- This topic has 11,993 voices and 99 replies.
- Posts
From here on we proceed and again a steep descent ??.Going down, down, down towards the creek at last. I actually said it and Ross replied. ?Yes we are going down and what does that tell you? For every down there?s and up!? We seemed to get used to that now by the way. We took out time cooling off at the creek below and after that a long steep and perilous climb up to the top towards Efogi.
To me this was the hardest and the longest. When we started rain clouds were already forming above so we quickened our pace seeing that we didn?t want to get wet. I was ahead as the guys struggled at the back. We walked for about 30 minutes and we came upon a garden. Gardens teemed with corns, local potatoes (kaukau), yams, beans and bananas ? the people along the trail are excellent gardeners.
As we struggled up we came though to the first village of Efogi right on to of the mountain. We passed through this village and make our way down the steep and slippery path towards the second village where we would camp for the night. I am telling you the descend was hard probably not as hard as the climb but that was tough. After that climb I found out I could not walk longer and going down was a bit difficult for me. At one stage I actually took my shoes off which was a big mistake because new kunai shoots pricked my feet and I felt pain all the way till we reached a big creek where we have our wash before heading on to the village.
Efogi ? a pleasant village with a friendly atmosphere. People waved, and call out hello as we passed by. Smiling mothers with their babies in hand and children eager to see us. Once here we rest for a while.
After minutes of resting and settling down we went on towards the other side and to see the monument and the airstrip with a very steep landing. I don?t know if you?ve any like this anywhere in the world and this was basically what is was because of the area was mountainous.
However, it turned out our little visit would take longer than we anticipated. We met some very interesting people ? again wantoks from Australia but only this time these people are volunteers who come here to help develop youth programs.
Grand Stand View of Efogi:
Grand_stand_view_of_Efogi.jpg7.30 pm ? A hot meal of rice, local potatoes, corn and greens (choko leaves obviously) and tinned meat and tuna??.after the meal we have a cup of hot tea.
8.00 ? The guys are getting ready for bed. We are sleeping in this house ? a guest house in Efogi with two bedrooms. Steve is petrified about cockroaches ? couldn?t stop taking about it and finally went into his sleeping bag. He must have held it tightly over his shoulder, was just wondering what would have happened if one of the cockroaches found its way into the sleeping bag.
efogi1.jpgDAY SIX ? EFOGI TO MENARI
Friday 3rd October 2003 ? GOING GETS TOUGHWe are up on the first light of day. The guys are relating stories about their encounter with the cockroaches and rats last night. JT is telling me this morning a rat crawled past Ross?s legs last night. ?Yeah I felt a rat crawling past my leg last night,? Ross puts in, ?And did you hear about Steve, he couldn?t sleep last because he was petrified about cockroaches. You should write it down in the diary ? Richard would love to read about that? I tell them I slept peacefully not a rat or cockroaches disturbed me and Steve?s saying: ?How come because we chased some of cockroaches into your room.? I just laughed.
7.00 ? We are ready so we start to hit the track again walking passed the airport and down towards the first creek whew we filled our water bottles before heading up towards Brigade Hill which proved unpleasant to climb as there is no shade for a very very long time. It was hot when were arrived up there and you can just imagine what it was like climbing up when the sun was up. However, as we continued the path it evened out to a more gradual gradient then we started to re-enter the forest ? a sigh of relief at last as the canopy act as a perfect umbrella shielding us from the sun.
brigadehill.jpgThe Australians tried to hold the line on Brigade Hill or Butcher?s Hill as it became known later when they withdrew from Efogi and Myola. They dug in on the hill?s steep slopes and waited as the Japanese trailed down from Myola ? A twinkling of candle lights shining across the valley in the darkness. On the following day the Japanese stormed the ridge and despite heavy losses they managed to overcome the defenders and split the Australian force. About 400 men of 2/27 Battalion had to go into the bush carrying their wounded across the country.
As we descend Brigade Hill, we reached a clearing with wide views. Here and to our left and through the deep valleys below ? was where the escapees struggled. This clearing is also where the 70 bodies were discovered.
