Day 53: Mt Chance to Woolbales

Dec 3

We acknowledge the Nyoongar People as the traditional custodians of the land and waters along the Bibbulmun Track

hiker sitting on large granite outcrop at sunset admiring expansive view — More glorious views, this time over Broke Inlet, from the top of Woolbales

Aerial overview map — Use Bibbulmun Track Foundation Map 6 - Northcliffe

elevation gain 180 metres loss 240 metres over 21.8 km — The elevation details for the day only tell part of the story!

There’s a huge variety of vegetation again today, from the plains to forests of karri, jarrah and marri. There’s more wading, but the weather is warm and the water cool. I’d be lying if I said we weren’t getting tired of wet boots, but the only part that really hurts is donning those cold, wet socks each morning. In ten minutes your feet have warmed up, at least until the next puddle!

hiker on track nearign edge of swamp approaching dense forest area — From Plain to forest in two paces.

small pink and cream trigger plant — Trigger plant, possibly *S. junceum*

close up of single pale yellow sun orchid — *Thelymitra flexuosa*

hiker walking along track in dappled shade at forest and swamp interface — Skirting the swamp

dozen or so march flies on boot — March flies (in spring!). These large flies bite and they swarm the moment you stop moving. The bites sting when they happen but fortunately engender no inflammatory or histamine response in most people.

We carry Bushmans insect repellant decanted into a tiny bottle - it’s so concentrated that you need hardly any. However, you have to be careful with DEET as it eats many synthetic fabrics and materials including expensive lightweight hiking ones and, of course, it’s a toxic chemical you don’t want to slather on uneccessarily. Unless we’re stopping for an extended break, we usually just wave our arms about in the classic Aussie salute, or pull on a long sleeved fleece!