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Last night when we met up with 12 of the 18 trekkers, we said we would pick them up at 7am from the Gateway Hotel. When we arrived there were trekkers everywhere as there appeared to be three different trekking companies heading out on the track today. As there were 6 trekkers arriving on a flight from Cairns at 8:30, we decided that our truck would take our trekkers to Bomana War Cemetery. Russell in the troopcarrier would ferry in all their backpacks and then be on standby to drive them to Owers' Corner from wherever the truck could reach based on the condition of the road. I decided to stay back and wait for the trekkers from Cairns and then play catch up to the others. It all went like clockwork.
Trekkers arrived on time from Cairns; our big truck got almost to the last village and Russell ferried them to Owers' Corner. As for myself, a bit of fun 4wd driving saw us arrive at Owers' Corner about an hour after the lead group. Today was a bit wet so we could not get down to the archway but we managed to get to the last hill so they did not have too far to walk to get to the starting point.
Trekkers in the first group are made up as follows:
- Sue Lawlor – porter – (Jimmy Barai)
- Catherine (return trekker 2008) & hubby Jeff Pethybridge + Shared Porter with Jeff – (Ramsey Idau)
- Andrew Evely – Shared Porter 'Brendan Buka' with Tracy
- Tracy Wilson – sharing Brendan Buka as a porter with Andrew
- Loretta Monaghan (return trekker 2007) + Requires a porter (Wayne Urina)
- Neil Perry + Requires a porter – (Duggie Eroro)
- Nicholas Perry + Requires a porter – (Justin Egimbari)
- Michael McKellar + Requires a porter – (Conwell Barai)
- Adam McKellar + Requires a porter – (Tommy Bareo)
- Aaron Little + Requires a porter
- Kerry Little + Requires a porter – (Nigel Pue)
As it turns out a couple of father/son trekkers along with a husband and wife and some friends. Brendan Buka has drawn two runners which suits him perfectly even though he will look over shadowed by their height.
IMGP0459.jpgThe group who arrived from Cairns were once again a mixture of father son combinations; a brother in law and assume a friend made up the six trekkers as follows:
- Greg Taggart + Requires a porter – (Ray Olen)
- Hugh Taggart + Requires a porter – (Homer Ino)
- Michael Lee + Requires a porter – Jerry Imaita
- Cameron Lee
- Adam Gregory + Requires a porter – (Hobert Keke – a real character and fun to be around)
- Keith McLennan + Requires a porter
Whilst I was playing catch up it seems the trekkers already at Owers' Corner were getting to know their personal porters, photographs below:
Photographs:
Pic 1: Sue Lawlor with her porter Jimmy Barai
Pic 2: Catherine and Jeff Pethybridge with their shared porter Ramsey Idau (a previous trekkers claimed Ramsey could sing and play his uke'ule with a pack on his back underwater if he had too).
Pic 3: The trek champion Brendan Buka with Andrew Evely and Tracy Wilson, By the time these guys finish their trek they will be in awe of the times Brendan set for any future person to try and break. His records are as follows:- Kokoda to Owers' Corner – set in 2007 – 17 hours 20 minutes
- Owers' Corner to Kokoda – set in 2008 – 16 hours 34 minutes
Photographs:
Pic 1: Loretta Monaghan with Wayne Urina. This is the second time Loretta has walked with Wayne. Apparently her backpack was the lightest of them all and someone remarked, Wayne will SING all the WAY TO KOKODA
Pic 2: Nicholas Perry and yet to be confirmed as I am not 100% sure – Justin Egimbari
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IMGP0464.jpgPhotographs:
Pic 1: Michael McKellar with Conwell Barai
Pic 2: Adam McKellar and his porter Tommy Bareo
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IMGP0466.jpgKerry & Aaron Little. The first guy I do not recognise but the bottom photograph is a porter by the name of Nigel Pue.
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IMGP0468.jpgWhilst this bonding was going on, our food porters were busily preparing their packs:
IMGP0469.jpgWhen the vehicle I was driving arrived with the six trekkers their porters minus one were waiting at the top of the hill to meet up with the people they would be spending the next few days with.
Oops, the last photograph below is actually their guide Wallace Lemeki with Hugh Taggart and it was his porter Homer who was down the bottom of the hill. No doubt they met up some time later!
Photographs:
Pic 1: Dr. Greg Taggart with Ray Olen
Pic 2: Adam Gregory with a very funny guy who usually steals the show by the name of Hobert Keke
Pic 3: Hugh Taggart and Wallace the trek guide
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IMGP0472.jpgPhotographs:
Pic 1: Michael Lee and his porter Jerry Imaita.
Pic 2: Keith McLennan and once again I am not too sure of his porters name.
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IMGP0474.jpgBefore the last group headed off down to the archway at Owers' Corner they decided to have a photograph taken with their porters and guide Wallace Lemeki:
IMGP0476.jpgOther photographs were taken today but unfortunately they did not come out that well but will post them here for you anyway.
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IMGP0458.jpgHi Gail,
My best wishes are extended to participants on Trek 531 for a safe and enjoyable crossing.
I am often pleasantly suprised to notice with some trekking groups, past work and sporting club friends of mine trekking with KTL., Al & Ambrose Swindon, & Brian Quarrell (The Bucket List)
With this latest group I have noticed the possibility of one of the trekkers being a past school mate of mine in Greg Taggart. His son Hugh was identified in a photo with Wallace. Hugh looks very much like how I remember his father Greg,circa 1960, at Greythorn High School in suburban Melbourne.
If my connection is correct please pass on my individual best wishes to Greg & Hugh.
Cheers, Geoff Hardie
Geoff you are so right. Actually its now, Dr. Greg Taggart. When I talk to him next I will pass on your message.
In fact all the trekkers I picked up today are from Melbourne. A few of them mentioned they have something to do with the Lord Somers Camp which Wallace their guide has attended several times so already have something in common.
Thanks Gail,
A check of an old school photo, Greythorn High School, 1962, 1st XVII Aussie Rules football team has me convinced that I have identified a younger Dr Greg Taggart matching the one in your photo. I must say Greg looks extremely fit and should complete the track with ease.
I think I must have I earlier missed your photo caption of Greg with his Porter.
Cheers, Geoff Hardie
6th August: Sorry have only had contact with Wallace today as its been raining out there and they have had trouble getting a signal out.
When he managed to get through earlier this morning, he said everyone was ok and that they were heading to Efogi today where they would spend the night.
All trekkers are ok and in the background we could hear them yelling out to Wallace to say HI to us from the track.
When we spoke to our other trek on the go who get out from Owers' Corner today, they said it had been raining EVERY DAY since they commenced their walk.
So can only assume, the trek is wet and slippery so if they are all doing well they must be coping with the conditions.
The majority of boys accompanying this trek are old hands at looking after trekkers so I think despite the weather conditions, they must be all enjoying themselves…well lets hope so!!!
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