DAILY DIARY
THE PROLOGUE DAY - GETTING TO ALBANY
The easiest organisations can often turn into a nightmare and this wasn't too difficult for us.
Terry, Serena, Bill and Diana arrived on schedule at 3pm, but Heidi, Kevin, Kris and Guy got
held up in traffic for 1.5hrs by a serious road accident between Manjimup and Walpole.
When we finally got together, there was little time for discussions on procedures for tomorrow.
We had chinese takeway for dinner and a final organisation of our gear took up the rest of the evening.
What a wonderful lead into 21 days on the track.
Our accommodation at "MY PLACE" was really special.
We are now all fired up and ready to go!!!!!!!
DAY 1 - ALBANY TO WEST CAPE HOWE CAMPSITE 53.2km's
Up at 4am and away to the start line by 5:30am, in perfect weather. With very limited
prior advertising of the event in Albany, there were no locals to join us at the start.
After months of planning, preparation and training it was good to be finally on the track.
After the walk through town around the harbour and up the hill beyond, the first glimpse of the Southern Ocean coastline
was simply stunning. The profusion of wildflowers was also spectacular by the time we had pasted through Mutton
Bird Beach, our group of 7 walkers had split into 3 groups, lead by Serena, Kris and Guy who started earlier. The hills beyond
Cosy Corner Beach, took there toll. After being well on schedule, the last 12km's really slowed us down, especially the
EXTREMELY long stairway leading out of one of the steep dunal valleys. Diana and Kevin, were last in, well after dark.
Tired and bedraggled, we had ONE down and just TWENTY days to go......!!!!!
DAY 2 - WEST CAPE HOWE TO WILLIAM BAY CAMPSITE 47.2km's
Day 2 started DISASTEROUSLY. We all pulled out of the camp seperately around 5am heading for the back up vehicle
5km's away. Heidi accidently missed the correct turn and CHARGED OFF in the WRONG DIRECTION!!!!!!
It took over 3 hours and 20 km's of additional walking to catch up with her and get back on track. Kris, Diana, Guy and
Serena continued with there walk while Kevin, Bill and Terry organised the search and rescue.
This long effect delayed our day and required a rearrangement of the walk. Terry and Bill set off from the Wilson Inlet to walk
back to the others and they all returned for a rendezvous with the GWN reporter and cameraman. Jeff from Denmark Dinghy
Hire collected us comfortably across the inlet to the caravan park and we were on our way again.
Mount Hallowell was quite a challenge, but the Karri Forrest, granite rocks and the outlook made it all well worthwhile.
From Lights Beach on we were walking into darkness, the result of our earlier delays. What a test it was with the constant
and never ending series of steep sand dune climbs. What a relief it was to come up over the last rise and see lights and the camp hut.
Two days down and over 100km's under our belt. Tomorrow would be a test of our endurance and ability to recover.
DAY 3 - WILLIAM BAY TO PEACEFUL BAY 42.6km's
A good nights sleep and we were all recovered and ready to go again. A pleasant 7km's walk along Mazzoletti Beach
and morning tea by courtesy of the Parry Beach caretaker, set us up for a comfortable day. More tough dune climbs and thick
heath vegetation through to boat harbour, made our going tough, but the wild coastal views were simply stunning. From Boat
Harbour we were greeted by more steep dunes, hot conditions and millions of flies. The beach section after that
convinced Serena and Terry to follow the beach and swim the Irwin Inlet chanel through to Peaceful Bay. Bill and Kevin took the
traditional route through the Quarry Nature reserve and the canoe trip across the inlet.
After 3 days, we were becoming accustomed to the long walking and holding up resonably well. Our spirits where lifted
further by our very comfortable stay with Aylcie Mckenna at the Peaceful Bay Bed and Breakfast.
DAY 4 - PEACEFUL BAY TO FRANKLAND CAMPSITE 39.8km's
Suprisingly, our tiredness and aches and pains from our first 3 hard days seem to disipate after our night at the Peaceful Bay Bed and Breakfast.
The start from Peaceful bay involves several pleasant km's along short beaches, across rocky headlands and via nearby tracks.
Coastal views from Rame Head to Conspicicous Beach were again spectactular-it is a special privillege available to the Bibbulmun Track walkers.
Along steep climb up through the karri/tingle forrest, took us past the tree top walk and on to the Franklin Campsite, set on the banks of the river deep
within the Karri forrest.
