bibbulmun track spreadsheet bibbulmun track spreadsheet

The Track was radically realigned (retaining less than 10% of the old route) and extended to Albany. 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. North to South - South to North: We will be able to top up our food supplies (and replace our worn out shoes!) 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. Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. Bushwalking is a natural tonic, providing a balance between enjoyable, low impact physical activity and a wellbeing workout. Ridiculously crazy and amazing adventures for trail runners. Required fields are marked *. ), while still leaving opportunities to add to my lunch & snack supplies. 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. We like to track how the item was listed at the time of the sale. Hello Andrew. More information can be found in an accommodation and services guide for walkers published by the Friends of the Bibbulmun Track. How many days of food could I carry at a time? 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. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. Spring and autumn are the most popular times to walk the track, but winter is my favourite because I love seeing all the creeks and rivers in full flow. Bibbulmun Planner then met with a track veteran, "Wrong Way Jim" (eeeeekkk) at the Bibbulmun Track Foundation (BTF) to hone it further. What a contradiction! Each campsite has a three-sided shelter, a water tank, a drop toilet and picnic tables. My resupply plan was developed with the the goals of eating delicious, plant-based, package free, local and organic foods as much as possible. Some things Im curious about: if you dont mind answering: What do you bring to take photos? There are great opportunities for fit walkers to challenge themselves, on at least two of the days we walk around 25 km. I just googled the Via Dinarica and it looks amazing! At the end of the month, we'll be able to track which format and duration were most effective for us. It was at a travel writing workshop with Susan Storm in early 1998. My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). Scroll down for a Map of the Bibbulmun Track through Denmark WA. 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. If youre of average fitness, you could expect to finish the Bibbulmun in somewhere between 40 and 65 days, depending on your pace and how many rest days you take in towns. There was a cooperative in Pemberton I didnt know about! On long walks, maps are essential and a compass comes in handy. I am hiking only a section of the Bibbulmum (two nights) during July (not the best time, Im sure) but I was wondering if you think I really need a sleeping mat? 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. 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. You get to experience the famous (or infamous!) Walkers should always check the current Track conditions before embarking on a walk. ! As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. Most of the towns on the Bibbulmun Track are serviced by buses, but they are infrequent and may need to be booked in advance. The Perth ultra-endurance runner crossed the finish line at Kalamunda this afternoon, completing the 1000km journey in 11 days, seven hours and eight minutes. If you ever come this way let me know so I can return the favour Cooking for two, I prepared and dehydrated batches of 8-12 serves (4-6 days) of 11 different dishes, once or twice a week during our preparation time rather than all at once at the end, so the task wasn't too overwhelming. Ive lived in Western Australia all my life, but it wasnt until I walked the Bibbulmun that I really appreciated what a rich and incredibly diverse landscape were blessed with. This was just so I could purchase my muesli there in bulk & support their local business. Near Perth, the campsites are closer together, allowing most hikers to walk two sections in a day known as double hutting. I was happy to eat different mueslis, snacks and lunch meals by the end of the hike. But for the purposes of a non-picky hiker, theyre perfectly adequate. Glad you found my post useful. 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. The Bibbulmun Track Foundation hires out dehydrators to Western Australian locals for a fortnight. 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 solitude and peace on this trail is incredibly unique for one so near civilization. Short and sweet, to the point, just what I needed. 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 was quite a process!! Whether you love plants, animals, nature or just walking in beautiful landscapes, the Bibbulmun Track has something for you. If you are not sure then please contact us. 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. Everybodys body is different, so do some training hikes to work out any physical issues you might have, and how to manage them. Feel free to comment below for advice, or suggested additions to this guide. It will come in very useful when I finally get to do my own E2E. Lines in his book A long walk in the Australian bush.. The Bibbulmun's Wagyl or Rainbow Serpent blaze. Once we reach Albany, its a long six hour bus back to Perth and then onwards. If youve got a decent budget, Id recommend looking at equipment made by speciality manufacturers in the US like Zpacks, Enlightened Equipment, ULA and others (detailed gear reviews coming soon!). We have been planning in earnest for a few weeks now and we have been using a huge excel spreadsheet to help us battle the logistics one step at a time. The best word to describe it is pleasant. Once youve bought or borrowed everything necessary to hike the Bibbulmun Track, the next thing is to plan your walk. Have booked to complete it later this year. For gear reviews, I often rely on Outdoor Gear Lab. