There is nothing more off-putting than reading too much about a trail. As a committed over-thinker, I am slowly learning that too much research can lead to analyse paralysis and even giving up on an idea.
Take my next adventure; the Bibbulmun Track, one of the World’s great long distance hikes. In a previous post I had all but decided not to walk any of it, despite being the best time of the year and the fact I am less than £100 away from it!
The Bibb was going to be the perfect hike for me in preparation for the big one over the Tasman Sea. Then, one night in my Ho Chi Minh City hotel, I spent over five hours reading about snakes, particularly those venomous buggers that live in Australia. Within a few hours my plans had completely changed. I woke up the next day looking at alternative hikes in Australia.
I was within a few clicks of booking campsites along the Great Ocean Walk in Victoria. Everything aligned, from decent flight prices to Melbourne and availability of camping sites. I was slightly put off by the $30 a night cost, but you are paying for a whole site which could accommodate up to four people!
The idea of doing the Bibb never went away. Somewhat frustrated by not having a plan, I then revisited the idea of doing the Bibb. Within a day I had booked a flight to Perth. For some reason I am totally over thinking about snakes and other baddies on the trail. The reality is snakes are more afraid of us and there are lots of precautions one can take.
The Bibb foundation emailed me to say that it’s unlikely I will see one anyway, due to the time of year and the section I am doing. If something did happen I will have a PLB (personal locator beacon) and aware that you mustn’t move if you are bitten. Finally, the timing couldn’t be better as it will be school holidays, meaning more people around (I might live to regret saying that if it is super crowded with noisy little erks!).
It would of course be foolish not to research and be aware of the potential dangers. If there was no internet then I’d never have initially bailed on doing the Bibb. For sure, I would have read a guidebook and taken note of the reptiles that might be around, but that would have been it. Don’t get me wrong, the web is awesome and I am one of it’s biggest fans, but as much as it can give you lots of ideas, it can have the potential to stop you doing stuff too.