Whileiwasoutwalking

Day 45: THE END

Day 44: am I done

Bibbulmum’s diary 2021

Day 44: Am I done ? 

36.9km to go

Share the Dignity blurb: 

I want to take time again to thank all who have donated to @share the Dignity  - valuable contributions helping girls and women in personal situations which prevent them from participating in society because having their period not recognised as a right,  a privilege and a continuum of life is sad.  Not being able to manage your personal hygiene must be a debilitating situation excluding you from daily life leaving you ostracised and vulnerable.  Imagine if today, your contribution made the difference in one woman for one month,  how that could impact her psychologically for the good. https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/fundraisers/estellebancroft/whileiwasoutwalking

Hiker Challenge blurb:

I wake this morning wondering if I walk all the way to Albany aided by a lift around the inlet which shortens the kilometres (not sure yet but might be 4km, who cares when you done 980km 🤣🤣, or spend a night at Sandpatch last hut). 

When you have walked 980km - the toss up is not between distance of 2 different days but rather time.  Time it takes on a certain type of terrain, and sand is not easy and the paths are narrow, those conditions make for a longer day but the distance stays the same 🙈. For me at this stage, 12km (distance from Sandpatch to Albany) is the same as 24km (from Mutton Bird) it’s how much time it takes. Let’s see how today pans out 

Day 36 - Showgrounds or bay walk?

Bibbulmum’s diary 2021

Day 36: Peaceful Bay to Boat Harbour 880km DONE ! 123km to go

Peaceful bay beach vs Showgrounds 

My verdict is in .... which I would do again and definitely not the other one - click on my link to my charity,  leave a donation if you haven’t already - and find out which way I’d walk again anytime 

Rame head to Peaceful Bay was a good decision.  In 2019 I double hutted boat harbour to Rame Head and arrived wrecked at Rame Head and said never again.  With peaceful bay closing for renovations (something I found out while on trail about 7 days out from expecting to sidle into the peaceful bay caravan park and purchase their famous fish and chips ) forced me to find alternate accommodation - I managed to wangle a chalet at half the price and had a wonderful noise free solo (no backpacker vibe) night to myself !!

The following morning I headed with purpose  for the beach walk around peaceful bay 4.4km but somehow I took a wrong turn out of chalets and ended up on the “official” Bibbulmum track which takes you to the Showgrounds - a name given to describe the awesome rolling hills, and whatever else - not sure - basically not impressed.  If it wasn’t for the kangaroos or the canoe trip (which got the heart pumping) this route gets  a 2/10 whereas the peaceful bay beach walk gets an 8/10.  Keep the show ground loop if you can’t cross the inlet or you have bad knees.  But definitely the whole section between Walpole and Peaceful Bay has been easy and quite peaceful (no pun intended). 

I’ll post my boat harbour via william bay tomorrow and the decision to dodge the weather - again 

Day 34: 800km plus done!

Bibbulmum’s diary 2021

Day 34: arrival Walpole 811km

Temperatures at 8C with overnight of 3C.  MVP goes to @oneplanet -10C Bungle

It’s been quite a walk from Northcliffe to Walpole - the change over from pea gravel to sand is WOW, it chucks your body around and suddenly 1 step forward becomes 1.5 steps back.  Steps being the operative word.  STEPS.  Strewth, there are steps everywhere. Mainly to counteract the erosion factor but I like to think that perhaps they were put there to make life easy - NOT!  😳. Two dunes entering Longpoint Shelter shelved any plans for me to double hut to Mt Clare that day. Literally, and painfully,  you had to allow your feet to slide back two steps before you could even grasp the sand with your walking poles or your next foot.  Even though I had a good 790km under the belt, it was all on solid, supportive and structured under foot surface.  Now, you are walking on a surface that moves, is not consistent and you learn quickly your knees and glutes are starting  to work differently .  If you have back issues entering this section, this day,  will in all likelihood kill you- it put pay to 2 guys walking along with me-  I have never seen them again 🤣🤣.  Also for info - more guys on trail (carrying way to heavy) than girls - I’ve only seen 4 women in this distance.    Another info point - the temps have dropped over night literally from a comfortable 17C to 3C and looking to get wetter and colder as I progress south 

I am in Walpole for 2 days now,  but I will need to move tomorrow and tackle the wet, slippery, fallen branches chaos caused by the last 2 nights winds - big wind.  But guess what, those that know me - I am loving this !!! 😂😂😂 - better than the northern section with its fires and diversions, not my favourite 

With approximately 200km to go please share my story of the Bibbulmum trail and let’s raise a few more dollars for a good and deserving cause.

