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Trek 362 A & B commenced their trek today from Owers' Corner. Our KTL boys had an early rise this morning as they were woken up at 3am, had some rice, hot tea etc and were on board our truck KTL 2 heading for Owers' Corner at 5am along with our troopcarrier.
The plan was for the truck to help transport our staff up to the Sogeri Monument and then offload. Our troopcarrier then made two trips to take in the boys to wait for their trekkers and KTL 2 our truck returned to Port Moresby to help transport our 24 trekkers to Owers' Corner along with their backpacks.
It all went off like clockwork which was great news for us. We picked up the trekkers in two buses and our truck at 7:30 and headed out to Bomana War Cemetery. After a short time there we headed out to Owers' Corner.
Group Photograph 362 B at Bomana War Cemetery 30th June, 2007:
IMGP3959__Medium_.JPGWhen we reached the Sogeri Monument area before turning towards Owers' Corner and going off the bitumen trekkers took the opportunity to take some photographs.
We then boarded our vehicles again and headed off on the dirt road which became quite an adventure for everyone as the car I was driving had the spare wheel under the car fall off onto the road. As a result of this our truck had to come to a halt so as to not run over the tyre and couldnt restart up the hill again getting itself bogged in the process.
Everyone bailed out of the vehicles and watched as our driver tried to get his vehicle moving again. Once my tyre was safely in place once again we proceeded on and left the men to handle the crisis and headed off to Owers' Corner. We heard later on that the men got moving again and we joked as women that it was more their type of work than ours and that we were happy to stay clean inside the bus.
A short time later we arrived at the top of the hill leading down to Owers' Corner and all the women in my car climbed out and headed down the hill to the archway area.
Some of our KTL boys proudly remarked that while they waited for us, they got their axe and chopped up a tree that had fallen across the hill leading down to the Archway. Excellent news as now we were able to load up our troopcarrier a short time later with backpacks which allowed trekkers to walk down the hill on their own minus the load on their backs.
IMGP3976__Small_.JPG
IMGP3977__Small_.JPGAll our vehicles then returned to Port Moresby and my camera was left with the driver of our troopcarrier who managed to take some more photographs for me down at the commencement of their trek while the rest of us returned to Port Moresby.
If you would like to view the photographs taken this morning, CLICK HERE:
Group Photograph before trekkers headed down their fist hill from Owers' Corner:
IMGP4002__Medium_.JPGUpdate 30th June 4:20pm: Have just heard by sat phone that both A & B are trekking ok and have made it to Uberi or as some say Goodwater where they will spend the night. Tomorrow they will head for Efogi. Will advise once I get another update, in the meantime, relax they are all doing really well!
Photograph: Trekkers at Bomana War Cemetery:
IMGP3958__Medium_.JPGQUOTE(Boss Meri @ 30 Jun 2007, 04:30 PM) [snapback]4641[/snapback]Update 30th June 4:20pm: Have just heard by sat phone that both A & B are trekking ok and have made it to Uberi or as some say Goodwater where they will spend the night. Tomorrow they will head for Efogi. Will advise once I get another update, in the meantime, relax they are all doing really well!Dear Kokoda Trekking —- Just fantastic to be able to follow whats happening on the the track… and to see the photos – has totally calmed nervous mother's nerves!!! Keep up the great work !!!
Dear Kokoda Trekking – please tell Nicole & Shannon that we beat Collingwood by 8 points. Hope the trek is going well for everyone, love the website. Good luck to all.
John & JillQUOTE(Clarks Mum. @ 1 Jul 2007, 12:21 PM) [snapback]4645[/snapback]QUOTE(Boss Meri @ 30 Jun 2007, 04:30 PM) [snapback]4641[/snapback]Update 30th June 4:20pm: Have just heard by sat phone that both A & B are trekking ok and have made it to Uberi or as some say Goodwater where they will spend the night. Tomorrow they will head for Efogi. Will advise once I get another update, in the meantime, relax they are all doing really well!Dear Kokoda Trekking —- Just fantastic to be able to follow whats happening on the the track… and to see the photos – has totally calmed nervous mother's nerves!!! Keep up the great work !!!
