Little Bear
- Start date: 10 April 2023
- Age When Completed: 57
- Direction Walked: North to South
- Others in Group:
Just me most of the way.
General Comments
Beautifully maintained track with clear signage - only strayed a couple of times due to not paying attention. Wonderful diversity of landscapes and flora. Loved all my interactions with fellow hikers. Glorious autumn weather most of the time.
Food/Supplies Comments
Had 7 food parcels with homemade dehydrated dinners, wraps for lunch, porridge/muesli breakfast, trail mix & muesli bars for snacks. Resupplied by family & friends (Sullivans Rock, Dwellingup, Collie, Walpole, Denmark) and mailed a couple to DRV and Northcliffe. Good resupply options in the track towns, so might do more of that in future.
Favourite Section
Northcliffe-Walpole-Peaceful Bay
Highlights
Setting out in the mornings on my own in the midst of nature
Watching two wedgetail eagles soaring around atop Boonering Hill.
Sitting on a log on a sunny still afternoon, hearing only the crackle of red tail cockatoos feasting on marri nuts.
Surprise visit by my kids in Pemberton on Mothers Day.
Walking with friends & family between Broke Inlet Rd and Peaceful Bay.
Personal Reactions
Loved the solitude, peace and quiet and tried to engage with nature by not listening to audio. But did notice that my happiest memories seem to relate to meeting up with friends & family, or reaching track towns, so I must be more of a people person than I think.
Wildlife
Fauna: Lots of roos, cockatoos, robins, wrens, eagles, frogs, couple of emus, one snake. Also sadly a few feral pigs and cats.
Flora: Not much in the way of flowers, but loads of fungi!
Your Best Equipment
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60L backpack
Sea to Summit ultralight sleeping mat
Sea to Summit Spark III sleeping bag
Macpac ultralight down jacket
Macpac Tempo rain jacket
Sea to Summit ultrasil poncho
Dan Durston Xmid Pro 2 tent
Keens hiking shoes
Your Worst Equipment
Old gortex jacket which soaked through in half an hour. Swapped it out for a Macpac Tempo.
Advice for Others
Just get out there on this wonderful track, for a day or two, or treat yourself to an end-to-end.
Forums are great places for advice. Fellow hikers are kind and supportive.
It is worth trying to get your kit as light as possible, to make the journey more enjoyable.