Kokoda Trek Report - April 2018 - Andrew Flanagan
“We think of them with sorrow and with pride but there should be a third feeling stronger than grief, greater than pride. A sense of fullness and of achievement. To us, their lives may seem to have been severely shortened, yet in truth they were full lives. It is not how many years a man lives that matters but what he does with the years-many or few-that are granted to him. And those who sleep here did much with theirs”. Lt Col Phil Roden, OC 2/14th Battalion AIF.
An Anzac trek always offers up many challenges - mud, rain, traffic on the track, navigating through huge groups from other companies, the regular pulse of helicopters overhead. Completing the track is an immense physical and mental challenge, however the overwhelming theme from this group was responding to the intense emotional experience - this group of 8 were wonderfully invested in the history and fully engaged by the personal stories of the ordinary men who gave so much to ensure our freedom.
The trekkers
Dynamic duo, husband and wife Marnie and Glen: Marnie’s loom-band clinic in Menari brought a smile to the entire village, whilst her occasional glaring at husband Glen and/or the poor Australian Guide caused instant terror.
Five young Australians from Sydney/Canberra: Will, Matt, Rory, Patrick and James. The heartbeat of the group, always laughing (or crying), discussing world records, rugby, Katy Perry songs, toilets and military history. If these lads represent young Australians, then our country is in sound hands.
Mr Consistent, Peter: two-years of dedication to training for Kokoda was rewarded by a fantastic achievement in completing the trek. It was my pleasure to ask Peter to read The Ode at Bomana, an honour well-earnt.
An Anzac trek always offers up many challenges - mud, rain, traffic on the track, navigating through huge groups from other companies, the regular pulse of helicopters overhead. Completing the track is an immense physical and mental challenge, however the overwhelming theme from this group was responding to the intense emotional experience - this group of 8 were wonderfully invested in the history and fully engaged by the personal stories of the ordinary men who gave so much to ensure our freedom.
The trekkers
Dynamic duo, husband and wife Marnie and Glen: Marnie’s loom-band clinic in Menari brought a smile to the entire village, whilst her occasional glaring at husband Glen and/or the poor Australian Guide caused instant terror.
Five young Australians from Sydney/Canberra: Will, Matt, Rory, Patrick and James. The heartbeat of the group, always laughing (or crying), discussing world records, rugby, Katy Perry songs, toilets and military history. If these lads represent young Australians, then our country is in sound hands.
Mr Consistent, Peter: two-years of dedication to training for Kokoda was rewarded by a fantastic achievement in completing the trek. It was my pleasure to ask Peter to read The Ode at Bomana, an honour well-earnt.
The porters
As always, the heartbeat of the No Roads family. I had warned the trekkers that the porters would take one look at them in Kokoda and know exactly when and where they would fall, and I wasn’t wrong. The devotion to duty and wonderful care shown by the porters was a highlight of the trek, as always, and I know that the trekkers will return home with heavy hearts and absolute admiration for ‘the boys’.
Trek highlights
A wonderful group, thanks for the honour of taking you across sacred Australian ground.
Andrew Flanagan
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]
As always, the heartbeat of the No Roads family. I had warned the trekkers that the porters would take one look at them in Kokoda and know exactly when and where they would fall, and I wasn’t wrong. The devotion to duty and wonderful care shown by the porters was a highlight of the trek, as always, and I know that the trekkers will return home with heavy hearts and absolute admiration for ‘the boys’.
Trek highlights
- Kokoda demands everything, requiring you to reach deep inside yourself for strength and determination, often as early as Day 1 and 2. This was the case for one of the group, who responded magnificently when challenged to “show yourself, and me, that you can dig deep and push on when it gets tough….or face the thought of being evacuated and regretting for the rest of your life that you couldn’t complete the trek with your mates”
- Kokoda is the ultimate physical challenge. For one, this was accentuated by a night with gastro. Courage is getting up the next day, Day 3, and shuffling on, pausing only to be sick beside the track. Inspirational!
- Formal services at Kokoda, Isurava, Conn’s Rock, Brigade Hill and Bomana - I have never had a group so comfortable with their emotions. We cried together, often, and in doing so shared a bond that represents true strength, character and mateship
- The morning chant. It happened every day, and yet somehow someone managed to cure constipation each morning by jumping in fright
- Taking the urine out of the Australian guide “ on on”, “dig in”, “20 minutes”, “flat ground”, “up up”, “think about it”..........
- Transformation. The willingness to encourage, through words and deeds, coming together as one. A helping hand, a smile, a laugh. Doing whatever it took to get your mate through the next section of mud
- The race up Imita Ridge amongst shredded jungle foliage as a helicopter came in to evacuate a trekker from another company, and then watching the boys work together so well to widen the landing zone
- Mud all day, every day! Drenched with hours of rain walking into Kagi, to be welcomed by the locals singing. Myola, truly breathtaking!
- Owers' Corner- my challenge to the trekkers was that having walked in the footsteps of the brave, we now become custodians of their stories, with a responsibility to return home and ensure that their legacy lives on in our lives. That we have an obligation to tell their stories so that their sacrifice was not in vain.
A wonderful group, thanks for the honour of taking you across sacred Australian ground.
Andrew Flanagan
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]