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Last night we met up with a group of trekkers from Hamilton Island one of which was back for his second trek. One young guy was asleep from a heavy night in Cairns, a couple had a few too many and another was apologising for his mates.
It was good to catch up with 'Bear' again and he seemed really excited to be heading over to Kokoda and on another trek.
This morning they were all up and ready when I called at the Gateway Hotel to take them to the airport for their chartered flight into Kokoda.
Once they were all weighed, and staff did up their manifest/load sheets, trekkers boarded their flight. Shortly after they were all told to get off again as the pilot was advised there was bad weather in Kokoda. We then contacted our driver in Kokoda and he said it was clearing and to try in 15-20 minutes time. Kokoda was contacted again for a weather update and not long after the flight took off.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Shortly before they boarded their flight to Kokoda
Pic 2: After they had arrived in KokodaTrekkers included (not ncecessarily in correct order per the pic below): Lennard Clements; Alister Burnett; Tod Leys; Nick Frisch; Paul Reynolds and Zane Matsen
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DSCN0799__Small_.JPGUpdate 11th October: Trekkers spent yesterday and last night relaxing around Kokoda and Russell's family block.
We met up with the group who came in yesterday and they said they were in the creek adjoining the property when the guys from this trek wandered down to the same creek.
They apparently all had a swim, the guys from trek 390 were in celebration mode and drank a few beers in the creek whilst cooling off at the same time.
This morning Trek 396 got away later than usual so can only think they too may have enjoyed a beer or two or just decided to sleep in….
Around 6pm tonight I received a message from our guide Glen Henson saying they walked for up to 7 hours today but have made it to Isurava Village where they will spend the night.
They are all ok and at this stage, are doing just fine.
Photograph: Isurava Village:
030IsuravaVillage0001__Small_.JPGUpdate 12th October: Have not heard from the group today. Apparently they came on around 9:30am this morning but I was in a shop so missed the call. They told my staff that they were at Isurava, all was going well and that they would be heading for Eora Creek where they would spend the night.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Path leading to Bruce Kingsbury's Memorial
Pic 2: Isurava Monument Area
Pic 3: Track leading to Alola
Pic 4: Waterfall – Alola Village
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DSCN0856__Medium___Small_.JPGSo you can keep tabs on where your loved ones are, please find below a map. Today they would have walked from Isurava Village to Isurava Monument. After a break and I would imagine lots of photograph opportunities, they would have moved onto Alola Village and per above down to Erora Creek:
Pic 1: Map
Pic 2: Eora Creek Campsite
Pic 3 & 4: Creeks they would have crossed over today
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Eora_Creek_Crossing_1__Small_.jpgUpdate 14th October: Have just received a message from the track that trekkers spent last night at Myola Junction/1900 campsite. They have now reached Efogi Village the half way point where they will spend the night. Apparently it was wet and slippery today but everyone is doing really well no worries whatsoever it seems at this point, lets hope it continues until they reach Owers' Corner.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Myola Junction/1900 campsite
Pic 2: Efogi Village
Pic 3: Efogi Guesthouse
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10127_Luxury_Hut_Efogi_2__Medium___Small_.jpgHi Boss can you mention to the Hamilton Island group that we have been having a few refrigeration issues at Hollywood and the beer has been extremely cold
Thanks Stan
Havent heard from the group today but assuming they are somewhere between Menari and Nauro. They must be having such a good time that they do not think its necessary to call into base!
As the saying goes, no news is good news!
Hi, when you see the guys from Hamilton Island let Xane know that his "two best girls" are thinking about him and hope he has a great time.
Alan
Update 17th October: We heard from our guide today that they were at Imita Ridge and heading for home! Everyone is ok and all going well and looking forward to tomorrow when I guess they can all get on the booze and celebrate their successful trek…..we do have cold beer up here as well!
Photographs:
Pic 1: Imita Ridge
Pic 2 & 3: Goldie River where they will spend the night
Pic 4: Owers' Corner archway where they will walk up to tomorrow
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IMGP2698__Small_.jpgUpdate 18th October: Trekkers are off the track and will be back in their hotel room around 11:30am.
They were picked up at Owers' Corner around 9:30am so all went according to plan as the road is dry at the moment and the drive up did not provide any problems for our pick up vehicle.
Photograph: Bomana War Cemetery
Bomana__Medium_.jpegUpdate 19th October: As Trek 352 had to come back in from Kokoda yesterday due to work problems, our KTL boys had to head back to Kokoda around 3:30pm so the presentation was brought forward to midday at the Gateway Hotel.
All trekkers were in good spirits and enjoyed their walk with our KTL boys. It was also the first time to catch up with Glen our guide who has had a bad run this year. Firstly his father died and later he had knee problems forcing him to hang up his boots! It was a surprise when I caught up with him to see his wife was on this trek so another first!
I will share with you now some photographs taken yesterday:
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IMGP4806__Small_.JPGBefore we departed, we couldn't help but take a few more pics for the road:
Our two KTL boys in this photograph is Wayne Urina (left) 2nd fastest man ever to walk the Kokoda Track in a time of 19 hours from Owers' Corner to Kokoda. On the right is their guide Glen Henson.
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IMGP4813__Small_.JPGThis afternoon we found ourselves back at the Gateway Hotel catching up with two trekkers from trek 352 when we came across this group again. As we had the camera out taking pics of our latest group I could not help but snap them again!
IMGP4815__Small_.JPGLennard, thanks for coming back again and as promised bringing some of your mates along for the walk. It sounded like it was an easier walk this time round so your mates maybe thinking you over rated the toughness with the stories you may have told them.
We at Kokoda Trekking (KTL) would like to thank you all for choosing to trek with us.
For those of you who are staying on a few days longer, we trust you continue to enjoy your time at Loloata. For those returning home, we trust you had a safe journey back home.
From Management & Staff, thanks again for coming to trek with us.
take care, perhaps we will meet again,
Gail, Russell and all our KTL staff
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