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We at Kokoda Trekking would like to thank past trekkers for their support and confidence in choosing us as their preferred operator.
To all future trekkers, we look forward to meeting you in 2007
KOKODA TREKKING (KTL) STATISTICS:
- Number of Trekkers in 2003 = 24 x 5 treks
- Number of Trekkers in 2004 = 426 x 43 treks
- Number of Trekkers in 2005 = 682 x 75 treks
- Number of Trekkers in 2006 = 850 x 104 treks
Close on 2000 trekkers since we first commenced operation. For three years in a row we have taken more trekkers on the Kokoda Track than any other operator. This is indeed something we are proud of. Our Kokoda operation is PNG run and you can be assured your money employs hundreds of porters and guides from Kokoda and surrounding areas right up to Sogeri. We have invested heavily in motor vehicles; satellite radios; two way radios and other equipment we feel necessary to run successful Kokoda Treks.
Our staff all walk in company uniforms and are proud to be known as the KTL boys. Because they are in uniform you can be assured your security is important to us as your porters and guides are easily recognised and cannot be mistaken for someone outside of your group. They walk with you, act as your mentor, encourage you to complete your trek and just love a singalong. All our treks carry uke'ule's and our staff provide entertainment at night around the campfire.
Russell Eroro my business partner walked for over 12 years of his life and knows the track like the back of his hand. Him and his brother John Derrick Eroro (veteran of over 400 treks spanning a similar period) train all their guides and porters. Both were trained by the legendary Clive Baker. In fact if you purchased Clive’s book you will see a much younger Russell and his son Kingsley on the back cover. In his book, Clive highly recommends Kokoda Trekking Ltd as his preferred local PNG operator. To Russell and John, Clive is a Kokoda Legend and is highly respected by them.
DONATIONS:
In 2004 we purchased a truck for use in Kokoda to help move produce for local people who live in the area down to Popondetta to sell their goods. This truck (PMV-Public Motor Vehicle) has now been running for three years and has added a community service to be proud of.
In 2005 we purchased an ambulance for the Kokoda Hospital as well as donating a lawnmower and other items to the Kokoda Primary School.
In 2006 we donated a lot of equipment to villages along the track including much needed water containers, pots, pans, tarpaulins and much much more.
In 2007 we have just purchased a 'New Holland' tractor sit on lawn mower with a slasher attachment like the councils use in Australia. It will be based in Kokoda and used to beautify the township.
KOKODA CHALLENGE – 2005 & 2006:
In 2004 I arrived home one day to find our porters disappointed that Brian Freeman had broken the track record. They felt the record should belong on PNG soil. Russell and I discussed this and decided that in 2005 we would run a race so that the local boys could try and win back the record and their pride. John Hunt Hiviki not only broke the record, he smashed it. Last year we decided to change direction and run the race from the Ower's Corner end. Brendan Buka won the race in 17 hours 49 minutes.
2005 – Kokoda Challenge – Track Record Kokoda to Ower’s Corner – 28th August, 2005 – Winner – John Hunt Hiviki – Time 22:14:01
Other Placegetters: 2nd – Osborne Bogajiwai – 22:45:34; 3rd – Tom Hango – 23:34:46; 4th – Bernard Aruo – 24:08:46; 5th – Andrew (Andy) Rowan – 24:15:21 – New Zealand; 6th – Russell Gurisa – 28:32:21; 7th – Abel Arari – 29:05:22; 8th – Rod Ori – 29:36:52; 9th – Wayne Urina – 30:08:12; equal 10th, 11th & 12th : Sean & Bryan O'Hara; Robert Drysdale
Fastest Team to get 5 members of their team home: Kokoda Trekking Ltd – KTL boys
26 Competitors started the race at Kokoda; 12 finished in the time set down of 36 hours.
2006 Kokoda Challenge- Track Record Ower’s Corner to Kokoda – 26th August, 2006 – Winner – 1st – Brendan Buka (KTL) – Time: 17:49:17
Other Placegetters: 2nd – Wayne Urina (KTL) – Time: 18:51:57; 3rd – Damon Goerke (Australia) – Time: 19:28:48; 4th – Horace Yauga (KTL) – Time: 20:39:51; 5th – Cyprian Aire (KTL) – Time: 23:29:30; 6th – Tom Hango (KTL) – Time: 24:49:09; 7th – John Korove (KTL) – Time: 24:30:30; 8th – David (Duggy) Eroro (KTL) – Time: 24:41:27; 9th – Nathaniel Isuki (Independent) – Time: 26:08:02; equal 10th – Rod Ori (KTL) – Time: 26:46:32; equal 11th – Andrew Yauga – Time: 26:46:32; 12th – Wilson Sevisi (R & P Signs) – Time: 26:46:34; 13th – Mathias Kipu (Team Didiman) – Time: 27:06:15; equal 14th – Sean O'Hara (Australia) – Time: 27:24:18; equal 15th – Bryan O'Hara (Australia) – Time: 27:24:18
43 Competitors started the race at Ower’s Corner at 7am sharp. Half this number finished in the time allotted of 36 hours with the remainder taking it easy when they found the race had been won and walked out the following day.
