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This morning our latest trek left Owers' Corner to walk off the track on the 6th September where they will overnight at our base Orohaven Kokoda Retreat before flying back to Port Moresby on the 7th Sept.
Trekkers are walking with Shane Thomas and our guide Tarina Bore. Trekkers walking today are as follows:
- Peter Ryan
- Savas Vostanis
Peter and Savas seen here next to the signpost at Sogeri Monument Area:
Sogeri_Monument.jpgOn the way out to the drop off point of Owers' Corner we stopped at McDonald's Corner. Check out the road, its excellent at the moment. Thanks Kokoda Track Authority for getting it graded, much appreciated!
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McDonald__s_Corner_2.jpgThe photographs below were taken at Owers' Corner shortly before they walked off down their first descent.
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Owers_Archway_2.jpgHowever, before they could begin their walk they were introduced to their personal porters:
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Savas.jpgOn this trek is Brendan Buka the 'Kokoda Track' champion. This time last year he was lining up with almost 70 competitors including two champion runners from Australia to compete in our Kokoda Challenge race from Owers' to Kokoda.
Brendan won this race and smashed his old record in a time of 16 hours 34 minutes!
When Peter and Savas found out they had Brendan on their trek we took photographs of them meeting him.
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Savas___Brandon.jpgThis time he will have a 8 day trek ahead of him and instead of a lightweight pack to hold his water and a few items to eat, he will have a 15kg pack on his back as he is a personal porter for Shane.
Brendan has also been hired full time to be our gardener at our base in Kokoda 'Orohaven Kokoda Retreat'. When he accepted the job he asked if he could still walk and I assured him yes, most definitely.
Shane called in by sat phone to advise me they had reached Ua'Ule Creek today and intended to spend the night there. He added they were all ok and everying was doing well.
The photographs below were taken shortly before they walked off:
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Heading_off_3.jpgTrekkers have now arrived at Agulogo where they will spend the night. Savas is having problems with his knees but will see tomorrow how he goes.
The plan is to reach the half way point of Efogi but due to the downhills the knees are sore according to Shane via sat phone tonight.
Apart from that all is good and the trek is going ahead as planned.
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D6_BFAST_RIVER__Small_.JPGUpdate 1st September: Trekkers were given a short trek today from Agulogo to Menari where they will overnight.
The plan tomorrow is to walk in to Efogi and then to continue on to 1900 Myola Junction. I was out today when their call came through so not sure how the knees are holding up.
2nd September: This trek has now reached Naduri and tomorrow will walk to Eora Creek.
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D4_NADURI_W_TALKING_TO_CHILD__Small_.JPG3rd September: Trek 585 has now reached Eora Creek where they will spend the night. Tomorrow they will walk up to Alola and then on to Isurava Village.
IMG_1337__Small_.jpg4th September: Trek 585 have now reached Isurava Village where they are spending the night. Tomorrow they will move on down to Hoi Village. Unless they change their mind being so close to the finish line and walk out to Kokoda, this is where they plan on spending the night.
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IMG_1420__Small_.jpgThis trek has now reached the finish point of our base in Kokoda, 'Orohaven Kokoda Retreat'. No doubt by now they are all enjoying a few cold beers to celebrate the end of their trek and possibly a couple of pizza's.
A chartered flight has been organised for Monday, in the meantime, a relaxing afternoon and day in Kokoda at Orohaven.
Main_Pic.jpgGail – great to meet you at the Hevilift Terminal with your load of baby chicks! I hope they made it to Kokoda ok.
We met up with Shane and Savas at Augulogo, when Savas was starting to have trouble with his knees. Excellent to hear that he made it all the way – seemed like a really good guy.
Hi, thanks for your posting and yes, chicks made it to Kokoda along with another lot of 8 boxes heading over on tomorrow's flight.
Savas did not make it to Kokoda and was air lifted out of Efogi. He asked Shane to advise me not to put it up on the website as he did not want his family to worry.
He had two extra days in Efogi at Landy Noel's place and then a couple of days at Loloata on the outskirts of Port Moresby.
The last thing he mentioned was that he is coming back to walk it with his son. I guess I can let the cat out of the bag now that he is back home with his family.
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