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Trek 124 flew out as planned yesterday morning 23rd July at 6:30 destined for a touch down some minutes later at Popondetta airport where they were met by our driver of KTL 1 (Call sign for our 3 tonne truck based in Kokoda) and their Guide Davidson Eroro. Trekkers included:
Robin Anders; Lindsay Sparrow; Peter Nicholson; Warwick Parkinson; Richard Simpson; Peter Martin & Bruce Grayling.
This group consists of several scientists and one cartoonist who has taken his sketch book along for the walk.
The group overnighted at Russell Eroro's family block (Rusty's Place) and took off early this morning to walk up to Isurava. Tonight their guide confirmed that they were all ok and would be spending the night at Isurava and that everyone did just great.
Trek 131 – we met up with these trekkers last night at the Gateway Hotel and all were very excited. I told them they had a late start at 7am but that it sometimes changes and I would pick them up after I checked with the airline.
Sure enough from last night until this morning the time had changed…departure time was now 9:15am. Shortly after 7am I met up again with the following trekkers:
Rachael Branch; Anthony Preston; Nick Gaffney; David Liston & Anthony De Dominico.
All trekkers were booked in and then driven around Port Moresby in our truck KTL 2 and taken back to the airport for their flight to Kokoda which left on time at 9:15am.
Photograph: Trek 131 Trekkers at the Gateway Hotel where we met with them last night:
100_3584.jpgRachael was getting a little nervous that she would be able to carry her pack and may want to hire a porter but wanted to see how she went on the first day carrying her pack.
She was ok but felt she needed a porter so help was soon on its way and a guy called Andrew walked up from Kokoda to Isurava to join up with their group and act as a porter for Rachael.
Andrew is one of our most popular porters seen here on another trek:
Andrew___Tracey.jpgUpdate 25th July, 2005;
Trek 131
Although it was tough climbing up Test Mountain, all trekkers handled it well and made it to the top. They spent the night at Isurava village yesterday, and this morning headed out for a bright start. All trekkers are ok, still doing well and going strong.While resting at Alola village, their guide Johnsford Eroro gave me a call on the two-way-radio, giving me their location and progress. He said all trekkers are ok, and doing fine, he also said that, on their way to Alola, the group made a stop at Isurava Battlefield, where the trekkers took some pictures and took their time to read all monuments.
They plan to spend the night at Templeton?s Crossing 1, and proceed on from their tomorrow. But that?s not confirmed yet, we?ll just have to wait and see how the trekkers go. If they are strong enough to push on to Templeton?s Crossing, then definitely they will spend the night there, but if their legs can?t go any further, they will have to make a stop at Eora Creek where spend the night along side Trek 124.
Isurava Village
CIMG0632.jpgUpdate 25th July, 2005;
Trek 124
This group also spent the night at Isurava village yesterday evening, after a tough and tiring climb up the test mountain, but all trekkers did great and made it to the top. They started off early hours this morning, when the sun was not up yet. This gave the trekkers enough time to stop at Isurava Battlefield, and likewise take their time to read the monuments and take pictures of the memorial park.Their guide Davidson Eroro gave me a call on the two-way-radio, and informed of their whereabouts and progress; he said that the group is currently located somewhere in the middle of Alola village and Eora creek after just walked 15 minutes out of Alola. All trekkers are taking a rest and soon after that will proceed on to their camp site Eora Creek. All trekkers are ok, doing terrific and enjoying the trek and also enjoying their porters company. He said there's no report of anyone having problems or difficulties, all seem to be doing pretty good.
Weather at their end looks fine, so should be a good day till night falls.
Alola Village
Alola_Village_View.jpgLatest on the trail;
Trek 131
This group has done terrific; yes they are currently at Templeton?s Crossing, where they will camp for the night. All trekkers are ok, only they are tired and very much exhausted after a long hard walk today. And they should be, they?ve pushed or moved one step ahead of their time and schedule. But they all did extremely great, well done to them.It was very tough, going up and up the same hill, but they all managed to make it through to the end, so that?s great. At the moment they are all resting, soon and when they are done, they will set up their tents, go for a quick bath in the creek and get ready for their evening meal. Weather is all good, so I?m pretty sure it?s going to be a good night.
Otherwise, everything else is fine and so is everyone.
Templeton's Crossing
CIMG0702.JPGLatest on the trail;
Trek 124
They have now reached Eora Creek; all trekkers are ok, everyone did great and they are all doing fine. They will camp there tonight and proceed to their next destination tomorrow.All 7 trekkers said to pass on this message to their families;
?We?re all ok, enjoying the trek, washing good and having a great time.?
Eora Creek camp site
Picture_072.jpgJessie forgot to mention that at Eora Creek you constantly hear the roar of the river below and the climb up and down from the creek is quite steep. Somehow though, the boys seems to go up and down carrying water to cook with and make it look easy.
Eoro Creek:
IMG_0482.jpgUpdate 26th July, 2005;
Trek 131
The group left Templeton?s Crossing 7am this morning and started out for another day?s walk. Now standing at the highest point or ridge of the whole trail Mt Bellamy, the trekkers are taking a time out, resting those tired legs and feet?s of theirs, while looking down the great scenery.I spoke to their guide Johnsford just 5 minutes ago, and asked how or what the conditions of the trekkers were, and he said that; at this time, the trekkers are slowing down a bit, not like the first two days, but they are still going strong and doing ok.
They will now proceed on to Naduri, and from there will move to Efogi 1. Efogi 1 is where the second lot of food drop off is usually done, so they will get their second half food there.
