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Our Anzac at Isurava trekkers headed out today and had a rather muddy start due to weather conditions here in PNG. Fortunately we purchased two four wheel drive vehicles which saw our trekkers being dropped off close to Owers' Corner today when other trekkers walking with other companies were forced to walk in from McDonald's corner area such was the conditions on the road.
Trekkers included: Robert, Rhett & Benjamin; Graeme & Jack McEwan; Robyn Canner; Lorraine Heathcote; Debbie Benjamin; Michael Meagher and Kelly Irvine – guide Tarina Bore.
Photographs taken at Bomana War Cemetery 17th April:
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DSCN0698__Small_.JPGInitially we planned on driving our trekkers out in KTL 2 our truck and have our troopcarrier ferry to and fro, however after hearing on the radio that another trekking company was already bogged with a four wheel truck, we changed the plan to tackle the road with our Prado and Troopcarrier. I went ahead in the Prado and dropped off 6 trekkers to our troopcarrier who had earlier driven out with our porters. I then turned back and went in pursuit of our truck heading up to Sogeri where we offloaded into the Prado and I drove the truck back into Port Moresby while Peter drove my Prado and the remaining trekkers towards Owers' Corner.
It was tough going but our drivers did us proud along with our experienced drivers and compared to other companies, our trekkers had an easy walk to reach Owers' Corner for the commencement of their trek.
Photographs:
1. KTL 2
2. Father and son
3. The first point where most companies get bogged – our drivers planning their attack of the hill awaiting them in four wheel drive
4. ok, here we GO !!!
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DSCN0706__Small_.JPGTrekkers were quite excited when they knew they were sitting in the comfort of a vehicle as they drove along in the slippery mud finally reaching Vesulogo Village where they stopped briefly to decide whether or not to keep going further on down the slippery road.
Photograph: Vesulogo
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DSCN0710__Small_.JPGThe drop off point:
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DSCN0714__Small_.JPGAlmost ready to move off….
DSCN0715__Small_.JPGPic 1: Our driver/come mechanic Peter looking rather pleased with himself that he managed to get our trekkers so close to the starting line irrespective of weather conditions:
Pic 2: Celebrating getting our trekkers out but then the fun started again trying to get back to Sogeri. From an 9am start finally back at base around 5pm. My Prado also suffered a broken CV joint and had to be towed at various points due to no 4 wheel drive. Oh how we love the wet in April…haha
Pic 3: Wayne Wetherall not so lucky with Kokoda Spirit when his trekkers had to walk from near the Sogeri end as his truck got stuck further up.
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DSCN0722__Small_.JPGUpdate 18th April: Have just heard from the track that trekkers are doing fine and walking strong. They spent last night at Goldie River and at the present time are at Imita Ridge. The plan is to head to Ioribaiwa Village and then decide whether to proceed to Ofi Creek to spend the night or to stop at the village due to numbers currently on the track.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Our cover girl on this website Amelia walking across Goldie River – with encouragement from her personal porter
Pic 2: Ofi Creek climb up from the creek bed
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DSC02657__Small_.jpgUpdate 19th April: Tarina their guide radioed in this morning from Naoro lookout and said they were on the go heading for Agulogo where they planned to spend the night. Last night they stopped at Ofi Creek.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Naoro View
Pic 2: Menari Village
Pic 3: Menari Village
Pic 4: Efogi Guesthouse Area
Pic 5: The shower tonight made out of a tankLooking_back_towards_Nauro___Small_.jpg
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Copy_of_Efogi_Guesthouse__Small_.jpgUpdate 20th April:Trekkers have passed through Menari around midday and have now reached Efogi where they will spend the night. Another of our treks heading in the opposite direction are also in Efogi tonight namely trek 379 with 18 trekkers and porters, so it means a big group will no doubt be celebrating tonight that they have both reached the half way point with all trekkers in both groups doing just fine.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Brigade Hill which they would have passed by today
Pic 2: Climb to Brigade Hill
Pic 3: Brigade Hill
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Copy__2__of_Brigade_Hill_2__Small_.jpgUpdate 21st April: We received a radio call from Tarina today saying they were at Naduri and were heading for Templeton's where they would spend the night. All was going according to plan for them to arrive at Isurava Monument area on the 24th April.
Photographs:
The track today that they would have walked on and other areas surrounding the Naduri Village
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Naduri__Small_.jpgTempletons' Campsite area.
IMG_0326___Templeton__s_Cros__Small_.jpgUpdate 23rd April: Sorry trekkers have been down low and then the radio communication was down due to bad weather. The last time I spoke to our guide they were on target to reach the Isurava Monument area today. They were going to spend last night at Alola. Tonight they planned on being at Deneki and on the 24th will walk into Kokoda.
Tomorrow we have another group heading out to Kokoda who will pass by them sometime during the morning if the weather is kind to us and our flights get away on time.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Alola Village
Pic 2: Aerial view of Isurava Monument area
Pic 3: Isurava Monument area
Pic 4: Choko Fields near Deneki
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Choko_Fields__Small_.jpgTonight I had the pleasure of meeting up with Soc Kienzle who is the person behind this years Anzac Day service in Kokoda along with his daughter Suzanne and other trekkers walking with him.
We also heard the music of a young musician who will play the bagpipes at Kokoda on Anzac Day. Russell, my business partner said it brought back memories for him as when a young lad before Independence he used to hear the bagpipes on a daily basis as they raised and lowered the flag up at the Kokoda Station.
It made them want to jump on the flight tomorrow and head back to Kokoda for Anzac Day, the first of its kind in Kokoda in over 25 years.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Kokoda Station Monument area
Pic 2: Kokoda Musuem
Pic 3: Kokoda Station where the service will take place
Pic 4: Our base in Kokoda where they will spend the night of the 24thF1000021__Small_.jpg
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DSCN0655__Small_.JPGUpdate 26th April: My apology for not updates yesterday as I have been flat strap with all the treks coming and going.
Last night we met up with trek 445 who arrived back in from Kokoda on the morning or the 25th around 11:00am.
All trekkers said they thoroughly enjoyed being at the Anzac service in Kokoda on the 25th April.
Thank you trek 445 for choosing to trek with us.
Photographs: Taken 25th April:
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