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Last night we met with this group of trekkers at the Gateway Hotel where they were tucking into Pizza's before heading out on the track…well with the exception of Mike Wren who had not at that stage met the guys he would be walking alongside. They all appeared to be excited and ready for their 5 day 4 night challenge. It was arrange for them to be ready at 6:15 but when we arrived about half the group were in the foyer with the others missing.
A ring around went on and they all started arriving in the foyer with the exception of two who were still getting organised. Do not quote me but I think from memory it was the Willaton brothers. Naturally they got teased when they finally showed up around 6:30.
However it was not worrying us the operators as it was these guys who had to do the walking today and the later they got away meant the later they would arrive at their destination of Ioribaiwa which is about an 8 hour walk from Owers' Corner. Trekkers in this group are as follows:
- Ronald (Tony) Beevor
- Mark Answerth
- Greg Williams
- David Williams
- Adrian Waller
- Darren Blair
- Chris Willaton
- Peter Willaton
- Dean Burridge
- Mike Wren
Photographs have been loaded onto our 'Facebook' trekking page and can be accessed by clicking on the following link:
Below are group photographs of the group outside the Gateway Hotel around 7:40am this morning 9th May:
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IMGP1503__640x480_.JPGOn the way out to Owers' Corner the group went into Bomana War Cemetery:
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IMGP1506__640x480_.JPGAfter approximately an hour we were on the move again. The next time the group stopped was at McDonald's Corner where once again there was a photograph opportunity:
IMGP1509__640x480_.JPGThe bus they were in could not go down to the bottom where they archway is so trekkers hopped of at the top of the hill. All cargo was put into my prado and driven down to the bottom. Trekkers casually walked down and met up with their porters near the archway.
IMGP1510__640x480_.JPGPhotographs below were taken when they met with their personal porters:
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IMGP1515__640x480_.JPGOther photographs were then taken before they got ready to depart from Owers' Corner:
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IMGP1517__640x480_.JPGOur guide and porters singing the PNG National Anthem just before heading off:
IMGP1518__640x480_.JPGTrekkers responded by singing their footy song:
IMGP1519__640x480_.JPGThe following photographs were taken just before they moved off:
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IMGP1524__640x480_.JPGbye bye trek 625:
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IMGP1527__640x480_.JPGwow, so proud of all you boys! Have a great trek.. Love you Dean, lots of love.. Lisa, Emily and Matthew xxx
Hi Mark & Boys. Glad to see you are on your way and all looking fit. Won't talk about footy yesterday except to say it was a disaster.
Proud of you all. Go show the Digger spirit and conquer the Kokoda. Cheers MikeaGood luck on the Trek, all looking great. We are very proud of you Dad, josh hopes that he is half as fit as you at your age. Love your Number 1 daughter, Josh and Kade xoxoxo
Update 9th May: We heard from David Clark when they reached Imita Ridge which was around the 1:30 mark. He said they were all doing quite well and looked like he had a pretty fit bunch of trekkers!
So all good at this stage and he added they will reach their first night's destination being Ioribaiwa…meaning they will not have to pull the trekkers up early.
Tomorrow they are expected to overnight at Menari. I will post a map here so you can all follow how they are going.
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kokoda2.jpgEarlier today they had to cross over Goldie River which could have been quite high as they have had a fair bit of rain up there listening to the locals who live around there.
Also in this photograph, how to get a guitar across to the other side. Sione this time round asked for a guitar case! and a strap!
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