- This topic has 1,789 voices and 14 replies.
- Posts
Trek 79: When Melissa Houghton left home she told her family & friends no more emails for two weeks. But not so, Melissa found herself on a Qantas flight going nowhere on Saturday when she sat on the ground in Sydney for a couple of hours and missed her connection out of Brisbane. The airline then put her up in accommodation in Cairns and she was back emailing once again. When Melissa finally arrived yesterday on a flight via Cairns at 1:30pm she was just so relieved that I was able to get her to the starting blocks at Kokoda last night.
Yes, an Air Niugini flight to Popondetta at 4pm followed by a three hour drive up to Kokoda to Russell's family block allowed her to catch up with all other 9 trekkers so she could head out with them this morning.
Russell radioed me last night from Kokoda saying she was happily chatting away with other trekkers and looking forward to this mornings walk up to Isurava.
Trek 93 – The Fast Trek: By the time they left the Fast Trek guys were getting a little edgy worrying about their first day's walk and their desire to make Isurava by nightfall. Well at least Grant Colman who was appointed their trek leader seemed worried.
Gail explained to Grant that she suspected Russell would spoil them and due to their late departure would more than likely drive them up to Kovello in his Red 4 Wheel Drive Hulux. He smiled at this point then added….we will feel cheated!
Gail heard later on yesterday that they did in fact get driven up and last night heard by two way radio from Rod their guide that they had reached Isurava Village where they were to overnight. This morning they will walk up to Isurava Battlesite and then probably Templeton's Crossing for their next overnight but will keep you posted. All trekkers looked fit and ready to take on Kokoda!
Trek 74 – Harry Heroe's Walking for a Cure: This group split into two yesterday with two guys struggling. John Derrick Eroro their guide stayed back with the two and this morning will be up bright and early to walk up to Nauro Village to join the others. They are both doing ok but John made the decision to let them rest rather than push on yesterday.
Before they left the indicated they wanted to make up a day and come out at Ower's Corner on Wednesday not Thursday as previously planned so they could have another day in Port Moresby. Based on this, they are target to get out this coming Wednesday.
Update 23rd May, 2005;
Trek 74 ? Harry?s Heroes – Walking for a Cure: The rest of the group have left Nauro 5 minutes ago with their assistant guide Glen Henson and are heading up to Maguli Range. It is said; the group will stop and rest there, while they wait for the other 3 trekkers plus their guide John Eroro to join with them. All trekkers are doing extremely well. So far there has been no-one injured, or experiencing any difficulties, so they are all doing great.
As for the other 3 trekkers that are behind with their guide John Derrick Eroro, they have now reached Nauro. John just informed me on the Two-way-radio that, the threesome are doing great, they are all fine and ready to hit the track again and catch up with the rest of the group. At the moment they are resting and enjoying a can of coke each.
Weather at this point of time, is looking pretty good, no sign of any black clouds so it?s a beautiful day. Am pretty sure the trekkers will enjoy this walk.
Update;
Trek 74 ? Harry?s Heroes ? Walking for a Cure; The group have now joyfully reunited. All trekkers who went ahead with Glen are very much happy and glad that the other 3 plus John have joined up with them again. Everyone is doing ok, and they are all fine.
At this time the trekkers are slowly moving down to their next camp site Ofi Creek. When they get there, which would roughly take them an hour and a half; they will call us on the two-way-radio and fill us in on their latest.
It seems the sun just called it quits, now that the sky is dominated with black clouds, clearly indicating that it?s going to rain. But will just wait and hear from them, and see how they are all progressing including their weather report.
As for the other two trek?s;
Trek 93 ? The Fast Trek & Trek 79 ? Nicole Plant?s Trek.
I haven?t heard from them yet, due to radio reception not transmitting well. At the moment, the two groups are in lower ground, which means I won?t be able to make any radio contacts with them until they reach higher grounds. And when they do, I will fill you on their latest.Update 25th May, 2005;
Apologies to our viewers, due to internet sever down; we were not able to update you on the latest happenings on the trail. Therefore we would like to take this time and say thank you for your time, understanding and patients.
Now back to the trail.
