As discussed earlier, they are at Goldie River tonight:IMGP1806__50____640x480_.JPG

Bye bye trek 810, have a great trek:IMG_0039__640x480_.JPGIMG_0041__640x480_.JPGIMG_0042__640x480_.JPG

A few seconds later and they were lining up to head off:IMG_0035__640x480_.JPGIMG_0036__640x480_.JPGIMG_0037__640x480_.JPG

The boys quickly assembled and we took a group photograph before we bid our goodbye's and they headed off down the hill:IMG_0033__640x480_.JPGIMG_0034__640x480_.JPG

Once the personal porters were busily adding their few possessions to their trekkers packs, I took the opportunity to take some photographs of the trekkers before they commenced their walk across the Kokoda Trail. The first two to line up were Stuart Jolly and Tom Zorich closely followed by Bruce Crow and Paul…[Read more]

Whilst Tom Zorich took the opportunity to have his photograph taken with Jenen Barai who would accompany him on the track.IMG_0025__640x480_.JPG

Stuart Jolly teamed up with his personal porter Kingsley Boropi:IMG_0026__640x480_.JPG

At Owers' Corner preparations were quickly under way for the group to move off as dark clouds were circling and the boys were thinking it would start raining so they wanted to get going as quickly as possible.IMG_0027__640x480_.JPGIMG_0028__640x480_.JPG

After meeting up today with the two trekkers who arrived off the flight today from Brisbane, we drove up to Sogeri Lodge where the other two were waiting. Not too long afterwards, we were on the way to Owers' Corner as can be seen in the photograph below.IMG_0024__640x480_.JPGIMG_0023__640x480_.JPG

Update 17th May: My son Shane and a guy who works for me by the name of Raymond left the house around 6:30am to head up to Owers' Corner to pick up the trekkers who spent last night at Owers' Corner having walked off the track yesterday. They apparently asked for two cartons of beer which were ordered from Sogeri so no doubt last night celebrated…[Read more]

Hello Boss Meri,We have just found this website on the Kokoda Trail, and seen your posts and photos of the ADFA group. Our son Thomas Breaden is in the group so it was good to finally get some news of their trip! Say hi to everyone in the group from us.regards, John & Janice Breaden, Hobart, Tasmania.

Trekkers are now heading for home being Owers' Corner as they passed through Efogi and are now heading for Naoro:IMGP1849__50____640x480_.JPG

Trek 879 as planned have reached Abuari Village where the 2/16th Battalion and the 53rd Battalion set positions to stop the Japanese advance. Tomorrow they will walk towards Eora Creek but not too sure where they will overnight at this stage.Abuari_Village_ACDSee.jpg

Newsflash: When I attended the Anzac Day service this year at Bomana War Cemetery, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the family I have talked about in this article were given a chance to come to PNG.This year for the first time we also had Roderick Simpson walk with us and within minutes of meeting the relatives of Private Frank Archibald,…[Read more]

Good luck to Francesca, Jessica, Callum, Pete & ThomasWe met on Saturday at the Airport, just after you arrived from Aus and before you departed for Popondetta, meant to advise you to have some walking poles cut for you for your trip, especially with the wet conditions, but I'm sure you will get them after a couple of days on the Track.Please let…[Read more]

Plaques on the archway read as follows:P1070310__640x480_.JPGP1070308__640x480_.JPGP1070309__640x480_.JPGP1070307__640x480_.JPG

Around 10:30 they were walking through the archway and heading out on the track, today their destination is Deniki where they will spend the night. P1070315__640x480_.JPG

Trekkers left Orohaven Kokoda Retreat around 9am this morning and headed up to the Kokoda Station for a look around the monument area:Kokoda_from_the_air__640x480_.JPGP1070299__640x480_.JPGP1070322__640x480_.JPG

Gday mate, with 12 months til your trek I would get your quads and hammies as strong as possible as it greatly reduces strain on knees. You could also consider daily glucosamine and if you are still unsure take a knee brave with you.

G'day amyj,As someone from an exercise science background the key to a training program for kokoda initially is increasing cardio fitness, core strength, leg & upper body strength, flexibility etc by any means the participant enjoys and will regularly do. As the trek approaches prob last 3 months the training should be as sport specific as…[Read more]