- Start date: 12 April 2014
- Age When Completed: 69
- Direction Walked: South to North
- Others in Group:
Dave Shiers end to end.
Kerry Ong Albany to Denmark section
General Comments
This was my first real effort on the track and was very satisfying to make it and end-to-end without any real drama. The support from my wife Beryl with food drops at towns and our rendezvous along the way including in the bush near Dog Pool was superb and made it so much better.
Food/Supplies Comments
I used a combination of purchased freeze-dried packs and Bibbulmun “Food in a Fuel Stove” recipes I pre-packaged. I supplemented these with perishables when in towns and my wife came with some special treats.
Favourite Section
Every part was great but I loved from the SW highway south of Giants right through to Walpole. I also liked the old rail formations when I could stretch my stride and quicken the tempo to burn those kilometres.
Highlights
Waalegh was great for its location, the views, and the welcoming Perth lights reflecting in the western night sky as I neared the end. I had a cloudless night in early June but it was surprisingly warm. In the morning there was mist in the valley. As I walked on it cleared and the sun rays through the Wandoo trees was magic.
Personal Reactions
This trail, if walked over multi-days with a full pack, is no Sunday stroll in the bush for weekend tourist types. I now better understand and respect everyone who has completed and end-to-end, either continuous or in large sections.
Wildlife
I particularly enjoyed the many sounds of the birds on the west side of Mount Hallowell.
Your Best Equipment
My Keen boots were great and I had no water blisters. My Deuter pack was also great.
Your Worst Equipment
Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink was pretty useless.
Advice for Others
Don’t obsess about your pack weight in outright kilo terms. We are all different and what is heavy for you might not be for me. Aim for a pack of 25% of your body weight when loaded up for a new section (it will drop as food goes) but make sure your BMI is good (i.e. don’t carry extra body kilos) and make sure you are reasonably fit at the start.