Canning Stock Route Walkers
Halls Creek to Wiluna
July to September
1976
The First Walkers to Complete The Canning Across Country
A personal account by
Rex Shaw
2017
Five members of the Perth Bushwalkers Club attempted to walk the Canning Stock Route in 1976. They were, Murray Rankin, Serena Rankin, Kathy Burman, Ralph Barraclough, Rex Shaw. Three succeeded. Serena Rankin withdrew at Billiluna Station. Ralph Barraclough withdrew at Well 47. We nicknamed the walk “Footprints In The Sand Expedition”.
I was 16 years old when I began walking the Canning Stock Route. I set out from Halls Creek on July 01/1976. It is often recorded that our walk started from Old Halls Creek on July 02/1976. That is true for walking as a group. The youngest person to attempt and succeed. I was born and bred in Perth. Highgate Primary School. Perth Modern High. Joined the Perth Bushwalkers Club around 1974. Then in 1976 the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself.
We walked across country using map, compass and aerial photographs to guide us. In 1976 few defined tracks were available to follow At any rate we were walking across country and utilising tracks was not what we were into.We utilised food and water drops to supplement our supplies, which were placed by vehicle prior to our walk by Ralph Barraclough, Serena Rankin, Murray Rankin. They were the first single vehicle to drive the Canning Stock Route south to north completely unsupported.
This sites focus is purely on our walk of 1976. But I would be amiss in not paying tribute to those walkers who went before us. Murray Rankin, Peter and John Waterfall, 1972 attempt. Murray Rankin and John Foulsham, 1973 attempt. They tested the boundaries of what was possible and what was not, thus laying the foundations for the successful walk of 1976. Included in this site is my diary and photographs taken by me. Sadly, I was informed by Murray that the film shot by John Foulsham in the preparation stages of our walk and by Murray Rankin on the walk has not survived well.
A Personal Note
I found the walk very difficult in the first month, despite months of physical training beforehand. Blisters on the feet and general fatigue were very prevalent. Blisters were treated by lancing with a sewing needle disinfected over fire. Adapting to a new diet was difficult. I often felt listless in the early stages of the walk. None of my physical training prepared me for the instant social disconnect from the world I knew. Being fit in body is not enough to keep you walking day in day out. You question yourself and your resolve. Why do this? For me, I was there, I committed to do it and people relied upon me to follow it through. Murray had tried and failed to complete on two previous attempts, I was not going to fail him on this. I personally was never the same person after the walk. I was basically a city boy with limited bush walking experience taking on the Canning. I really did not comprehend what I was getting into. We often walked separately. Wandering off compass bearing was so easy to do and lethal. In the middle of the desert and alone, you do not want to wander off in the wrong direction. In 1976, the Canning Stock Route was an isolated place. Very few people ventured there. I quickly learned not to fall down too often with a back pack ranging from 40 lbs to 70 lbs. Apart from being dangerous, it was bloody hard to unstrap whilst your laying in the desert sand wriggling like a dying cockroach and then having to lift the pack up onto your back again. I learnt about and appreciated the solitude of the desert. How one could appreciate the fragility of ones mortality in a landscape so vast. How harsh and beautiful it all was. I bonded with the land spiritually, that's the best way I can say it. I rarely spoke of the walk for many years after. Blank stares of disbelief from people who said “you did what?” Those stares made me realise that I had changed and it was best to just keep quiet about it all. I'm still a little quiet about it all. It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to walk The Canning Stock Route when it was generally unknown.
To the best of my knowledge. No person has succeeded since in walking The Canning Stock Route unsupported across country from Halls Creek to Wiluna since our walk in 1976. Some brave souls since our walk have attempted to walk the Canning Stock Route in their own manner.
I thank Murray Rankin for his expertise in navigation thus saving my ass from dehydration and desiccation. Kathy Burman, my training companion in the lead up to the walk. I thank you for the many pancakes at The Wonderful World of Pancakes at Nedlands, particularly the savoury ones. Ralph Barraclough my friend and mentor. A man who was most capable. Serena Rankin the nurse, where were you when I had blisters?
canningwalkers.id.au
The First Walkers 1976
No permission is granted to use any material in this site
Rex Shaw
2017
Murray Rankin 1973
Photo by John Foulsham
Murray Rankin. Rex Shaw. Kathy Burman. Wiluna September 1976.
Courtesy Daily News
Rex Shaw Wolf Creek Crater
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