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Trek 1: Four aussies rugby union players hit the Kokoda Trail this morning 11th April, 2004 for their 7 day trek. These trekkers however pushed harder than they really needed to and completed the trek in 6 days. According to our guide and other porters, James did it the toughest despite Matt saying well in advance that he did the best overall in their training sessions leading up to their trek.
One trekker James was lucky to have made it as yesterday he was in a river out near Sogeri in some rapids when he went under and didnt come up. Help was soon on its way and a relieved James surfaced finally and today told us his side of the story.
Matthew Bollinger, Eric Uwea (Guide), James Joiner, Levi Broughten-Rouse & Peter Garforth seen here flexing their muscles before heading out on the Kokoda Trail today 11th April, 2004.
CLICK HERE to view other photographs of these trekkers:
CIMG0840600.jpgTrek 2 – April update 19th April:So far everyone on this trek is doing ok and are not experiencing any problems.
Trekkers have already arrived for our second April trek which heads out Wednesday 13th April.
Some of the trekkers are seen here on arrival at Jacksons Airport 11th April.
Left to Right:
Andrew Diduszko – Sydney, Garth Tuckey, Colin Mitchell (Central Coast) & Chris Baker – Sydney Australia.
CLICK HERE to view photographs so far of these Anzac Aussie Trekkers:
CIMG0973.jpgTrek 1 Update:All guys are trekking ok so far and no problems at this stage.
Trek 2 – took off for Kokoda this morning at 6am – all very excited and ready to go:
21/04/04 Update: Trekkers are ahead of schedule and will come up at Ower's Corner around 8am 22nd April, 2004. They should be back in Port Moresby before noon tomorrow. According to Russell, they are all really fit and well and no problems whatsoever. Even Russell's 11 year old son is doing just fine.
Photograph:
Back Row: Emily Barr (Melbourne), Colin Mitchell, Garth Tuckey (Central Coast), Andrew Diduszko – Sydney, James Roach (Brisbane Triathlete), Murray Jones (Brisbane – Team Kokoda).
Front Row: Stacey Chesworth, (Alstonville) & Chris Baker – Sydney Australia,CLICK HERE to view photographs so far of these Anzac Aussie Trekkers:
CIMG1013600.jpgTREK 1 for APRIL, makes it back home:
Matthew Bollinger, Peter Garforth, James Joiner and Levi Broughten-Rouse seen here at Ower's Corner Friday 16th April, one day earlier than expected…..perhaps Matt was in a hurry to get home to his girlfriend Amanda who he left behind in Port Moresby!
Note from the editor: We've just received this message from Matt:
QUOTEWe actually completed the trek in 5 days (or 118 hrs),
technically speaking… starting from Kokoda at 12pm on Sunday 11th &
finishing a little after 9am on Friday 16th. I know this is very much only
an ego thing but would it be at all possible to amend your records to show
this true time?
<img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//biggrin.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:D” border=”0″ alt=”biggrin.gif” /> <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//biggrin.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:D” border=”0″ alt=”biggrin.gif” /> <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//biggrin.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:D” border=”0″ alt=”biggrin.gif” />The Papua New Guinean in the photograph is Matt's friend who trekked alongside the trekkers. His name is David Idau who hails from the Sepik Region of PNG and works in the Finance Department. He took leave of absence from his job to trek with his mate Matt and other friends.
WELL DONE GUYS, CONGRATULATIONS FROM ALL OF US:
P1000544.jpgTrek 3 Update Monday 19th April: We have heard by two way radio that one male trekker has decided not to continue and will return to Kokoda and fly back to Port Moresby on Wednesday. Apparently he got as far as Alola Village 2nd night when the decision was made. Will keep you posted as to which male member of the team this message refers to as soon as it has been verified.
Update 20/04/04 – Have just been informed that it is Steve Homewood who has returned and decided not to continue trekking.
Update 21/04/04 – Steve Homewood is now back in Port Moresby and has booked into the Airways Hotel. He is ok and well, and plans to return to Australia tomorrow Thursday 22nd April.
Update 25/5/04 – Trekkers are all doing ok and will return to Port Moresby around midday tomorrow.
Dr Matt Morley, his wife Dr Anna Malpas-Sands (England)(middle front row), Cameron Dunn, Mark Priest, Debbie McCosker, Keith Turkington (back row), Steve Homewood & Simon St Hill (bottom row far left and far right) all (Australians) took to the Kokoda Trail Sunday 18th April, 2004
Airport_2.jpgAussie trekkers make it back home: Emily Barr (Melbourne), Colin Mitchell, Garth Tuckey (Central Coast), Andrew Diduszko – Sydney, James Roach (Brisbane Triathlete), Murray Jones (Brisbane – Team Kokoda), Stacey Chesworth, (Alstonville) Chris Baker – Sydney Australia, and their team of guides and porters.
100_0181.jpgTwo Australian brothers – both doctors head out on the trail for an endurance trek Friday 23rd April.
They are planning on making it to Kokoda in time for the flight Kokoda Port Moresby on Wednesday 28th June.
5 Nights & 4 days….and heading from Ower's Corner make this truly a trek to check on….
Stay tuned for further updates.
The burning question….can they make the flight?????
AND THE ANSWER IS THEY DID!….WELL DONE GUYS, you have just set a new record for our Kokoda Trekkers. Up until now the fastest has been 6 days. More details on this later after our journalist Alison Anis has had a chance to interview the two aussie doctors who are also brothers.
Raphael (Rath) and Marty Blum Friday afternoon 23rd April, 2004.
CIMG1400.jpgRaphael & Marty Blum looking mighty happy that they successfully completed the trek in 4 days!
Left to Right, Dr Raphael & Dr Marty Blum. This photograph taken 28th April, 2004 on the night directly after they returned from Kokoda.
These guys even chose the harder route by walking from Ower's Corner to Kokoda:
Raphael___Marty_Blum_ANG_Re.jpg
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