When you sign up for a Fast Kokoda, you know you are in for a challenging trek. This group of trekkers were ready and willing to take on the challenge that a Fast Kokoda presents.
12 of the 13 trekkers were family or knew each other via family connections. This creates an instant bond between everyone and there is no “getting to know you” phase. We had one solo trekker, Andrew, who fitted in perfectly with everyone in the group.
After a visit to the Kokoda Plateau, we set off from Kokoda with spirits high and enjoyed a nice dry track. The journey to the village of Hoi was easy and trekkers spent the time chatting and getting into the pace. As usual, the first hill up to the village of Deniki is a test for everyone. The conditions were really hot and sweaty, so it was a relief to arrive at Deniki and know our first day was done.
The first night in tents and with strange noises didn’t allow for much sleep, but spirits were high as we woke to the sound of rain on our tents.
Day 2 was going to be a long day, as we had to cover a considerable distance. The Fast Kokoda still requires trekkers to cover the 96km, but we have less time. Today’s destination was Eora Creek, but before that we had to visit the incredible Isurava Battlesite.
Isurava Battlesite is one of the most moving places on the Track.. As a Guide who has been here many times, I still shed a tear as this place takes my breath away. We learned about the sacrifices of our diggers and the acts of bravery by many, before a service to acknowledge and commemorate the fallen. Our service was dedicated to David Stuart Pearson, VX85742, who fought in WW11 between August, 1943 and April 1944. David Stuart Pearson was the Grandfather of two of our trekkers, Bettina and Jillian and the Great Grandfather of Bettina’s sons, Hayden and Kieren who were also in our group.
We were very fortunate that the only rain we had was on that first day and from then on we experienced dry conditions, with only some sections of the track mud and slush.
Our long big days continued and the group demonstrated incredible resilience and endurance to get up each day and do it all again. Hayden and Kieren were the only two trekkers in the group without a Personal Guide and they both did an amazing job carrying their own packs through all of the tough sections of the Track. Well done guys!
12 of the 13 trekkers were family or knew each other via family connections. This creates an instant bond between everyone and there is no “getting to know you” phase. We had one solo trekker, Andrew, who fitted in perfectly with everyone in the group.
After a visit to the Kokoda Plateau, we set off from Kokoda with spirits high and enjoyed a nice dry track. The journey to the village of Hoi was easy and trekkers spent the time chatting and getting into the pace. As usual, the first hill up to the village of Deniki is a test for everyone. The conditions were really hot and sweaty, so it was a relief to arrive at Deniki and know our first day was done.
The first night in tents and with strange noises didn’t allow for much sleep, but spirits were high as we woke to the sound of rain on our tents.
Day 2 was going to be a long day, as we had to cover a considerable distance. The Fast Kokoda still requires trekkers to cover the 96km, but we have less time. Today’s destination was Eora Creek, but before that we had to visit the incredible Isurava Battlesite.
Isurava Battlesite is one of the most moving places on the Track.. As a Guide who has been here many times, I still shed a tear as this place takes my breath away. We learned about the sacrifices of our diggers and the acts of bravery by many, before a service to acknowledge and commemorate the fallen. Our service was dedicated to David Stuart Pearson, VX85742, who fought in WW11 between August, 1943 and April 1944. David Stuart Pearson was the Grandfather of two of our trekkers, Bettina and Jillian and the Great Grandfather of Bettina’s sons, Hayden and Kieren who were also in our group.
We were very fortunate that the only rain we had was on that first day and from then on we experienced dry conditions, with only some sections of the track mud and slush.
Our long big days continued and the group demonstrated incredible resilience and endurance to get up each day and do it all again. Hayden and Kieren were the only two trekkers in the group without a Personal Guide and they both did an amazing job carrying their own packs through all of the tough sections of the Track. Well done guys!
There were of course the slips and slides that you have when you are out on the Track and at the end of each day sharing stories of these falls made for lots of laughs. There were the awards for those who had managed to claim the largest number of falls, which seem to go to Hayden each night but he wasn’t the only one.
This group of trekkers were amazing and there was never a complaint or cross word from anyone. Although there were occasional expressions of gratitude for the Track being dry and the weather being fine. We were all grateful for that given our job of walking the Track in 6 days.
Our last day was a “shorter day” - we only had to do 7 hours of walking! The team rallied around each other and pushed towards the final destination of Owers’ Corner.
As we climbed that last section of the Track, the relief from the trekkers was evident, but more importantly, so was the support of each other. Rising about all of this was the immense sense of pride in themselves for what they had achieved.
Ruth Rampling
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions.
[email protected]
This group of trekkers were amazing and there was never a complaint or cross word from anyone. Although there were occasional expressions of gratitude for the Track being dry and the weather being fine. We were all grateful for that given our job of walking the Track in 6 days.
Our last day was a “shorter day” - we only had to do 7 hours of walking! The team rallied around each other and pushed towards the final destination of Owers’ Corner.
As we climbed that last section of the Track, the relief from the trekkers was evident, but more importantly, so was the support of each other. Rising about all of this was the immense sense of pride in themselves for what they had achieved.
Ruth Rampling
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions.
[email protected]