Troy, John, Andrew, Steve, Justin, Trevor and Toby - View from the centre of Kagi looking west
After an early morning flight from Port Moresby and a long, bumpy, dry and dusty drive into Kokoda from Girwa Airport we arrived at Kokoda around lunchtime. At long last the adventure was about to begin - four blokes from Victoria and two mates from Queensland. Everything is awesome!
This expedition was the second OzChild fundraising expedition following on from a successful expedition last last year in October 2014. Congratulations to the four OzChild trekkers (Trevor, John, Toby and Stephen) who raised $27,129 for essential OzChild services to help more children and young people in need. Special thanks to No Roads Expeditions and Metro Trains for their incredible support.
This expedition was the second OzChild fundraising expedition following on from a successful expedition last last year in October 2014. Congratulations to the four OzChild trekkers (Trevor, John, Toby and Stephen) who raised $27,129 for essential OzChild services to help more children and young people in need. Special thanks to No Roads Expeditions and Metro Trains for their incredible support.
Posing roughly half way along the track in Efogi at the famous Efogi signpost
During this expedition we learn't about the actions (fighting) and soldiers that fought along the Track during WWII, we heard from our local guide about the local traditions and culture, and about village life. We appreciated the amazing scenery, its dark, rough and rugged jungle through to the vistas visible out to distances of about 10kms from the top of ridge lines.
Our expedition was very very dry with only a short shower or two at night. The track was hard under foot and the water courses lower than usual. This also mean't the infamous Kokoda mud was a bit of a fizzer with only a little found on the southern sides of the last few ridges. With the warm temperatures and reduced cloud cover, the nights were also pretty chilly, especially at some of our higher campsites.
The Kokoda story is different for everyone. Our six trekkers ably supported by 17 porters have many stories to tell, many of them that need to stay on the track, but I thought I would focus on the personal porters and our Australian guests.
Our expedition was very very dry with only a short shower or two at night. The track was hard under foot and the water courses lower than usual. This also mean't the infamous Kokoda mud was a bit of a fizzer with only a little found on the southern sides of the last few ridges. With the warm temperatures and reduced cloud cover, the nights were also pretty chilly, especially at some of our higher campsites.
The Kokoda story is different for everyone. Our six trekkers ably supported by 17 porters have many stories to tell, many of them that need to stay on the track, but I thought I would focus on the personal porters and our Australian guests.
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Trevor and Sibona (Personal Porter)
Most of our trekking group hired a personal porter for the expedition. Trevor formed a strong bond with Sibona who assisted him on the trickier sections of the track, holding onto his backpack from behind and providing a helping hand around obstacles. Trevor fell ill with an upset stomach on day three along with some others in the group. This didn't keep him down, plugging along for the rest of the trek never quite recovering enough to feel comfortable. Well done Trev, top effort. |
Trevor and the guys powering up the hill.
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Trevor after arriving in Kagi, not feeling 100%
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John and Elija (Personal Porter)
As the only member of our expedition that can rock a white moustache, John put us all to shame. His porter Elija helped of course and was always there to lead a hand when needed. With many an interesting story, John kept us all amused and intrigued, a master story teller. Courage and endurance is the key to Kokoda and John certainly demonstrated this, also mateship whilst his buddy Trevor was unwell. |
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Carefully navigating down a steep hill
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John ready to make a move onwards at a rest spot.
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Troy and Archie (Personal Porter)
Troy did a very wise thing before embarking on this trek and that is to hire a personal porter. He could easily do the trek without one, but with a dodgy knee it was a smart move. So whilst Troy disliked the downhill sections with his knee getting very painful, he breezed through the expedition, always thumbs up in photos. When his mate Andrew was feeling ill, he provided the necessary ribbing and good advice a mate is expected to provide!! LOL. |
Raring to move on after a quick break and water refill.
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Two thumbs up. Hard to find a photo without them!
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Andrew and Tuksy (Personal Porter)
Best mates with Troy, and our Queensland connection he didn't disappoint ribbing the Victorians whenever he could. Our resident joker and always smiling, it was great to have Andrew on this expedition. A bout of gastro beginning late on day 2 kept him busy through to day 4. Andrew spent time in the naughty tent potentially as our patient X, but we will never know for sure. Very strong willed powering on even when feeling terrible. |
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Crossing the Brown River first - to test it for us!