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. There are many free shelters and towns along the way, so this trail is welcomed to many whether they be end-to-enders, weekenders, or day hikers. I also occasionally use my phone. In Pemberton purchase two days worth of food to reach Northcliffe. 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. The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. Your email address will not be published. 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. Should just bite the bullet and get one! Awesome write up thank you! However, you don't need to finish it in one go, with 49 campsites along the track. Restocking food has been one of the biggest dilemmas for my hikes. For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. Read More. These pages are bursting with information to help you have a safe and pleasant journey. Testing out the Sawyer Filter in a murky Peak District stream. South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfaBZT Q&index=15, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc sp=sharing. The first thing I needed to decide about was when to start the journey. The Bibbulmun Track is generally well graded and relatively easy to negotiate. 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. This is a very rewarding and quite remote expeditionary hike. Although well be walking in Australias winter and rain is a distinct possibility, weve opted for lightweight trail shoes which will offer the tread we need without the weight and (hopefully) the blisters and pressure points on the feet. 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). 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. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. Thanks Andrew for such detailed notes. I packed too many teabags and sugary lollies (things I never would normally eat! Thanks for the feedback, really chuffed you liked it! Required fields are marked *. Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. Shane Johnstone, who set out to break a record of WA's Bibbulmun Track, has finished the gruelling run well ahead of schedule.. The route is clearly marked out, with signs all along and huts every 10-20 km for hikers to sleep in (well be bringing a tent as a backup). 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. Looking at starting mid September, I hope thats a good time. In 1913 timber mills were established in Pemberton to supply half a million sleepers for the Trans-Australian Railway line. What pack did you use for this hike? The Bibbulmun Track passes through Pemberton and we did two walks, totalling 7 hours. You should have a separate inventory spreadsheet where you record how much the item cost you to . Do you keep your phone on you? 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. 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. Those that walk every step of the way can be registered as end-to-enders. As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! 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. May 27, 2020 thebanksiaburrow Over the last couple of weeks before I left for the Bibbulmun Track, I was up until midnight planning my itinerary, counting sections, cooking up curries, dehydrating meals, weighing portions & allocating food for each day. I have opted for. Good luck! 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!) I decided to see what my heart picked for me when the time came. But why? This creates a logistical nightmare. 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. Most hotels, hostels and post offices along the track will happily hold resupply packages for you, just be sure to call in advance before you send them. Doing the whole bib is a dream of mine, but for now day trips will have to suffice! 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. 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. Matt. It allowed me to work out how many meals to dehydrate, pack and post, or alternatively buy in town.. If youre walking upwards of 20 kilometres a day for weeks at a time, its a battle to keep weight on. 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. Collie Donnelly River Village: Purchase all of my food from the Collie supermarkets & Balingup shops to reach Donnelly River Village. Doing it sandals should surely count for more than a regular end-to-end. Despite and abnormally rainy experience, it was quite the relaxing hike. Food can add considerably to the weight of one's backpack, significantly affecting the level of enjoyment experienced on the walk. 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. Erika Lori sets a new record on the 1,000km Bibbulmun Track. It can get extremely hot in WA between December and February, and the risk of bush fire is too great. With that decided, training should have been next on the list, but I was pretty fit so figured I didnt need to do much of that. Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. 