Forbes to Kokoda and Back

March 6, 2009 by  
Filed under Australian Stories

In June 2007 a group of blokes from the town of Forbes in NSW fulfilled an ambition to complete the Kokoda track. This story written by Ian Bown documents their journey and provides an insight into their experience. Go to story>>

Back (L to R) Andrew Drane, Josh Baker, Steve Cook, Ian Bown, Scotty Reid, John Milton, David Hoggets, Zac Rennick. Front (L to R) Ralph Baker, Norm Cook, John (Tractor) Rennick, Michael (Harry) Walker, Peter Hollstein, Viv Russell.

Back (L to R) Andrew Drane, Josh Baker, Steve Cook, Ian Bown, Scotty Reid, John Milton, David Hoggets, Zac Rennick. Front (L to R) Ralph Baker, Norm Cook, John (Tractor) Rennick, Michael (Harry) Walker, Peter Hollstein, Viv Russell.

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Day 1 – Arriving in Papua New Guinea

March 6, 2009 by  
Filed under Forbes to Kokoda & Back

Back (L to R) Andrew Drane, Josh Baker, Steve Cook, Ian Bown, Scotty Reid, John Milton, David Hoggets, Zac Rennick. Front (L to R) Ralph Baker, Norm Cook, John (Tractor) Rennick, Michael (Harry) Walker, Peter Hollstein, Viv Russell.

Back (L to R) Andrew Drane, Josh Baker, Steve Cook, Ian Bown, Scotty Reid, John Milton, David Hoggets, Zac Rennick. Front (L to R) Ralph Baker, Norm Cook, John (Tractor) Rennick, Michael (Harry) Walker, Peter Hollstein, Viv Russell.

We arrived in Port Moresby on the 20th of July 2007. The first thing that hit me was the heat. We knew it would be warm and the hot wind hit us straight of the plane. This was different coming out of our winter. It was my first time out of Australia so all the forms and customs check were expected but time consuming. The whole team was upbeat and positive. We all knew it would take time just get through it. As Harry said the two P, s. patience and passports and you can go anywhere.

We were all there Myself, Michael Walker, Norm Cook and his son Steve, , John Rennick and his nephew Zac Rennick, Scotty Reid, David Hoggets, Peter Hollstein, John Milton, Viv Russell, Andrew Drane and at the airport to meets us was Ralph Baker and his son Josh. They had gone up there on the Monday and spent time at Mt Hage and driven down to Lea. Ralph had a brother that worked there many years ago, so they went to have a look around the place.

We were met at the airport and taken to our hotel by the courtesy bus. This was the first of many mini bus trips we were to take and most of them were all the same, crowded and very noise over very rough roads. The good roads lasted about 100 yards from the airport terminal and it is the same all over New Guniea.
The Gate Way Hotel was a quality motel even by Australian standards. Given our rooms (I was roomed with Scotty) we assembled in the bar (as you do) for a little drink and a talk to wait for dinner, and our Tour host to give us a brief of our trip.

While in the bar we found Max and Mary Leighton, our fellow trekkers from Perth.

Max and Mary

Max and Mary

Time for our meeting had come and gone and we were to find out this quite normal in New Guinea. Papua New Guinea time is very different to home. It’ll happen eventually. They turned up about 7.30 pm. We had our meeting and dinner. Then we all met Max our Papua historian and Phillip our head guide. We didn’t know at the time but this Phillip was full of surprises.

Most off us went of to our rooms to check our gear and sleep for the 6.30 start. Of course there has to be someone who is led astray and poor old Norm found a couple more drinks and a small trip to the night club too much to resist. The problem was he took Tractor with him. Well it made for lots of banter for many a day later.

During the day we had a sight seeing tour of the Borma war cemetery and memorial. It was about half hour drive from the hotel out the road to Owens Corner. I didn’t know how I would feel when I got there. I had seen pictures and googled it but had no idea of the size. The size of the place and all the head stones hit me the most. I had read a fair bit about it and knew where some of the graves of well known soldiers were but there was just so many. I wandered off on my own, for a while just to get a feel for the place; it was a very humbling experience. It was of special sugnifance to Viv as his father in law has two brothers buried there. Both joined the same day with consecutive numbers and sadly both died the same day in the battle for Oviv Village. More on Oivi Village later. Viv found their graves and got photos for the Family. They are Simmonds of Bedgerabong. We found the grave of Bert Kingsbury the VC winner. It has the VC insings on the head stone. Just behind and about half dozen head stone along is Butch Bissett head stone. Butch was killed at the battle at Isurava and is talked about at length by Peter Fitzsimmons in his book Kokoda.

