Greetings from Western Australia! It has taken a while coming, but here is the first posting of my Bibbulmun Track attempt; Section One – Kalamunda to Brookton Shelter.
Friday, 27th September 2013: Day 1
I was up and out early; no fanfare, no send off. Kevin, Sue and James were at work, and Cameron was sound asleep in his pit; it all seemed a little anti-climatic for my 50th birthday.
After my train and bus ride, I arrived in Kalamunda and wandered to the Perth Hills Visitor Centre to sign the log book for the walk. The staff there were extremely supportive and I even got my photograph taken for the next Bibbulmun Track Foundation newsletter. They asked that I come back at the end of it all and tell them my thoughts on the trail.
I wandered to the Northern Terminus of the track, lingered a while in the hope a passer by could take a photo to mark the occasion but alas I had to suffice with a lonely shot of my bag propped up against the sign.
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I set off at 11:15 am, it was to be a short day to acclimatise to walking with a heavy pack but I was soon feeling it in the midday heat. I figured it would take a while to get away from built up suburban areas, but was pleased to see this was not the case. From the terminal, it was through a small section of scrub to Spring Road, where you veer right, descending passed an old golf course and down a creek towards Piesse Brook.
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I was delighted to see, contrary to what I had been told by some bloke at the airport, the wildflowers were out, and it eased the mind having something beautiful to focus on, making the labour more bearable.
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Add to that, the streams were running nicely, and that was a comfort.
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When I climbed up from Piesse Brook, I took my first break half way. This was bloody hard yakka!
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The struggle eased when the track levelled out a little, a gentler incline through the Jarrah and Marri Forests of the Kalamunda National Park. Good paths, though, and the regular waugals and signage kept me from straying.
I crossed a dirt track named Fern Road, the first access point for day walkers and an escape route for those wishing to bail on their Bibbulmun thru hike.
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Back into woodland, I managed to bump into some tourists taking a camel ride. I was nearing Paul’s Camel Farm, on Pauls Valley Road, where I was intending to take a break. The farm has a cafe, and I couldn’t turn down the opportunity of a cup of tea, a slice of cake, and the use of a proper flushing toilet, especially as this was to be my last for a week or so.
Fed and watered, I continued on, through a shady patch of Banksia, across Asher Road, and then a descent to my home for the night. 45 minutes from the camel farm, and I was at Hewitts Hill Hut.
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Now, before I embarked on this adventure, I envisaged that one of my biggest challenges was going to be spending nights alone on the track. To my utter amazement I had spent four of my five nights alone on the Overland Track, and I had not slept all that well. For my first night on the Bibbulmun, however, I had no such worries, and when I arrived I found I had the company of Diane and Erica, two Aussie bushwalkers on an overnight from Mundaring Weir.
I took the lower bunk in the shelter, and began an orderly routine that, all being well, I would be undertaking every night for the next two months; unpack, set up my sleeping arrangements, wash and change into camp clothes, collect water, cook, eat, chill out and then sleep.
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First impressions of the campsites and the three sided shelter systems were favourable. Sure, it meant the the local wildlife could wander in, on this occasion a cocky magpie who had taken an interest in my cooking. I was also impressed by the drop toilets. I was soon to find that quite a few of them were kept supplied with toilet paper, by the track volunteers, although I wouldn’t depend on it!
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The nights, at this time of year, close in quickly, and I was soon in bed around 7 pm, with my Kindle. There was just time for two more arrivals, though, a father and son, who took the bunk above.
Saturday, 28th September 2013: Day 2
I slept little, it would take a few days to get used to a routine, and was out on the trail at 7.15 am. There was a touch of mist early on, as I made my way to Mundaring Weir.
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As I approached the weir, my SPOT batteries ran out. They were rechargeables, and not up to the job, obviously, so I had to think of a way to get off the trail and get some new ones!
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Luckily, Diane and Erica caught up with me at the weir and I asked them to give me a lift to a town with a supermarket. Mundaring did the trick; a rush into Coles supermarket, and then the two ladies kindly dropped me back at the track. I will always be grateful for their help!
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Onwards, I met a group of four, Paul and his son Nathan, and Tony and his son, Mitch. For the rest of the day, we were to bump into each other.
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I lunched at Ball Creek Shelter, and then onto Helena. As we neared the end, we passed a group of thirteen, and mindful of the shelter space, we stepped up the pace to beat them to the hut.
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It was great to have company once again, with Tony, Paul etc. but the thirteen turned out to be a bible group and their religious rants and singing weren’t appreciated. Once again, when the light disappeared, about 6:30 pm, those in the hut were tucked up in bed, whilst the bible group carried on around the camp fire, holding a little prayer session and sing song. Not really appropriate given they were in mixed company.
Sunday, 29th September 2013: Day 3
Set off at 7 am, first one out. First obstacle of the day would be Chinamans Gully, a rocky descent.
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Chinamans Gully was a tough climb out; up to 300m before descending to the Helena River. Then came a gradual ascent that was more to my liking.
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Got to Waalegh about 11:15 am where I had some lunch. The rest of today was fairly flat. Two blisters were beginning to form on each little toe, but they hardly hampered my pace, and I had the beautiful wildflowers to distract me.
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I arrived at Beraking at 2.15 pm. Cold and breezy, I spent the afternoon eating. The bible club turned up and because of the weather, quite a few of them opted to squeeze into the shelter and it was very crowded come dinner time.
Monday, 30th September 2013: Day 4
7:15 am, on my way after saying goodbye to Tony, Paul, Nathan and Mitch; good company for two days.
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On my way out, I spotted my first kangaroo; always a special moment, but sadly, no photo. No matter, I was thoroughly enjoying the riot of yellow that was lining my way on this section!
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By about 10:20 am, I was surprised to be passed by Tony and Mitch, going at quite a pace to Dale Road, where they would be picked up. Despite its name, Mount Dale isn’t such a climb, and it was pretty easy.
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I lunched at Mt. Dale Campsite and the remainder of the day was flat and no dramas, but hot in the afternoon sun. I arrived at Brookton Campsite at 1:45 pm. With the bank holiday finished, this was to be my first night alone.
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I was in bed by 6:30 pm, as the sun set, and read for a while before dozing off only to be awoken around ten by a barking noise; not that of a dog, but of some bush animal having a bit of a territory dispute.
To be continued…