In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. Those that walk every step of the way can be registered as end-to-enders. Im just getting the blog off the ground so its good to hear somebody is finding it useful. Suggest you make a post on one of the Bib track sites on facebook as lots of experts there. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. It is named 'Bibbulmun' after a group of . Well be talking & typing all things #tinyhouse #hiking #permaculture #gardening #bushwalking #simpleliving #organic #wastefree #reading. A practice walk of three or more days should give a good indication of how much food you need, otherwise allow about one kilogram of food per day. This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. Many campsites also have a fireplace, but between October and May fires are banned or restricted. I also occasionally use my phone. Its important to ensure your pack fits comfortably and has a good hip belt to keep the weight on your hips rather than on your shoulders. It may be several weeks before you arrive there on foot, so make sure your food parcel is water- and vermin-proof by packing the food in plastic bags, inside plastic boxes, inside another large plastic bag. Once we reach Albany, its a long six hour bus back to Perth and then onwards. But how basic are these village stores? Proud of your achievement. The best word to describe it is pleasant. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! If you are doing more than a day walk on the Track, you will need to take a lot of equipment: sleeping gear, cooking equipment and food, a change of clothing, basic toiletries, a first aid kit and maybe a tent. North to South - South to North: ), while still leaving opportunities to add to my lunch & snack supplies. It was at a travel writing workshop with Susan Storm in early 1998. In the past, Ive hiked with a mix of homemade meals and supplies bought in towns. I also maintain a rigorous stretching routine when Im on multi-day hikes, to keep my legs from seizing up and to protect my knees. It was a useful meeting in that he gave some good key advice on certain sections and we spoke at length about the inlet crossings to be factored in. The Bibbulmun Track often has temporary diversions and permanent realignments for various reasons, which can extend the distance to be walked on any day. If youre not walking alone and have two cars at your disposal, a good strategy is to park a car at each end of the section. After some months now of planning and preparing the walk is almost upon me. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. The Archer family became trapped in their remote cabin when floodwaters rapidly rose last month After three days they hiked out, with three young children, including a baby, to their neighbour's place They are now rebuilding and say they look forward to moving back to their 'rainforest homestead' The Track was radically realigned (retaining less than 10% of the old route) and extended to Albany. Embrace it, and figure out what works for you. If youre an experienced long-distance hiker, you could aim to finish in as little as a month. You will know the right one when it comes along! May 4th 2016 It is the night before (it actually isn't but I am now writing this all in retrospect) and I am so very excited. Food planning & resupplying on the Bibbulmun Track! I was thinking I could toughen up for two nights, but would love to hear from someone who has already walked it as I dont want to regret not bringing a mat when I cant get to sleep. I have met a lot of people with the same foot conformation so, if this applies to you, you may need to choose between sore toes or blisters on your heels. We wont be reaching anywhere near that kind of weight but does make sense to keep it down to the bare minimum with a combination of our existing kit and, where affordable or where it makes sense, new, super lightweight bits and pieces. Sugars and fats might be your enemy in the real world, but theyre your friend on the trail. If youre inspired to try, heres (some of) the info youll need to make it happen. Im just worried about how rocky the sleeping areas are etc. The Bibbulmun Track is a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. It traverses the Darling Range and has inspired reflections about the state of the Western Australian environment by William J. How much food you need to take will depend on your metabolism, how long you are walking for, and which section of the track you are doing. This occurs on the first stretch (on a north to south hike) between Kalamunda and Dwellingup and involves walking for at least 10 days with no opportunities to resupply. Which towns were I planning to have rest days? Cheers, Andrew. My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). Walking the Bibbulmun Track Maps and Guidebooks Leave No Trace is all about promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor travel and recreation through education, research and partnerships. Water is available from tanks at each of the 48 campsites along the. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. As you become more experienced you will get better at knowing what gear works for you. The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. Therefore, if my boots fit well at the heels, my second toes end up getting battered on hikes and eventually, the nails turn black and drop off. This is a very rewarding and quite remote expeditionary hike. It's designed to help decide which part of the 1000 km Track you'd like to walk and to give you all the planning information you need. There are many businesses and organisations along the entire length of the Track that offer goods and services to help you get the most out of your walk, whether it be for a few hours or an epic end-to-end journey. Bibbulmun Track | 9 Section Bibbulmun Track Itinerary, WA Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. For me, that meant getting a pair of custom orthotics from my podiatrist after experiencing some serious arch pain on multi-day hikes in the Darling Range. Anyone with an average level of fitness should be able to