Jukebox Lionkiller
- Start date: 3 April 2014
- Age When Completed: 33
- Direction Walked: North to South
- Others in Group:
Jamie Lyon
General Comments
Being from the Boston MA USA, it was a treat to be visiting a country in such an intimate way. In the woods, having sincere conversations with other walkers, and learning about a place in a way that only walking through it allows.
Food/Supplies Comments
One of the things that hadn’t made it to the US yet (and is still pretty limited) is flavored cans of tuna fish. Our favorite lunch is tuna and crackers and with all the flavors, it kept lunch much more varied.
Dinner, we would often make cous-cous or noodles. In the US we would use ziploc freezer bags and just cook our food in those. Boil up the water, pour it in and let it sit. BAM! instant meal with easy clean-up. We tried to do the same thing on the Bibbulmun and hadn’t tested the bags out beforehand. it didn’t work quite the same way. I remember a fellow hiker, an older gentleman who had hiked quite a bit, watching us and, knowing what was about to happen, swooped in with his cookpot just in time to save most of our dinner. Lesson learned!
Favourite Section
My husband loved the tingle trees but for me, I really enjoyed the walk into and out of the Donnelly River Village. Those Karri trees were like nothing I had ever experienced and it was in that area that I keep picturing them. Not only were they visually stunning but the peppery smell adds a delightful layer of experience and memory!
Highlights
SO MANY!
The people, of course. I regret not writing down each and every person’s name as I can see them all so clearly and enjoyed so many conversations with them but all the names have faded.
Walking toward a shelter late one night and hearing singing and music. I LOVE A SING-A-LONG and this group was not only singing but had created a song book! Most memorable night in a shelter!!
The desert. I have been through a lot of desert in the US and I love them. But I have never been through an area that thrives on fire before. Walking through a landscape that is primarily red, black and green and knowing that it’s a visual example of the fire that the environment needs to survive was/is remarkable.
Learning that you have custard in cartons and that people drink it for breakfast!
Having water at every shelter and toilet paper in quite a few outhouses.
Eating a dinner of fresh fish because of a friendly and generous fisherman!
Personal Reactions
This walk is a treasure and I am so appreciative of it’s existence. When I think of Australia, this experience is what comes to mind and when I think of long walks, this one will always be one of my favorites.
Wildlife
Kangaroos
Wallabys
Kookaburras - I loved hearing them at night as the sun was setting.
Crows - They talk very differently here.
Mice
One snake and I don’t know what it was
Orb Spiders (lots)
Your Best Equipment
Hiking poles. Always my hiking poles. We used Black Diamond.
Your Worst Equipment
For most of the hike, my shoes were fine but they had some mesh for air along the sides. Which, unfortunately let sand in but not out. When we got to the sand dunes, they absorbed SO MUCH SAND that it was difficult to walk.
Advice for Others
Walking is never as easy as you think it will be. Prepare yourself for the emotional challenge of needing to persevere and push through and you’ll be ready for the physical.
The Bib is a unique and magical place that walks through varied terrain and takes you on quite a journey through just a tiny portion of Western Australian. Do not miss the opportunity to get out there and do it. For whatever amount of time you can. It’s a life changing experience.