We all signed the visitor’s book and left a small note. I just said (Hi mates from Uncle Trevor and Lawry. Both had gone over the track back in 1942)

Borma Cemetary

Borma Cemetary

I then had a walk up the hill past so many who were all so young. A moving experience. It is a credit to the Papuans who look after it they do a wonderful job.

Back on the bus for a tour of Port Moresby. What a poor backward city. Roads are in very bad shape, lots of people everywhere. Markets were all over the place. Anybody can ride in any vehicle in any position on the back of anything. Trip to the food store for supplies. There was so many people about. Very few whites to be seen. Every corner seemed to have a large gathering of locals, just standing around with not much to do. Ralph told us about the beetle nut they chew. The nut comes in a shell about the size of your thumb. They chew it with a mustard herb grown in the ground and a form of builders lime. It gives them some form of kick, the side effect is there mouth and teeth go sickly bright red for some time.

The supermarket was for the whites and upper class blacks, there were security guards all round it. Lot of barbwire fences around many of the compounds. Not much done since independence around Port Moresby.

Story written by Ian Bown of Forbes

For more pictures visit the Kakoda Gallery

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Day 2 – Owens Corner to Ua-Ule Creek

March 6, 2009 by  
Filed under Forbes to Kokoda & Back

Up at 6.30am to get the gear loaded.  Store our bags at hotel and last breakfast.  

Wheatbix, two fried eggs toast and coffee. What a breakfast, last good one for a week. Very excited let’s go I thought. The two trucks arrived eventually, did I mention New Guinea time yep. One truck was empty for us and the second one had 20 porters hang out of it. No sooner had it stopped and out they poured out grabbing our gear and loading straight on. The trip out to Owens Corner took about two and half hours I think. The road started ok but then fell away to a rough track. Scotty was sitting next to me and spotted a LPG bottle hanging from a tree like a punching bag. He reckons they must be tough up here. We passed McDonalds corner where B Company had to walk passed. The photo is in the book Peter has with him. Passed a cattle station although it many not be used for that anymore hard to tell.  Arrived at Owens about 10.00 am I think. Unloaded and walked down a small track 200 yards to the start. A small flat ¼ acre block before you fall into the abyss. Final gear check, and introduced to all the porters. We were all given a porter here if you wanted to have one carry some of your gear.  Then we went along and were introduced to each porter by name. At this time a group came over the lip of the cliff just finishing their trek. They had Lots of high fives amongst themselves

And then they gave a little insight into what the track was like. After a group photo with the porters in front of the Owens Corner sign, the porters sang us a song. I thought that’s nice I had seen that sort of thing on my net searches. Little did I know it was their theme song and it would be a big hit on the track.

 

Loaded up and ready to roll

Loaded up and ready to roll

Loaded up and over the abyss we all went. It was a steady climb down for half hour (I say climb down because you only do two things on the track, climb up or climb down. There is very little flat.) . To our first stop the Goldie Creek. Shoes off and wade through. Goldie Creek was a major staging point and aid post in the war.

We had lunch at the Uberi village. No one lives there anymore. It has a few buildings for the trekkers to lunch and rest at. This was a major place in the war. The Japs never made it this far, so it could be used by the diggers for first aid and supply dumps. Viv had found a small pocket knife when crossing Goldie Creek so Peter and I carved names in our stick. Peter put his dads, nickname (Stingar) on his and I put the initials A.B. &  L. T. for dad and mums two brothers Laurie and Trevor who both fought on the track.

Then before I realised it we were on the Golden Stairs. It seemed strange because all I had read and the pictures I have seen show a log stair case up the hill. There is none of that there now, just a long winding vertical hill going up 450 metres high to the top of Imita Ridge. The climb was hard because we all got excited and went a bit hard at it and it was our first climb. A very narrow winding snake of a track up to the top.  A lot of clay in the soil so it made good foot holes, but just so many of them. It was this first hill that the hiking order was unofficially formed with the young guys up front and us forty year olds in the middle followed by Norm and Tractor. We thought this is how it would be and it just fell into place with no words said. Just the way it was. We waited for Norm and Tractor to get to the top, with the porters giving them a big welcome with the word oro oro (pronounced OR-O  OR-O eg, welcome or hello depends who you ask). Norms, now famous words don’t break the golden rule no drinking the night before you start. We hear this all week. 