A Canvas Mural (tent) used for the porters out on the trail, is seen here painted in memory of World War II and also showing the trekkers today who come to pay their respect to fallen heroes of the war who were injured or died out on the Kokoda Trail :
DCP_0086.jpgWe went down for about 20 minutes and then we came upon a ridge ? another clearing with a clear view of Menari directly below us. Here we come Menari! From here another steep descend ? a bit slippery and then straight down a creek. We could hear the wild roar of the water below us. This is dangerously steep ? I think the guys will do just fine.
As soon as I reached the bottom I got my packs of my back, took off my shoes and headed straight for the water ? The guys arrive minutes after and we took our time cooling off. It was tiring and after the bath I went on top one of the huge boulders and lay till I felt asleep. When I woke up lunch was ready and everyone was having a bite. After having a bite myself we left the creek and short steep ascend up and we reached Menari airstrip and right ahead of us as we turn towards the right is Menari village and the happy smiling faces of cheerful children waiting to greet us.
Once we reached the guesthouse we unpack our stuff and start preparing for the night. Again fresh fruits, bananas seem to be in abundance, pineapple, okari nuts and peanuts. We help ourselves.
At Menari we meet Osbourne Bogajiwai ? the guy who ran the whole length of Kokoda Trail in an unbelievable time of 28 hours 14 minutes and 30 seconds.
We sat down for a while when Ross tells me that Steve and John had their tents up inside the guesthouse. No kidding! And Steve himself told me to go and take a look. I went in saw one of the room space fully occupied by two tents. Oh yeah! Wait till Rich hears about this ? Obviously its something to do with cockroaches. At least I know now how much Steve Ovett hate cockroaches.
Menari Village:
menarivillage.jpgDAY SEVEN ? MENARI TO NAURO
Saturday 4th October 2003 ? THE TOUGH GETS GOINGWe tough it out today – mountains and all. Yes the tough gets going as its gets tougher.
Yes another day and another morning hill climb to start with! I wish we start by going down. We reached the small stream and head for a steep climb to the ridge top. We are rewarded with fine views from the summit, looking towards Menari and the ridges above Kagi. From here we dropped abruptly with steep stretches until we reach the creek at the bottom. A good sport for tea break so we had our well desreved tea break!
12.40 ? We reach the foot of the creek, had a refreshing bath before heading up for Nauro.
View_along_the_trail.jpgIt is quiet tough today. Not at the beginning but as we coming towards the village ? we start the long and gut wrenching climb up towards the top and the top and the top ?? and still climbing. Just as we thought we reached the top where there?s a clearing it turned out there was more to go up. This actually proves very frustrating and already I start feeling sharp pains like needle being pushed into my right knee. I don?t know I must have strained it too much but it got me disappointed especially when I was still full of energy.
We must have climbed up to about six of them and almost the same length and height ? so bloody challenging. When we reached Nauro I felt as if I have just beaten ten mountains. However, the pain was now evident on my left knee. I sat for a while on the platform on the side glancing at the valleys below and smaller mountains.
Menari_Lookout2.jpgWhile everyone went ahead I start to walk slowly and with care because of my knee towards the campsite. But this pain was soon forgotten when I feast my eyes upon the scenic view below and beyond. Beautiful valleys and mountains beyond, mountains, beyond mountains ? nothing else but mountains ? it?s all around and from up here at this very moment I felt like a conqueror. I stood for sometime totally captivated by the view behind me and all around me.
Each time I climb I couldn?t help looking back. It was totally different. I felt strength, despite the strenuous climb, I felt happy, elated despite the nagging pain on my knee ? I just felt complete. And instead of cursing because of the painful climb and the pain on my knee ? I was thankful. Yes for the very first time in my life I was thankful that God gave me sight to see what I am seeing now ? though words would not be able to describe what I felt that time.
Eric our guide must have got tired of waiting for me musing about my new environment so he went ahead leaving me to enjoy ? and I certainly did the beauty around me. I would have stood and just stared at the mountains but it was getting late and I had to go.
