- Start date: 20 July 2009
- Age When Completed: 23
- Direction Walked: Sectional
General Comments
I found out about the Track while driving at Mundaring Weir last year and decided to do it. Finished the northern section (Kalamunda - Balingup) in 2009 in 18 days. and the southerns section (Balingup - Albany) in 2010 in 24 days. Great views, beautiful scenery and excellent facilities. Highly recommended. Loved every day on the Track - even if I was wet, cold, tired and hungry, still very happy. Having peace of mind. Very satisfying!
Food/Supplies Comments
Any town with an IGA - no problems with supplies. North Bannister was the worst, but it is only 3 days from Dwellingup so hang in there!
Favourite Section
The south. Denmark to Albany. The Walpole to Peaceful Bay section is also good.
Highlights
1, Crossing the chest deep Torbay Inlet on my second last day. Good thing I had double waterproofed my kit with trash bags.
2, Walking Mazzoletti Beach with a storm brewing. Wind and rain!
3, First sight of the ocean at Mandalay Beach. Overwhelming.
Personal Reactions
Never felt happier! Loved the peace and quiet and great views. When you are alone you think about so many things in life, which are important, which are not. Simple things are the best.
Wildlife
Seen many! (Kangaroos, wallabies, emus, foxes, rabbits, snakes, pigs, many birds, all sorts of insects and the ever annoying bush rats.)
Your Best Equipment
1, My Osprey backpack which was also my pillow!
2, My headlight (always better to have both hands free).
3, A wool balaclava to keep the head warm at night.
Your Worst Equipment
None - if it was bad I wouldn’t have packed it or would have binned it at the next town.
Anything too heavy = BAD.
Advice for Others
1, If you ever thought of walking the Track, stop hesitating and just get out there! Even a bad experience is a good experience (if you are new) and you will not regret it later!
2, Travel light.
3, Alway waterproof your gear. Its all about having a dry set of clothes to sleep in at night and keeping it dry at all cost.
4, Next carry extra food, you need all the energy you can get to climb hills, carry that heavy pack and walk 20-40 km a day!
5, Invest in a good, warm rain jacket or you will lose too much heat and burn too much energy keeping warm.
6, Always bring extra socks/underwear.
7, Carry extra cash to spend in town!