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John Derrick is now on his 365th trek when he headed out this morning to Ower's Corner with Murray Jones (Team Kokoda) and a group of Army Cadets and their carers.
The group got away as planned at 7am from the Gateway Hotel and everything went like clockwork.
As I drove off, these young guys and gals were very excited as they headed down towards the archway at Ower's Corner.
Photograph: John Derrick Eroro – clearly one of the most experienced Papua New Guinea guides on the Kokoda Trail trained by the legendary Clive Baker currently on his 365th trek:
john_derrick_5_800_size.jpgLatest on this trek;
The group stopped at Uberi creek, for an early lunch around 11:30am, before proceeding on to their first camp site, Ua-ule creek.
The keen young trekkers were very excited about the trail and adventure; they seem to move faster then, what their guide had expected. After reaching their first destination, the group of trekkers sorted out all their gears in the guesthouse before going for a bath in the creek. All trekkers are doing fine and ok, did great on the first day. We?ll see how well they progress each day.
At the moment the trekkers are resting or not, probably preparing themselves for dinner, as I speak.
More of their updates will be posted up each day.
Update 22nd June, 2005;
Team Kokoda – Murray Jones – Cadets
Trek 132
The group left Ue-ule creek, early hours this morning and are currently at Ioribaiwa Ridge, taking a rest. When they are done they will precede on to Maguli Range, where they will probably have lunch and then move down to their next camp destination, Nauro village.All trekkers are ok and still doing well, exhausted though; not like yesterday were they only climbed up the Golden Stairs and down again to their camp site, but it?s a lot of climbing today, so definitely it?s going to be a tiring day for the group at the end
The weather, well the sky is as blue as the sea, at this point of time, and the suns up and bright. It is definitely going to be a very hot day?Other then that, everything?s ok, and all the trekkers are fine.
That?s all for now, their latest will be posted up anytime today.
Update 24th June, 2005;
Trek 132
The group is now up at Brigade Hill, loving the great scenery. They spent the night at Menari yesterday, and today they will camp at either Efogi or Kagi, we?ll just have to wait and hear about that, later on this afternoon.All trekkers are ok, doing fine and really enjoying each others companies. There have been a lot of stories shared between porters and trekkers and cracking of jokes and who knows, the trekkers might learn some new languages along the trail too. Anyway, it seems they are all really having a good time out there.
Weather at this time is looking good, the suns up and bright, like usual.
Update 28th June, 2005;
Team Kokoda ? Murray Jones ? Cadets
Trek 132
Out at last.
The group finally made it to Kokoda after 9 days and 8 nights in the trail. Everyone did extremely great; they are all well and still looking fit. So far so good, there have been no say of anyone, having or facing problems/difficulties during their stay and trek along the trail up until now, and that?s great news.The group met up with Richard, our KTL 1 driver, who drove up to Kovelo with Russell?s Hilux (RCE 1), and picked the trekkers and their gears as soon as they came out of Kovelo. I bet it must have felt good, getting on a 4 wheel drive, after 9 hard days of walk.
At this time, Richard is taking the trekkers around to have a look at some of the places, like the memorial parks, museum or just a look around as we PNG's say "go spin". When they are done they will head back to Russell?s family block, where they will meet up with the whole family, have lunch, take a quick bath and get some good early rest.
The group will come back into Port Moresby tomorrow, and will be met by both, Gail and Russell at the Jackson?s Airport.
More of their updates will be given later on this evening, by their guide, John Eroro.
Latest from Kokoda;
Trek 132 ? Murray Jones ? Cadets
After a big lunch at the block and a quick bath in the near by creek, the cadets are now taking a time out. As said before, the trekkers now take an early nap, relaxing those tiring bodies of theirs. All trekkers are well, tired though. So yeah, they definitely need all the rest they can get now before they get up for their main meal, later on this evening.
They?ll fly in from the service flight to Port Moresby tomorrow morning, all are looking forward to it, and so are we, looking forward to meeting them here again. I'm pretty sure they will have a lot to talk about when they get here and also back home.
And for all you parents back home, from what I heard from some porters and the group's guide, the trekkers had a lot of fun on the trail, so yes; they will have a lot to talk about when they get back home.
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