Russell James (Master Chafe)
Completed: 30 September, 2020
Master Chafe
- Start date: 25 August, 2020
- Age When Completed: 37
- Direction Walked: Southbound
Track Towns and Supplies
- Did you have any issues finding food/supplies? Yes
- Packed too much for each food drop but at each town loved taking fresh vegetables in for the next few days to cook on the trangia. The forward planned food drops was a long day (1000km and a chance to gauge how long that really is.....) but well worth doing to reduce the weight needed to carry and scope out the towns. Everyone in the towns was amazing!
Your Story or Advice for Others
General CommentsEmbarked on this 1000km trek with my friend Joel Gordon as team Master Chafe to raise funds and awareness for Suicide Prevention. Unfortunately due to Injury Joel had to pull out just after the 500km mark but I continued on solo. Loved every minute of the hike and the track was in great condition which is a testament to the volunteers on the track.
Your Best Equipment
My Osprey pack. The most comfortable and easy to use pack with so many handy compartments and integrated water bladder. That and my Saloman boots. almost no blisters the whole way!
Your Worst Equipment
Everything went so well that I struggle to name and shame any part of my gear. I was disappointed with my Go Pro when it had glitches after a week but it still took photos fortunately!
Advice for Others
Get your pack loaded early in the preparation phase and bring the kgs up gradually. Doing stairs and hills in my training meant I enjoyed every part of the walk and reduced injury possibility. When you also think how much food you need, then reduce that amount a little. I never needed as much as I took but always had some spare in case of emergency. Did I mention Fixumol......
Trip Details
How you completed the Bibbulmun Track:- All at once
- Who did you complete the Track with? Solo (primarily)
- Was undertaking your hike the PRIMARY/MAIN purpose of your TRAVEL from where you currently live? No
Your Experience
Donnelly River to Pemberton - Tough to choose but can't compete with the majestic trees!
Highlight of your trip
Maybe a glutton for punishment but coming off the Pingerup Plains in hail and gale force winds and then getting blown around on Mandalay beach was a highlight... Nothing to do but kept going on and be in awe of the power of nature. Saying that, the karri forrests of Pemberton and Donnelly River is something I'll never forget along with the first glimpses of the coast and the beach and cliff walks coming into Albany. My favorite story is about ending up doing a 50km day after a couple of wrong turns and whilst not having seen anyone for 3 days. The weather was terrible and wading knee deep most off the day. Certainly taught me something of resilience and perseverance.