It took me a little while to get started on the first day. I had to post my resupply boxes to the next two stops and the nice lady at the post office was happy to chat. I then went on to find a gas bottle - Bunnings only had 5kg ones (would have to chuck all my chocolate to make room for that - so no!) and after calling a few shops I ended up at the local Mitre10, aptly called “Walker Mitre10” who had the version I was looking for. The ladies at the checkout were very interested in my plans and also happy to chat. On the way to the supermarket to buy a few bits as snacks for the first few days, a guy unloading kegs behind the local pub started chatting to me about the walk and how two of his mates had done it a few times and how he was more interested in doing the mountain bike trail. Everyone is just so friendly and chatty!
When I got to the northern terminus of the Bibbulmun track, where I took yesterday’s pictures, not a soul in sight. So it was just a selfie (see below) and off I went. And I didn’t see anyone until mid morning the next day.
The trail is really well signposted - so far, I’d say it’s impossible to get lost!
The sign depicts the Waugal or rainbow serpent of Nyoongar creation and there’s a sign every few hundred meters.
The first 10km or so to Hewlitts camp site went through granite outcrops dotted with grass trees.
I read that these granite rocks are 2500 million years old and some of the oldest rocks on earth.
I got to the camp site by about 6pm - still plenty of time to set up camp, stretch and cook dinner.
I had the whole place to myself, so I didn’t set up my tent but just slept at the shelter.
Funnily, i opened the hiker logbook and it flapped open in April 2018. After turning one page, i found my friend Stef’s log from 3 years ago when she walked this track solo as well!
I read for a little bit (one of my new luxury items - an ereader), but I was so tired after the flight and with the time difference that I gave up by 10 past 8 and slept for almost 10 hours!
It was totally quiet, not many birds around and nothing else, except the wind in the trees.
My new sleeping bag is amazing - so warm!
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