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Today I received a welcome visit to my home by Clive Baker who first walked Kokoda 1983.
Clive had popped in to personally hand deliver a copy of his book to me. I have tonight browsed through this booklet and I must say it is very informative and a MUST HAVE for all trekkers who are contemplating a trek.
After talking with Clive this afternoon I asked if I could sell this booklet/guide on his behalf and he has agreed.
On Sunday Clive takes off for Kokoda on yet another walk so when he returns we will discuss how we go about this so that I can offer the guide to anyone who may like to purchase such a valuable trek asset.
Photograph: Front cover
front_page.jpgAn added surprise for my business partner Russell Eroro was the back cover of this book which shows a picture of him, his son and Clive Baker.
Russell worked for Clive along with his brother John Derrick Eroro.
When I first met Russell the name Clive Baker was often mentioned and I knew immediately how much respect there was between the two of them.
Since then, the name Clive Baker continues to come up in conversation. Clive taught us this….Clive taught us that….and so on!
Yes, Clive was a mentor to Russell and John in much the same way as they too now pass on their knowledge to the younger guides and porters who currently work for us.
Thanks Clive, this book will be a valuable tool for anyone thinking of walking the Kokoda Track not only with us but with any other trekking company.
Photograph: Back cover
back_page.jpgINTRODUCTION:
Writing in 1970, R. Skinner director of the Civil Defence Services in Port Moresby, made a very insightful comment about the trek:
Over the year the Kokoda TRack story has become part of our national heritage and as long as the Track is there, it will constitute a challenge to people with a sense of history and to those who wish to test their hardihood against that of the men who went before.
Motivated by similar thoughts, I first went up the track in 1983, accompanied by a group of friends and we struggled across using a map that was ten or twenty years old and had little bearing on the track as we found it.
When we returned home, full of feelings of achievement and triumph, we were besieged by friends, who "…would have gone with us, had they known how good it was and what a challenge if offered".
From those comments an idea was sparked, to commence trekking tours and with the help of my old friend Ron Wiebe, we began a part-time trekking tour business.
In the early 1990's, when the Moresby 'rascals' were given wide coverage in the Australian press, their actions stifled the flow of would-be walkers and after a while we gave away the business.
For a while my son Dick Baker carried on the tours until the rascals also brought his business to a halt.
However, with so much detailed knowledge in our files, it seemed a shame not to pass on that information to others who are about to meke the trek themselves.
In publishing this second edition, I hope that it helps many more Australians to experience the famous wartime track and feel for themselves the sense of achievement that comes from completing this gruelling walk.
The rascals and troubles appear to have diminished these days and 1,000-2000 Australians per year are again experiencing the Kokoda Trek for themselves.
Clive Baker – 2006
Editors Note: As Clive is about to walk the track again this coming weekend, I will not have a chance to see him for another 11 days so please be patient if you wish to order this book.
On his return I will discuss in length how I can obtain copies and will post the details on our website.
If you would like to show interest interest in this book, please email me:
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