Laurie Brown (LozzaB)

Completed: 11 May, 2019

Laurie Brown thumbnail — **Laurie Brown**
LozzaB

Start date: 8 October, 2018
Age When Completed: 58
Direction Walked: Both

Track Towns and Supplies

Did you have any issues finding food/supplies? Yes
Managed this time round to plan with minimum weight but maximum enjoyment in mind. The dehydrator was working overtime making jerky, dehydrating mince, chilli, chicken etc. Was never hungry and, indeed, probably took too much food. Was great to get

Your Story or Advice for Others

General Comments
Once again - the best thing I've ever done!!

Your Best Equipment
1. GutHook! A must have. not only did it keep us on track and save us several times when off it but we became proactive in using it for some adventure side trips on alternative routes. 2. My 'puffa-puffa' jacket. Incredobly warmth to weight ratio. 3. My 38 litre Osprey Exos pack. Able to now pack down from original 65l pack on first E2E to just 38l this time - without compromise!

Your Worst Equipment
1. Air mattress - still just cannot get a good nights sleep on a mattress. Broken and disturbed sleep. Need to revisit the whole sleeping system - perhaps a move to a hammock solution.

Advice for Others
Be very careful when traversing the privately owned paddock south of Blackwood. There are 4 quite large 'chicken dogs' patrolling it and they are on the aggressive side. This needs sorting on the track. Secondly, always keep in touch with the Foundation - they are an invaluable source of advice for change updates - accommodation, re-routes, camp closures etc etc. Finally, if you are thinking about doing the Bibb - JUST DO IT!!!!

Trip Details

How you completed the Bibbulmun Track:

In sections

Who did you complete the Track with? Other - Ant
Was undertaking your hike the PRIMARY/MAIN purpose of your TRAVEL from where you currently live? No
What first prompted you to walk the Bibbulmun Track? Other

Your Experience

Favourite Section
Blackwood! again. Feels like I was at home there. You earn it too going up Cardiac Hill from the south. It was both magic and 'mystical' - particularly in the morning in the valley below. Stunning skies and panorama on top of the world.

Highlight of your trip
The bond built with my walking mate, Ant. You get to know people on the track together. We met on the track last time when we both started in October last year. I jumped at the chance to join him this time and we are already planning our next walks - it will include the Bibb again, but next up may be Larapinta!