Rested up we head down the ridge to our night camp at Ua-Ule creek. The trip down was ok, very dry which made it like slippery gravel under foot. We all made it ok only Viv right in front of me slipped with his sticks and slid over the edge and down the hill. Viv slid about 5 feet but jumped back up quick as a wink and he was good as gold. 

The overnight stay was good. We had a swim in the creek washed clothes and relaxed. I pumped up a footy and the young boys had a pass around with some of the porters. We bought some coke and the village people brought out some beers (SP the local drop) for sale, well they didn’t last long. There was only a few. All in bed by 7.30 pm. My first restless sleep, the first of seven straight.

Story written by Ian Bown of Forbes

For more pictures visit the Kokoda Gallery

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Day 3 – Ua-Ule to Naoro Village

March 6, 2009 by  
Filed under Forbes to Kokoda & Back

A new day and each from now on would start the same. Awake at sunlight if you are asleep at all and pack up you kit, Breakfast.

Phillip would the give his summary of the days trek. We would ask him how long it would take from this point to the next; he would make a comment like about 1 ½ hours. This means in village time 45 minutes to 2 and half hours.  We got used to it pretty quick, and then we just play along when they gave us a time for a section of the track.  Time has no place up in the mountains.  You get there when you get there and stop when they say stop. 

By this time we had a running joke going with our guide and historian Max. (Max is a Villager too.) What is the Track like today Max, well it’s a little bit up, then a little bit down, then a little bit up, then a little bit down. This all came from the day before when in all seriousness he tried to explain the days march in that very exact manner. He also asked someone what 45 minutes and 15 minutes were, we answered 60 minutes. So Max says in all serious we have 1 hour 60 minutes to go. Ok that set the trend as well. It was all good fun.

Phillip explained it was going to be a big day. We started the day at 300 metres by mid afternoon we would go over the peak at Maguli range at 1320 metres. We followed the creek for a short time first, and then up we went for 2 hours to the ridge of Ioribaiwa. A climb of 550 meters. This is the furthest point the Japs got to Port Moresby.  You could look back and see Imita Ridge. We had covered 10 kilometres, and taken 1 ½ days to get here. We stayed there for ½ hour to look around let every body catch up. The village people had a lot of old bits and pieces from both sides. Old bombs, helmets, rifles and other things.   A lot of fox holes in this area, the boys got some photos sitting in the holes and of the view back to where the Japs wanted to get to. A lot of action on this hill. The Japs shelling the Aussies with their guns and for the first time our 25 pound guns hit the Japs on this hill. 

When the Aussies retook this hill and the 2/6th field Ambulance arrived Clem Makings, recorded this poem in his diary. 

 
WX-UNKNOWN

We knew he came from W. State
Though to us he remained unknown,
For the WX was marked on his hat,
The rest a mortar had blown,
We buried him there on a mountain spur,
Where the trees are draped with moss,
We thought of the mother, no news for her,
Of that irreplaceable loss,
 Just a boy he looked with his snowy hair,
So we laid him in the clay,
The padre’s voice was loud and clear,
No others had words to say,
Yet we new a mother would watch and wait,
For a letter sent from her boy,
How she would dream of the things he did,
How his first words caused her joy,
Perhaps she will know in some unknown way,
Of the little rugged cross,
The remains of her hero, under it lay,
Where the trees are draped with moss,
We cursed the heathen, who striped the dead,
No pity on them can be shown,
We marked the cross so it can be read,
WX-UNKNOWN

 

After that it was head down and climb down the too Ofi creek for lunch. This was not long but steep and tricky. Ofi creek has a magnificent Guest house sitting on the side of the hill as you come in down the hill too the creek very impressive. We had lunch there, about an hour’s break and a wade in the creek for the feet the get ready again. 