By this stage on our walk the strain had started to show on some of the walkers. To protect there options for walking later, they opted to take short breaks
in the vehicle. Some tentions boiled to the surface, but that is quite normal for a long hard challenge like this. Tommorow is a another day.
DAY 5 - FRANKLAND TO LONG POINT CAMPSITE 39.7km's
Once again a good sleep and the spirits and the bodies were revived. The walk through the Karri and Tingle forrest is awe inspiring. Some of the
trunks and buttressed stumps are just massive. In Walpole, we had so many things to catch up with..it took us nearly an hour. Then it was the ,l
long climb up Mount Clare and the steep descent to the suspension bridge over the Deep River. Back into the heath covered dunes, it was a colourful, but long
walk through the Nuyts wilderness area to the Long Point campsite.
This was a relatively comfortable and relaxing day and a good lead into tomorrow's long 57km hike. With a 4.30am start planned, we all hit the sack early.
DAY 6 - LONG POINT TO DOG POOL CAMPSITE 57.0 km's
This was the big day, (THE BIG CHALLENGE), if we could get thought this day without too much drama, we would have confidence for the
remainder of the walk. Starting in the dark at 4.30am (with the aid of our headlamps) our progress through the dunes and along the beach to Mandalay
was harder and slower than we had expected. As we turned inland our paces increased and we started to make up valuable time. However, continuous swampy
sections slowed us down and made progress difficult. We made it through to Broke Inlet Road, our last vehicle access point just on schedule.
In the end only Terry, Bill and Kevin continued on the final 32 km leg. Despite some further swampy sections and increasing foot soreness, we maintained
a good pace. Terry and Bill kept each other going while Kevin walked alone at his pace. It was a hard slog on the feet that felt like we were walking on glass.
However we made it into camp before dark to the LOUD CHEERS of the rest of the team. We had made it, but at a fair price to our feet.
DAY 7 - DOG POOL TO GARDNER CAMPSITE 40.4 km's
After a great nights sleep we were again in good spirits and our energy levels were surprisingly good (well, ok at least). The walk through to Lake Maringup was easy and straight forward but the feelings deteriorated with the swampy and stunted growth country and the white sandy soils. Gardner campsite was a comfortable campsite by the river but we had dramas getting our back up vehicle into the rendezvous point and getting our extra gear back to camp.
By this stage, Terry and Kevin were still suffering badly from foot soreness from yesterdays marathon effort, but Bill was still singing and joking and the others were generally in good spirits.
DAY 8 - GARDNER TO WARREN CAMPSITE 50.2 km's
It was quite a pleasant walk up the Gardner River valley and into Northcliffe. Here we were treated to a special breakfast at the Visitor's Centre by the local community. A special walkathon for cancer had been organised and several hundred people were gathering to take part. We only wanted to stay for 30 minutes maximum but it was more like 45 minutes before we got back underway. We were joined by the local Shire president Peter McKenzie for the walk through to Warren Campsite.
Schafer hut was something of a celebration for us, being the hut and section of track that Diana was responsible for maintaining. From there to the Warren Campsite we were back into serious hill country, but this was tempered by the beautiful Karri forest setting. The main incident for the day was coming across a massive redgum tree that has just fallen across the track and completely blocked it. As the bush was too dense, the only alternative was to climb up the root base of the tree and then slide down the trunk and then jump off! Peter somehow climbed under it but none of us saw him and cant understand how he did it!!
DAY 9 - WARREN TO KARRI VALLEY RESORT 47.3km's
Our walk into Pemberton was complicated a little by difficulties Terry was facing when she went up hills. Her face and arms would extremely swell and we all were worried about her. Terry and Kris decided to find and take a flatter route along the railway line to Pemberton as a precautionary measure.
At Gloucester Tree, Bill couldn't resist the temptation to climb the tree to the lookout (he is obviously not getting enough excercise). After a pleasant morning tea provided by the Pemberton camp school (Diana's work place), it was a long but comfortable walk through to Beedelup campsite in the Beedelup Karri Forest.
What a luxury it was to be able to stay in a chalet at the resort. The first hot shower for about 6 days (no more cold washes) was just wonderful. It was also a good opportunity for preparing a good meal, (thanks Julie) topped off by a donated bottle of port. (special thanks to Donnelly River Winery)
DAY 10 - KARRI VALLEY TO ONE TREE BRIDGE 48.6km's
Tuesday 26th October 2004
After a wonderfully relaxing night, we hit the trail with a spring in ou
r step by 5.00am. Although not the longest section, this was likely to be the toughest. Some of the hills through the Lower Donnelly River Valley are so long and steep and unrelenting. As hard as it was, we were energised by the challenge. We pushed on strongly after the hills and made it into camp in very good time.
