Mandy McConnell (Girl Friday)

Track Towns and Supplies

• How many days did you stay in Track Towns? 4
• Did you have any issues finding food/supplies? No
• Although I found dehydrated meals weren't readily available in some towns such as Pemberton

Particular Track Towns that you would return to:

• Dwellingup
• Pemberton
• Denmark
• Albany

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Your Story or Advice for Others

General Comments
I spent several months planning as it was my first solo multi day hike and I generally hike with my husband. Therefore, minimal weight was extremely important. I'm glad I was solo as the experience helped build self-confidence, self-reliance, and was a special experience for me. I was also glad I went SOBO as reaching Mandalay Beach was emotional and an absolutely, unforgettable moment. Once I committed to walking the Bibb I decided on fundraising for Endometriosis Australia- walking 1000km for my daughter who suffers from Endo gave me such a sense of purpose and I ended up raising over $10,700!

Your Best Equipment
Durston Tent, Toaks pot, umbrella, Altra Lone Peak Trail Runners, Montbell Versalite Jacket, Peanut butter jar for protein shakes.

Your Worst Equipment
Nil

Advice for Others
I would definitely advise people to join the Bibbulmun Foundation & also do the online E2E webinar. My mentor, Jim, was a wealth of knowledge & helped me finalise my itinerary as well as answer numerous questions, pick up my food drop and met me at Sullivans Rock. After, the 'big picture' plan is done, my advice is to stay flexible, take rest days regularly, listen to your body and take 1 day at a time. I found an average of 20km/day was manageable (although I did have two 30+km days) and enjoyed getting to a shelter at lunch - having a 'Toaks shower' without anyone around & then resting & reflecting in the afternoon. My other advice is not talk anyone else into going with you- it seemed that people who weren’t 100% motivated struggled mentally and physically.

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Trip Details

How you completed the Bibbulmun Track:

• All at once

• How many days did it take you to complete the Track? 53
• 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? Yes
• What first prompted you to walk the Bibbulmun Track? Other website
  

What did you use to navigate the Track?

• BT Maps
• App (please specify)
• - Bibbulmun

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Your Experience

• Availability of information: Excellent
• Amount of Wildlife Encountered: Good

Favourite Section
Woolbales to Long Point

Highlight of your trip
Memorable moments included; reaching Mandalay Beach in wild weather, seeing the ocean & realising how far I had walked, Mazzoletti Beach in brilliant sunshine, being surprised with the halfway sign on my 63rd birthday, the view from Blackwood shelter, morning mist on the river at Murray, my husband walking to meet me on the track near Giants (after not seeing him for 45 days!), the emotion I felt when ringing the bell in Albany.

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