Well we didn’t know what was to come after lunch, but we found out it was a 750 meter climb. We climbed out of Ofi creek straight up another very snaky track for 300 metres. After this steep section it got a bit easier, but it was still a very hard slog. For the rest of the afternoon we just climbed up and up to the top of Maguli Ridge. About 200 or 300 meters short of the ridge there is a flat bit of ground. Its about 40 meters square and this was a Jap command post. The next section of track is what Max and Phillip referred to as the Jap ladder. They had been telling us about this but not in much detail, now we know why. It is a vertical bit or track going up about 80 to 100 meters. It has steeps cut into the clay soil and so steep they called it the ladder. It was a hard little climb, but not too long thankfully. It would be extremely difficult in the wet like the diggers did it.

When almost to the top of the ridge there was wooden cross left by the porters at the side of the track. Phillip informed us his was a trekker who had a heart attack and died at the spot.100 meters short of the top of the ridge. At the top there is a clearing, so we all rested and Phillip gave us the story of the trekker. I think he said about 6 to 8 months ago it happened. They air lifted the body out from this clearing. There is also a very large tree right at the top of the ridge. This was where the Aussies put a machine gun nest during the fight and were able to spray the whole area when the Japs advanced. How they did it? Well it was a good effort. From here we had a long down hill climb to the old Naoro village. We passed the new Naoro Village that was built after the war due to the fact the villagers wouldn’t stay at the old places due to the fighting that took place. The creeks were running with blood. Bad taboo.  

We arrived about 4 or 5 o’clock I think, about 10 hours on the track. We were a bit worried about Tractor as we hadn’t seen him, since lunch and he did it tough the first day. Then Tractor arrived a bit later going pretty good, tired but feeling ok. So the porters felt he would make it through, just taking it steady.

Everyone was unpacking their gear and setting up camp for the night. Milto noticed Peter had no gear. He informed us his porter James has gone walkabout. It was James first trip over the track and he had got lost at the fork in the track about one kilometre short of the camp. It was about two hours before they found him and got  him back to camp. 

Lots of kids at the guest house area so I gave them a Dragons footy, what else?

Nauro Villiage

Nauro Village


 

Story written by Ian Bown of Forbes

For more pictures visit the Kakoda Gallery

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Day 4 – Old Naoro to Efogi Two

March 6, 2009 by  
Filed under Forbes to Kokoda & Back

This was going to be another big day about 10 hours on the track. Phillip explained due to our pace we were going to be stretching the time frame today. Phillip was getting to know us and made the comment, too much F…….  talking!!!!! As he looked straight at Harry and Norm, (Phillip has a good sense of humour).  We all went off in a happy frame of mind.

We had two big climbs the Menari Ridge and Brigade Hill. Over the Menari Ridge down to Menari Village for lunch and we would decide, if we go on to Efogi for the night. It was about this time that a porter by the name of Mansoon took over the job of lead porter for the rest of the trip. He was about 40 years old with a lot of experience in the hills but it was only his second trip across with trekkers. He was one of the main singers and full of fun. Horse, The Golden Child and Josh, taught Mansoon to say, Rock and Roll whenever we were starting up from a break. Well he had a bit of trouble with the word rock so it got shortened to Wok and Roll and that was the call up front. They also made up a lot of bird calls for fun and would yell out along the track. The porters loved it and you would here them yelling out from up to 100 to 150 yards down the track or was that Harry, hard to tell when out of site.

A short walk from Nauro village through some swampy country and we came to Brown River. Boots of and wade through we went. It would be a big river in flood. Only 350 meters to the top of Menari ridge. Not long but very steep. We were heading down now to the Menari Village for lunch. 

 Just before we got to the village there was a creek with a fairly easy log crossing. This creek also floods so they have a high log crossing so as to cross when water is high. The log is about four inches wide and about 12 feet up over the rocks below. No one tried that one except Josh. He went pretty well till about half then slowed a bit and got a bit shaky in the legs. He regrouped and made it across. I think it was Mansoon that went out on the log just in case. Then just to show what can be done, Phillip walked across the log in two seconds flat as if it was flat ground. He wasn’t asked he just had to get across the creek.

The group had broken up a bit coming into the village, and I was with Max, Mary and Ralph. The  village opened up to be quite large with a footy goal post in the middle and about 20 kids playing about. So Max suggested if I had another footy the kids may have some fun. So I pumped up another footy, (Dragons of course) and once the kids saw a football they came running. We kicked it into the middle and like ants they were everywhere. We kicked it about with them for a few minutes then wandered through the village.

