Stu Knox (StuK)

Completed: 23 September, 2018

Start date: 8 November, 2016
Age When Completed: 57
Direction Walked: Both

Track Towns and Supplies

Did you have any issues finding food/supplies? Yes
I started out with Back Country Cuisine dehydrated meals and gas cooking, but moved on to home dehydrating and super light alcohol stove cooking. I think through-hiking gear is a progression from thinking what will work best to knowing what doesn't work and figuring out improvements that suit the way you walk.

Your Story or Advice for Others

General Comments
I completed the track in four sections. Collie to Pemberton (with my wife), Albany to Pemberton (by myself), Dwellingup to Collie (with my wife), Dwellingup to Kalamunda (by myself). When walking by myself, my experience of the Bibb tended to range from WTF I am doing out here all by myself to WOW! I am really glad I am out here all by myself. Mostly, the latter. With the right gear, it is a meditation punctuated by jaw-dropping scenery/views and (mostly) wonderful experiences/people.

Your Best Equipment
My good buddies were a trusty Aarn Effortless Rhythm backpack & Innov8 Roclite 345 boots (those boots were comfy from day 1 and are still going great). And I really liked my wet weather poncho after I figured out how to put it on in a gale while wearing a backpack.

Advice for Others
I met a guy not far from Albany who was nearing completion of an end-to end in something like 28 days. He asked me if I had seen any snakes. I said I had seen three that day. He complained that he hadn't seen any the entire trip. I thought, well no wonder if you are charging down the track trying to get to the other end as fast as you can. My advice, take your time and take it easy. There's a lot out there to enjoy, especially if you let go of where you think you should be.

Trip Details

How you completed the Bibbulmun Track:

In sections

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
What first prompted you to walk the Bibbulmun Track? Other

Your Experience

Favourite Section
When the track hit the beach for the first time, I went wow it's the beach! When the track hit the beach for the umpteenth time, I went oh god it's the beach again. So I think my favourite section was the calm shade and grandeur of the Tingle forests between Giants and Frankland River.

Highlight of your trip
Over a 1000kms, there are really too many highlights to mention. There's often another one around every corner or atop the next hill. That said, don't pass up the chance to take the spur trail up to the top of Boonerring Hill, just north of White Horse Hills. The overwhelming scent of honey from the blossoms on top of Mt Cooke was awesome. And I really liked going over Mt Vincent and Mt Cuthbert with a serene little saddle in between the two.