Days 16 and 17 of Munda Biddi - Grinding it out

Phone reception was very poor at Booner Mundak hut (day 16) so this post covers two days.

Day 16

Distance: 55 km

Elevation gain: 563 metres

From the Jinung Beigabup hut to the Booner Mundak hut

About 4.5hrs travel time, from 9am to 1:30pm. Not too many stops.

Day 17

Distance: 54 km

Elevation gain: 865 metres

From the Booner Mundak hut to the town of Walpole 

About 5hrs travel time, from 6:30am to 11:30am with a break for lunch and swim.

At Walpole, my distance from Mundaring on the bike is 933 km.

Day 16 recap

Today was just a grind, especially compared to the previous day riding along the coastline.  The track was along dirt roads in the coastal hinterland.  There was very little shade and the scenery was monotonous.  In paces the track was soft sand which increased the sense of just grinding out the kilometres.  It is not pleasant riding up hill, in soft sand, with a headwind.  

I was looking forward to the lunch stop at Kent River where there was a suspension bridge and a swimming spot but this did little to lift my spirits. It was hot, there was no shade, the flies were relentless and the water was not inviting a swim.  

I've lost count of the number of flies I have swallowed on this trip - when there are so many and you are breathing heavily riding up a hill some are bound to "go down the hatch".  A coughing fit normally gets 'em back out. Yuck!!!

The hut today was not far from the lunch stop so I could relax most of the afternoon but there was no phone reception so it was in isolation.  Today's section between Jinung Beigabup hut and Booner Mundak hut is one of my least favourite on the whole trip.

Day 17 recap

I got away early today, keen to ride in the cooler part of the day. The first 18 km were the same grind along dirt roads and soft sand.  As the track neared the coast it climbed into the Valley of the Giants section, where there are huge trees and a tree-top walk tourist attraction.  The climb up-hill was on a single mountain bike track. It was brutal with steep switchbacks all the way to the top, but then came the fun part - riding down the same kind of track - with jumps, twists and turns.  

The hills kept coming all the way to Walpole which explains the big elevation gain today, even though the track finished at sea level. I was exhausted by mid morning and stopped at a swimming spot along the Frankland River called Monastery Landing, for an early lunch (or second breakfast).  This was perfect.  Picnic tables in the shade and a pontoon with a ladder to get in and out of the water.  I ate lunch and then went for a quick dip.  The water was cold!

After the cooling swim I peddled on for the last hour and made it to Walpole before lunch.  It was a gruelling ride with all the hills and I was very glad to be off the bike.  The legs were OK, however my backside was very tender.  

Today completes a 3-day back-track loop that returns me to Walpole where I took a car transfer to get my bike fixed in Denmark.  I'm back in civilisation and looking forward to seeing my lovely wife.  

To complete my Munda Biddi journey there is one final 83 km section, from Denmark to Albany. 

The lunch spot on Day 16 at the Kent River bridge was a bit disappointing.  The water looks more inviting in the photo than it was in reality.

The sandy track under a lovely blue sky. Not much shade to be found.

All packed for the day's ride.  You will notice I've picked up a blue yoga mat that someone kindly left behind in a hut.  It is one more layer of foam and comfort while sleeping in the tent.  It was very light-weight so it was a no-brainer to bring it along.

Long-necked sheep along the track towards Walpole.

 

In the Valley of the Giants the track passes though a burnt out tree.

Frankland River swimming spot at Monastery Landing. Perfect for a quick dip.