Walking the Finke River: salinity of waterholes?

[psychonaute]

Hi fellow bushwalker,

I'm Planning to walk the Finke river from stuart Highway to Glen Helen gorges

My concern is about the salinity of the waterholes which would be the main source of water supply.

Do you have any idea of the walk is doable?

My background: I walked the 18 000km stretching from France to Australia. a 7 years walk during which I gain an extensive experience of self-sufficient trekking in deep wilderness, including the arid/desert environment (Kazakhstan steppes, Taklamakan desert, Tibetan High plateau)
- Website: http://www.toutenmarchant.com
- Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/toutenmarchant

Hope you'll take time to share you expertise
Killian

[psychonaute]

here is a link of the planned trip with the waterholes: https://www.google.fr/maps/@-23.8864758,132.5659049,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!6m1!1s1HJjum3CTfKTe83pqN6dt32802yY

[Eremophila]

Hi Psychonaute,

when are you planning to undertake the trip? Depending on recent rains, not all surface water may be potable.

Not sure about salinity, usually just a high mineral content, however some parts of the river are infested with Athol/Athel Pine which secretes salt and this may affect surface water.

Are you planning on speaking to the various landholders, pastoral and Aboriginal, before you commence? There are maps available showing freehold/leasehold/Aboriginal landholdings.

[psychonaute]

Hi Eremophila,

What do you mean by

Depending on recent rains, not all surface water may be potable.

With the water filter I use, bacteria et viruses are not a concern but mineral/salt/chemicals are.

I will be in approx 2 or 3 weeks from now. I heard that there as been more rain than usual in the region lately so I hope the water level will be good. Yeah I heard also about this Pine tree issue, which is not really an encouraging point.

I applied online for permit to central land council, Hope there won't be any issue with that.

[eggs]

I have seen recent footage from Alice Springs of the Todd in flood - you could be in for a lot more than a few waterholes to contend with...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-02/social-media-joy-as-todd-river-flows-through-alice-springs/7470740

Last edited by eggs on Fri 03 Jun, 2016 5:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[psychonaute]

wow cool makes this walk almost too easy now haha. Will be a pain to filter such muddy water though.

[Giddy_up]

wow cool makes this walk almost too easy now haha. Will be a pain to filter such muddy water though.

Not as painful as having no water

[psychonaute]

Not as painful as having no water

haha correct

Now I'm considering walking the entire length of the river, right from the point where the river bed disappear into the Simpson desert (few dozen km past Finke city)

Alice Spring News told me they would interested to cover the walk (if I succeed they said haha)

[Giddy_up]

It sure sounds like an epic adventure and if it's rained, it's time to do it. Something to consider with the rain falling in that part of the world. The rain will make the bugs more active even with it being winter, so a head net or insect repellent just might be pretty handy.

All the best with it too

[psychonaute]

I have my head net ready, and my body hair protect the rest haha

[Eremophila]

Well it looks like you'll be fine for water. If there had not been rain for a long time, some of the waterholes would have been dried up or very brackish, particularly in parts of the national park where there are feral horses.

You will be traversing through cattle stations as well as Aboriginal land - the landholders would probably appreciate you seeking their permission.

Finke/Aputula is not a "city" but a small Aboriginal community.

Good luck on your trek, you will see some beautiful sights. The oldest river in the world!