Spiker
- Start date: 28 September 2023
- Age When Completed: 69
- Direction Walked: North to South
- Others in Group:
Sara Nelson
General Comments
We had an amazing adventure on the Bib! Were fortunate enough to walk it end to end, including wading Wilson Inlet!
Food/Supplies Comments
We resupplied along the way, and a big thank you to all the visitor centers for carrying the backcountry dinners! We got creative filling in the rest of what we needed from the local markets, and always found enough to get us to the next stop.
Favourite Section
Walpole to Denmark, and the views of the Southern Ocean.
Highlights
The eucalypt forests, kangaroos, cockatoos, old pubs, orchids, the Southern Ocean, new friends, stunning white sand beaches.
Personal Reactions
Unlike any other through-hike I’ve done. The “green tunnel” was mentally challenging at times, as I’m used to long views, so the southern section was easier in that respect. The Australian hills were much easier than expected. Enjoyed camping near the huts, meeting other hikers and drinking the tank rainwater.
Wildlife
Roos, wallabies, parrots and cockatoos, 2 Huntsman spiders, mostly the tail ends of snakes as they left the track, ah, and the flies…
Your Best Equipment
My old friend a Ula Catalyst pack, over 10K km with it by now.
Your Worst Equipment
My gear is pretty well dialed in by now, and I’m happy with it all.
Advice for Others
Train with weighted pack as much as you can before, it will make the first week so much easier and you likely won’t get injured. Go as light as you possibly can!!!!! Bring a tent for a more peaceful sleep. Trail runners (Altra Lone Peaks) work fine.