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Today saw the second group for the month of June head out on the Kokoda Trail. This is a private trek – Trek 92 – with three people who initially booked in and opted to hire Russel Eroro as their personal guide.
The trekkers included: Barrie Young, Tracy Young, and Gregory Green whom we saw off at Ower's Corner this morning to commence their trek and finish at Kokoda on the 18th of June. All trekkers are expected to fly back into Port Moresby on the 19th of this month.
Unfortunately Russell could not go on this trek as planned as he has injured his back while attempting to renovate his guesthouse in Kokoda last week. He suffered complications after the incident and had to fly into Port Moresby to see a doctor. Results obtained after medical examinations would not allow him to go walking.
The three trekkers were looking foward to walk with Russell, but were very dissapointed when they found out they would have to leave without him. Russell caught up with his trekkers yesterday and introduced them to his boys instead who were picked to accompany them on the trek.
For Russell, its rather a sad case as he was very much looking forward to this trek. But there was no way he could go on the trek then – it would have been really hard for him if he had to do it.
Anyway will give you More updates from how the guys are coping along the hazardous WWII trail…
The trekkers at Gateway last night….(L-R) Barrie Young and his wife Tracy Young and her brother Gregory Green
DSC02379.gifJustus, the guide in this group callled and confirmed they are at Goldies River now after the steep descend from Ower's Corner. The trekkers are cooling off at the River – there's no doubt about that as the sun is up and hot from this end.
They are getting ready for a steep ascend to Imita Ridge now. Justus will confirm later on where they will be camping for night.
It seems they are most likely to make it to Uberi before night falls…
Barrie receiving their Certificates at the Gaeway Hotel on the last night before they head back home. John Derrick Eroro (Russell's brother) seen here congratulating Barrie on his successful kokoda trek:
000_0111.jpgEditors Note: Russell has finally got all the results of why he is not feeling well at the moment.
His lower back pain is due to his years of trekking and carrying heavy backpacks and he is unfortunately stuck with the problem as its associated with arthritis. He has been given pain killers and told that working on a storage area at his house aggravated this problem.
However, as well as backache, Russell had quite severe pains in his chest and thought he must have had heart problems as well.
On Tuesday he came into town a day earlier than his porters to have a full checkup before heading out on the trail today. For two days he went back and forth having all kinds of tests.
This morning he was referred to a specialist and told that he has gall stones and he will have to have an operation. Here in PNG any kind of operation is not a decision you want to face. Hence three options were put to him.
a) Go on a waiting list at the Port Moresby General Hospital which could take forever as the lists are very long
b) Have the national surgeon who looked at him today operate and cut him open.
c) Go on medication to help the infection and after a month or so head to Australia for keyhole surgery. I have since been speaking to a trekker tonight who was airlifted off the trail in 2003 suffering from pains in the chest which turned out to be gall stones as well.His recommendation was that he should go to Australia ASAP and have the op so will have to get the ball rolling and find someone on the Gold Coast so he can get a referral as he says the pain is getting worse even though they gave him pain killers.
But one thing is for sure, Russell has been grounded and will not be walking until he has a clean bill of health.
We were lucky however as Justus Evari one of our experienced Kokoda Guides came in yesterday just wanting to walk with him as a porter and another guide Kingsley Boropi was already in here having not gone home from a previous trek.
Both guides are now taking these three trekkers on the trail along with 3 personal porters, 4 food porters and another bloke Emmanuel who is walking back home.
Unfortunately for Emmanual his baby son when born faced breathing problems which they have further found out is associated with the baby's heart. Both mother and son came in recently to see the Port Moresby General Hospital but have now been referred so a visiting doctor later this month. As a result they returned to Kokoda and Emmanual waited for a trek to walk home today.
Latest on the trail – Trek 92:
The group is in good shape and moved quite fast on the first day. With just a few hours of walking, they?ve now reached their first camp site, Va-Ule creek.
All three trekkers did great on the first day and are all ok.
Weather on their side is sunny and hot, but with the mountains and trees surrounding their camping area, Im pretty sure, it?s going to be warm around there at this time.
Day number two, will see the group heading up to Nauro Village. Whether or not they?ll spend the second night there, well! We?ll just have to wait and find out tomorrow.
That?s all for today, we?ll keep you posted on their whereabouts and progress tomorrow and the days yet to come.
Photograph – Tracy at the Gateway Hotel 20th June receiving her Certificate of Completion from John Derrick Eroro. You would have to think she looks pretty proud of herself and so she should be, as they all did really well:
000_0112.jpgTrek Updates:Trek 92 has made it to Naoro Village where they will spend the night. All three trekkers are doing ok and are on target.
John Derrick Eroro's trekkers are also doing well and will be out a day earlier than expected and will arrive back in tomorrow Sunday and not Monday as expected.
