- Start date: 26 August 2013
- Age When Completed: 64
- Direction Walked: Sectional
General Comments
Before I set off on my ‘end to end’ I had a very informative session in July with Gayle which was a great help. I set off from Kalamunda accompanied by rain, lot of it which chose to keep me company for most of my journey. On my first day I met Rob, “The Camino Refugee’ who proved to be very helpful ‘hut sharer’. He kindly gave me lots of tips on surviving the walks. Walking in soggy wet boots for the first two weeks left me with some interesting blisters, however not bad enough to stop me or slow me down!! My fitness improved as I walked, so by the time I made it to Dwellingup I was ‘in the zone’ and walking with ease. Family concerns had me returning to Perth in September so I finished in Balingup on the 18th. By the 22nd October I was back walking again and fine weather most of the way to Albany, Lake Maringup was open but still ‘damp’, so I got to do plenty of wading
Food/Supplies Comments
I ate lots of 2 minute noodles, muesli, dried fruit and muesli bars and of course a daily chocolate ration, my treat. It was lovely to arrive in town and have a proper meal and glass of wine. I didn’t have food drops, but managed to stock up in the towns.
Favourite Section
Donnelly River to Pemberton.
Personal Reactions
I chose to walk alone but shared campsites with others with the exception of three nights, when I had the shelter to myself, a situation I really appreciated. loved the solitude of the walk and just being out there and would’t have been upset to be alone in the shelters more often. However I did meet some wonderful people and enjoyed their company.
Wildlife
Saw a fes snakes, almost standing on a few of them on cool morning when they were sluggish.
Your Best Equipment
I had a great sleeping bag, lovely and warm. My Spot Tracker was a very comforting thing to have for me and my family!.
Your Worst Equipment
My self-inflating mattress was not thick enough to give me a good nights rest.