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I have received an email from our expatriate guide, Pamela Christie shortly after she had walked the trail in 2004 – quote:
It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. But, what an experience.
Heaps of war memorabilia, birds, snakes, leeches and the most hospitable people I have ever met. Plus two villages had never seen a white woman before. Have got some good after dinner stories to tell.Am going to do a more detailed report which I will send out later. Makes the Kokoda look like a stroll in the park guys.
Cheers
Pam
Pam_Christie1.jpgI replied to Pam and asked her for a more detailed detail of her trek, this is the reply she emailed me today:
quote:
Hi Gail
I will be writing up a report on the grade of this track within the next couple of weeks, so will send it to you.
My observations are at this time is that technically it is a very difficult trek. I would not recommend this walk for your average bush walker. I agree with Malum a lot of places were extremely dangerous. I actually implemented my mountaineering skills and had us all roped together at times. It really did test me physically and mentally.
At this stage there are no places where you could set up camp over night due to the first two days. Our first day was 11hrs and 3 of these we were walking in the pitch black and it was teeming down with rain. Plus the leech problem was horrendous. Was one of the scariest situations I have ever been in.
I have made a number of contacts now over there and we are going to try and work together to improve the track, plus try and find some areas which could be used for camping out.
We did the trek in 3.5 days. At this stage for a very fit experienced trekker a minimum 4-5 days be put aside just to walk the track.
But, besides all of the above it was just the best experience I have had in this country. The war relics, wild life etc was amazing and if you have people who are real adventureres and extremely strong and fit by all means recommend it. I would be happy to either take them or help organise it for them. It is also a trek that can only be done in the dry.
This is just a very brief over view.
Cheers
Pam
Pam_Christie4.jpgPic 3:
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Pam_Christie_5.jpgJust read your report on the Black Cat Trail. Have just finished Kokoda and thoroughly enjoyed teh experience but would like to do something a bit more challenging physically. Your description pictures it as something a bit more off teh edge. Would love to get some more details.
Regards
Brento
Hi Brento, the first 'Black Cat Trek' will be in April next year and I have asked Pam Christie to lead it for me with a couple of guys from Kokoda Trekking along with villagers that live in that area.
We plan to fly in to a place called Tekadu and walk up to Wau using the 'Bulldog Trail'. Trekkers will then walk down from Wau to Salamaua on the Black Cat Trail and spend a day relaxing there.
The following day they will go by boat from Salamaua to Lae and visit the Lae War Cemetery then fly out to Port Moresby and overnight on the 24th April. The next morning trekkers will be driven out to Bomana War Cemetery for the Dawn Service.
Once we have all the particulars in place, it will be listed on our website under our schedule area and bookings will be available to everyone who would like to join this Anzac trek.
Be warned however, Kokoda is ranked a 6/10 whereas the Black Cat is 8/10 so you will need to assure us of your fitness level before anyone will be accepted for this trek.
According to Pam Christie and our Guide who walked this year, they said it was the best trek they have walked on.
I have my own reasons for growing this trek as my mother's brother was in the 2/7th and fought there during the WWII. He later lost his life in Aitape and is buried in the Lae Cemetery.
The Black Cat Trail is a virgin track as only villagers have walked there since the war.
Hi Gail
Pleased to see the progress on the Bulldog Track and also the Black Cat, after our discussions earlier this year.
Has got me thinking now!
Congrats to Pam on her trek and mini-report, would like to see the full report when it is done. Also it would be good to see a 'mud-map' of the trek, with times, distances, places etc on it some time.
I'll keep looking as this grows Gail.
Regards
Warren (waza – Trek 83) <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//cool.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”B)” border=”0″ alt=”cool.gif” />
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