To trek 92-
We're so proud of you. keep your head up, we're following your trail daily. Love always Corryong family.Trek 106: All four trekkers are now back in the Gateway Hotel following their pickup at Ower's Corner around lunch time today.
On the way back into town we stopped off at the Bomana War Cemetery so they could pay their respects. We are just about to head off back to the Gateway to drop off their guide John Derrick Eroro and Rommey per their request.
Ower's Corner taken as they walked through the archway at the finish line:
Picture_071.jpgLatest update 14th June, 2005;
Trek 92: All three trekkers are fine and still doing extremely well. There have been no say of anyone struggling or facing problems; they?ve all done really well so far, so that?s good news.
The group spent their last night at Efogi 1. With an early start this morning, they made it up to Mt Bellamy not more then 15 minutes ago, and are slowly making their way down to Templeton?s 1 where they will camp for the night.
The weather was, pretty much hot during the day, but has cooled down at this time.
All three trekkers would like to let all their family members know that, they are all ok and looking forward for the finish, and they?ll see you all soon.
More updates will be posted up tomorrow…
Happy birthday Dad/Pop. Hope you all are travelling OK. Keep up the good work and see you soon. luv hope island youngs. <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//tongue.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:P” border=”0″ alt=”tongue.gif” />
Happy Birthday Dad!! Love to Mum & Uncle Greg also!! Following your progress each day. Great website! Love M & D xx
Update; 15th June, 2005
Trek 92: The group has now reached Eora Creek, and at the moment are taking a quick bath. They are all ok and doing fine. The weather well, its still hot around there, but it seems the three trekkers have gotten used to it, so it?s pretty much pleasing for them as it is the trail.
Barrie sends this message???
?We thank everyone who sent messages, of support and encouragements to us; we truly appreciate it and thank you all, also thanks to everyone who sent the Birthday Greetings.
We are all ok. It?s been really good the last few days, the boys have been really, really good to us and have taken good care of us. The trainings we had before coming here has really paid its price, coz it?s been fantastic and we?re lucky too, with the hot weather like this. We love you all, thanks again and we?ll talk to you all on Sunday?.?Greg say?s; ?Beer & T Bone Steak for me and also, HELLO to his two girls.
And that?s all the messages from them.
The group will now have lunch at Eora and probably spend the night there, but that?s not confirmed yet, if we do get a confirmed message, we?ll post it up.
Photograph: Greg receiving his 'Certificate of Completion' at the Gateway Hotel 20th June, 2005 – I forgot to ask, but assume he got to each his t/bone stead and have a beer or two:
000_0113.jpgUpdate 16th June, 2005;
Trek 92: Yes the group spent the night at Eora yesterday. All three trekkers are ok; they started early this morning and arrived in Alola village around 10:30am. They rested for about 5 to 10 minutes and now slowly making their way up to Isurava Battlefield. They will most likely have lunch there, and then proceed on to Isurava village, where they will camp for the night.
There?s no change with the weather, it?s still looking the same.
Other then that, everything?s ok, so is everyone, so that?s great news.
Latest update;
Trek 92; Have reached Isurava village, all three trekkers are ok, and still doing good. No problems anything what so ever, they've all done well. They will come out to Kokoda tomorrow…
More will be posted up then..
Yes, they are ahead of schedule and want to make Kokoda tomorrow instead of Saturday.
Therefore they will have one full day hanging out in Kokoda learning about the Oro Province cultural before travelling back into Port Moresby on Sunday.
Latest update 17th June, 2005;
Trek 92
Just early hours this morning, the group finally got a wake up call from an unexpected visitor, the rain! Which never came about or showed up until today, when it was the end of their journey?And I think it was a good wake up call for them, not that they wake up late every other day. But in a way it showed up telling them that, ?hey guys here I am, there?s been change of plans, today you?re all walking a different weather condition, whether you all like it or not?. How amazing! Well nature has its own way of calling, when you least expect it too. And I guess it?s cool, coz it makes their last day a little more adventures, to see which is harder, wet or dry?
Anyway that?s all to do with the weather, but back to their trek news. Well, they started walking around 7:05am which is their normal timely basis, but because the ground was muddy and slippery it took a while for the three trekkers to move fast, like they usually do every other days when they had dry weather condition. But they managed to make it through and out safely.
All three trekkers plus all porters and guide are currently at Kokoda, in Russell?s family block. Trekkers, Berrie, Tracy and Gregory are ok; they are fine and still looking fit.
They?ve done a fantastic walk, going a day ahead of their schedule, which we don?t get more often from other treks. But they managed to pull it off, without anyone getting injured or having problems what so ever, so that?s a walk well done.
Congratulations to you three (Barrie, Tracy & Gregory)
We?re all looking forward to seeing you guys back here in Port Moresby
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