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 . Im okay with sleeping on a hard surface (we are sleeping in a tent) but would you definitely recommend bringing one? It is important to keep an eye out for these waugals, as you can easily stray off track if youre daydreaming. In this section you will find a brief description of the towns that lie on, or adjacent to, the Track. Pingback: Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Your email address will not be published. Weve bought a Sawyer Squeeze Filter - apparently it gets rid of 99.9% of bacteria and only weighs 85 grams (I did say weight was now the only thing I think about!). Ive got a Wilderness Equipment Discovery 1 (medium), but I bought it in 1998 so things will have moved on since then! I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. Plus purchasing a small amount of meals from the supermarket did still switch up my diet. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. Very jealous, Ill add it to my ever-growing bucket list. 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. Each hut can accommodate between eight and 15 people (depending on the design) sleeping on wooden boards. It should be noted that access points shown with a green car on the official maps and guidebooks, are not included as they involve walking various distances along trails or forestry tracks to access the Bibbulmun Track. Im trying to cut down on as much weight as possible. Is there anything else less essential you can leave out of your pack? Personally, I would take one. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. Wildlife abounds on the Bibbulmun Track. The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world's great long distance walk trails, stretching 1000 kilometres from Kalamunda in the Perth hills, to the historic town of Albany on the south coast. Nick. As I mentioned in the last blog, there are 48 campsites on the Bibbulmun Track. 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. Spring (September to November) is the best time to walk the Bibbulmun Track. 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. Hey Ben! In the end I came away with the resupply plan: Kalamunda Sullivans Rock: Pack everything, dehydrating my own food & carrying from the start to reach Sullivans Rock, Sullivans Rock Dwellingup: Pack everything, dehydrating my own food & organise a trail angel to drop off near Sullivans Rock to reach Dwellingup. The Bibbulmun Trackis a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. 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. My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). It traverses the Darling Range and has inspired reflections about the state of the Western Australian environment by William J. Your email address will not be published. I have done many day walks, 2 overnight walks and one 4 day/3 night walk on the Bibb. My niece is currently on the track and has pre-planned food drops along the way. Let's see how we go! Distinctive yellow triangles displaying a waugal symbol (a rainbow serpent spirit-being from the Aboriginal Dreaming) are nailed to trees along the way to mark the Track. Karri sleepers from Pemberton were also used in the early development of the London Underground and other railway lines in the UK. 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. The Bibbulmun Track passes through some remote areas of Western Australia, so once youre on the Track you need to know how to stay on it. Well be talking & typing all things #tinyhouse #hiking #permaculture #gardening #bushwalking #simpleliving #organic #wastefree #reading. It was another early settler who arrived a year later, Pemberton Walcott, who gave the town its name. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. Mmm, difficult question! Use Google Sheets to create and edit online spreadsheets. The stores arent that basic, you should be able to get all those items you mentioned. Sounds as though it might be possible..Rosie, > miso soup (Ajishima freeze-dried miso with fungi, South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sawyer-Sque :rk:2:pf:0, https://www.facebook.com/andrew.richman 1913222176, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ edit#gid=0, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ 1858826788, https://www.facebook.com/andrew.richman 1659377176. It will probably be very uncomfortable sleeping on the ground but you might be able to cope for two nights. You will know the right one when it comes along! There are also taxi services and tour operators who can help you to co-ordinate your walk, and some B&Bs near the Track offer drop-off and pick-up services. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! Water is available from tanks at each of the 48 campsites along the. The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people, Indigenous Australians . However, walking with too heavy a pack will also be uncomfortable. The other participants spoke of travelling to exotic places or going on extravagant cruises. One of my favourite places to escape to is a little town called Pemberton, 335 kilometres south of Perth. These notes will help to make your Bibbulmun Track experience safer and more enjoyable. Im in the market to buy a new one but there is so much out there! Overview Stretching just over 1000 kilometres from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany, the Bibbulmun Track is Western Australia's longest walking trail, falling just behind South Australia's Heysen Trail as the longest walking-oriented trail in the country (the impressively long 5330 km Bicentennial National Trail is not designed with walkers in mind). Thats literally just a petrol station with very basic, expensive options, although it does have an attached cafe so you can have at