We got a call from a hut and an old Fuzzy Wuzzy was up there waving from a window. He came down to meet us, he had his medals on and patches all over his shirt, we think he was fairdinkum. We just don’t know however as he spoke no English. We got photos with him anyway and he was full of smiles a real legend.

 

Mary, our Fuzzy Wuzzy, Ian and Ralph.

Mary, our Fuzzy Wuzzy, Ian and Ralph.

 

After lunch we moved on to take on Brigade Hill and onto Efogi village for the night. Brigade Hill this was the big climb. It was 700 metres with no small downs at all just up and up for 700 metres. We had all gone a fair way we thought almost an hour when we stoped for a break. Derrick comes along the No 2 guide and tells us we are ¼ way to the top. Well that went down well. So that was it we just kept climbing up and up to the top. It was probably the hardest climb I did, but about 2/3 thirds the way up we came to a gap in the trees. This same gap was pointed out to us 2 days earlier from a long way back. Tassie my porter pointed it out back then and said we would be going through it but it seemed a long way away back then. 

After about two and a half hours climbing we reached the top. It was a spectacular view of the ridges in all directions. There is a plaque at the top explaining what happened there in the battle. We had no idea how tough it was for the soldiers back then but the terrain has not changed much since.  I have no idea how they managed to dig into the bush to fortify for battle. We had the book to spot where the companies were but you just can’t believe how tough the terrain is.  It was a very important hill as it controlled the high point for a fair way around.
Monument

 

It had taken us three long days to get to this point. We had done this in dry conditions. Looking back  now I think we had just completed the hardest part of the track. We had porters to lighten our load a bit, so how the diggers did it in day light and dark and in the rain and mud, with full packs and guns. You  have to have experienced it, to have any idea how hard it must have been. They certainly had what the Isurava Memorial says.

Max gave us our history lesson, although I think he was a bit sketchy on detail, but this was common for Max. We didn’t mind he gave it his best shot. From here it was all down hill to Efogi Village, even though it was still another hour away. It is not the same track from here to Efiog as the soldiers used that was shut down by the villagers after the war.

Devils Corner (it was given that name during the war) they call it, a very tricky climb down, very steep and very narrow with a big drop off  to one side. Anyone who has done the trek would know it well. How they ever got stretchers with wounded up there is beyond belief. It was pointed out to be very careful as a lady trekker before us had gone down the side once before. 

The war time name for this section was Mission Ridge. This is where the war track joins the current track. You can see the Kagi airfield from this spot. Efogi airfield is still out of sight. There was a Seventh day Adventist Hut near here during the war. I suppose that was where Mission Ridge came from.  

We all arrived safely at Efiog very late and very tired. Efiog is the biggest village on the track with a good airstrip. Another feed and early to sleep. Each night meal consisted of rice either steamed white rice, cooked just like Nella Bown does and very tasty. We had a Mexican rice of some kind one night that was nice too. That was with pasta of some kind it was only ok but I had it any way. You could always get Bananas and oranges at each village and they were always at the dinner table each night. They made a great Billy tea, black and 2 sugars. We were all looking forward to tomorrow as it is only a short day 5 hours. But first the food drop.

 

Ian & Casmiro

Ian & Casmiro

 

My porter, Casmiro Maia and Myself. We called him Tassie. He had a sore eye the whole trip and it was almost closed by the time we finished. Every time I asked him how it was, he would just say, its ok, I be ok. Tough little bugger. I could tell it was painful for him. He used up all the Panadol I could find for him.

It was the Dragons cap I gave him that gave him the inner strength.

Story written by Ian Bown of Forbes

For more pictures visit the Kakoda Gallery

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Day 5 – Efogi 2 to Kagi Village

March 6, 2009 by  
Filed under Forbes to Kokoda & Back

The first big thing planned for today was the food drop. It was planned for 8.00am but you know how time works up here. Any way we had a look around the village we didn’t mind the slow start and chat with Max and Phillip for a while. We all headed down to the air strip and the porters put on a show on for us in the form of a game of touch footy. Funniest thing you have ever seen. Some form of league and touch rules, they knew what they were doing. Clinton was the king with 4 tries. They cackle and talk but never argued all game. Horse and Harry went down and joined in. They never scored down Harry’s wing though I have known idea why, they all could have run around him on one leg. Then all the villagers arrived all excited the plane was coming only 2 hours late no problem. A twin engine ten seater, landed on an up hill runway in about 300 meters. On takeoff all the kids get excited and stand behind the plane for the wind of the props, we went down the runway as it came down towards us in take off and lifted of right over our heads very exciting.

