End-to-Enders gather for the 2006 reunion
We are always looking for stories for both our website and member's newsletter 'Bibbulmun News'.
Why not email your story of adventure? Photos are more than welcome!
Click on the headings to read some of the stories from walkers.They are not listed in any particular order.
Todd and Dawn Hike the Bibbulmun Track - video
Dawn and Todd are Americans who had been teaching English in Korea. After living in the Seoul Megatropolis, they say it was great to have an intense nature break. "Waking up to birdsong every morning. Being surrounded by trees all day instead of high-rises. Walking the organic trail instead of pounding the pavement. It sorted us right out." Click the title to watch the video.
A Walk Along the South-Coast, by John Cannon of Tasmania
John Cannon and his five companions undertook a walk of about 120 kms from Mandalay Beach to the Parry Beach Inlet. In this article, John describes the beautiful scenery of the South Coast and gives his impressions of the Track.
"Our Bibbulmun Trek"
An online diary of the End-to-End of the Herbert family.From 1 April to 18 June 2002 the family of five (Ricky and Leanne, Callum aged 8, Lachlan aged 7 and Niamh aged 4) walked from Albany to Kalamunda.
A Walk from Dwellingup to Collie, August 2003, by Ce Kealley from Perth.
Chris Piggford and Ce Kealley are long-time maintenance volunteers on the Bibbulmun Track. In August 2003, they set out with their friends Alan and Eugene to walk the section of the Track between Dwellingup and Collie, as part of their ‘sectional’ end-to end plans.
A Walker’s Philosophy, by Peter Laud of WA.
Peter has walked several sections of the Track over the years. The following is a collection of reminiscences, his reasons for walking and his thoughts on some of the benefits that his relationship with the Track has brought him.
Bibbulmun Experience, by Adrian Cazalet of Hambledon, England.
Adrian is an experienced walker who has previously walked the Appalachian Trail in the USA and written a book about his experiences. He did his end- to- end walk of the Bibbulmun Track between September 21st and November 9th 2005. These are some of his thoughts.
Me & Gryglie’s Bear, by Elsie Grygiel of WA.
Elsie Grygiel completed a 60-day solo end-to-end walk in September/October 2005. This in itself was great achievement, but this is not just the story of a walk; it is a story is of love, devotion, determination, self-belief and immense courage. The Bibbulmun Track Foundation is very proud to count Elsie as one of our “End-to-Enders”.
Mother and Daughter End-to-End, by Esme Kent of Perth
End-to-Ender Esme (who describes herself as a “Bibbul-mum”) and her eldest daughter walked the Track from Albany to Kalamunda in 56 days, to celebrate her 60th birthday. The advice she gives to those considering walking the Track is brilliant, and forms the final six words of this article.
Amateur Backpacker makes it to Kalamunda, by Brian Toward of Kent, England.
Brian completed a South-to-North end-to-end walk in the autumn of 2005. He walked under the Track name of “Mr. Zippy”. What follows are his somewhat unconventional memories of his journey!
Romance and Roughing It! Our Honeymoon on the Bibbulmun Track, by Tim Park and Anna Cangemi
Tim and Anna spent their honeymoon walking from Karri Valley Resort to Walpole, between November the 9th and the 19th, 2003. They are sharing their memories of just one day. I wonder why!
The Canberra Three by Neville, David and Timothy of Canberra.
Neville Esau, David Large and Timothy Walsh are three bushwalkers from Canberra who walked from Pemberton to Kalamunda in 2003. In 2004, Neville and Timothy walked from Kalamunda to Collie. These are their comments.
Claude Burro's End-to-End journey of Thornlie
When Claude finished he wanted to try to capture the emotion and euphoria felt and didn't want to lose it or forget it so sat down and poured out his thoughts and feelings. here is what he felt it was all about, what he went through and how he felt.
Keith Carmody of Toronto NSW with 'Simply Messing' with boats on the inlet
“…there is nothing – absolute nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats …” (Kenneth Grahame – The Wind in the Willows)
Students Conquer Bibbulmun Track Challenge
Nine students from the Albany Secondary Education Support Centre embarked on an epic five-day trek of discovery walking a 70km stretch of the Bibbulmun Track between Denmark and Albany.
Geelong Bushwalking Club
A group of twenty-seven avid lovers of the bush, from the Geelong Bushwalking Club, recently took a trip through the south-west of WA. In just ten days they managed to pack in Cape Leeuwin, a section of the Cape to Cape Track, Donnelly River Village, sections of the Bibbulmun Track around Donnelly, Pemberton and Walpole, the Tree Top Walk and the Stirling Ranges! The very positive comments in this account make delightful reading, and we are very happy to see that at least one of the group has vowed to become a Bibbulmun Track end-to-ender. In addition the Bibbulmun Track Foundation would like to thank the group for their very generous donation. Please come back, you will be welcome on the Track any time!
No Wet Pinkies
You may have read “Three Men In A Boat” by Jerome K. Jerome. This tale starts with four men and two boats, if canoes count as boats! Four friends take a walk from Peaceful Bay to Torbay. They had to survive snakes and mozzies, getting lost and losing each other, but their wine and food stood them in good stead, and they clearly enjoyed the wildflowers, the scenery and the clear waters of the Southern Ocean.
Students Conquer Bibbulmun Track Challenge
Read about nine students from the Albany Secondary Education Support Centre embarked on an epic five-day trek of discovery walking a 70km stretch of the Bibbulmun Track between Denmark and Albany.
Reflections and Highlights - by Gary Keymer
Gary and Elaine Keymer walked the whole of the Track in 58 days during the Autumn of 2006. In this article they describe the wildlife and the many varieties of plants and flowers they observed, the magnificence of the scenery in general and the their experiences with regard to the people that they met on their journey.
Our first overnight Trek
In 2002, Richard and Colleen Clayden, together with two friends, took the big step of staying out overnight for the first time on the Track. This account covers their first impressions and contains some good advice related to fires, snakes and getting lost! As many others have found, walking on the Track is addictive, and Richard and Colleen are now, five years later, “End-to Enders” and very experienced Bibbulmun walkers.
Reflection of the Bibbulmun Track
Lionel Lovell writes a short poem about his sectional end-to-end experience.
'Postscript'
Chok Lui walked the whole of the Track between October 2003 and January 2007. The various stages, drop-offs and pick-ups required careful planning. His “postscript” describes some of the emotions and feelings that such an endeavour can generate.
Uluru and Lief
Uluru and Lief, aka Jacqui and Lief, travelled from the USA to spend three weeks walking on the Track between June 1st and June 20th 2006. Their journey took them from Albany to Pemberton. The website also contains the journal of Michael and Megan from New Zealand, who walked the whole trail north to south between August 17th and September 25th 2005. Both couples had many fascinating encounters along the way, human and non-human, and they all thoroughly enjoyed their time on the Track. Read their story.
David Miller Story
A chance meeting with David Miller on the Bibbulmun Track proved lucky for four young students from the USA. It enabled them to combine some walking on the Track with an introduction to many of the other tourist features of WA’s south-west.
Bibbulmun Track becomes a Family Tradition
The Bibbulmun Track is more than just a walk trail to Richard and Pippa Moore and their five children, with the parents and two of the girls already end-to-enders. In this account Pippa describes how the Track has become an integral part of their family life.
Corker's Story
Brigid and Thor Schjolden from Darwin (might there be a hint of Scandinavian origin there?) had a wonderful experience in walking the Track, and even composed a song in celebration of their achievement. Many of their comments will strike a chord with other end- to-enders