Thunderbird
- Start date: 24 May 2023
- Age When Completed: 37
- Direction Walked: North to South
- Others in Group:
Jessica Bradley (Urban Legend)
General Comments
11/10 would recommend.
Food/Supplies Comments
Best Town Meal:
The Bacon Butty from Wild at Heart Cafe in Pemberton transported me to an alternate universe. Special mentions also to Dwelly Pub, Barn-Zee’s in Collie, and Mr Fosters at Balingup.
Best Camp Meal:
The Sweet Potato Curry by Jessica Bradley. We had this twice and it was our most delicious home-prepped dehydrated meal. I wish I had it for every dinner.
Favourite Section
Hard to split the difference between Balingup to Donnelly River Village and Walpole to Denmark. The magnificent towering trees and the coastal views were spectacular.
Highlights
The harder elements of the trail will form lasting memories for me, partiularly crossing the flooded plains and wading the inlets. Type 2 Fun, I suppose.
Seeing the coast for the first time, including sightings of whales and dolphins, was fantastic.
Meeting different folks with different walks of life was a favourite part of the experience and we were truly grateful for the kindness and support we received along the way.
Personal Reactions
I enjoyed almost every day and never had a moment in which I wanted to quit. Injury threatened to derail our walk toward the end, but some tactical choices allowed me to walk 5 or so days with a light pack allowing sufficient recovery. I was determined to finish and grateful to be able to stroll in to Albany together with Jess.
Wildlife
Regular visits from Scarlet and White Breasted Robins, many Grey Fantails. Birds of Prey. Tons of whales, dolphins. One Quenda. One Echidna. One lonesome snake on the very last day of the trail!
Your Best Equipment
Shoes. I used Asics Sonoma Trail Runners - lightweight, quick drying, supportive. I was rarely footsore except on huge days. Boots need not apply.
Special mention to my Awesome Woodys Cliffboard Micro which helped keep my fingers primed for rock climbing during a relatively lengthy hiatus.
Your Worst Equipment
Goretex Jacket not fit for purpose - too heavy, bulky and hot. Unless it was very cold, I sweated enough for the waterproofing to be void. In future, I would employ one of those big, daggy, ultrasil ponchos and save my Goretex for mountaineering.
Advice for Others
Buy the ticket, take the ride.