Sorry have not heard from the track today from either Wallace or David but will let you know the first time I get a radio message. Suspect it will be from Nauro tomorrow. But hey no news is GOOD NEWS! Otherwise I would be getting messages to send in choppers etc so lets stay positive, they are all doing ok.
Update 2nd July: Heard today that both groups spent the night at Ofi Creek. Trek 362a where about 1 hour ahead of the second group. The plan today was to push straight past Nauro and head to Menari where they were to spend the night. We were told that they were all walking strong and no problems whatsoever which is great news once again.
So you can all rest easy that they are coping well and according to our guide, HAVING A GREAT TIME!
Photograph: Menari Village
10144_Menari_Village.jpgExcellent News! Cadets from Pittwater House Schools Cadet Unit, 305 SQN Airforce Cadets & 201 Army Cadet Unit Dee Why successfully applied for CIA (Cadet Initiated Activity) Funding and through the hard work of MAJ Anthony Kirk & LTCOL David Major, have had their trek along the Kokoda Track in July approved.
As Cadets have been training in the lead up to the trek, there has been fundraising for two charities going on in the background, so far the amount raised is well over $65,000, the charities are The Royal Institute for the Blind and Deaf and Cure For Kids (Kids with Cancer).
All cadets are looking forward to meeting with the locals and learning their culture and gaining an understanding of how the diggers did the track back in World War 2.
This trip would not have been possible without the support of the Army, Minister for Defence's Cadet Initiated funding program and community support from Local RSL Sub Branchs.
Upon return from the trek along the track, several cadets will be moving straight onto the NSW Annual Camp at Singleton.
The Cadets will also be giving presentations to the RSL Sub Branchs to thank them for their financial support upon their return.
Regards,
Lawrence Hawthorne
Captain AAC
Officer Commanding
201 Army Cadet Unit – Dee WhyEmail: laurie.hawthorne@cadetnet.gov.au
Website: http://www.cadetnet.gov.au/aac/201acuSupported by 7 Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery.
Financial Support Provided By:
Major Sponsor: Dee Why RSL Sub Branch & Dee Why RSL Ex-Servicewomens Group
Minor Sponsor: Forestville RSL Sub Branch
Minor Sponsor: Avalon Beach RSL Sub Branch
Minor Sponsor: Avis Car Hire Dee Why (02) 9982 6622Please support those who support 201 Army Cadet Unit.
Update 3rd July: The trekkers slowed down yesterday and didn't make Menari as Jim is struggling and finding it hard on his knees. He has decided to call it quits and the rest of the group will go ahead and he will struggle with his porter and try and reach Efogi where we will get him picked up on a food drop. Everyone else is doing just fine.
With regards to trek 362 A they reached Menari yesterday and spent the night there and will move out to Efogi today.
Photograph: Menari Village:
Menari_Village__Medium_.jpgUpdate 3rd July: Sorry forgot to mention that WO1 Ross Donaldson was finding it tough so at Nauro our trek had to hire a personal porter to carry his pack by the name of Malum.
Photograph: Nauro Village – some say the prettiest village on the trail:
Naoro_Village__Medium_.jpgGOOD NEWS – Jim is responding to POSITIVE thinking and is now saying he thinks he can MAKE IT afterall. As his porter he has a guy by the name of Paul Esiko who I personally selected as an assistant guide on this trek. I know Paul will try his hardest to get his trekker to Kokoda.
As for Ross, now with a porter to carry his pack, he is a new man and racing to Efogi it appears!
5 Star Accommodation – Efogi Village – and you thought they are doing it tough! Tonight they will sleep on MATTRESSES…..and have the luxury of a PILLOW….and to wash, it will be in a TANK…yeah no kidding, they have converted a tank into a shower room:
Efogi_2_Guesthouse__Medium_.jpgHello,
A message for Shannon and Nic. Having trouble navigating around the site, but can see you are getting there! Keep up the good work ladies. Look forward to your tales of acheivement when you get back. Love you. Jack & Ange
Hi Gail,
Good news about Jim and Ross!
I will not be able to meet the group upon arrival in Kokoda as I mentioned
as the other group of Cadets will be heading out to the Cadet Annual Camp on Saturday Morning.Sounds like the group are having a blast with the porters you selected and spirits are high.
Thanks for your help getting this trek off the ground.
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