Louise Van Wyk (Louise & Jedd)

Completed: 25 September, 2022

Louise Van Wyk thumbnail — **Louise Van Wyk**
Louise & Jedd

Start date: 18 August, 2019
Age When Completed: 33
Direction Walked: Southbound

Track Towns and Supplies

Did you have any issues finding food/supplies? Yes
We got some inspiration from Xtreme Gourmet, and then continued to make a lot of our own meals. Strawberry pop tarts were my favourite for breakfast, cheese & jatz for lunch, and pasta with a packet of tomato soup mix, parmesan and chorizo for dinner.

Your Story or Advice for Others

General Comments
What started off as an overnight hike as a practice for the Cape to Cape turned into a pretty big obsession (still haven't done the Cape to Cape!). Three years later, after 28 weekends - we finished!

Your Best Equipment
Louise - The second sleeping bag I bought (Sea to Summit Spark IV) - much warmer than the first. The fourth pair of shoes (Salomon ultra glide trail runners) coupled with my first ever pair of orthotics - finally, minimal blisters. Jedd - The tent to get away from loud snorers in the shelters.

Your Worst Equipment
The sleeping mat I borrowed for our first weekend - very uncomfortable! On the bright side, at least it made me decide to spend a lot on a comfortable one (so worth it).

Advice for Others
Get out there and do it!

Trip Details

How you completed the Bibbulmun Track:

All at once

Who did you complete the Track with? Solo (primarily)
Was undertaking your hike the PRIMARY/MAIN purpose of your TRAVEL from where you currently live? No

Your Experience

Favourite Section
Tough one between Peaceful Bay to Walpole and Balingup to Donnelly River Village.

Highlight of your trip
So many! The huts with the stunning locations (Waalegh, Murray, Blackwood, Lake Maringup, Frankland...) victory dances when we found a new orchid for the first time, spending the evenings with good company at the huts, every meal after we finished up for the weekend (the Haloumi burger at the Blue Wren probably wins there, or the fish & chips in Walpole), swimming in bright blue water at empty beaches (Conspicuous, Lights Beach), waking up to the birds in the morning, reaching delirious stage when pushing through for a big day and finally getting to camp after those days.