Overlooking_Menari_Village.jpgWhen I arrived everyone?s sort of sitting down resting their tired knees. Some of the boys are lying down after the exhaustive climb up the mountains with their heavy packs.
I went and took my place beside the guys. It was really tiring and I just felt like lying down and going to sleep. The guys head down for the creek to have their bath. After a long refreshing bath I went found myself a space next to the boys and as I lay down I was soon asleep. The guesthouse was open and spacious enough to accommodate more than twenty people but not for two tents ? as we found out the guys have it up again (ha! ha!).
I don?t how long I slept but when I woke up I saw another three trekkers and their porters heading towards our camp, three teenagers from Australia, two females and a guy. Again they were heading towards Kokoda Station. There was a group ahead of us ? we arrived on the same day but they probably reached Ower?s Corner already as their trip was a shorter one. The guys make space for their young wantoks from Australia, who happily got into conversation with them when they arrived.
Naoro Village – Andrew Kets Photograph:
naoro1.jpgDAY EIGHT ? NAURO TO UA- ULE CREEK
Sunday 5th October 2003 – MASKING THE PAINWe start very early today ? early than usual. Russell Eroro said to leave early since it was going to be a long walk. My knee isn?t hurting too much this morning. We have to move fast as the heat will be rising and we had to be up into the tree-line before the suns is to high.
John gave me some painkillers before I went to sleep last night and it helped, thanks to him. Ross also leant me one of his bandages. Before we set foot I tied the bandage carefully around my knee to test to see if I would be able to walk. It didn?t help as the bandage was too tight. But I was all right. All I needed was a trekking stick. The boys gave me a long stick of sugarcane instead and I had to order them to cut a new one as that trekking stick never made it to our next stop for lunch.
?I like you trekking stick,? Justus joked. Yeah I know there is more to it besides support, I said. And there certainly was ? I started chewing on it on the way when I felt thirsty ? however it proved sweet and tasty and before I knew it my trekking stick was gone. The pain was unbearable at this stage and it was more disappointing for me. I was stuffed with a lot of energy however, my knees made it difficult for me to move. But I fought it never wanting to show how painful it was. Russell tells me to hand over my pack to one of the porter ? I told him I could manage and we kept on walking. It wasn?t the longest walk but a challenging one we soon found out!
Certainly each day brought about a new beginning a new kind of battle and maybe a new perspective. I can just imagine how it must have been for the wounded during the war. Surely what I was feeling was nothing compared to their situation. Somehow this thought comforted me.
Our walk began by completing the challenging climbs ? where we left of from yesterday?s painful climb. Yes now we experience the false crests of the Manguli Range. I didn?t bother counting them as I was concentrating on my knee.
As we enter the trees the walk becomes easier with open grassland. When we came upon a lone tree it was all forest – all the way to Ofi Creek. On the way we came upon a ridge crest surrounded by old weapon pits with the track dropping after about a 100 metres.
The bandage wasn?t helping so I took it off. The walk up here was hard enough for me. My pain was hurting so much I had to stifle a scream several times when descending. Steve gave me his only bandage ? said he didn?t need it anyway and tied it firmly around my knee. At this stage John gave me some more painkillers. Thanks guys!
We had a good rest here before along downhill walk towards Ofi Creek ? it became an immediate relief after a grueling downhill walk. However, just as we thought we would be okay we were bothered by bees.
We didn?t let that bother us so much and we moved on towards Iorawari ridge.
My knees starts to hurt again but I kept on walking. The pain was a blessing in disguise ? instead of worrying about the grueling up and down hill climb I was looking out for my knee.
As soon as we reached the ridge crest I went down and rested my knee and didn?t bother looking around. John gave me more of those painkillers. We sat down and rest for a while after the strenuous climb.
My knees were better when I stood up. Now I was ready to go ahead. The descent is tedious, and very slippery. It took us along time before we reached the creek below. Some time later we come out of the trees and are rewarded with a fine and clear view of the Imita ridge.
