both, a permanent toilet is probably the only real solution. It is so annoying and so frustrating that people can't have the common decency to clean up after themselves. There is no inexpensive way to make people take responsibility and no easy way to police any rules requiring them to do so.

Unfortunately, I have a scary suspicion with LR that because the toilet would have to be 20 mins return from campsite to be out of watershed, lazy/dodgy bushwalkers will still do the wrong thing.
The only time I NEEDED to escape the watershed at an inconvenient time it took half an hour in a thunderstorm. and wasn't pleasant - I am concerned this will/does put people off.

A realistic solution to the problem has to be a conveniently located loo that doesn't affect water sources......that's a question for a creative and scientific mind!!!

Cheers,sbs