Josh, Steve (The Golden Child) and David (Horse) standing where the plane finishes. The plane was starting to get close.

Josh, Steve (The Golden Child) and David (Horse) standing where the plane finishes. The plane was starting to get close.

Josh said Oh Shit!! Time to move.

Josh said Oh Shit!! Time to move.

Back up to camp and the porters sorted out all the supplies and off we went.  Only a half hour climb up to our first stop at Efogi Village No 2 where we had an early lunch as it was the last stop before the finish of the day. At Efogi No 2 village there was a few kids and one little girl, she was about one and half years old dragging around a machete about the same size as her. Look strange to us but they were not worried. 

We climbed down to a creek that had a good size log crossing. The young guns were standing on the other side when I got there, so I wet my towel and shirt rather than going for a swim like I felt like doing as it was very hot and that was my mistake. This next climb was the last of the day up to Kagi village but it was steep.

Not a long climb 420 meters but straight up and tricky, very snaky wet ground. There was a creek running down the hill to the other creek. No picture can do it justice. Very picturesque, but a tough climb. We were right in amongst the trees here very thick scrub. Wet slippery ground due to no sunlight. The track kept switching back on itself. You could see someone 30 meters above you but you would walk 80 meters to get to that height. About an hour and half climb and we came out at Kagi airstrip at the base of the village. This is Max’s home village so they were happy to see us. Clean and tidy about half the size of Efogi village.

Being finished early was a chance to relax and wash. But the water broke down so we had to wait till later when it got fixed. Milto found some cokes so we had drink and relaxed.  While Milto was getting the cokes he also found Max’s Brother who also lived in the village and while he was talking to him, he found out that he had a son named Trent. Named after Trent Barrett the dragon footballer. (True story).  So he brought him down to meet us dragon supporters, to see if we had anything for him. I had a new dragon’s cap in the pack, so Milto and I had a photo with Trent and his new cap. Last seen heading up to mum and dad with a big smile on his face.

We all had a big fresh dinner that night due to the new supplies, Curry chicken and steamed rice, best feed of the walk and the porters had there first and only big meal of the trip that I saw. They were full of good cheer that night, they sang and danced for long into the dark that night. They maybe had some extra smokes I think. (Their special smokes)

Story written by Ian Bown of Forbes

For more pictures visit the Kokoda Gallery

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Day 6 – Kagi Village to Templeton’s Crossing Two

March 6, 2009 by  
Filed under Forbes to Kokoda & Back

Breakfast each morning was Wheatbix for me with powered milk. Some mornings they did porridge, but I didn’t like that too much. That was it each morning. After a couple of days I found that I wasn’t looking for much to eat early each day. You would think you would be starving, but it just wasn’t like that.

This was supposed to be one of the hardest days on the track, we would climb 790 meters. We were going over Mt Bellamy the highest peak of the track 2190 meters. To my surprise I found it not to bad at all. It had its tough sections for sure same as every day, but not the constant hard climbs as before. The first hour was a steady walk along a gradual incline that was a path not steps and we were all able to stay tighter so it couldn’t have been too steep. We opened out to a flat clearing where Max pulled us up for a talk.

Scott and Viv at the Mt Bellamy clearing. The school is just to the right of Viv’s shoulder. Above the school on the ridge is the Kagi village. Above Scott’s head the big hill is Brigade Hill and Mission Ridge.

Scott and Viv at the Mt Bellamy clearing. The school is just to the right of Viv’s shoulder. Above the school on the ridge is the Kagi village. Above Scott’s head the big hill is Brigade Hill and Mission Ridge.

