- Start date: 14 July 2011
- Age When Completed: 54
- Direction Walked: Sectional
- Others in Group:
Richard, Brian and Michelle
General Comments
I felt very intrepid when I started off with my hiking buddies on our first hike of 89kms, from Stirling Road north to Donnelly River. Little did I realise the Track would become a bit of an obsession and that I would eventually finish the whole 1,000 kms! I have traced all my hikes on my Bibb Track wall map and recorded all the details of each hike on the back of the map.
Food/Supplies Comments
We dehydrated our own meals (which we think tasted much nicer!!) and we enjoyed a Devon-shire Tea on the Track for each morning tea. We arranged food drops so we only had to carry a few days food at any time.
Favourite Section
The whole Track is amazing but Northcliffe to Walpole provides the greatest variety over the shortest distance - the tall trees opening up to the wide expanse of the ocean, then back up through the tingles and down to the coast again.
Highlights
Specifically - Lake Maringup and the first glimpse of the ocean approaching Mandalay Beach from the north. Generally - mist at sunrise/campfires at sunset/wildflowers and orchids/tall trees/ anywhere up high with a view.
Personal Reactions
The Track has become an important part of my life. I found completing it challenging - but also achievable - with the support of my amazing hiking buddies. I hope to keep hiking/walking on it as often as I can.
Wildlife
We saw kangaroos, snakes, black cockatoos and a very stubborn pertinent who refused to move off the Track so we could get past.
Your Best Equipment
A good sleeping mat - long, dark nights on the Track provide plenty of time to mull over your choice!
Your Worst Equipment
I didn’t have any particularly bad equipment but as I got more experienced, each replacement purchase was an improvement on what I had been using.
Advice for Others
Take time to enjoy your journey. Write about your day in the book at each shelter while it is still fresh in you mind, then photograph what you have written, as a record of your special experience.