13:00 on the 6th of September 2019 and 8 good mates walk through the doors of the Jacksons airport arrivals hall as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime, Fast Kokoda. Through connections back home in Australia these 8 had become my “WonTok” over the last 6 months of preparing for this adventure and now they were finally here in PNG to finally fulfil this dream.
Off to the Holiday Inn a chance to relax by the pool, a briefing and prepare for departure tomorrow.
When we arrived in Kokoda we were faced with great conditions, that combined with the huge level of preparation these Trekkers had done meant we reached Deneki in record time and pushed on to Isurava. A delicious dinner was eaten and then early to bed after a big day of Trekking and a bigger one yet to come in the morning.
Day 2 was a challenging day with us planning to get to Templetons 1 before sunset. We visited the Isurava battle site and pondered what those who came before us had gone through. With some big climbs for the day, a soak in an ice cold river was the perfect way to finish off day 2.
Day 3 was up and over Mt Bellamy our highest point on the track, again good conditions and great preparation by this group for their fast Kokoda meant that we were able to scale our highest altitude for the trek early in the morning, a nice walk down the back of Mt Bellamy then onto the openness of Myola. Our last destination for day 3’s leg was into Kagi to visit the school, and to present some Education packs to a teacher and for us to learn about the education system in the remote areas of PNG. The No Roads to education packs supplied by the Trekkers were greatly welcomed and will be put to great use in the education of PNG’s future.
Day 4 was due to be a big one but these guys were up for a challenge, Kagi to Augologo! We spent some time looking at the artifacts in the new museum and trade center at Efogi then up to Mission Ridge and Brigade Hill for some history followed by a well deserved lunch. Now the walk to Menari and beyond for a very welcomed nights sleep.
If Day 4 was a big one then it was raised to another level for day 5 we were going from Augologo to Va-Ule Creek. The swamp was nice and dry which helped us up the pace and due to the pre trek effort this group had put in we were up to New Nauro in one push. This determination continued up and over the Maguli range with some very accurate counting of the false peak’s! A dip and lunch at Ofi Creek was welcomed with our final challenge for the day being Ioribawia, again, one solid effort and we were at the top sharing the wartime history. It was all downhill from there into the relaxing walk through Va-Ule creek into camp. Moods were high as everyone reflected on the effort of the day as they relaxed in the swimming hole before a final dinner on the track.
The final day had arrived so fast and it was a short one, especially in comparison to the last 2 days. Over Imita and then down to Goldie River for a well deserved swim. Sitting up on the bank it was hard to work out who was having more fun in the cool waters of the river the Trekkers or our local team, either way it doesn't matter as it was a well deserved break for everyone. The final walk out to Owers was a hot one, especially considering the mild conditions we had over the rest of the Trek.
For these 8 mates walking through the arches as Owers was something special especially when they turned around to survey the terrain they had crossed together.
Josh Redfern
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]
Off to the Holiday Inn a chance to relax by the pool, a briefing and prepare for departure tomorrow.
When we arrived in Kokoda we were faced with great conditions, that combined with the huge level of preparation these Trekkers had done meant we reached Deneki in record time and pushed on to Isurava. A delicious dinner was eaten and then early to bed after a big day of Trekking and a bigger one yet to come in the morning.
Day 2 was a challenging day with us planning to get to Templetons 1 before sunset. We visited the Isurava battle site and pondered what those who came before us had gone through. With some big climbs for the day, a soak in an ice cold river was the perfect way to finish off day 2.
Day 3 was up and over Mt Bellamy our highest point on the track, again good conditions and great preparation by this group for their fast Kokoda meant that we were able to scale our highest altitude for the trek early in the morning, a nice walk down the back of Mt Bellamy then onto the openness of Myola. Our last destination for day 3’s leg was into Kagi to visit the school, and to present some Education packs to a teacher and for us to learn about the education system in the remote areas of PNG. The No Roads to education packs supplied by the Trekkers were greatly welcomed and will be put to great use in the education of PNG’s future.
Day 4 was due to be a big one but these guys were up for a challenge, Kagi to Augologo! We spent some time looking at the artifacts in the new museum and trade center at Efogi then up to Mission Ridge and Brigade Hill for some history followed by a well deserved lunch. Now the walk to Menari and beyond for a very welcomed nights sleep.
If Day 4 was a big one then it was raised to another level for day 5 we were going from Augologo to Va-Ule Creek. The swamp was nice and dry which helped us up the pace and due to the pre trek effort this group had put in we were up to New Nauro in one push. This determination continued up and over the Maguli range with some very accurate counting of the false peak’s! A dip and lunch at Ofi Creek was welcomed with our final challenge for the day being Ioribawia, again, one solid effort and we were at the top sharing the wartime history. It was all downhill from there into the relaxing walk through Va-Ule creek into camp. Moods were high as everyone reflected on the effort of the day as they relaxed in the swimming hole before a final dinner on the track.
The final day had arrived so fast and it was a short one, especially in comparison to the last 2 days. Over Imita and then down to Goldie River for a well deserved swim. Sitting up on the bank it was hard to work out who was having more fun in the cool waters of the river the Trekkers or our local team, either way it doesn't matter as it was a well deserved break for everyone. The final walk out to Owers was a hot one, especially considering the mild conditions we had over the rest of the Trek.
For these 8 mates walking through the arches as Owers was something special especially when they turned around to survey the terrain they had crossed together.
Josh Redfern
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]
