Ben Connelly

Completed: 15 June 2006

  • Start date: 20 April 2006
  • Age When Completed: 24
  • Direction Walked: North to South

General Comments

Met excellent people from all walks of life. I conquered a drug addiction and have not looked back.  Celebrated my 24th birthday at White Horse Hills campsite.  Pushed my limits and found I can do anything. Discovered a lot about myself.  Have never felt healthier in my life, and I am now the happiest person.  Found all I really need is food and family, you learn quickly what you do and do not need. Started the walk with 30 kg in my pack and ended with 14 kg.

Favourite Section

The track got better as I went, but definitely from Conspicuous Cliffs onwards was great.

Highlights

The people I met, especially Father Stan who performed a mass at Swamp Oak and Chadora.  Seeing the ocean after 700kms of walking.  Eating.  Discovering what the human body can do and becoming a different and better person.

Personal Reactions

Awe, appreciation and wonder.

Wildlife

Saw a sow with piglets, the quendas at Gringer Creek and Torbay, realizing we have quokkas on the mainland (at Warren campsite), possums at Beedalup.

Your Best Equipment

A stick I picked up along the way.

Your Worst Equipment

The screw on Kathmandu gas burner stopped working 5 days into my walk, I then bought a Trangia (a very good decision).

Advice for Others

You can never do too much planning, write a daily journal for yourself so that you can look back on your adventures.