Deciding what equipment you need for a Bibbulmun Track walk doesn't have to be a daunting process. Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. I really wouldnt change much. As I mentioned in the last blog, there are 48 campsites on the Bibbulmun Track. Theres all kinds out there, Best thing I have ever done. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. I might end up with a couple of 40km+ days I think but the majority should be around 30km. Karri sleepers from Pemberton were also used in the early development of the London Underground and other railway lines in the UK. Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. If youre inspired to try, heres (some of) the info youll need to make it happen. The Bibbs campsites are far better than those on the famous Appalachian Trail, but not quite as lavish as those in Tasmania or New Zealand. It is situated in a valley surrounded by karri forests, so its history is inextricably linked to forestry and logging. Solar chargers arent up to the job, especially on the Bibb where theres so much tree cover. Spring (September to November) is the best time to walk the Bibbulmun Track. There are about 50 open sided shelters along the track, most a very easy day's walk . 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. Some of this trusty kit does however weigh a hell of a lot more than some of the ultralight stuff on the market. Required fields are marked *. The first version of the Track (from Kalamunda to Northcliffe) was marked in 1974, and named after a distinct Aboriginal language group, who inhabited some of the areas the Track passes through. This creates a logistical nightmare. Bibbulmun hikes: Harvey-Quindanning Road to Harris Dam, Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Tent (for emergencies, and in case the shelter is full), Compass (some say optional, but I always take one in case I get lost), A personal locator beacon (PLB not optional for any responsible hiker), Dishwashing cloth (I can get by without detergent, but you may prefer it), Trowel (for digging holes for #2 between campsites), Water containers for at least three litres, Some method of water treatment (filter, UV lamp, chemical), Trekking poles (optional, I swear by them), Breakfasts (pre-made oat sachets are a good option here), Lunch (generally cold food that doesnt need too much preparation), Dinner (dehydrated meals are popular for dinner). Pick one itinerary or join several together to customise your Bibbulmun Track holiday adventure. Over its (roughly) 1000-kilometer length, the Bibbulmun winds its way through dense native forests, passes through a handful of sleepy country towns, climbs up and down ranges with magnificent views, and traverses the white, sandy beaches of WAs powerful southern coast. If youre walking upwards of 20 kilometres a day for weeks at a time, its a battle to keep weight on. Near Perth, the campsites are closer together, allowing most hikers to walk two sections in a day known as double hutting. You can get some pretty light self-inflating mats so Id explore that option if you plan on hiking regularly. The Bibbulmun Track is a long-distance walk trail in Western Australia.. 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. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. If you can't find what you're after, please contact us. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). She made a road trip the week before she left and dropped off her own supplies. What about tracking navigation? I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Im in the market to buy a new one but there is so much out there! Location/temp range/specific trip description: Seems roughly 0 to 30 degrees C (32-86 degrees F), I'm not very sure though. Keep up to date on our projects, our supporters, opportunities for involvement and more. Im just worried about how rocky the sleeping areas are etc. 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. During the workshop, Susan asked everyone to talk about what their dream trip would be. In my humble opinion, the Australian outdoor gear industry is still stuck in the 1980s, when heavy packs were a source of pride and durability was the biggest concern. Definitely not perfect but I was trying! As a rough guide, there should be five waugals per kilometre in forest areas, and two per kilometre in more open areas. For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. Posted on July 8, 2018 Besides a 5,000-litre rain water tank, each campsite has a sturdy three-sided timber hut with a tin roof, a bush toilet, tent sites, and a picnic table. Of course, equally valid pursuits enjoyed by many visitors are eating, drinking and relaxing in nature! There's a chance of no water, with many days the temperatures up in the high 30's, and some days reaching 40C and beyond. If youre walking the whole Track in one go, transport is not an issue you can catch a bus from Perth to the northern terminus of the Track in Kalamunda, and get a bus back from Albany when you arrive at the southern terminus a month or two later (or vice versa if youre walking from south to north). Embrace it, and figure out what works for you. Autumn (March to May) is another good time weather-wise, though water supplies will be low if you set off early in the season before the rain. But for the purposes of a non-picky hiker, theyre perfectly adequate. Then bury it. Is there anything else less essential you can leave out of your pack? What my heart chose surprised even me. Many campsites also have a fireplace, but between October and May fires are banned or restricted. An Australian owned one-stop-shop for outdoor and adventure equipment! That said, its totally doable to do a thru-hike solely on town-bought supplies if you dont mind paying a little extra and youre not a fussy eater. The $270,000 structure was designed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) in consultation with the Bibbulmun Track Foundation and has been constructed using fire resistant products such as rammed earth and steel. Some hikers drink straight out of the tanks without treating the water, but I wouldnt take the risk. It is roughly 1000 kilometers in length. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. Many Different Landforms. Top-line results of the planning so far: 8 resupply towns + two possible food drops, Having been brought up hiking in the bogs of Dartmoor, the Peak Districts moorlands and the soggy Scottish Highlands, Ive always owned hardcore walking boots, with hard soles and waterproof casings. ), while still leaving opportunities to add to my lunch & snack supplies. Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. Donnelly River Village only had a simple general store. At the end of the month, we'll be able to track which format and duration were most effective for us. One thru-hike at a time. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . Im all about lists & planning for a hike. I was really happy to be a trail angel for one of your re-supply days. If you take this option, be warned you WILL get sick of the food you make yourself, so be prepared to improvise. The WA Parks Foundation is running two prize draws online throughout March to encourage membership to help support the Foundations, Dark Sky Festival celebrates total solar eclipse, The Dark Sky Festival from 19 to 21 April will take place in the Shires of Ashburton, Carnarvon and Exmouth, Signing up to protect endangered black cockatoos, Murdoch University is working closely with Main Roads Western Australia on projects to minimise the impact of motorists and road. Most of the towns on the Bibbulmun Track are serviced by buses, but they are infrequent and may need to be booked in advance. I decided to see what my heart picked for me when the time came. That way the cooler areas in the south would be warming up, but were unlikely to be too hot, by the time I got there. The Bibbulmun Track often has temporary diversions and permanent realignments for various reasons, which can extend the distance to be walked on any day. South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfaBZT Q&index=15, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc sp=sharing. What pack did you use for this hike? 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. Also, the campsites, which are located between 10 and 20 kilometres apart, are closer together near Perth, which is useful for end to end walkers to ease themselves into condition. There is also a natural outdoor pool, but it wasnt warm enough for that when we were there. Water is available from tanks at each of the 48 campsites along the. 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! Thanks for all the information about the Bibbulman Track. 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. It was the perfect opportunity for me to wind down from the more rugged and draining hikes of the previous few months. The next thing I needed to do in preparation for hiking the Bibbulmun Track (see my previous blog for the background to this crazy idea!) Each campsite has a three-sided shelter, a water tank, a drop toilet and picnic tables. The Bibbulmun Track passes through many different environments; we saw an astonishing 85 different orchid species and hybrids. The facilities are world class compared to most long-distance trails around the world. BT Day 35: Mt Dale to Helena 918.6km (29.3km) June 21, 2021. WA Parks Foundation Chair the Hon Kerry Sanderson AC CVO with Board Director Eva Skira AM hiking on the Bibbulmun Track. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. Preparing the right kind of food for an overnight or extended walk on the Bibbulmun Track is one of the most important considerations walkers need to make. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. If youre more tech-savvy than me, a GPS could also be invaluable, though youll need to take a solar charger too as there are no power points between towns. Walpole Denmark: Purchase all food in Walpole supermarket to reach Denmark, Denmark Albany: Purchase all food in Denmark shops/supermarket to reach Albany. Please read my food goals for a deeper understanding on some of these food choices, and the food menus for details of my daily diet. There are buses from all the main track towns to Perth or Albany in case we get injured and need to bail. 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. The Track was radically realigned (retaining less than 10% of the old route) and extended to Albany. Pingback: Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Your email address will not be published. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. 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. a long weekend) its best to take a tent with you. 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. Ive only done Bibbulmun day hikes as of yet. As were planning on doing the entire 1,000 km in 45 days, well need to skip some of the huts and plan carefully so we can resupply and rest where possible. Information for bushwalkers from bushwalkers. The only bad time to walk the Bibbulmun is summer. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). It may not have the most spectacular scenery for most of it, but it somehow wins the heart of everyone that hikes it for the pleasant experience. Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! March 27, 2018 Bibbulmun Track Planning - Spreadsheets and an obsession with weight In May this year, Tim and I will be flying to Western Australia to take on our biggest challenge yet; we'll be hiking the Bibbulmun track, 1,000 km through the remote Australian wilderness. The karri tree is one of the tallest species in the world, reaching heights of ninety metres, and some of the tallest karri trees in the area were used as fire lookouts from the 1930s to the 1960s. As you become more experienced you will get better at knowing what gear works for you. 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. The most important item on any hike is a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots. I highly recommend it! My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). The calculator works in both north and south directions. For example: Kalamunda to Dwellingup was approximately 11 nights, which was too far to carry food the whole way. Here are the main points we are currently looking at: If left to my own devices I would happily stick with the full contingent of hiking kit I currently own - including a sleeping bag dating back well over 15 years and a hiking pack purchased for my Bronze D of E. In my mind, if its not broken, why replace it? Unless you can talk friends into bringing supplies to you, which could be difficult to coordinate, youll need to do a food drop before you go. This well blazed trail travels through many national parks and state forests with various terrain that ranges from dense forest to beautiful coastland. ! 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. Most hikers take several months to cover WA's famous 1,000km Bibbulmun Track, but Perth school teacher Jono Ride managed to do it in just over two weeks, despite not setting out to break records. With a couple of exceptions (like the excellent Tier Gear, Wild Earth and Paddy Pallin), the Australian industry seems to have decided its simply not going to even try and keep up with technological advancements that are making it into the mainstream of the global hiking community. I am planning a walk from Pemberton to Northcliffe in September. Open the map and click on a hut and then there is a button to download photos - so do that on Wi-Fi too. Thanks Ben. 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 Bibbulmun Track FB Group page was started by David Baird in mid 2009. The next thing I needed to do in preparation for hiking the Bibbulmun Track (see my previous blog for the background to this crazy idea!) This is intended as a guide for the absolute beginner. It also provides schools with the resources to participate in the WACE endorsed end-to-end program and students to attain the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The most important item on any hike is a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots. It was quite a process! As a traveller from eastern side of Australia doing this hike in pieces wasn't an option. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. Every piece of kit I own has been weighed and weighed up for its usefulness vs. weight. Thanks for your comment. Somewhere in the world: The tank water is potable but if you get water from natural sources along the way its a good idea to treat it. To walk the whole track is an adventure in contrasts, where the reward for your hard work is to see the world change before you at the speed of a human being. In the 1920s, free land was offered to group settlers to establish a dairy industry. Photos featured on this site are courtesy of Tourism WA, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Doug Coughran, Colin Ingram, Peter Nicholas, L-A Shibish and Nature Play WA. If youre walking alone, make sure someone knows your itinerary and sign the registers found in each hut. was to work out what to take with me. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . Thanks for the reply. The Bibbulmun Track is a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. Maps, other guides and information on diversions can be found on the Bibbulmun Track Foundation website. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. If you have a car, you can drive to an accessible place on the Track, walk to a certain point then retrace your steps back to the car. 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. Bibbulmun Planner then met with a track veteran, "Wrong Way Jim" (eeeeekkk) at the Bibbulmun Track Foundation (BTF) to hone it further. Your email address will not be published. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. If you ever got foot pain while walking, its worth going to a podiatrist to get your feet assessed. There are great opportunities for fit walkers to challenge themselves, on at least two of the days we walk around 25 km. The Bibbulmun Track, Western Australia Ranging from inland planes to beaches, limestone ranges to damp gullies, the 965-kilometre Bibbulmun Track, spanning from Perth to Albany, is one of Australia's great walks. Glad to have stumbled upon your blog! Able to buy peanut butter, tortilla flatbread and instant pasta meals like those kind of things? The stores arent that basic, you should be able to get all those items you mentioned. Everyone looked stunned. You get to experience the famous (or infamous!) At this time the wild flowers (including orchids) are out, temperatures are moderate, and the streams and water tanks are likely to have plenty of water in them. Reflections from the reality & how it all worked out. