Elmo
- Start date: 28 June 2021
- Age When Completed: 29
- Direction Walked: North to South
General Comments
The weather was not messing around this year! Still, what a beautiful track. I’ll definitely be back to do this again.
Food/Supplies Comments
Dehydrated vegetables and beef jerky (or TVP if you’re not a meat eater) can make just about anything into an excellent track dinner! The Northcliffe Workers Club and the Federation Hotel in Collie were outstanding.
Favourite Section
I loved all of it, for many different reasons, but Walpole to Denmark and Balingup to DRV both stood out for the sheer range of different landscapes the track passes through.
Highlights
Sunrise from the top of Mt Cuthbert. Sunset from Blackwood. The beautiful (terrifying in a storm) Karri forests. Hailstorms in the Pingerup Plains. Watching the ocean from the lookout behind Long Point. Hiking by starlight along Quarram’s Beach. Stargazing from the rock at William Bay.
Personal Reactions
I’m overwhelmed by how beautiful this experience was, and how lucky we are to have this track. The kindness of the people I met along the way blew me away. Thank you so much to all of the vollies, and those who give time, energy and funds to support the track.
Wildlife
Kangaroos, wallabies, emus, a mouse spider or two, feral pigs; so many tiny, beautiful birds. A wedge-tailed eagle! A quokka, a quenda, a tawny frogmouth. Two snakes. The rodent SAS. Dolphins playing in the surf.
Your Best Equipment
My sleeping bag. So warm and cozy, but so hard to leave on a cold morning!
Your Worst Equipment
The poor headlamp that died on me after night-hiking in the rain. Turns out it wasn’t waterproof, though I don’t think it claimed to be.
Advice for Others
Sometimes, things will be overwhelmingly beautiful and great and lovely. Slow down, breathe deep, and let yourself enjoy the moment.
Sometimes, everything will suck and you’ll be sore and tired and the weather will be terrible and you’ll faceplant in the mud. Cry it out, embrace the suck, and remember that it won’t be forever.