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I met up with the following group of trekkers at Jackson's airport on the 27th October. Shortly after, we were on our way out to Bomana War Cemetery before up to Sogeri Lodge where they were to spend the night.
Mark Wilkinson had phoned earlier in the day to say he would have to postpone his flight to PNG from Cairns due to his backpack failing to arrive and that it would be arriving later in the afternoon and that he had arranged to fly in at 8:30 on the morning of the 28th.
This gave us some last minute changes but we managed to get the others away at the same time his flight was arriving in Port Moresby due to another staff member meeting his flight.
After getting the others away at Owers' Corner I drove back down and met up with Mark at Bomana War Cemetery and returned back up the mountain to drop him off at the archway at Owers' Corner.
Trekkers include :
Terry Robinson (back for his 2nd trek having walked with us in 2006); Mark Wilkinson; Ashley Adamson; Marcus Gilmore; Jason O'Donnell; Dean Pattison; Jason Cunningham and Stuart Cunningham.
All photographs taken have been posted on our 'Facebook' page and can be viewed by clicking on the following link:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1…5970&type=1
P1170070__640x480_.JPGOn the day of their trek I met with them at Sogeri Lodge and took the following photograph:
P1170071__640x480_.JPGAfter arriving at Owers' Corner everyone was busily arranging their gear so they could get away as quickly as they could as they had a big day ahead of them due to their schedule they had set for themselves.
P1170077__640x480_.JPGNot however, before photographs were taken under the archway:
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P1170073__640x480_.JPGThe guide for this trek is Kingsley Boropi.
P1170082__640x480_.JPGIt was decided that the guys carrying their own backpacks along with our food porters lead off the trek down to Goldie River – they looked pretty happy as they walked off. In fact it was hard to get this photograph as they just wanted to get going.
P1170079__640x480_.JPGThey were followed by Jason O'Donnell with his personal porter Samson Joheri
P1170080__640x480_.JPGNext off the ranks was Marcus Gilmore and Jenen Barai
Special Note: the staff on this trek were personally selected due to their fitness levels and with the exception of Kingsley, were all competitors in this year's Kokoda Challenge event.
P1170081__640x480_.JPGIt was soon time to bid farewell to trek 788 as they disappeared down the hill towards Goldie River and head back down towards Port Moresby to collect Mark Wilkinson who had touched down the same time as we were leaving Owers' Corner
P1170088__640x480_.JPGOn the road back out to Owers' Corner we could not help but smile and stop for a photograph when we saw a rubber plantation driver taking a nap on the side of the road inside the cabin of his tractor – how uncomfortable would this be?
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P1170084__640x480_.JPGAt Owers' Corner, we took some photographs of Mark and Barry a porter from Sogeri who offered his services to walk in with him and turn back. This went ahead as planned and after catching up with the group Barry turned back and walked home to Sogeri. These photographs were taken shortly before they walked off to catch up with the others on Mark's trek.
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P1170086__640x480_.JPGTo enable Mark the chance of catching up quickly we made the decision for Barry to carry Mark's backpack and for Mark to carry Barry's daypack. Barry also entered this year's Kokoda Challenge Race so was up to the task and the challenge of allowing Mark to walk without a pack and to catch up quickly to the others who had commenced some two hours earlier. I was told today that they caught the lead group at Imita Ridge which was really good going, our thanks to Barry. I know Mark was appreciative as well for the offer of help from Barry as opting for carrying his own backpack there was no-one left in the group of staff to walk in with him so in the end it all worked out just great.
P1170089__640x480_.JPGI spoke to Kingsley earlier today and he said the group are going really well with Terry our ex trekker at the rear but hanging in there. In 2006 he hired a porter but this year in 2011 he is back to prove he can meet the challenge of walking and carrying his own backpack. The way he spoke was like he had unfinished business and wanted to prove to himself that he could meet the challenge he had set for himself.
The plan today was to head to Manari for the night. Kingsley thought they would reach there late this afternoon. The group should pass the trek that started a day earlier some time today around Nauro was the expectation.
Last night they spent the night at Ioraiwba, photographs below:
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Ioribawa__640x480_.jpgTrekkers were on the move very early this morning as it turned out they ended up at Agulogo so would have had a bit of catching up to do.
I did not catch up with Kingsley but our other guide on another trek Eric Uwea phoned me and gave me the track report on behalf of both groups.
Eric said both groups were doing just great with no worries whatsoever at this stage.
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Day_4_View_from_top_of_range_or_gap_of_Menari_Range__Old_Nau__640x480___640x480_.jpgCongratulations to trek 788 who have just walked off the track in Kokoda and are now relaxing at Orohaven Kokoda Retreat. Well done guys!
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