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Ten trekkers from WA headed out to Kokoda with Airlines of PNG on a chartered twin otter on Monday as follows:
John Coleman; Graeme Baxter; Chris Miller; David Miller; GAvin Rodie; Aiden Casey; Nathan Hewitt; Michael Hebberb; Terry O'Leary and David Eyers
They commenced walking straight away after arriving at Kokoda and looking around the monument area. Trekkers spent the first night at Deniki. An updated message by two way radio this afternoon stated they have now made it to Iora Creek where they will spend the night.
All trekkers are doing ok but one John Coleman has decided not to continue and will fly back into Port Moresby tomorrow.
Steps_at_Gateway_Hotel.jpgTrekkers before they boarded their flight to Kokoda seen here at the Airlines of PNG's terminal at Jackson's Airport. The flight took off for Kokoda around 10am.
Airport.jpghi aussie, next time you speak with the trekkers, if you get a chance, can you please pass on the following:
message for Aidan – letting you know we are tracking your progress via the updates on the website. missing you heaps. sorry to hear about john. take lots of photo's. all is good here. enjoy & keep going hard!
Love Lou & Taliathanks for the updates aussie – it's much appreciated!
Hi all on trek 231 and especially David and Chris
It was great to see your happy smiling faces in the photos and get a little news. Hope all is going well and that you're enjoying your experience on the track.
News from home is Tom arrived home safely from Melbourne and had a good time. Wayne Martin is the new Chief Justice and most importantly Australia won the test.
Love BethwynMessage from Aidan,
Thank you very much for the message but said you scared the hell out of him thinking something must have been wrong for him to receive a message on the Kokoda Track.
This morning when I spoke to our guide Jeffard at Templeton's Crossing, Aidan was up ahead of him. I told Jeffard there was a message for Aidan and when he caught up to contact me again by two way radio. He did this but it seems in the meantime Aidan was wondering what was wrong.
He sounded really happy when I spoke with him and said he is doing ok.
As for David and Chris, they went on ahead and were not near the radio. Jeffard did ask what the cricket score was and tks to your email I was able to inform them.
With regards to John, he is on his way back into Port Moresby and should touch down around 2:30pm this afternoon.
thanks aussie! <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//biggrin.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:D” border=”0″ alt=”biggrin.gif” />
John arrived back in this afternoon. We met up with him, took him to Airlines of PNG's office to book a seat on the afternoon's flight to Cairns. He later caught this flight but seems determined to come back again!
With regards to the others in this group, the last time I spoke to our guide they were hoping to make Kagi as they were one day behind schedule for an 8 day trek. So far all trekkers appear to be doing just great. We will continue to follow their progress and will report on the forum as we hear from them
In case you are wondering where Kagi is, I have attached a map for you all so you can follow the footsteps of your loved ones and work colleagues.
kokoda_300_trail_map.jpgGreetings to all on trek 231 and thankyou Aussie for the updates. It is so good to know that the walkers are doing OK and to follow therir progress. Looks as if they have been over the highest bit but lots of ups and downs to go still.
Love to David and Chris
BethwynHi Aussie please pass this on to Nathan Hewitt, thanks.
Hi Babe
Hope you are enjoying it as much as you thought you would! You will be happy to know we have just got home from pigging out on the roast night at East Freo – even had the chocolate mousse!! How's the jerky? Sorry – couldn't help it!!
We are missing you heaps – can't believe you're still away so long! The kids have been great but miss their dad! Me too!
Love Lyndy, Mak and MitchMessage for Chris
Sal sends her love and your walking buddy Al rang tonight and asked to send best wishes.
Thanks
BethwynHi everyone, latest update Thursday 6th April.
Have just spoken to Graeme and he says they have made it to Efogi where they will spend the night.
David Eyers has decided to call it quits and will be airlifted off the track on Saturday as there was no available flight tomorrow. David's knees appear to be letting him down so he has decided not to continue.
Efogi Village:
Efogi_Village.jpgHi everyone, latest update:
1. David Eyers flew in today and is currently staying at the Gateway Hotel. We took him to the doctors to check out his knees and he has no apparent problem. David said to push on would have put too much pressure on them so he decided to stop at Efogi and fly out.
2. With regards to the rest of the team, unfortunately we cannot make contact as the radio's have all gone dead.
The Kokoda Track Authority had a windmill installed at the repeater station to try and allow 24 hour access to the track but unfortunately it has backfired and at the present time we cannot talk to anyone.
They also do not know it as yet but Graeme wanted to push on and come out a day early so they could all return a day early. I checked with Amanda per his request but was later advised the tickets could not be changed as there was no flight.
As I cannot contact them, they will now have to stay two nights at the Gateway on their return instead of the planned one.
In the morning we will head out to Ower's Corner to collect them as David confirmed they will be out tomorrow instead of Monday. We always take our trekkers via the Bomana War Cemetery on the way back into Port Moresby. They should therefore be back in their hotel rooms around 3pm.
Hi Aussie
Thanks for the update. Presume the trekkers that are left must be doing OK if they feel able to finish a day early.
Cheers
Bethwynyes, according to David, when he left them they were all going really well and were experiencing no problems except for himself.
David was told to purchase a carton of beer for them to take to Ower's Corner the pick up point today so they must be wanting to celebrate.
I guess with two days at the Gateway they will get plenty of time for that.
We will head out around 9:30 today and will be picking up David and also two of the Black Cat Trekkers heading out Monday to the Morobe Province. They want to tag along for the ride to get out of their hotel.
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