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Around 9am 7th March, trek 462 headed out to Kokoda for the commencement of their trek. Trekkers included a couple of return trekkers who were full of cheek but really looking forward to tackling once again the Kokoda Trail. Turns out they are all footy mates from Sydney along with a coach.
Trekkers are: Andrew Choice; Adam Choice; Owen Gregory; Glen Packer; Hose Espinoza; James Baldwin; Kori Chan; Angus Sippe and Christine Ward who kindly asked to join this group and was accepted by Kori Chan the trek organiser.
Photograph: outside Tropic Air terminal building shortly before their flight to Kokoda:
DSCN0509__Small_.JPGFollowing their arrival in Kokoda they were met by our KTL guide and porters along with our driver Richard and our Mitsubishi Canter truck. Trekkers then enjoyed their day looking around Kokoda and taken for a drive out of town and for a swim in one of the creeks surrounding Kokoda according to reports by two way radio.
Last night they stayed in our newly established 'Camp Kokoda' which is our latest pet project still undergoing construction.
A pilot from Hevi Lift flew into Kokoda today and took the photograph below which is where the trekkers spent last night. 'Camp Kokoda' is situated not far from Gribbles Store and lies adjacent to the airstrip so is well situated to cater for trekkers passing by.
Photograph:
1. Camp Kokoda as taken from the cockpit of the aircraft parked on the side of the airstrip. Foreground – the two curious villagers must have wondered what was going on but waved and loved having their photograph taken.
2. Aerial Photograph taken 8th March which shows the position of the camp in relation to the airstrip and Kokoda Station in the background.
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DSCN0510__Small_.JPGTrekkers left Kokoda around 6am this morning 8th March and have now reached Isurava Village where they will spend the night. Their guide Kingsley Boropi sung out for a personal porter for one of the group who were struggling at Deniki. We arranged for a porter to run up and join the group and carry his pack. So all going as planned for day 1.
Photographs:
1. Isurava Village
2. Deniki Hill
3. Walking up Deniki Hill
4. Deniki Campsite areaDay_7_Isurava_village__2___Small_.jpg
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DSCN0791__Small_.JPGSo you can all follow their progress, a map is posted below.
Copy_of_Owen_Stanley_Map__Medium_.jpgUpdate 9th March: Trekkers were on the move quite early to Isurava Battlesite area and all were doing ok. Christine struggled a little yesterday but apparently was doing ok today and with Tom Hango as her porter, he will do his best to get her home. We heard from Kingsley their guide on the way to Iora Creek where they planned on spending the night:
Photographs:
1. Isurava Monument area
2. On the way to Eora Creek
3. Eora Creek campsite
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Eora_Creek_Campsite__Small_.jpgUpdate 10/03/08: Have heard that trekkers are on the move from Eora Creek heading towards Templetons crossing and will be overniting at Myola 1900 area.
Update 11th March: Have just heard from the track that trekkers have reached Naduri where they are presently having lunch.
After lunch they will head off again and will overnight at Efogi tonight.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Efogi Village
Pic 2: Landy Noel's Efogi Guesthouse entrance
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Copy_of_Efogi_Guesthouse_Entrance.jpgUpdate 11th March 5pm: Trekkers have now reached Efogi and are all ok and doing well. Christine is continuing to struggle but is doing ok and Tom is quite confident he will get her home to Owers' Corner!
Update 12th March: Trekkers were at Brigade Hill at 9am this morning and everyone is still doing just fine. The plan for today is to overnight at Menari.
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10157_Cricket_at_Menari__Small_.jpgUpdate 13/03/08: As per plan, trekkers reached Menari yesterday where they spent the night. Last night we spoke with both Kori and Kingsley and all were doing well and looking forward to walking into Naoro today where they will stay the night.
Photograph:
1. Naoro Village
2. Naoro Village Guesthouse area. You can think of them this afternoon as they make their way down to the creek for their wash.
3. Inside the Naoro Village Guesthouse
4. Naoro Village
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Naoro_Village__Medium___Small_.jpgUpdate 14th March: Trekkers moved off this morning from Naoro and around 1pm we heard from our guide Kingsley Boropi that they had reached Ioribaiwa Village.
Unfortunately Andrew is struggling with dehydration and weak legs so a decision has been made to have him left behind in the village with his porter Grayford. We are presently arranging for him to be airlifted off the track by helicopter. More likely tomorrow as its already late and pilots like to go into that area early in the morning. Tonight they will overnight in Ioribaiwa Village while the others in this group will head to Ua'Ule Creek to stay in a local guesthouse.
Inside_Guesthouse_2.jpgSeeing as they will only reach Ua'Ule Creek Campsite today, they now plan on arriving up at Owers' Corner around 12-1pm tomorrow. They should be back at the Ela Beach Hotel around 4pm tomorrow.
I asked Owen how the trek was going and the way he answered was that he had really enjoyed himself.
This is his second time on the track – a bugger for punishment!Update 15th March: Trekkers are now back in Port Moresby after being picked up at Owers' Corner around 12:30pm today. Andrew Choice is ok and resting in the Pacific International Hospital with a drip in his arm and should be released later this afternoon.
All appeared to have really enjoyed their trek.
Photograph: Group Photograph at Owers' Corner shortly before we left for Port Moresby
DSCN0543__Small_.JPGCLICK HERE to see more photographs taken today 15th March 2008:
sincere thanks Kori for your booking as it was very much appreciated by us at Kokoda Trekking.
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