Trek 79 ? Nicole Plant?s Trek;
After spending their first night at Russell?s family block on Sunday the 22nd, the group headed out for an early start the very next day, with their guide Kingsley Boropi and the other porters. Although the stroll from Russell?s family block to Hoi Village was good for the first two and a half hour, it became tiring when they started climbing the first hill, ?The Test Mountain?. The Test Mountain is actually the very first mountain to climb before reaching Isurava Village. Indeed it was a pretty big climb for a start, but most trekkers pulled it off well, only two or three were a bit slow, but they made it through to the end otherwise.
The group spent the second night at Isurava Village and then continued to Iora Creek the very next day. With the weather not looking too good on Tuesday the 24th, they all made it Iora Creek in one peace and camped there for the third night.
This morning, I got a radio call form Kingsley on the two-way-radio. He informed me that all his trekkers are doing great; so far none of the trekkers have injured himself/herself, or facing any problems or difficulties, they are all well and doing terrific, so that good news. At the moment the group is at Templeton?s Crossing 1, they will move down to the base of Mt Bellemy where they will all have lunch and continue on to Myola Junction to spend the night.
For everyone?s information, during their stay at Myola, there won?t be any radio contacts until they reach higher grounds, the next day.
As for the weather today at their end, it?s cloudy but no sign rain, and they are also hoping it won?t rain tonight, but we'll just wait and see how it goes.
Trek 93 ? The Fast Trek
The group spent the night at the base of Mt Bellemy on Monday the 23rd. From what I heard from their guide Rod Ori, all his trekkers are doing great, and everyone?s fine. At this time I haven?t heard from them yet, so I?m pretty sure it?s to do with the radio reception. But when and if they get a radio signal, they will call and fill us in on their whereabouts, everyone?s condition and how the trekkers are progressing.
Trek 93 ? The Fast Trek;
I just got a two-way-radio call from Rod, their guide. The group is now currently at Nauro River having lunch. Some trekkers are resting while others take the time and opportunity to get a feel of the Nauro River. All trekkers are ok, everyone?s fine, so far everyone?s done well; there have been no injuries or problems.
When they are done there, they will move on up to Nauro Village, where they will camp for the night.
Due to poor radio reception, I could not get any more information, but if i do i will let you know how things went the last two days.
Trek 79 ? Nicole Plant?s Trek;
The group is now at the top of Mt Bellemy, which is the highest point of the whole trail, and all the trekkers did really well climbing up.
After a fair bit of look around and rest at the top, they are now slowly moving down to Myola Junction, as for two other trekkers, a little more of rest would do. At the moment the two are still up at Mt Bellemy with their guide Kingsley and three others porters, while the rest are slowly moving down to the camp area.
Other then that, everyone is ok, and they are all doing fine and still no rain so that good for them.
Latest update;
Trek 93 ? The Fast Trek;
Trekkers and porter have now reached their camp site Nauro Village. With no time to waste they headed straight for their guest house, while the trekkers were sorting out their gear for the night, the food porters went straight on putting the hot water on fire and also trying to prepare the evening meal.
Probably when the trekkers are done sorting out, they will head on down to the little creek take a shower and come up to have a nice cup of hot coffee or tea and then later on in the evening have dinner.
At this time they are experiencing showers, so yeah it?s getting cold around that area, other then that, they?ve all done really well today and they are all fine.
Update 26th May, 2005;
Trek 79 ? Nicole Plant?s Trek; The group is now half way through to Naduri, and are slowly making their way up to Naduri Village, where they will most likely stop to have a little something to eat, before proceeding on to Efogi 1 to make it their next camp destination.
So far there has been no bad news, such as injuries or problems, so that good. All trekkers are fine and still doing great. Weather not too bad, a little bit cloudy but it seems the sun is trying to make a break through.
Trek 93 ? The Fast Trek; from the last radio contact from this trek, was probably around 7:30am and Gail was the one who got their call. It is said the group was at Maguli Range, heading down toward Ioribaiwa Ridge, which would roughly take them two and a half hours.
I mean, it all depends on how fast or slow they walk, but we'll keep you posted on their progress.Update;
Trek 93 ? The Fast Trek: The group was at Ioribaiwa Ridge, heading down to Ua-ule-creek when they last called. All trekkers are still doing extremely well, and everyone?s fine. They will try to make a stop at Ua-ule-creek, to have lunch before proceeding on.
The group is said to make their last camp at Goldie River tonight, before coming out to Owers? Corner tomorrow, Friday the 27th May. But that?s not confirmed yet, whether or not they will spend the night at Goldie River. But we?ll keep you posted on their whereabouts, when we get real details.