From here you could see where we had been for the past three days. Brigade Hill and Mission Ridge were in the distance and you could follow the ridges and pick out the gullies we had gone through to get to the villages. You could see all the villages on the hill tops and below us was a school made from what looked like army style long barracks buildings. They were built by the villagers. The Mums and kids all come there on Mondays and stay till Friday then go home for the weekends. Max said all the villagers come to this spot on Christmas Eve because the can see the lights of Port Moresby far away. We think he was stretching it a bit there but we let him have his fun. There was not doubt though how important Brigade hill was though in the war. It dominates this area so you can see why the Japs wanted it so bad. You could see the ridges where they encircled the Aussies to get them off the hill. Sight seeing over, it was time to push on.

From here the next major point was The Kokoda Gap. It was about two hours of steady climbing and this is where we first struck our wet ground. Due to the canopy of trees the ground doesn’t dry out very quickly and is always muddy under foot. Just made going a bit slower, you had to be careful underfoot.

At the Lake Myola turn off a group of us went down the sidetrack to where the America bomber crashed. It crashed into a crater that was already there and buried it self in the mud. The village people pushed sticks into the mud around the edges to stop the sides caving in over the years. There are lots of mangled bits piled up around the edges. As always there was a villager living on the site to look after things and have his photo taken with trekkers, so we did. He was an uncle of Max (another one??) so he arranged it for nothing. He was supposed to be a Fuzzy Wuzzy you just don’t know, old enough though. We moved on up and down the track. It was getting very muddy and slippery underfoot and after the last climb we came out on a small little plateau which was the Kokoda Gap. Nothing too spectacular, except it marked begin of the end.
 

Josh at the plane in the crater.

Josh at the plane in the crater.

The Kokoda Gap. Over Ralph’s head is the valley with Eora Creek running down to Kokoda Valley. We followed this down to Kokoda.

The Kokoda Gap. Over Ralph’s head is the valley with Eora Creek running down to Kokoda Valley. We followed this down to Kokoda.

From this point you could look down the valley to where Kokoda is. Still a long way to go but it was there. Over the edge of the gap, and it plunges down to the Eora creek and Templeton’s crossing No 1 for a cooked lunch. Sausages on damper rolls. They had sent Ruby and others ahead earlier to cook.
Ruby is the only female porter. She came on the team because Mary was with us. She did a wonderful job and stayed with Mary almost all the time when needing help. Mary was great on the uphill sections, but needed Ruby’s help on the down hill sections. Ruby’s husband Simmy was also on the trip with us. Ruby’s first time and Simmy’s seventh time. Simmy proved to be a great bar tender at the end of the track.

It was a long and steep decent and very tricky due to the wet and sleepy track. Milto wins the award for the best fall recovery at this point. Just in front of Viv and me he slipped in the mud and was coming down heavy and saw he was coming down on a six inch broken tree stump. He managed to roll to his side mid air missed the stump and landed on his back, with him on the ground on his backpack kicking around like a turtle. Great recovery no harm done.

After lunch we moved onto our night stop at Templeton’s 2 crossing. It was about an hour walk following the creek along going up and down the side of the ridge. About half way along Phillip our head guide pulls us up to tell us something. Years ago the tribes were all feuding but the mail had to be sent through, we are only talking back to the 50 and 60’s. This was a change over point for the tribes. They would leave the mail on the track hanging from a tree, who ever got there first and run of and hide in the trees, and wait for the others to come and collect there mail and when they were gone collect there mail and head off home. The mail must get through in every country.

It had been another long day about 7 or 8 hours, I’m not sure exactly. We all finished down at the creek at some stage for a swim and wash clothes. The water was very cold; we were brave men getting wet there.
We were still at 1850 meters so this was our highest camp. Harry to Max, “will it ran tonight Max” No rain 100% say Max. Five minutes later patter patters a little rain. Max to Harry quick as a wink, “Harry 99% no rain”
So Harry stayed out with tractor under a tarp the boys erected for them. This was also the night we all had a go at keeping the fire going, but it kept going out and smoking a lot. So Tassie and max came and showed us how to fix a fire in 30 seconds. We reckoned they set us up with damp wood in the first place. The camp won the award for best dunny. Very comfy green plastic pan, with northerly open aspect looking down the valley. Who needed a magazine?

