Kokoda lived up to its reputation this week and gave us hot sun, humidity, rain and of course plenty of mud.
We had an amazing group of 7 trekkers who had taken up the challenge to walk the mighty Kokoda Track. Mark and Stu were brothers who had brought along two other mates, Jim and Brett (BJ). The mother and daughter team of Julie and Laura, and Olivia who was travelling on her own.
It didn’t take long for the nicknames to start being thrown around, and poor Olivia was first with “Ralph”, after her reaction to her first experience with a Kokoda toilet. The nicknames provided everyone with a lot of laughs - usually at someone’s expense. This group didn’t waste any time getting to know each other and the friendship bond was instant.
After a very bumpy and rough ride from Popondetta to Kokoda, the trekkers were all ready to hit the Track. The sun was out in full force, which made those first 3 hours of trekking very hot. The first hill up to Deniki was hot going and gave everyone a taste of what was to come.
Getting into the routine of each day came easy for this group of trekkers, and they were all up and packed up quickly each morning. Leaving camp around 6.30am each day gave us plenty of time to stop and take in all the significant battle sites along the Track.
Our first major battle site is Isurava and even though I have been here many times, it always takes my breath away. It is hard not to shed a tear as we hear about the battle that took place here and of those who lost their lives. There wasn’t a dry eye in the group as we held our ceremony here and Mark read the poem, WX Unknown.
We had an amazing group of 7 trekkers who had taken up the challenge to walk the mighty Kokoda Track. Mark and Stu were brothers who had brought along two other mates, Jim and Brett (BJ). The mother and daughter team of Julie and Laura, and Olivia who was travelling on her own.
It didn’t take long for the nicknames to start being thrown around, and poor Olivia was first with “Ralph”, after her reaction to her first experience with a Kokoda toilet. The nicknames provided everyone with a lot of laughs - usually at someone’s expense. This group didn’t waste any time getting to know each other and the friendship bond was instant.
After a very bumpy and rough ride from Popondetta to Kokoda, the trekkers were all ready to hit the Track. The sun was out in full force, which made those first 3 hours of trekking very hot. The first hill up to Deniki was hot going and gave everyone a taste of what was to come.
Getting into the routine of each day came easy for this group of trekkers, and they were all up and packed up quickly each morning. Leaving camp around 6.30am each day gave us plenty of time to stop and take in all the significant battle sites along the Track.
Our first major battle site is Isurava and even though I have been here many times, it always takes my breath away. It is hard not to shed a tear as we hear about the battle that took place here and of those who lost their lives. There wasn’t a dry eye in the group as we held our ceremony here and Mark read the poem, WX Unknown.
The 2nd night at Alola saw the rain start to fall and continue throughout the night. This would set the scene for the rest of the week. Each day around 2pm, the heavens would open and it would rain for quite a few hours. With the rain, comes the mud and then of course, the slipping and sliding and falling!
Luckily, all the trekkers had a Personal Porter and they were praised quite often for saving their trekker from hitting the ground. Stu’s Personal Porter, Gary, was recognised as the hardest working Porter, having to save Stu many many times! The mud did not let up at all over the rest of the Track and it was important to concentrate every step of the way.
We spent the Sabbath in the village of Kagi, which is always a favourite place to stay. We were welcomed by the village singers with beautiful songs and some flowers. Saturday morning we paid a visit to the Church and joined in with their singing and service. The rain continued to fall all day Saturday, so we were grateful that we weren’t walking that day. It did of course mean that the following day would be full of mud and slush.
This group of trekkers were incredible and they showed such determination and endurance with whatever the Track threw at us. Their humour and spirits were always high and their friendships grew even stronger.
To take these trekkers up the last hill from the Goldie River to Ower’s Corner was a highlight for me as their Guide. They all deserved the reward of finishing the Track by walking through those arches to tears and smiles.
Well done to everyone - you all did an amazing job!
Ruth Rampling
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]
Luckily, all the trekkers had a Personal Porter and they were praised quite often for saving their trekker from hitting the ground. Stu’s Personal Porter, Gary, was recognised as the hardest working Porter, having to save Stu many many times! The mud did not let up at all over the rest of the Track and it was important to concentrate every step of the way.
We spent the Sabbath in the village of Kagi, which is always a favourite place to stay. We were welcomed by the village singers with beautiful songs and some flowers. Saturday morning we paid a visit to the Church and joined in with their singing and service. The rain continued to fall all day Saturday, so we were grateful that we weren’t walking that day. It did of course mean that the following day would be full of mud and slush.
This group of trekkers were incredible and they showed such determination and endurance with whatever the Track threw at us. Their humour and spirits were always high and their friendships grew even stronger.
To take these trekkers up the last hill from the Goldie River to Ower’s Corner was a highlight for me as their Guide. They all deserved the reward of finishing the Track by walking through those arches to tears and smiles.
Well done to everyone - you all did an amazing job!
Ruth Rampling
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]