It?s not confirmed yet whether or not the group will spend the night at Efogi 1 or push on to Brigade Hill, so we?ll just have to wait for their call later on this evening to get a confirmed respond or report.Mt Bellamy, the highest point or ridge of the whole trail
Picture_067.jpgUpdate 26th July, 2005;
Trek 124
Just spoke to the group?s guide Davidson, who gave me the latest of his group?s progress. He said everyone?s doing fine, both trekkers and porters, still and very much enjoying their trek. They left early hours this morning, which now see them at Templeton?s Crossing 2. They are about to have their breakfast, which they didn?t get to have, when they where at their previous camp site Eora creek. I guess they didn?t want to have it there, instead they choose to move on a little further, and have it at Templeton?s Crossing 2, which is about an hour or less walk from their camp site, it all depends on how fast or slow they walk.Well at the moment they are having their morning tea, and soon after that, they will start moving.
They will proceed to Templeton?s Crossing 1 which is the foot or base of Mt Bellamy. There they will have a few minutes of rest, at the same time have their lunch before they start walking up Mt Bellamy and down again to their next camp site Myola Junction. But as soon as they get to the top of Mt Bellamy, they will give us a call, and give us their latest report.
Weather still looking good at this time, and hopefully will stay like that for the rest of the day. Other than that, it?s all looking good and everyone?s fine and enjoying their trek.
Wednesday, July, 27, 2005
TREK 124
After another night's rest at Myola junction the guys awoke at first break of light to the wake of the jungle and to another day's walk to complete the 96km trail. A call from the group's guide confirmed they were at Naduri lookout, enjoying the panaromic view from the hill top.
It seems everything is going well for the moment. No hassles on the way, no broken bones or injuries of any sort and David seemed cheerful today when he reported on the guys' progress via two-way radio.
"Olgeta lain i stap orait tasol. Ol trekkers i hamamas, ol i lakim tru wokabaut bilong ol wantaim of porters. Ol porters too i hamamas na wok long pairapim lap istap wantaim on trekkers bilong ol" [ Everyone is doing great. The trekkers are happy, they are enjoying their walk with their porters. The porters are happy too and are laughing along with everyone on the trek] Davidson said in pidgin.
The fact that this is happening makes it more a relaxed walk for the trekkers in the group. And the KTL boys will never cease to entertain their trekkers with their fanciful local strokes on their ukulele and their endless songs.
Weather report for the day was "all cloudy and glimpse of the blue sky from time to time."
The group is currently heading towards Efogi where they are likely to camp for the night.
More reports to come………..
TREK 131
Wednesday, July, 27, 2005
A long, long way to go……
While trek 124 awoke to the sound of the jungle at the Myola camp out in the bush, this group woke up in the village camp at Efogi surrounded by few other houses scattered across the top of the mountain.
Unfortunately one of the trekkers could no make it with the the rest of the group this morning as he was in no condition to walk. An arrangement was made for the trekker to be airlifted out of Efogi.
When we caught up with his group today on the radio, they reported, all of them were doing fine and in great shape, however, at the same time saddened by the news that one of their comrades would not join them to complete the walk.
The group had by passed Menari and are now taking the first step up the first mountain towards Naoro – their next campsite.
more to come…..
Latest on Trek 124
At 3:23 this afternoon Davidson called to confirmed their arrival at Efogi village – the campsite. All trekkers arrived okay and are well and safe at the campsite with the boys. They should be settlling in now, adapting to their new environment.
Davidson reported that the boys did great today.
Tommorrow will be head start from Efogi to Menari.
Update 28th July, 2005;
Trek 131
After spending the night at New Nauro yesterday, the group now head out for yet another days walk. This time, the trekkers wont face or do a lot of climbing instead they will do more descending.For trekkers who find going down easier, they?re lucky coz they?ll be descending the whole time. As for those who find going down harder, it?s going to be a little tough for them, and I know how it feels like to go down, I didn?t like going down myself, I found it harder when I walked the trail last year, but my porter Rod Ori was always there with me, supporting and encouraging me all through the way. And I was very lucky to have him by my side the whole way.
The group will make their way down to Ofi creek and there they will spend the night. It has been 4 hard days of walk for the trekkers, they?ve done a lot of walking and less rest, coz it?s a fast day trek and they have to be on schedule time. But so far all trekkers are ok and doing well.
Yesterday Rachel one of the trekkers was very slow, but after a nice sleep and rest at New Nauro, she regained her strength and now, she?s doing really well again.
The group guide Johnsford just informed me that, his making today?s walk a short one, he want his trekkers to have a good rest, in order for the them to regain full strengths, for the following day?s walk. And I think it?s really good for the trekkers coz they really need it.
Otherwise, everything?s fine, and so is everyone. Weather too is looking fine at the moment, and hopefully will last the day.
Ofi Creek
Picture_186.jpgUpdate 28th July, 2005;
Trek 124
The groups, current location is up at Brigade Hill, heading down to Menari village. All trekkers are ok, doing terrific and still enjoying and the trek. There have been no injuries so far, all trekkers have done well and none of them have faced any difficulties, so that good news.It was cloudy this morning and everyone thought it would rain, said the groups guide Davidson who gave me a talked to me not more then 5 minutes ago. But as it turned out he said, the clouds are slowly clearing off, leaving the bright blue sky showing itself and looking brighter then ever. Whether or not it?s going to rain or remain a nice sunny day today, it?s up to the weather, well it?s natures call.
Other then that, everyone?s ok both trekkers and porter, and so is everything else.
The top of Brigade Hill
Picture_141.jpgUpdate 29th July, 2005;
Trek 124
At the moment, the groups? present location is, in-between Menari and Nauro. All trekkers are still surviving, all happy and still doing great. No ones having problems or facing difficulties as yet, so that?s good news.They will spend the night at New Nauro this evening, and proceed on from there tomorrow.
Otherwise everything?s going really well, everyone?s doing terrific and even the weather looks great at this time.
The look-out gap between Menari and Nauro
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