Panda Bear
- Start date: 3 August 2013
- Age When Completed: 35
- Direction Walked: Sectional
General Comments
Due to work commitments, I had to do the hike in 3 sections. Kalamunda to North Bannister (3/8/2013 to 9/8/13 - 7 days), North Bannister to Albany (skipped Balingup to Pemberton) (1/11/13 to 31/11/13 - 31 days) and Balingup to Pemberton (25/12/13 to 31/12/13 - 7 days). I only have 1 rest day at the Warren campsite. It took 45 days for me to complete my sectional E2E.
Food/Supplies Comments
I did food drop on my second leg and sent about 7 food parcels down to various town. Some of them didn’t arrive. If I’m doing another E2E, I will get supply from the town. Much easier that way and you get to eat different foods. I managed to keep my food weight to 600-700g/day.
Favourite Section
Balingup to Pemberton.
Highlights
That would be meeting and seeing the southern ocean the first time from the track. As well as meeting like-minded walkers and formed strong bonds with some of them and still keep in touch and became friends when we are back to the big smoke. Seeing a family of kangaroo early morning with Dad, Mum, Joey and a teenage-roo, that was so lovely.
Personal Reactions
I’m glad I I finished the track from North to South. I will definitely do another E2E on the Bibbulmun in the future.
Wildlife
Snakes, Wallabies, Kangaroos, Snakes, Lizards, Birds, Whales & Dolphins in the southern ocean and more snakes.
Your Best Equipment
My Helinox walking poles and my Iridium satellite phone. I had to call DPAW in the middle of nowhere twice due to smokes near campsite and to confirm the area I’m walking into isn’t due for aerial burn on that day.
Your Worst Equipment
My SPOT satellite tracker malfunctioned on the first day of my 2nd leg (1/11/2013). That was a disappointment as I intended to let people to follow my daily movement online.
Advice for Others
Just do it. If there is a will, there’s a way. Pack light. Start early. When you stop at the town, send off things that you don’t need back home by post.