Unbelievable: Damon Goerke (Australia) reached the half way point of Efogi in only 8 hours clocking in at 14:56 with the next competitor arriving at Efogi some 20 minutes later. Wayne Urina and Brendan Buka only minutes apart did not give up saying they were out to catch the aussie as a PNG guy had to win this race…..Brendan being the eventual winner in 17 hours 49 minutes!
Fastest Team to get 5 members of their team home: Kokoda Trekking Ltd – KTL boys
Other KTL records:
First Trekkers: 16th April, 2003 – Geoff and Daniel Trott from Melbourne
Fastest Trekkers: Dr. Marty Blum from Melbourne & Dr. Raphael Blum-4 Days
Youngest Male Trekker: Nicholas Lawson (7)
Youngest Female Trekker: Ellie Hargrave (12)
Oldest Male Trekker: Walter (aka The Fox) Kelly (81)
Oldest Female Trekker: Jocelyn Medhurst (71 & a proud 1/2)
Youngest Papua New Guinean Trekker: Kingsley Eroro (11) 2nd July 2003 – 10th July 2003A hard record to beat – guides with the most number of treks:
John Derick Eroro (400 + Treks lost count)
Russell Eroro (287+ treks)Footnote: Russell Eroro has just had an operation on his right knee here in Australia. The doctor told him his knee has seen much more wear and tear than the average 40 year old. After you too have walked Kokoda you will find it hard to argue such a comment. So far John Derrick's knees are standing up ok but is a few years younger than Russell.
As John Derick Eroro is in high demand to lead our treks, an additional $500.00 per group is required to request his services:
The Eroro family is well known in the Kokoda and Popondetta area. Their mother Peggy raised 17 children, 9 of her own and the others adopted. Many of these now walk for us including; Johnsford; Davidson; Ross; Duggie & nephews, Paulo, Arthur, Emmanuel and Oliver.
Photograph: Some of our Kokoda Trekking staff as seen here at the Isurava Monument:
ross2.jpgA group of happy trekkers at the Isurava Monument area:
ross1.jpgThis week I received an email from a trekker who walked with us in June 2004 which I thought I would share with you. It was a reply in relation to the knowledge that his guide Russell Eroro had just had an operation on his knee….
Our trek was when 200 odd mm of rain fell in 3 days and the track was an ice rink. I remember one of the trekkers having a fall walking down a steep wide section of track and Russell, who was behind me at the time, bounded down the track as though it was 'bone dry'. He had a massive pack on his back under a black rain poncho and looked like 'Darth Vader', but I could not believe how stable he was on his feet.
On another occasion, while crossing yet another flooded creek, he asked me to jump on his back as my ankle was not stable enough to cross the fast flowing creek, and all the hidden, slippery rocks were murder. He walked across it as though he was shopping in Bourke Street! These memories will stay with me forever.
Mark
Photograph: Russell Eroro, my business partner at Nauro Creek Crossing:
Russell_at_Naoro_crossing.jpgCome trek with us for an adventure of a lifetime ARE YOU READY?, if so, we look forward to your booking and meeting you in person when you come to trek with us.
Just in case you are looking at our porter in this photograph and wondering about his balancing act…..he is actually holding the logs tight with his feet so his trekker can walk across much easier than if they were moving around. They all have such amazing balance that they make it look easy!
Half_Page___800_size.jpgOur trekkers food is purchased from Food4Treks – http://www.food4treks.com.au
We purchase their A, B & C packs and rotate them from day to day. The main meal is supplied by BackCountry NZ. We also cook rice each night and purchase from villagers local vegetables to supplement your meal. Please bear in mind however, that the people who live on the track cannot go to a supermarket so we can only buy what they can afford to sell to us without going short themselves.
Reference from one of our ex trekkers:
Over the past 30 years I have walked the tracks of Lamington National Park, state forests areas of South East Queensland and the Kokoda Track. I have used a variety of rations while bushwalking, from Defence Force ration packs to home-made efforts.
The best rations I have used came from food4treks. I used them while walking the Kokoda Track. The food4treks ration packs provided the food for fuel needed to complete the walk without experiencing the physical effects of incorrect or unbalanced diet. Better still, the rations provided a variety in the menus that made the meals an important component of the trip, from grabbing quick snacks on the run to combining rations with mates to make a small banquet at dinner.
Want food for fuel mixed with a little quality of life when you've out in the backblocks?
Try food4treks rations.
Kenn Lydiard
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