Once again we were spoilt by the accomodation at the One Tree Bridge Chalets. With only 50 metres deviation from the track, it is a very convenient facility.
Unfortunitly tomorrow morning we have to say farewell to Bill and Serena as they have to go back to Perth due to work commitments. Bill is hoping to return on Tuesday. We will miss Serena's boundless energy and positive spirit. Bill we will miss your pep talks, your sense of humour, your singing (please bring back some new jokes and new songs for us to sing)and your downhill walking style(you know what we mean).PLEASE COME BACK SOON!!!!!
Day 11 - ONE TREE BRIDGE TO GREGORY BROOK CAMPSITE 47.9km's
Wednesday 27th October 2004
This morning was one of sadness as two of our walking team have left and returned to Perth. They walked out a few hundred metres and wished us well for the rest of the walk.
With there departure and in the aftermath of yesterdays tough challenge, we were all feeling quite flat today. It was a rather quiet and uneventful walk through to the Gregory Brook Campsite. Diana ran into some difficulty just short of Donnelly River Village and sought refuge in the backup vehicle, but Kris and Guy rejoined at that point.
We were joined along the way by Shane from Collie and Fern from Nannup. It was a rather crowded campsite, with our our 6, plus 6 other walkers.(thanks for your donations, friendliness and encouragement) We all squeezed in and had a comfy night.
The special significance of todays walk was that we passed the half way mark of the track and passed the 500km total distance. We are still going well but all of us in different ways are feeling the effects of the challenge.
DAY 12 - GREGORY BROOK TO BALINGUP 36.7km's
Thursday 28th October 2004
With this being our shortest walk day on the track, we took advange of the time available to enjoy the views. The highlights were the long climb up Cardiac Hill and the magnificent outlook down the Blackwood Valley from the Blackwood campsite. Having made good time we were in Balingup before 2pm, well ahead of schedule. This allowed us time for recovery.
After yesterdays walk, Kris's ankles and legs were swollen and very sore, so she was finally (after 3 days of harressment from Julie our support person) convinced to visit a doctor in Bridgetown. The diagnosis was Cellulitis needing antibiotics and at least 2 days rest needing to raise her legs.
Our greeting into Balingup was by Jan and Alan George of Jalbrook Cottages. ( They offer great packages for Bibbulmun track walkers..check out there website www.jalbrook.com.au )The luxurious cottages were a welcome relief (a hot shower, great beds,fresh bread,everything supplied for us). On top
of that, we were treated to pre dinner drinks sampling local wine donated by .This was followed by a sumptuous barbecue (Bill eat your heart out!!!!!) Thanks also to Sharon from the Balingup tourist centre for her desert and company. It may be difficult getting back to our camping style!!
DAY 13 - BALINGUP TO NOGGERUP CAMPSITE 47km's
Friday 29th October 2004
Last nights meal and accommodation were so good that we slept in this morning and found it difficult to get ourselves motivated and moving. It was as though we had colobrated finishing early. However, with minimal packing required we were out on the track again just after our scheduled 5.00am start. We were met by two Telstra Countrywide representatives who walked with us for an hour or so, after having trouble locating the track crossing point.
Our day's walk was again quite comfortable and relaxed through some very pleasant and quiet Jarrah Forest. As we turned into the campsite we were met Innes (Serena's husband) who had walked in from the Mumballup Tavern to join us. Our team numbers were building back up again.
DAY 14 - NOGGERUP TO COLLIE 37km's
Saturday 30th October 2004
With Innes now a part of the team, we were feeling more complete again. An easy stroll down the hill brought us to the Mumballup Tavern and meeting up with a group of Bunbury runners club members and triathletes. Henk and Rosemary joined us for the walk to Glen Mervyn Dam and Eric walked on to Yabberup Campsite with the team.
After two days off under doctors orders, Kris was back in with a spring in her step, but Diana was still suffering with hip soreness. The short distance had us finished by 2.30pm and into our accomodation at the Collie BackPackers. Our special treat here was Brian Kennedy coming up from Bunbury to give us all a much needed massage. (we will always be indebited to you Brian. Thankyou so much) Heidi had returned as our back up driver, taking over from Julie. (we are so thankful Julie for everything this week.) Terry, Kris and Julie's husbands and Guy's friends also came down from Perth. We had party albert with an early night.