As per the map below – almost to our destination of Ower's Corner:
kokoda_Map_300.jpgWhen we finally reach the Ua Ule Creek a series of crisscrossing begins ? about 12 times before we reach the next camp area ? a nice clearing with platforms to sit on and good camping area under the trees, however, buzzing from everywhere are bees that won?t sting unless you disturb them. And one certainly gave Ross its piece of mind when it stung him. Having felt and survived a stinging bite before I kept very still where I was sitting down until Tony my personal porter and who was beside me starts brushing off the bees with leaves ? I literally scream at him to stop.
Oh but someone else made its presence felt. On my right foot I felt numbness and something sharp pressing into the side of my small toe. I thought for a moment it was something to do with my knee getting hurt and all that. When I looked down I saw the familiar shape of leech sucking all the time growing.
It didn?t start raining only after we have arrived and set our tents.
t3___River_Crossing.jpgDAY NINE ? UA-ULE CREEK TO OWER?S CORNER
Monday 6th October 2003 – THE LAST HARD CLIMB?God made the mountains to appear bigger than man, we cannot overcome a colony of mountains but we can conquer them by actually climbing them?
6.30 ? Today is the last day and we are now only 3 hours away from civilization. I was just telling Geoff that and he?s agreeing. ?Are you happy? Looking forward to going home?? I asked him and he answered boldly: ?O Yeah, I am happy to leave at the same time I am sad.? Why? I asked and his answer surprised me: ?I am gonna miss all these; the trees, the birds singing (sound of the jungle), the rainforest and the sound of water flowing,? he said.
t3___River_Crossing_2.jpg7.00 ? As usual the boys are packing up and we are ready to hit the road. This time I am standing on the front line, all prepared and determine to reach Ower?s Corner well before everybody else. We?ll it?s a good three hours away from here at Ua ? Ule Creek. My knees are not as painful as yesterday but I have the bandage tight firmly around it. And I am feeling a lot better today – better be since it?s our last day.
We start the last morning uphill grinds. We make out way trough trees and we came across a small creek. As I am about to cross and totally oblivious to my surrounding a hand grabbed me at back of my shirt and yanked me backwards. I turned out I landed flatly on my bottom. It was Eric and he was shouting as he pointed towards the bush on the sides of the creek just before the creek. A snake – striped black and white curled along the small plants by creek its head pointing towards the creek. I jumped up to my feet in surprise and took a closer look at the heinous creature which appears to be sleeping ? it didn?t move when Geoff nudged it gently with his trekking stick.
Alison_grabs_hold_of_a_bush.jpgWe applied the rules of the jungle??.?It will only attack when you disturb it. Never ever disturb an animal.? This is Russell speaking who knows exactly what he?s saying as this is his 139th time on the trek.
From here we move on and path ahead seems to rise quickly becoming steeper in places and littered with weapon pits as we struggled towards the Imita Ridge. Much to the ridge is steep and leveling off places only to become steep again.
When we have reached the gap we sat down for a well earned rest looking back from we started and ahead and down the golden stairways and towards Goldie River our next sojourn before we began the grinding but determine climb up towards Ower?s Corner. The track from Imita ridge passes a small overhang cave that looked uncomfortable enough to fit a couple of people.
It took us 2 and half hours to reach Goldie River. Of course the trekking now becomes easier and there are many creeks and lower slopes . We filled our water bottles before passing through the site of the original Uberi village ? it seems this is the last safe drinking water. We came upon a small clearing – from here Ower?s Corner or at least the V-shaped tip of Ower?s Corner is clearly visible. The boys are saying that this was the shootout used to gun down aircraft. This must have proven very useful because of the location. This same V-shaped mountain is visible if you go up to Sogeri.
We started down and when we finally reached Goldie River we waded through & left our bags on the side and buried ourselves in the cool water ? certainly relaxing, a relief after the long walk.
Yes Goldie River – the last crossing, and refreshing wash before ambling up to Ower?s Corner.
Goldie_River.jpgWe take our time all the time knowing that we are only a some breaths away from reaching Ower?s Corner ? the end of all the trek and certainly the end to another fundraising event which I am proud to be a part of.
More so we are only a step away from achieving a dream ? your dream Richard.
DCP_0152.JPG
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.