Trek 79 ? Nicole Plant?s Trek; After a little rest up at Naduri, the group headed straight for their next camp site Efogi 1. They will be spending the night at Lendy Noel's guest-house. The trekkers are all ok, including all their porters and guide. Weather is still in favor of dark clouds still no sign of rain, a little bit of sun penetrating in the gaps, but not too strong.
As soon as the group?s get settled into their camping areas, and give us call, we?ll fill you in on their latest.
Latest update;
Trek 79 ? Nicole Plant?s Trek; The group have now finally reached Efogi 1. Though the weather was not and is not looking too good now and has they were heading down to their camp site. That didn?t bother the porters and guide at all, but they were certain it wouldn?t please the trekkers at all. With no time wasted, they played their ukulele and sang songs has they entertained their trekkers down hill.
With the entertainment going on, the trekkers totally forgot all about the weather, but with delight, they joined along side with the porters and guide has they all sang to the beat of the ukulele and marching down to Lendy Noel?s guest-house.
As soon as they arrived, some trekkers quickly settled in the guest-house and started arranging their evening gear, while others headed out for a quick bath.
On the other hand, the food porters went on straight, prepare their evening meal and boiled water on fire.
To sum it all up, everyone enjoyed the walk; no one had difficulties or problems, they all did great and they are all fine.
As for Trek 93 ? The Fast Trek; I?m not able to get in touch with them at this time, due to poor reception. But if I somehow do, I will put up the last post, of their progress and whereabouts.
Latest;
Trek 93 ? The Fast Trek; Finally I was able to get in touch with them, the groups present location is at Ue-ule-creek. They will camp there for the night and come out to Owers? Corner tomorrow morning.
Like the other group, no one?s had any injuries or difficulties, they all did great and they are all fine, and also very much looking forward to coming out tomorrow.
Like most of us out here in Port Moresby who watched State of Origin I last night, the trekkers and porters were dying to hear the final results of the game and who put the first TRY for the (QLD) Maroons. For the (NSW) Blues supporter, like the groups guide Rod Ori said, ?The Blues will definitely make a come back on the second game?. But we?ll see.
As for their weather, it is not looking pleasing at all. At the moment they are experiencing showers and it?s getting a little heavier every minute. But from what I heard from Rod, its not going to last the night.
Update 27th May, 2005;
Trek 93 ? The Fast Trek: The group finally made it out to Owers? Corner and slowly making their way up to Vesilogo, where they will be met by Emanuel (a porter from Kokoda), John and Gail Thomas. Who are currently making their way up to pick the guys. All trekkers did great; they are all fine, and very much looking forward to coming back into Port Moresby.
Welcome Back & Congratulations For A Successful Walk?..
Trek 79 ? Nicole Plant?s Trek: Just left Brigade Hill, and now making their way down to the river side. They will head on straight for Menari, and camp there for the night. All trekkers are ok, no one?s experiencing any difficulties at this time.
When they get to their next destinations, they?ll give us a call and fill us in on their latest.
Update Trek 79 – Saturday 28th April, 2005: This trek is going along as planned and have reached Naoro Village where they will spend the night before heading off to Va'Ule Creek. All trekkers should be out on Monday at Ower's Corner around 11am.
Trek 79 Update Sunday 29th May, 2005: All trekkers are doing just great and have now reached Va'Ule Guesthouse. They were going to try and get further to Goldie River but rain set in and it was decided to stop where they were and push on in the morning.
All trekkers are expected out around midday at Ower's Corner.
Update 30th May, 2005;
Trek 79 ? Nicole Plant?s Trek: With only one think on their mind and that was, it?s almost the end of their trail; the group wasted no time at all, but set off for an early start this morning.
The group first called us on the two-way-radio, letting us know that they were at Goldie River, and slowly making their way up to Owers? Corner.
Not before long, after that short call, the group announced that they were all out and already up at Owers? Corner. With the report that no ones injured or have any problems but everyone did extremely great and all fine and well and looking forward to coming back into Port Moresby, was wonderful, great and very much pleasing to hear.
At this time, the trekkers are taking pictures, looking or should I say reading what?s on the monuments and resting up at Owers? Corner. When they are done they will move on up a little and meet up with KTL 2.
Congratulation To You All?..
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.