complete an end-to-end, so long as they actively manage their body and dont injure themselves. Location/temp range/specific trip description: Seems roughly 0 to 30 degrees C (32-86 degrees F), I'm not very sure though. Slower Hiking 12/9/22 Slower Hiking 12/9/22. Awesome write up thank you! To help you get started on overnight walks the Foundation also has a range of items for hire. In Pemberton purchase two days worth of food to reach Northcliffe. There are plenty of great online resources with more info on long-distance hiking. During the summer months (December to February) very hot weather, low water supplies, and abundant flies can make long walks very uncomfortable and even dangerous. The current incarnation of the Bibbulmun Track was opened to the public in September 1998. It is roughly 1000 kilometers in length. Information for bushwalkers from bushwalkers, by Empacitator Wed 22 Jan, 2014 12:20 am, by Empacitator Fri 24 Jan, 2014 10:58 am, by InspirationOutdoors Mon 27 Jan, 2014 1:33 pm, Return to South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests. So far, our base packs come to approx. The Bibbulmun Track Foundation hires out dehydrators to Western Australian locals for a fortnight. The website also carries excellent suggestions for itineraries ranging from two to six days, with each itinerary including suggestions for day-walks on the Track, as well as sights and attractions to visit. From Perth, there are a couple of public buses that will take us straight to the Northern Terminus of the Bibbulmun Track in Kalamunda. The rest includes a teeny, tiny cooker and gas canister, down jacket, one change of clothes, basic hygiene kit, first aid kit and basic electronics. You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! Many Different Landforms. Many of these groupies were British ex-servicemen who had returned from WWI to find there were no jobs for them. The only bad time to walk the Bibbulmun is summer. Good luck choosing one! Track Angels are locals that support hikers on the track - whether they be end to enders like us, or just doing sections of it - with food drops, accommodation, advice and lifts. The only place you might need to plan ahead is the Kalamunda to Dwellingup section, where the only resupply point is the North Bannister Road House. I have a question about the resupply in towns.. if you dont mind. Bibbulmun guide | Going Solo The Bibbulmun Track is a walking trail located in Western Australia running over 1000km between Kalamunda in the north and Albany in the south. However, although I couldnt live in a country town full time, I enjoy getting out of the city and spending time in the country. WA runner Shane Johnstone breaks Bibbulmun Track record with 1000km in Follow the bright yellow waugyl through towering forests, over creeks and rivers, along wild beaches and up and over some impressive granite features. BT Day 35: Mt Dale to Helena 918.6km (29.3km) June 21, 2021. SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. Use Google Sheets to create and edit online spreadsheets. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. Read More. You get to experience the famous (or infamous!) The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. It is situated in Western Australia starting in the beautiful suburban town of Kalamunda and stretches 1000 km's south down to the historical coastal town of Albany. Life on the Bibbulmun is pretty simple: You wake up each day, walk as far as you can, camp, and repeat. One thru-hike at a time. Able to buy peanut butter, tortilla flatbread and instant pasta meals like those kind of things? I really wouldnt change much. It was the perfect opportunity for me to wind down from the more rugged and draining hikes of the previous few months. Glad you found my post useful. Hey Ben! Bibbulmun Track camp site rebuilt after bushfires Western Australia generally doesnt experience snow or extreme cold, although it can get a little chilly at nights and in the early mornings, so warm clothes and sleeping gear are a must. The solitude and peace on this trail is incredibly unique for one so near civilization. Somewhere in the world: If you want to get the most out of your Bibbulmun Track walk, use it as an opportunity to explore the South Coast of Western Australia . This creates a logistical nightmare. Choose a section of the Track for a day of amazing scenery or challenging walks or, if you're game, tackle the whole Track. I tried to allow at least one rest day in each town to stock up on supplies, do my washing, shower, eat and, most importantly, rest. Im okay with sleeping on a hard surface (we are sleeping in a tent) but would you definitely recommend bringing one? It may be a restricted road or a closed quarantined road within a Disease Risk Area where vehicles are not permitted. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. Its designed to help decide which part of the 1000 km Track youd like to walk and to give you all the planning information you need. If youre attempting an end-to-end for the first time, youll inevitably develop your own way of living on the track that will probably vary a little from the directions in this guide. I just googled the Via Dinarica and it looks amazing! Then bury it. There are eight towns along the way, where well be able to buy supplies, but other than that, well be relying on what we carry to keep us going. Ive decided to walk the Bibbulmun Track! Pemberton to Walpole The section from Pemberton to Walpole is exciting. Matt. On my first attempt at hiking the Bibbulmun Track end to end, I was thwarted by very nasty blisters, caused by my boots being slightly too loose and rubbing on my heels. Personally, I would take one. Shakedown: Bibbulmun Track in September : r/Ultralight I tried to find a balance between: The ethical conundrum of what to buy & where, was so big in my head that I tried to change my itinerary to make sure I reached Northcliffe on a day that the food cooperative was open. One of my favourite places to escape to is a little town called Pemberton, 335 kilometres south of Perth. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Travel from Perth Airport to Fremantle for $4.50, What to take on a multi-day Bibbulmun Track hike. Required fields are marked *. For a thru-hike or multi-day section hike youll need: The key difference between hiking equipment and regular camping equipment is its size and weight. If you are doing more than a day walk on the Track, you will need to take a lot of equipment: sleeping gear, cooking equipment and food, a change of clothing, basic toiletries, a first aid kit and maybe a tent. I love that people do that just for the love of helping. Have booked to complete it later this year. If youre on a tight budget, its still possible to put together a kit with gear from AliExpress and sale items watch this space for gear reviews on how to make that happen! Id actually recommend this option for an end-to-end, because it supports the communities that host you and it saves you from agonising over a nutrition plan before your hike. They have very straight trunks that dont separate into branches until high up near the tops of the trees so they were in great demand for railway sleepers. This occurs on the first stretch (on a north to south hike) between Kalamunda and Dwellingup and involves walking for at least 10 days with no opportunities to resupply. A practice walk of three or more days should give a good indication of how much food you need, otherwise allow about one kilogram of food per day. If youre walking upwards of 20 kilometres a day for weeks at a time, its a battle to keep weight on. Scroll down for a Map of the Bibbulmun Track through Denmark WA. This saved me a lot of stress wondering whether I was on the right track in the absence of waugals. On an excel spreadsheet I mapped out my entire walk highlighting where I was planning to stay each night, how many days I would be on the track, how many nights I would be in each town to provide an overall understanding of where I would be for each day and for each meal. The Bibbulmun Track is a walking trail that stretches from Kalamunda, on the outer reaches of Perth, to the south coast harbour town of Albany. As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! Pictured here is an impressive Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi). (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). This isnt a problem on the outward journey, but on the way back it may be difficult to predict what time (or even what day) youll reach a town on foot. During the workshop, Susan asked everyone to talk about what their dream trip would be. As a traveller from eastern side of Australia doing this hike in pieces wasn't an option. Where were the best opportunities to send parcels, such as to my accomodation spots or visitors centres? So many! Hi Anna, Id read an article about the newly aligned Bibbulmun Track that would be opening later in the year, but hadnt thought much more about it. Open the map and click on a hut and then there is a button to download photos - so do that on Wi-Fi too. Solar chargers arent up to the job, especially on the Bibb where theres so much tree cover. I was happy to eat different mueslis, snacks and lunch meals by the end of the hike. South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfaBZT Q&index=15, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc sp=sharing. If you ever come this way let me know so I can return the favour It allowed me to work out how many meals to dehydrate, pack and post, or alternatively buy in town.. Visitors can go four-wheel driving or mountain biking or fish for trout and marron. How much food you need to take will depend on your metabolism, how long you are walking for, and which section of the track you are doing. Bibbulmun Track (WA) ~ The Long Way's Better Im quite an experienced hiker, and find your blog post very usefull. There are a number of things to consider before setting out on the Track. But be warned, this is not a stroll in the park. Food can add considerably to the weight of one's backpack, significantly affecting the level of enjoyment experienced on the walk. Summer is not recommended as Western Australia has extremely hot dry summers, making it a high-risk fire season. There certainly are! Bibbulmun Track Trip highlights Trek the spectacular South West Australian Coast and enjoy the incredible coastal scenery Enjoy the serenity of the many secluded beaches along the way Immerse yourself amongst the colourful wildflowers in spring Walk beneath the huge turbines of the Albany wind-farm Country towns in Western Australia are spread out throughout this massive state; small pockets of civilisation with miles of bush in between them. A great option to have when the rain hits. The most well-known is the Gloucester Tree, which is located only a couple of kilometres out of Pemberton.Despite not being very confident about heights, I climbed the Gloucester Tree once in the late 1980s so do not feel the need to climb it again. We like to track how the item was listed at the time of the sale. Well be weighing out all our food and making decisions on menus based on the weight/calorie ratio ( and cost will have a small impact on decision-making), to ensure were carrying the most calorie efficient food. We are flying to Perth from London on Qantas new direct flights. I aimed to start my hike in late September and to walk north to south. Therefore, if my boots fit well at the heels, my second toes end up getting battered on hikes and eventually, the nails turn black and drop off. Metal rungs were hammered into the tree trunks to form a spiral ladder leading up to a look out in the canopy of the tree. For example, I discovered from the registers that the Track markers on the Monadnocks (a series of exposed rocky hills) were piles of rocks instead of the usual waugals. While cooking and dehydrating meals took extra time & energy, this allowed me to enjoy meals that were more delicious, full of veggies & legumes, lighter & cheaper than many supermarket options. The Pingerup Plains between Northcliffe and Mandalay Beach are usually inundated in late winter and spring, but many hikers believe its worth a few days of wading to see their magnificent wildflowers in full bloom.