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Trek 114 was first off the ranks yesterday when their flight to Kokoda left around 9am. All trekkers looked excited and not long after arriving in Kokoda they took off heading for Isurava where they were to spend the night.
As for this group, they started off as soon as they landed down in Kokoda, and headed up to Isurava where they were to spend the first night. They started off well from Kokoda to Hoi, but as soon as they reached the test mountain, it wasn?t what they had expected it to be. The test mountain was pretty tough and a very tiring climb, it clearly showed the 7 trekkers what was yet to come, or what it?s going to be like for the next 5 days.
A good decision was made, when they got to Isurava. The 7 trekkers decided to add on two more porters on top of the two that they had, so that was good.
Otherwise, they all did great; they were all fine at the end of the day and had a good rest.
Trekkers include : Kevin Carey; Barry Genn; Mark Blackberry; David Page; Ken Lydiard; Ben Goodwin & Chris Gourlay.
DSC05125.jpgAs at the time of writing we have not yet heard from this group today. They would however have been heading towards Templeton's Crossing which is a renowned low spot on the trail. We expect them to make contact with us tomorrow so stay tuned.
No updates yet from this group. Still waiting for their guide to call and fill us in on the latest progress. Would be interesting to note as they are walking at a fast pace while everyone else is trekking at a slow pace.
We decided to call just now to get their whereabouts and how they are coping with life in the jungle when unfortunately the radio signal blacked out.
It is still not working as I write but hopefully the signals will come back and will try to get in touch with them.
With the amount of feedback we get from our other trekkers, we sure that all is well with the fast trek team.
The only problem is they are moving or walking most of the time to beat the time scheduled to come out that it is hard to keep in touch with them.
The Updates so far:
We finally got in touch with this group at Menari – What a relief!!
The last few days were tough days for the all-male team who battled it just fine out on the 96km ardous trail. Yes the boys are definitely doing it tough – talk about six days of continous walk accompanied with very rough, steep ascend and descend, and nothing but… up and up and down and down.
Despite the exhaustible and gruelling chore of tackling the rugged, steep, slippery and perilous terrain of the Owen Stanley Ranges in just six days, the guys are putting on a brave face.
"The guys are very, very tired at this stage but I can see they are very, very determined to keep fighting and move on. They all too want to beat the time and yes we will come out just fine," their guide reported from Menari where we radioed in.
And that is very, very reassuring indeed. "Everyone is exhausted, but all in one piece and are okay."
From Menari the guys will continue their next leg of journey towards Nauro – where they set their tents up to camp for the night (tonight).
PS..We also asked the guide to ask them if they wanted to pass any messages back to their loved ones back home. May not seem like a good idea for them at this stage becuase of the pace they are going, however,…..I think it would do them a lot of good if they hear from the lot back home.
Update 8th September, 2005;
Trek 114
Unfortunately yesterday, we did not get a radio call from this group, however, their guide Cyprian called not more then 5 minutes ago to inform us of their whereabouts and the trekkers? conditions.?Everyone is ok, we are all doing fine and about to make our next move to Ua-ule Creek, where we will spend the night. I tried calling you on the base-radio yesterday, but due to heavy rain and overcast, I could not get a clear reception,? he said.
He also said that as a result of the heavy rain, they were unable to make it to New Nauro, where they had planned to spend the night that evening; instead, they camped near Nauro River, and this morning were up early to start off another days walk.
At the moment, the group's current location is in New Nauro, where they are taking a time out rest, and soon will slowly move to the next destination. All trekkers are well, still going strong and doing fine. Weather still doesn't look good, but no rain drops or showers, hopefully it will stay that way till they get to their campsite.
Porters and trekkers going across Nauro River.
IMG_0535.jpgTo Kevin Carey and fellow heart starters -we are following your journey with great interest (and concern). How are the blisters Kevie. Kepp those reports coming in. Love from Mum and Dad
To Barry and crew keep going guys your doing well. We are all well and looking forward to Sunday. Lots of love Wendy and kids
Latest report;
Trek 114
Due to rain and overcast, all radio stations are down, meaning it has gone dead, total black out. Therefore at this time, we will not be able to get any radio contact from this group or any other groups that are out on the trail at this very moment. We might as well have to wait until and when the weather situation here clears off and the radio comes back on.Also Trek 114 is situated in a location where, even if the radio was on air, we would not be able to get in touch with them. They are in lower a ground position, which is the reasons why the two-way-radio will not be able to transmit well. However, if the weather clears off tomorrow and I?m pretty sure it will, we might get, or we will definitely get a radio call from the group, as soon as they get to the top of Imita Ridge.
Other then that, I?m sure everyone is ok and doing fine, and don?t worry, I will make sure I pass both message to Kevin and Barry.
Hi Did one of these guys drop something betwen Hoi village and Isurava battlesite, in the choko vines??
If so let me know because I found itour group passed you at Alolo village going to Kokoda
Yes, its a silver pentax digital camera lost on Isurava Ridge and it belongs to David Page.
and they say a BIG THANK YOU and a reward
Back in Sydney now, Will call him on monday to arrange to get it back to him, sorry couldn't get in back to him on the trek
Once again thank you. When I spoke to Kevin Carey last night at the Gateway Hotel he sounded really amazed that someone like yourself would have found it and then taken the trouble to return it. Appreciation was certainly in the air together with excitement that David would get his camera back.
Goes to show there are still a lot of honest people around and you Ramsay go to the top of the list. Sincere thanks.
No doubt Kevin would have informed David who will be expecting your phone call.
cheers
Gail
Wow!
You know there is a fine line between pleasure and pain, and I think I walked it for 7days. I found the hike a rewarding challenge and also an emotional rollercoaster from the highest of high's to getting shivers looking at the many fox holes dug into the side of the ridges.
I would love to come back in the following few years and complete the trail in 2 days, I'll leave the 24hour challange to the professionals <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//tongue.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:P” border=”0″ alt=”tongue.gif” />
It's a moment of my life that I will never forget and always treasure.
Benny
<img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//biggrin.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:D” border=”0″ alt=”biggrin.gif” /> It was great experience. And all the effeort was worth every step…
All the guys on the trek acheived their own personal goals.
I would also like to thank Ramsay for the return of my camera, an all the great photo's.
the porters and guides.
Regards
Dave
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