Jacqui J
- Start date: 20 September 2014
- Age When Completed: 50
- Direction Walked: Sectional
- Others in Group:
No others, I was on my own.
General Comments
I started the track from Kalamunda with a group of girlfriends on a day trip to Mundaring. I then completed this section once more with another friend. The weekend after I planned to complete my first 5 days solo from Mundaring to Sullivan Rock. Those first 3 days I thought where going to kill me but I persisted. I made it over Mt Cuthbert and Mt Vincent to Sullivan Rock. Where my pickup was waiting for me. I loved the experience. Good fortune was with me and I had a chance to continue the following week which I did. This time from Sullivan Rock to Dwellingup completing my first ‘double hut’ into Dwellingup a long day of 36 kms. I wanted to go further but I had work commitments and had to wait until the following year for the Easter Holidays. Then there was the bushfires that raged through parts of the Dwellingup Track so I waylaid the Bibbulmun and completed the Cape to Cape. October holidays came and I was planning to get back on the Track at Dwellingup and continue for two weeks to Collie. But it wasn’t enough and I decided to take a term off work without pay and keep walking to Albany. I have just completed this section on the 28th Nov 2015.
Food/Supplies Comments
At first I carried way too much food. There wasn’t much imagination all freeze dried, soups porridge and a decent scroggin bag. In hindsight should have gone to the cooking classes.
Favourite Section
Pingerup Plains for its heathlands and diverse plant life and the Irwin Inlet through the Showgrounds, wished I only got there to see it in full flowering bloom.
Highlights
Always the views from the tops of the hills/mountains and along the coastal cliffs.
Personal Reactions
Was surprised that I did not come across a lot of people along the way. But the people I met where always interesting and I picked up a lot of helpful knowledge and experience from them.
Wildlife
So many species of birds need to download a bird book. Never enough. But my favourite is the snake I have total respect for them my count was 24 none of them were aggressive towards me. Only one echidna half a dozen emus with chicks.
Your Best Equipment
My sleeping bag, walking poles and my jet boil.
Your Worst Equipment
Need to upgrade my backpack but it did the job.
Advice for Others
Listen to other experienced trekkers on the trail and ask whats ahead. You don’t have to heed their advice but just keep your mind open.