- Start date: 5 May 2016
- Age When Completed: 51
- Direction Walked: North to South
General Comments
The Bibbulmun Track is an incredible resource for those that love hiking and I am so fortunate to have it (almost) in my own backyard. I have done lots of day and overnight hikes but being able to do it as an End to End was just wonderful. It truly showcases WA. Thanks to all of the volunteers, Visitor Centres, track town residents and The Bibbulmun Track Foundation who support the Track and its users so enthusiastically. Big, big thanks!
Food/Supplies Comments
I went out and bought a dehydrator and proceeded to dehydrate and vacuum pack all of my meals and snacks. I used a great website called The Backpacking Chef- brilliant resource.
Favourite dehydrated novelty item - blended frozen raspberries and greek youghurt.
I think I had about 50 breakfasts of porridge with various nuts/seeds/dried fruit - I still love it!
Fave lunch was dehydrated hummus with crackers (those little cheese triangles were pretty awesome too).
Fave dinner- chilli with extra veges.
Ultimately favourite food item- the Whittakers Peanut Slab - seriously the very BEST thing to come out of New Zealand.
I did some topping up in the track towns with rolls, boiled eggs, fruit, cheese, etc. Did I mention the Whittakers Peanut Slab? Every track town managed to have one!!
Favourite Section
Too hard, so many great sections - every day in fact had something special about it! I did love my Collie to Balingup stint and the magnificent (inundated) Pingerup Plains though.
Fave huts - Blackwood for that rolling mist, Schafer for its dam and ability to put on a sunset/sunrise and Lake Maringup for the constant bird song.
Highlights
Too many…. but to name a few…. the dewy, sparkly spider webs early morning on the Pingerup Plains - it looked like the whole plains had been decorated for a party, the smell of the sun hitting the trees out of Pemberton, the summit of Mt Pingerup being above the canopy, the solitude of walking for days on end alone, the owl at Mt Dale campsite…. so many moments.
Personal Reactions
I feel so energised after experiencing this adventure, I feel fit, I feel strong, I feel self sufficient, I am in awe of it.
Wildlife
10 000 kangaroos mainly in The Showgrounds south of Denmark - well 100’s actually, but there were a lot.
1 sleepy snake and 2 sluggish ticks, several super speedy emus and a few unidentified marsupials that went at various speeds.
100 000 birds- I don’t think that’s actually an exaggeration!
Your Best Equipment
1. Poles
2. Thermos (lightweight Oasis Brand $29.99 at the Denmark Co-Op, my luxury item that was awesome over and over again.
3. Salomon trek shoes- they have proved themselves over thousands of km’s.
Your Worst Equipment
My gaiter front fixation clips sawed my shoe laces (quick lacing style) into dental floss!
Advice for Others
Don’t hesitate, seize the opportunity and walk the walk that YOU want.