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! Northcliffe Walpole: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Northcliffe Visitors Centre to reach Walpole. 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. Our current plan involves only restocking at the towns, although we are also exploring the option of calling upon the Tracks Trail Angels to drop off food on some of the longer, 7+ day stints to reduce our pack weights. We will be able to top up our food supplies (and replace our worn out shoes!) Thanks for the feedback, really chuffed you liked it! Due to its size, the Track is divided into nine sections. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Create a website or blog at WordPress.com, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Where were the best opportunities to send parcels, such as to my accomodation spots or visitors centres? Country towns in Western Australia are spread out throughout this massive state; small pockets of civilisation with miles of bush in between them. Scroll down for a Map of the Bibbulmun Track through Denmark WA. But its still an awesome pack with a really strong hip strap. In this section you will find a brief description of the towns that lie on, or adjacent to, the Track. But once my heart had spoken, I felt I had to follow through. BT Day 34: Monadnocks to Mt Dale 889.5km (33.3km) June 21, 2021. A checklist is great way to start. We have included all campsites, towns, recreation sites and legal vehicle access points as shown by the red car on the Bibbulmun Track maps and guidebooks. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. 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. Although walking is a relatively safe pastime, there are hazards associated with the bush. Innovative lightweight backpacking and travel gear for your next adventure. 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. On my last 16-day section hike from Northcliffe to Albany, I lost 5 kilos and that was with a calorie-rich diet, while stuffing my face in each of the towns I visited. It also provides schools with the resources to participate in the WACE endorsed end-to-end program and students to attain the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Unfortunately, Ive been nursing a small injury in my hip so our grand plans for training has gone out of the window, but we are now walking to and from work whenever possible, as well as planning longer walks in the Peaks and near London as well as the Lakes in the coming weeks to build up our strength and endurance. It will probably be very uncomfortable sleeping on the ground but you might be able to cope for two nights. Many other hikers swear by this method, but feet are very personal things! People also record their experiences in these registers so, as well as being a safety precaution, they are a useful source of Track intelligence about such things as: missing markers; the condition of the Track; the state of the water supply at the next campsite; big hills en route; flora and fauna to look out for; or the school party that took over the campsite the day before. Today, Pemberton has a population of just over a thousand people. Life on the Bibbulmun is pretty simple: You wake up each day, walk as far as you can, camp, and repeat. Its become an obsession. The Bibbulmun Track takes hikers through the Karri trees of the southern forests | credit: Bibbulmun Track Foundation. So many! Leave No Trace is all about promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor travel and recreation through education, research and partnerships. Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! It will come in very useful when I finally get to do my own E2E. As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! When buying a backpack, try on as many packs as you can before making a decision, and ask the shop assistant to add weight to them and adjust the straps to fit your body so you can assess how the pack distributes the weight. The track is officially measured as 1003 kilometres long, divided into 58 sections, each ending in either a town or a campsite. The first thing I needed to decide about was when to start the journey. With tips on how to create your ideal. Each of the towns on the Bibbulmun has at least a mini supermarket, but the range is often limited and the prices are high. It was quite a process!! Next time I would dehydrate even more of my own food, specifically dinners if time allowed (they just worked out so well! You will know the right one when it comes along! Im passionate about the Bibb, and am forever encouraging others to give it a go. On long walks, maps are essential and a compass comes in handy. These notes will help to make your Bibbulmun Track experience safer and more enjoyable. If youre an experienced hiker you probably wont find much here for you, but hey you dont know what you dont know! Hi Anna, Get insights together with secure sharing in real-time and from any device. Blisters are a big problem for many hikers, so its worth experimenting with different shoe and sock combinations to see what works for you. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. But why? 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. Pembertons first settler was Edward Brockman, the son of Perths first mayor, who moved to the area in 1861 to breed horses. Testing out the Sawyer Filter in a murky Peak District stream. We like to track how the item was listed at the time of the sale. I ate out in town more than I had originally planned, and so a few of my homemade meals were repacked for the next section.
Names That Mean Pestilence, Articles B
Names That Mean Pestilence, Articles B