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This week we welcomed back Geoff Carter to walk once again with another group across the Kokoda Trail. The last time we met up with Geoff he had mainly relatives with him to share the experience. This time round, he has brought with him a father Doug Holl along with his three daughters. A bush walking mate Rodger Smith and a ring in from Brisbane Scott Johnston.
Geoff and Rodger intend going down to Buna and Gona at the end of their trek and will return to Port Moresby on the 13th July. All others in this trek will fly back to Port Moresby on the 11th July.
As this trek finishes officially at Gona, the team on this trek are from the coast. John Derick is the guide and as his father was originally from Gona, he is in fact from Kokoda but walking with his close family relatives.
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P7020023__640x480_.JPGNot long after arriving at Owers' Corner they were all introduced to their personal porters who were all quite excited as it was their first trek for the year.
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P7020016__640x480_.JPGIt was soon time to say bye bye to trek 662.
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P7020027__640x480_.JPGI did not hear from John yesterday but their first night was spent at Goodwater it seems. I will check with the group coming out today as they would have passed them yesterday.
They are out there with John Derick Eroro who has over 400 + treks to his credit spanning more years then he cares to count.
P7020028__640x480_.JPGI have just posted all the photographs taken on 'Facebook' if any of you would like to check them out.
Update 5th July: John Derick called in today to say they slept last night at Ofi Creek and were at Maguli at the time of the phone call. Tonight they plan is to sleep at Agulogo.
Seems trekkers are ok but the porters are slow. Knowing this trek is officially finishing down at Gona, the boys selected for this trek are all from that end. Four boys are on their first trek and must be finding it hard as the boys who came off the track today were cracking jokes about them in a nice but funny way. The boys today all have plenty of treks under their belt so are showing off comparing themselves to those from the coast. As they are all in one way or another related to John, he will be there for them as well as the trekkers.
No doubt by the time they finish all will respect the Kokoda Track and will be looking forward to getting back to the beach of Gona and the white sand.
Update 6th July: Good News, the group have reached Efogi Village the half way point where they will spend the night. Tomorrow they will move on towards Templeton's Crossing or Eora Creek.
Trekkers and porters are doing well. The porters now carrying less weight are doing ok it seems which is great news for us seeing as a couple of them are on their first trek and used to sand not mountains!
Update 8th July: Trekkers have now reached Alola where they are spending the night. They all continue to do well. Tomorrow they are intending to sleep at Deniki.
9th July: Trekkers have passed through the Isurava Memorial area and were heading for Deniki when I last spoke to John Derrick Eroro earlier this morning. Unless they change their mind, Deniki is where they intend spending the night.
Trekkers reached Deniki and as planned are staying there tonight. Tomorrow they will walk out into the Kokoda Station and then later down to 'Orohaven Kokoda Retreat'.
IMGP2003__640x480_.JPGUpdate 10th July: Congratulations are in order for Trek 662 who walked into Orohaven Kokoda Retreat at midday today. As I type this, they are sitting around enjoying some time with their porters, drying out their tents etc.
They will remain at Orohaven for the night and tomorrow morning will be driven down to Popondetta in our truck. With the exception of two trekkers, all others will fly back into Port Moresby. Two will head down to Gona/Buna before flying to Port Moresby in two days time.
No doubt tonight they will tuck into some pizza's cooked in our wood fired oven.
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