William Taylor (bilbo taylor)
Completed: 12 December, 2019
bilbo taylor
- Start date: 7 October, 2019
- Age When Completed: 51
- Direction Walked: Southbound
Track Towns and Supplies
- Did you have any issues finding food/supplies? Yes
- I didn't do any food drops as I couldn't afford the postage etc. as I live off a pension, however, I was able to find what I needed in track towns along the way and it was reasonably affordable
Your Story or Advice for Others
General CommentsIt was an amazing journey from the north through the Darling Range filled with wild flowers and mountains to the coast in Albany. What a beautiful way to experience the West Australian bush and wildlife. The Track and the shelters where exceptionally well maintained and the water at each shelter was clean and drinkable (I didn't even filter it). I also had the pleasure of being the first (i think) person to stay at the newly completed (The afternoon before I arrived) shelter at Sand Patch, the last camp before Albany. I got to talk to the parks guy who came to sign off on the build and learn how much planning design and cost each new shelter costs, and how much effort and care all the volunteers and others put into maintaining and creating this world-class walk. It's so rare to find such a cost-effective, beautiful and well-maintained hike, I feel so blessed to have this incredible resource on my doorstep in Perth, and want to thank all the generations of Bibbulmun Track volunteers for having the vision and dedication to this incredible walk, enabling thousands of people from all over the world to experience the beautiful and special WA bush.
Your Best Equipment
MY best equipment was my hiking poles that saved my knees and my Altra Trail runners which were so comfortable and gave me a blister-free walk. Also just having a Jetboil for cooking eating and drinking was great.
Advice for Others
My advice is to take your time, think about what you actually need as opposed to what you think you need (to be honest you don't need that much to survive) and try and get your pack down to the lightest weight possible, it will make you hike more enjoyable.
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
This is a hard question? there was so much to like in all the sections, however I think my favourite sections where the ruggedness, striking rock formations, mountain views and beautiful wildflowers through the Darling Ranges, and then the contrast of emerging from the forests to the swampy marshlands of the Pingerup Plains to the emergence of the coast and beaches from Northcliffe to Walpole.
Highlight of your trip
There are so many things I remember from the hike but the things that stick indelibly in my mind are the wildflowers, rivers, rocks and mountains. The crystal ocean waters and vast deserted beaches, sand dunes and the faerie gardens of the coastal heathlands, and the emu's, kangaroos, parrots and tiny wrens and robbin redbreasts and yes even the beautiful snakes.