Hedley
- Start date: 23 September 2015
- Age When Completed: 66
- Direction Walked: North to South
- Others in Group:
Lari
General Comments
This was my 4th E2E and it just never ceases to amaze me how beautiful our South West is. I walked with my buddy Lari. We have walked the Camino Frances and the Via de la Plata in Spain but this was our first Bibbulmun E2E together. And somehow I it will not be our last.
Food/Supplies Comments
We both prepared cooked and dehydrated our food prior to the journey. Our choices were basically the same food we would eat at home. The only proviso being that all meat products had to be minced so that they rehydrate, chunky meat does not rehydrate well. All vegetables were either cooked or blanched then dehydrated. Everything is packaged individually then daily meals put together with other daily supplies then dispatched to the various supply drops. This can be as simple or as complex as you want but simple works as the last thing you want is a complex rehydration and cooking process after a long day walking.
Favourite Section
This has to be anywhere in the southern forests particularly the Karri, Marri and Tingle trees but I specifically love along beside the Donnelly River from Tom Road to the base of the mongrel hill before Beavis.
Highlights
Being accosted by the Reid Family with their (Trail Magic). After a long double from DRV with 1.4 km to go we were welcome into Chappel Road picnic/camping area and give ice cold drinks and all manner of fresh baked products etc. They even offered to cook us a meal. What a lovely family and we loved what they set out to do by providing a bit of MAGIC on the Track.
Personal Reactions
The interaction between the many varied people you meet walking the Track is fantastic. Always friendly and helpful with experiences and knowledge shared from the first timer to the repeat offenders with never a harsh word from anyone.
Wildlife
Very limited wildlife seen on this occasion. As always there were plenty of roos, particularly along the South coast. Even the snake numbers were down this time with the high of 4 in one day from Torbay to Mutton Bird.
Your Best Equipment
Without a doubt my Big Agnes tent. This was used extensively as are fudge from the March flies, Mozzies and other creepy crawlies that attempted to use us a food source. Also essential for the diversions or burnt out shelters we encountered this trip.
Your Worst Equipment
None to speak of as I think I have just about got it right now on my 4th E2E.
Advice for Others
Speak to as many people as you can, particularly the folks at the Foundation, before you set off. If possible do some overnight walks on the Track, there is invariably someone there willing to share their knowledge. Participate in some of the day walks with the foundation as once again the people conducting the walks are a fountain of knowledge.
Take only half of the stuff you think you might need then half it again. You will be amazed at how little you really need. Wear wool clothing, good Merino wool products are fantastic as they are both lightweight and warm, will dry very easily and best of all don’t smell even after days of repeated wear.