Training Log Archive: grilla

Bibbulmun Track day 3. Finally a cooler day. There was rain overnight and we set off in gaiters and raincoats. Aoife’s raincoat lasted all of 50m, mine about 500. It was warmer than I thought it would be but a relief for the sub to be behind clouds. The first part of the morning was up then down through the forest to the highway. After crossing, we were then in flat heathland. Stunning flowers from here on. Mini morning tea stop at 4.5 km but pushed on to the Nut Lookout for a more substantial break. This was worth it for the view, but we ended up stopping about 50m early so didn’t get the benefit of the pack seat for our break. Could see to the coast and even through to our finish tomorrow at Peaceful Bay. Looked a long way!
Pushed on towards Conspicuous beach via Ficifolia Rd. The beach was wild and we were not tempted to swim with waves every which way. We missed the turn off the beach and not wanting to travers past the waved again (the beach was very washed away) we cut across country. This involved crossing a muddy swamp, barefoot. And then we proceeded to keep on in bare feet (not very snake-wise). Made it almost to the top of the cliff before I could not take anymore and stopped to re-boot. Aoife relented and put her thongs on :) We made it the the hut in better shape than previous 2 days, and well timed as 10 minutes later an almighty storm hit, lasting almost an hour. The weather through until early morning was then raging winds and periods of lashing rain. So we basically put on all the clothes we’d been carrying (unneeded until now) and read.
The saddest story of the whole walk happened tonight - we RAN OUT OF MATCHES! I have never had a match fail on me before, but this trip it was becoming commonplace. I was aware from the previous day that supplies were running low... but for dinner there were still 5, but then suddenly 3! I warned Aoife and she came to help and support. And one by one they all failed, even splitting. So, not a fun evening. Or following morning. Oh well.

Bibbulmun track day 2. Feeling slightly better today. Interrupted night’s sleep - very warm, and odd being just us. But peaceful. Warm again. We were walking by 7:30 with the aim of finishing before it got too hot and before we had started on the previous day. Stopped
For a break at Sappers Bridge and another after Boxhall Rd. Amazing giant tingle trees all around, and even giant sized she-oaks. The final push to Valley of the Giants seemed to take forever. We were rewarded with icy poles, cold drinks and iced coffee/chocolate. Plus a walk on the suspended walkway. From there to the hut was fairly easy and mostly downhill. We spent the afternoon warding off the voracious March flies. They were lethal and we needed to re-Aeroguard every 15 minutes :).
Saw our first fellow hiker today “The Mister Cat” arrived at around 7:30pm, just as we were getting ready for bed. He’d come from Walpole. Left just as we got up the next day, intending to double stage through to Peaceful Bay today. Doing the whole track in 32 days!

Massively tough day today. We arrived in Perth late last night and went to bed at equivalent of 2:30 am Canberra time! Left just before 9 for 5 hour drive to Walpole. It was 34 degrees when we set off. No sea breeze. From Coalmine Beach to Frankland River hut. Longer than we were expecting and the heat and tiredness just wore us down. Aoife did not feel well from the start. But we made it. To find a totally empty hut and perfectly peaceful river. Mozzies were getting a bit much so we slept in the tent fly in the hut (open sided hut). And eventually found the Aerogaurd after thinking. Had been forgotten.

C • MTB? 3

Slow and steady. Hamstring still a bit grumpy. Great to get out and not be too cold for a little while today!