least one decent hot meal. The tank water is potable but if you get water from natural sources along the way its a good idea to treat it. Thanks Kelly! A combination approach really worked well for me. a long weekend) its best to take a tent with you. Donnelly River Village Northcliffe: Pack everything dehydrating my own food & post to DRV accomodation to reach Pemberton. BT Day 33: Nerang to Monadnocks 855.9km (25km) June 19, 2021. If that makes your eyes water, its possible to put together a reasonably lightweight backpacking kit with gear from Paddy Pallin, Wild Earth and a few other retailers for less than 2000AUD. Travel from Perth Airport to Fremantle for $4.50, Take a walk on the wild side walking the Bibbulmun Track, What to take on a multi-day Bibbulmun Track hike, Follow Local Travel Tips on WordPress.com. Innovative lightweight backpacking and travel gear for your next adventure. 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. 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. Proud of your achievement. Whether you are thinking about planning your first ever walk on the Track or wondering which section to walk next, the Trip Planner pages will assist you regardless of your level of experience. I am planning a walk from Pemberton to Northcliffe in September. I currently have a fracture of my fifth metatarsal which will heal by then but I am wondering about the steepness of the terrain, especially near the Gloucester tree, and also the unevenness of the ground. Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. 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. 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. You should always use this calculator in conjunction with the Bibbulmun Track maps and guidebooks as whilst the distances are a good guide, they are rounded to the nearest 100 metres. Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. However, we went there last weekend to hike on the Bibbulmun Track a 963km walking trail that stretches from Kalamunda in the eastern suburbs of Perth to Albany on the south coast of Western Australia. 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. After all, hiking is only walking for a long time. The track goes through every resupply town, which is also rare to find. If you want to experience the geological features, biodiversity and scenic beauty of this long-distance walking trail, the Section-by-Section guide on the excellent Bibbulmun Track Foundation website is a great place to start. You need to be a special type of person to live in them and I admire people who thrive in these conditions I know I couldnt. This is intended as a guide for the absolute beginner. If you can't find what you're after, please contact us. The distance calculator is designed to help you plan your walk. 10 kg each. Ill call them and ask and add something to the blog about that section, it probably warrants a mention. Glad to have stumbled upon your blog! Thats it. But once my heart had spoken, I felt I had to follow through. 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. There are buses from all the main track towns to Perth or Albany in case we get injured and need to bail. The tank water is potable but if you get water from natural sources along the way its a good idea to treat it. You should always use this calculator in conjunction with the Bibbulmun Track maps and guidebooks as whilst the distances are a good guide, they are rounded to the nearest 100 metres. 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. 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. Some of this trusty kit does however weigh a hell of a lot more than some of the ultralight stuff on the market. Im all about lists & planning for a hike. 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. Your email address will not be published. The Bibbulmun Track is a walking trail located in Western Australia running over 1000km between Kalamunda in the north and Albany in the south. How do you keep it charged, do you have a solar charger of some sort? A range of tasty Back Country Cuisine meals are available in select stores along the Track. Notes for Potential Hikers of the Bibbulmun Track Introduction. 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? Country towns in Western Australia are spread out throughout this massive state; small pockets of civilisation with miles of bush in between them. 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. Traditional camping equipment is rarely suitable for hikers, so youll need to buy equipment thats designed for hiking. Solar chargers arent up to the job, especially on the Bibb where theres so much tree cover. 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. 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. It also helped me to better understand my bodys abilities, and made me realise how much more I could be doing with my life! I was really happy to be a trail angel for one of your re-supply days. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Banksia Burrow is a place to build and grow together. Answering these questions helped me map out how manybreakfast, lunches, dinners & snacks I would need across the hike, & where they would potentially come from along the way. Good luck choosing one! Pick one itinerary or join several together to customise your Bibbulmun Track holiday adventure. But be warned, this is not a stroll in the park. The Bibbulmun Track passes through many different environments; we saw an astonishing 85 different orchid species and hybrids.