Grandfather lifts tired trekker's spirit
When the Bibbulmun Team Challenge became too tough for Lauren Emmerson, she sought motivation from her grandfather, who loved the 1000km trail but passed away before he was able to complete it.
"He did the Bibbulmun Track over a few years in his late 60s and 70s and walked all of it except for the very last part towards Albany, so when he passed away we sprinkled his ashes over the last section," Mrs Emmerson said.
"I was puffing and panting, complaining and whingeing when nobody could hear me and I thought 'My God, Grandad, you were more than double my age when you did this - how did you do it?'"
The 30-year-old and three of her Department of Parks and Wildlife colleagues are among eight teams who have taken part in the 50km four-day Bibbulmun Team Challenge during Outdoors October, a month-long celebration of activities throughout WA.
More than 150 activity providers and clubs joined forces to encourage West Australians to get off the couch and be more physically active in the great outdoors, Outdoors WA executive officer Jamie Bennett said.
_The West Australian _wants people to send in their best photographs from their experiences outdoors this month for a chance to win prizes, including a weekend of camping at Bickley Outdoor Recreation Camp available for up to 25 people. Send your outdoors photographs to thewest.com.au/outdoorsoctober.