Day 29: a floor with a view

Bibbulmum’s diary 2021

Day 29: Pemberton to Northcliffe 609km done 

A floor with a view 

After the roller coaster section of the pre Pemberton area which includes the huts from Tom Road to Beedleup,  I entered a rest period of undulating hills.  Rolling grassy hills joined Warren to Schafer and onto Northcliffe .  This section is like the interval on HIIT (high intensity interval training), you can dial it back but not relax too much.  We wouldn’t want that now, would we? 

There are heaps of people on the trail, I will share a shelter with anywhere up to 6 people a night I only had 1 solo night so far out at Dookanelly.  Covid has definitely made people explore their back garden . Some starting their walk in Doc Martin boots 🙈, same person carrying a leg of pork for the bbq under her arm, some having no clue what to expect and taking along 4 toilet rolls 😳, others carrying a wardrobe of clothes- not sure if they thought they were going out 😂, some insist on 2 bottles of Browns Brothers Tawny Port 🤕.  The amount of serious hikers are on the minimum, most “hikers” are out experimenting with their new found  state confinement, really a challenge.  

Today’s montage is about my view of the ground when I plough along - a view of the ground, sometimes you just can’t look up as it can spell doom with all the loose matter ready to trip you up. 

Day 20: 500km done

💕HAPPY MOTHERS DAY 9 MAY 2021💕

Donate in link here 

The unofficial half way mark, 500km done (the offical marker is a bit down the road a boring straight up marker celebrating your achievement)

Always a pleasure to double hut a day to get into Donnelly River Village - a sort of spiritual rest place I reckon for the bIbb track hiker.  The staff here make sure that every need is catered for without fuss and a genuine caring #donnellyriver @donnellyrivervillage  The walk from Blackwood Hut to DRV is challenging to say the least and probably wouldn’t advise a double hut unless you confident in your fitness and physicality to take on these hills and long flats, I always say the evil cousin to the hills are...the flats .  I can say the last 7km for me was “why oh why” 😂😂.  But the hours in the gym training, certainly paid off. I averaged 4.2km/hour with breaks every 2 hrs - Impressed with the 9.5hr effort 🙈🤪

Day 18: Stroll into Balingup

Bibbulmum’s diary 2021

Day 18: strolling into Balingup

a wet sploshy leaf bashing mess was this morning leaving Grimwade shelter.  Someone needs to do some serious trimming for at least 5km.  Clear skies made me ditch the rain gear but little did I anticipate the next 3 km would leave water pouring off me from the whip lashing I got from vegetation soaked by last nights rain (yes rain for 3 days)

Lovely walking into Balingup remember feeling from my first Bibbulmum experience, this time minus the blisters!.  The town is just ready and primed for a hikers welcome.  Tired feet don’t have to walk far to find a cold drink, a good meal and a friendly visitor centre always eager to send you to the right spot. 

I stayed at the Post Office - newly renovated to accommodate hikers. At $40 I felt like I had hit the jackpot. Really nice, probably because still new but I loved the wall insert that could charge my power bank and phone at the same time!!  Tomorrow looking forward to my “mushroom breakfast” at cafe Mushroom 😂.  Then it’s off to Blackwood hut 🙈 , and Cardiac Hill - I remember last time on that hill I said “never again” - and here we are. 

Day 15: Turning south

Bibbulmum’s diary 2021

Day 15:   Collie to Yabberup 

19.6km  

Total distance: 361.2km/1003km

The big turn south - for me at least - a mental u turn , not quite 500km but feel like I am going down 🤪🤣. 

An easy breezy walk, lots of prescribe burn remnants going to lush when the rains come

Basically doing one hut at a time now till Donnelly River - don’t need those prolonged layovers in towns then.

Still enjoying my home cooked meals no Back Country for me 😂.  Might need a couple bags when I hit the Pingerup plains decided to cancel to long days might have company and don’t want to bury the poor boy along the way . 

Enjoy the pictures 

Flick over and leave a donation it will be appreciated 

Day 12: The drone of industry

Bibbulmum’s diary 2021

Day 12:   Possum Springs - the drone of industry filtering through the bushes 

The walk to possum springs was like a game of hop scotch, dodging water holes, potholes and mud filled digs.  The best part of this walk is that it’s open road - something like back home behind Enoggera Dam, d’Aguilar National Park in Brisbane.  

