- Start date: 29 June 2009
- Age When Completed: 60
- Direction Walked: Sectional
- Others in Group:
Neil Musso, Neil Lester and Tony Free.
General Comments
Thanks to the volunteers. The Track is a credit to you all. We had talked about doing some of the Bibbulmun for 10 years before we actually managed to do some. Afterwards we couldn’t work out what took us so long.
Food/Supplies Comments
We were only on the Track for a week at a time so resupply was not usually an issue. Commercial dehydrated meals were good but experimenting with fresh cooked meals early into the trek was fun.
Favourite Section
Walpole to Boat Harbour for its variety. It has a bit of everything.
Trees, farmland, ocean views, canoeing, beach walk and wildlife.
Schafer campsite deserves a mention for its dam (bath).
Highlights
The company of good friends, the people we meet and the campfires with a glass of port.
We will never forget the 2 inches of rain that dumped on us during hour one of day one of trek one. Nor the fireplace that afternoon at the pub in Collie and how good the beer tasted.
Personal Reactions
It has been a very rewarding experience. It was very hard to do the trek in May 2013 as it was only a few months after my only grandchild, Olivia (11 weeks) passed away from SIDS. The Track didn’t take my mind off things so much, but helped me to express and vent my grief. She is still with me when I walk. But in a much gentler way.
Wildlife
We didn’t see a lot, but did see 3 little pigs near Dog Pool. The few snakes were always exciting. We did manage to see some parrots and hear some kookaburras in the distance. The birds dropping gum nuts on the roof of the Warren shelter was interesting.
Your Best Equipment
My Exped down mat. A good night’s sleep every time. Also, my walking pole stopped me tripping over more times than I could keep count of.
Your Worst Equipment
An ill fitting backpack early on. I am not a fan of ponchos.
Advice for Others
Stop making excuses and just do some, even if it is only a day trip. It doesn’t matter how busy you are, if you really want to do something then plan for it. Do some training with your backpack on.