Bibbulmun 2025 by tokes

A few ups and downs and got pretty hot near the end of the walk but a great first day. Such different scenery to NZ, gum trees, rocks, red earth, super dry.

And first kangaroo sighting!

Had the place to myself and tried out sleeping inside the shelter. So quiet and loved the me time :)

All the huts along the trail are the same three sided shelters. Super well maintained and always water and a toilet nearby. Never seen such clean long drips in my life, some even had small changing rooms in them!

At the hut met three other hikers heading south too (Mandy, Peter and Andrew). Mandy and Andrew heading all the way to Albany and Peter just to Dwellingup. Good to talk hiker shit.

Quickly getting back into the rhythm of the trail, walk, eat and sleep (badly still!)

Shortly after I arrived at the hut a large, friendly but super chatty group arrived :) Totally different vibe in camp :)

Also met a man and his 10 year old daughter who were nearing the end of their NOBO walk. She appeared more upbeat then he did - gotta be hard to enjoy things totally when you’re looking out for someone all the time.

Trail was really busy with lots of weekend walkers coming out - most of the Bibb is accessible from roads so this will be a pattern I reckon.

Andrew arrived late afternoon, both Peter and Mandy on a different pace so may not see them again.

Had a top and tail bush-shower (before Andrew appeared!), felt good to be a little bit cleaner!

Getting super cold at night now going to have to buy some extra layers. Also getting used to the short days and long nights. Getting dark at 6:30pm and light at 6:30am, so ending up sleeping by 8 (getting 10hrs of broken sleep) and hitting the trail between 7 and 8. Which really only leaves about 9 hrs of walking to avoid walking in the dark and having some light to set up at the end of the day.

Coldest night of the trail! Quilt sleeping bag not really cutting it, wearing puffer, socks and thermal just to stay warm-ish :(

Didn’t really expect this but hoping to get some extra gear tomorrow in Dwellingup.

Met an Israeli heading north who was a little over it all I think. Was getting a little tired of the unchanging scenery (fair) and was looking forward to Kalamunda. But he did reassure us that the snake situation further south wasn’t that dramatic - he was even disappointed not to get a proper photo of one!