Permeating the air ways was the Worsley Alumina Conveyor belt.  Actually forgot to take a photo of it as I passed underneath 🤣 too busy talking to family when I got momentary Telstra coverage .  This conveyor belt stretches 50km carrying bauxite from Mt Saddleback mine to the refinery. 

I crossed a suspension bridge 80m in length and 6m above the Murray River - it’s a replacement bridge for the bridge burnt down in the 2015 fire at Lower Hotham. 

Made good time into Possum Springs with a long day ahead tomorrow of flats, which won’t go unappreciated. 

Thank you to all those that have donated to my charity every cent is appreciated 

Day 8:Not quite but close Gorillas in the Mist

Bibbulmum’s diary 2021

Day 8  : Chadoora to Dwellingup  (township)

Not quite Gorillas in the Mist 🎥 , but close

Woke early again to capture that blue hour.  A cold night for some but my @oneplanet bungle -10C weathered beautifully. 

Enjoythe slow transition in the following photos of my walk into Dwellingup as the light appeared and the mist cleared. 

Day 8: 28/4/21 Dwellingup and Jarrah Forest Lodge 

I had not planned any accommodation for this stop and was prepared to be flexible with whatever came up. I found myself at the Jarrah Forest Lodge . A walkers cabin $55, shared bathroom which was MAGNIFICENT a large shared kitchen and extremely clean and well presented.  High recommend.  The only thing was that their was no clarity on laundry facilities.  The lovely manager was obliging and really kind about me using theirs for this once off - but perhaps my situation will cause some conversation amongst management because us hikers need a wash of clothes to commence the next leg of journey.  Nothing lifts the spirits more than some clean clothes.  I pretty much hike in the same stuff every day but for a change of socks and undies. Tomorrow off to Murray Campsite - a heavy down pour of rain predicted 😳😉

Climbing a challenge Mt Cook

Day 6: 25/4/21 Gringer Creek  Campsite via Nerang campsite 

Leaving Mt Cook campsite with Mt Cook looming over you the whole night definitely lived up to it’s reputation.  A great, solid walk to the top with some amazing views,  as far as the Western Australian sky line would let me.  With a distinct fire season glow hanging on the edges of the horizon gave a soft pink glow to the light making the rocks that characterise Mt Cook even whiter. 

I thought about the climb out of Mt Cook today as a challenge.  A challenge has an up and down and somewhere in the middle is the piece where there might be understanding or perhaps a  reconciliation of the thought or action.   I thought about the girls and women I was walking for,  to raise funds to help support them through their challenge - a challenge only, because perhaps we in society see girls stuff  as other worldly or perhaps don’t even understand it.  Perhaps someone is suffering economic hardship or facing a deep personal struggle at home and does  not have the means to afford basic feminine and health hygiene products as most of us do, because of our fortunate economic or social position in society.  I can only imagine their challenge as I climbed up to the top, took in the view considering my good fortune to have whatever I needed in life and then  walk down the other side (not necessarily any easier ) and plateau out at the end to prepare for the process to be repeated.

Take a moment to consider how you are able to transition through challenge and perhaps someone else might not.  Your donations to the charity I am lending my legs to over these 1000 plus km’s will go such a long way in making some young girl, young mother, mature women or grandmothers day a little easier.  Thank you everyone, let’s share the Dignity

Day 4: Mt Cook Campsite 112.3km

Oh boy!  How quick one forgets.  Mt Cuthbert and Mt Vincent, ouch.  But first, Canning Campsite last night - what a lovely walk into Canning from Brookton Highway and a beautifully presented campsite , congratulations to the team who nurture canning campsite, well done.  I wasn’t sure when I tucked in for the night how I was going to tackle going through Monadnocks Campsite to Mt Cooke Campsite, was I double hutting or was I not? Lurking in the back of my mind was the fire diversion from Whitehorse Hills  (closing Whitehorse and Mt Wells for prescribed burns) to just before Chadoora.  A prescribed burn notice was put in place  just before I arrived .

Waking at 330am, easy for me because I have a mission 😂,  started walking at 445am in the dark.  Loved it.  The walk to Monadnocks Campsite lends itself to a dark walk, hallelujah it was cold.  Love the cold. Enjoy watching the light change in front of me. 

Day 2 Ball creek to Waalegh

Day 1 Ball Creek Campsite