Day 6: 32 in 37

29 March

That’s 32km in 37 degree heat. With another few big climbs. I now remember reading the recommendation to start in the south and go North, instead of what I?m doing, I.e. North (Kalamunda) to south (Albany) - for 2 reasons: your legs are more used to walking and the hills will be easier towards the end. And it?s not as hot in the south this time of the year, and will cool down up here by the time you get here. Right... I understand both points now. 

It was a long, hot day today. I left Nerang campsite and covered the first 16km to Gringer Creek by lunch time. On the way, I had 2 Brush wallabies follow me - or rather hop away, then stopping to stare at me and as soon as I got closer hopping off ahead again. This went on for quite a while. 

An hour later, something similar went on with a couple of red tailed black cockatoos

But there’s also not much happening for long stretches. Just bush, the wind in the trees and my footsteps. Lots of time to think. Mostly about food. Sometimes a little deeper. I haven’t yet worked out why I’m actually doing this (apart from “because I can”). 

Listening to how the sound of my footsteps changes when I walk on leaves, packed dirt, rubble, rocks. 

After lunch, I had to get up Boonering Rock. It was so hot, very little shade and the wind was just as hot. 

The views from the top were fantastic, and you could see another mine. It?s interesting how the mines are so omnipresent in Western Australia, you can?t see them from the road, but on the map or at a bit of elevation, they seem to be everywhere. I read that Alcoa is a major sponsor of the Bibbulmun track foundation, which I find a surprising alliance given the scars the mines leave in the landscape. But that’s probably the greenie / environmentalist in me who doesn’t recognise the importance to the economy etc... 

Another benefit of being up high was that I had a bit of phone reception and had a video chat with Birger - for the first time since Friday. With the Garmin GPS/ PLB device, I have been sending him messages every day when I’m safely arrived at a camp site, and when I’m leaving in the morning, so he usually has a good idea of where I am. But these are only preset messages saying “i’ve just arrived, all is well” with the map coordinates. It’s cool technology, but having a face to face chat is so much better! 

I also checked the weather forecast (my usual obsession...) and that’s how I found out just HOW hot it was. 

At the top of yet another hill, there’s this rock formation. Very aptly named... 

With taking breaks and phone calls, and climbing hills most afternoon, I only arrived at White Horse Hills campsite around 5:30pm. The one person who was already there was just finishing his dinner and went off to his tent without much conversation by 6. 

And they say 9pm is hikers’ midnight ??... 

I love the orange glow of the trees in the evening. 

If anyone knows how to turn photos if you post on blogger from an iPhone, please send me a message!