- This topic has 10,117 voices and 17 replies.
- Posts
Today we said goodbye to our group of trekkers heading from Owers' Corner to Kokoda in time for the Anzac Day service there. On the 24th April they will walk off the track and overnight at our Orohaven Kokoda Retreat which is situated adjacent to the Kokoda airstrip.
The same night, Soc Kienzle will be overnighting at the camp and the following morning 25th April they will all walk up to the Kokoda Station for the service that he will put on. A bag piper is coming up from Australia to walk with this group.
This morning we picked up the various trekkers and drove them out to Bomana War Cemetery. After a look around, they were then driven to where they would commence their walk at Owers' Corner.
Trekkers in this group include :
- Lee Cubit
- Daniel Weekes
- Simon Thomas
- Tegan & Aaron Hassell
- Rodney Frost
- Rohan Graham
- Darren Vine
- Monica Jacobs
- Blythe Calnan
- Malcolm Graham
- Anthea Wager
- Peter Ward
One of the highlights of the day was when the truck I was driving had to move off the road to allow a bus travelling in the opposite direction to pass. With both vehicles leaning towards the middle of the road, the corner roll bar of my vehicle ended up inside the window of the bus.
How did we fix the problem, the boys jumped out and before we knew what was happening, they stood in between the vehicles and through muscle power, pushed my vehicle up and out of the window allowing the bus to edge on past. Peter Ward a passenger in the truck along with myself were left shaking our heads at the possible danger of them getting squashed between both vehicles but somehow it worked out and all was well.
Today several groups commenced their trek at Owers' Corner so it was a real battle to find a spot to park down the bottom of the last hill at our destination of Owers' Corner.
Below are some more photographs taken today.
IMGP6259.jpg
IMGP6260.jpgTheir guide is Chrisley Boropi seen here in this photograph
IMGP6261.jpg19th April: We heard from the track yesterday that trekkers had reached Ioribaiwa where they would spend the night. Lee struggled and the boys shared his pack amongst them to help him. Apart from that all trekkers are doing well and will move on today towards Nauro.
IMGP3962__Small_.JPG19th April: Trekkers have now reached Agulogo where they will spend the night. I received a sat phone call earlier tonight saying that their guide Chrisley was quite sick with pains in the stomach. He is going to phone me in the morning and advise how he is. As for the trekkers they are doing ok it seems.
Earlier in the afternoon they called in from Naoro saying where they were heading. At that point Anthea, Rodney and Peter were at the back of the pack slaving away at the hills and the others had gone through Naoro.
D6_COOKING_BREAKFAST__Small_.JPG20th April: Trekkers have now reached the half way point of Efogi where they will spend the night. The trek is now under the direction of Chris the assistant guide as Chrisley was air lifted off today with severe stomach pains. He was taken to the Pacific International Hospital and later released after a needle and medication and is now resting where we accommodate porters in Port Moresby. He will return home on the 23rd April.
Copy__2__of_Efogi_Guesthouse_area__Small_.jpg
Copy__6__of_efogi__2_.jpgThankyou for this informative site and updated information. It is really appreciated.Best wishes to Chrisley. Could you please pass on this message to Rodney, Malcolm and Rohan. Congrats on reaching the halfway mark, thinking of you and missing you all. All fine here.Good trekking take care and enjoy. Lots of Love Lea, Gayle,Kate,Leisa, Mav and Mitz xx
Thank you Boss Meri for the continual updates, great to track where the group is upto. A message for Daniel, Simon and Darren- Good job boys. Great to know you are travelling well. We are all proud of you and sending lots of love your way. Can't wait to hear all the stories. Happy hiking- Sonia, Kynwyn, Sandra and the boys.
It is wonderful to be able to track where you're up to and share in the photos that come back and great to hear that everyone is doing well and over the halfway mark.
To Daniel and Simon, we hope you're enjoying your experience. A very special hello to Darren, we're sure this is the experience and challenge you expected it to be. Take care, look after yourselves and have fun.
We miss you and love you and can't wait to hear all the stories. Lots of love from David, Cameron, Matthew and Sandra
It is fabulous to be able to find out a little of what has occured out on the track. Thank you Boss Meri for the updates and photo's.
All your friends are very proud of you and are looking forward to hearing all the stories when you return. These photo's and updates are now posted on the notice baord at work. All our love from The Ripolles, The Beatties, The Wearnes, The Nolans as well as Juanita, Rusty, Snoopy,Bronwyn,Lynn,Buck,Rita,Julie,Aldo,Eugene,Leornard,Chris,Fran,Wayne,Roger,Mark,Line 7 Crew,Jenny and dozens of others.Daniel, Simon and Darren great to see and hear that you and the team have managed to relive the true digger experience as difficult as it has been but you have faced the challenge and endured the hardship and pain and continued. Well done and look forward to raising a glass on Anzac Day being mindful of where you will be. Congratulations and keep up that Aussie spirit.
Hi Gail,
Any updates from the guys? It would be great to know how they are all travelling – especially seeing as they are so close to the finish line!
Simon & Daniel – missing you lots and lots – our thoughts are of you always.
23rd April: Sorry for no up dates as they were down low and we did not hear from them until they reached Alola and then my internet was down and I could not post.
Great News for everyone, THEY WALKED OUT IN KOKODA YESTERDAY A DAY EARLY…how about that, 7 day TREKKERS as they finished a day early.
The initial radio call was to inform us they would be spending the night at Hoi Village then a short time later they radioed in again to say they were so close to the finish line that trekkers had decided they wanted to walk off the track instead of spending another night on the track.
Last night they rested at our retreat in Kokoda and today no doubt they will spend the day relaxing/washing their gear/walking around with their guides and porters and enjoying the hospitality of the Kokoda people.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.