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Powering up to Mission Ridge smiling all the way!
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Stephen and Eddie (Personal Porter)
Stephen and I bumped into each other the weekend before this trek on a training walk on Mt. Dandenong, Glasgow Track. I knew he would be all set for Kokoda, and he was. Stephen completed the entire trek, but for at least three days he felt terrible with a bad bout of gastro from midday on day three. We camped at Templetons 2 instead of Templetons 1 to allow Stephen and two others to rest and recoup, a good decision. Pushing on like the diggers before him, Stephen kept going showing enormous courage and endurance. |
Powering down the gnarly hills
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Stephen feeling crook at Templentons
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Toby and Mortex (helped Toby whilst sick)
Toby was our sole backpack carrier (no personal porter). I used a nickname "Pacman". As our youngest team member Toby powered along until he did something a bit silly on day three eating and drinking way too much just before heading up our first long 2.5 hour climb from Eora Creek up and over to Templetons 2. This resulted in him being sick and feeling shocking. With a little help from Mortex who helped lighten his load that day, he recovered to enjoy the remainder of the trek feeling great. |
Mortex and Toby at Ioribaiwa village.
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Toby powering up to Mission Ridge in the sun
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Toby purifying his water from a stream
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Justin and Lehomi "Alex" (Personal Porter)
This year I decided to hire a personal porter myself, something that I haven't done before. Not having to carry the heavier pack was great, and it also meant employment to another wonderful friend from Kagi. Now Alex had a pretty easy ride compared to other personal porters especially as I carried a lot of my guide equipment anyway, so I certainly appreciated his extra help around camp at meal times. Alex has a big smile and always laughed with me (or maybe at me) whilst I told my lame jokes and mucked around with the guys. |
Enjoying a dip in the freezing river below Menari.
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A little crazy in my night mozzie head net.
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Karsman Peter (Local Guide)
Our No Roads local guide team lead expeditions themselves throughout the year and are truly exceptional knowing every inch of the track, all the key people and how to keep me out of trouble. Karsman walked with me at the tail end of the expedition as the "sweeper" making sure no one is left behind. He is also the "boss man" for the porters and keeps the show running on track, literally. Thanks Karsman, great expedition once again! |
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Jack Aoda (Lead Porter)
A man of few words, our man up front with the machete (not that he needs it!), our lead porter. Jack kept us in order not letting the group spread out too far ahead, and led us off each morning with the traditional No Roads chant, bellowing out the words first thing in the morning to get us inspired and raring to go. Jack also carried additional packs when some of us became ill, one pack on the front and one on his back!! I guess if he fell over he would just keep rolling with all that padding like airbags. Well done Jack, an excellent expedition, thanks from all of us. |
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Scott Bruno (NRE Masterchef)
When comparing your experience of cooking in a modern kitchen to that of the jungle kitchen that Scott and his fellow porters have, it is truly amazing and testament to their talents. Every meal was prepared with care, with hygiene at the forefront. Imagine cooking all your meals in large pots over an open fire! Special thanks to Scott and his team for preparing our food for us when we were tired, when we just wanted to relax and do nothing. Of particular note were your yummy dinners which impressed every night. The freshly prepared tasty meals were a treat! Thanks. |
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This video was taken as the group left Station 88 clearing heading along a very long downhill section aiming for Ofi Creek. Just a thin fog and some specks of rain meant the track was cool which was great. Some of the guys with sore knees didn't appreciate this section of the track!
On every Kokoda expedition at Owers' Corner the smiles on my trekkers make my day as an Expedition Guide, its why we do this. Even though most people are pretty exhausted and some have done it very tough, the smiles of achievement shine through. Warm embraces, strong handshakes and a sense of pride, of mateship, courage and endurance permeate through the group, its palpable.
I'm incredibly proud of everyone's efforts, especially after those few days early on feeling terrible with half of the group very unwell. Once again the porter team have shone through highlighting how proud they are of their community and their heritage, and especially how fit they are barely building up a sweat on those hills!
So until next time Kokoda, thanks for all the challenges, lets rock'n roll!
So until next time Kokoda, thanks for all the challenges, lets rock'n roll!