Story written by Ian Bown of Forbes

For more pictures visit the Kokoda Gallery

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Day 7 – Templeton’s Crossing 2 to Isurava

March 6, 2009 by  
Filed under Forbes to Kokoda & Back

From Templeton’s 2 we were following the Eora creek down the valley. Working our way along the ridge up and down same as always. We must have climbed up a fair amount and past a lot of fox holes, so we knew were in a very active part of the track during the war. You could hear the creek roaring down below. The track was fairly tricky, wet and steep as we then climbed down towards the creek. We came out on a flat bit of ground with a couple of shelters and a memorial plaque explaining the battle that took place there. We were about 50 meters above the Eora creek. This bit of ground was a major staging point for the troops when moving back and forward on the track. Down to the creek for a rest and lunch to wait for tractor and all to catch up.

 

This was a spot of a major battle when the diggers were retaking the track. The Japs had the high ground.

This was a spot of a major battle when the diggers were retaking the track. The Japs had the high ground.

 

 

This was the view the Japs had of Eora Creek staging post. The Japs bombed our troops from this view.

Of course it was another bloody creek and what did we have to do but climb out the other side. At the top of the ridge there was a track of to the left. Max got us to leave our packs and head up this track to the top about 10 minutes walk. This we found was a major Jap encampment back then. They had made a clearing for HQ and positions for the gun and machine gun to fire down on the Aussies at the flat bit of ground we were just on. The Japs had dug fox holes and tunnels on this hill to protect themselves. All this is still there. There is a keeper that lives there to preserve the site.

The rest of the day was just a walk along the side of the ridge heading to our overnight stop. Max had one surprise for us. At one ridge he said there was a wreck of a Jap plane on top. So few of us went with him to look but Max got lost couldn’t find it and after an hour or so we came back down to the main track to where we started. Phillip said it is up there but a long way up at the top of the ridge, it would have been a long climb.

This was also the day Zac Rennick and Viv fell back to walk with Norm and Tractor to keep them company. Sounds like they had a good time. They went slow taking time to look and smell the roses as it was not a hard finish for the days walk. Norm took time out to give young Zac (21 years) a botany lesson along the way. Norm was doing pretty well with the bullshit names he was making up for the flowers. I can’t remember the name, but he gave himself up when Zac asked why all the holes in the leaves on the ground. Norm’s reply that’s the Australian dung beetle. Viv made sure that story came out when we all regrouped. We were all in camp by late afternoon I think about half past three. Our second last night on the track Isurava guest house. It had a nice grassy flat bit ground just right for sleeping. So we all set up for that, then a small drop of rain and our gear went back inside the hut of course no more rain.

Story written by Ian Bown of Forbes

For more pictures visit the Kakoda Gallery

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Day 8 – Isurava Guest House to Deniki

March 6, 2009 by  
Filed under Forbes to Kokoda & Back

This morning we were all keen to get moving as it was the last full days walk we had and not far away was something we all wanted to see. As we got closer to the Isurava memorial sight we came across Cons rock. This was used as a field hospital operating table. No bigger than a home office desk but flat. Sadly many soldiers must have suffered on that rock. Next to the rock on a plaque embedded in a rock marks the spot where Butch Bissett died from wounds from the battle up ahead. I got a photo there as I had taken the shot of his grave site back at Borma cemetery. The Battalion HQ must have been just back from this site but we missed it. You can understand that because the track was no wider than 2 or 3 men all along there.

Then just around the corner and Isurava Memorial appeared in front. This was the most famous battle of the track but I’m sure all the battles were famous (or should I put infamous) for the Aussie losing mates in each battle. It’s amazing how quite people become when at a place like this. One minute laughing and making jokes next nothing. I’m sure it’s the same everywhere by everybody, just the built in radar you have when you know when to show the respect to the people who deserve it. I just felt very honoured and yet humbled yet again like back at the cemetery just to be standing on their ground.

We spent at least an hour there reading the stories, just taking in all it had to offer. We went down to Kingsbury’s rock (VC) and got a group photo. There is a plaque there at the rock giving the history of Bruce Kingsbury and the reason he was award the Victoria Cross. He gave his life to do so.

 

Kingsbury’s Rock.

Kingsbury’s Rock.

The Isurava Memorial. It is a magnificent sight. Simple, no great statues of specific men of the time. Just four stones, with the words, that would mean so much to the diggers of the time.

The Isurava Memorial. It is a magnificent sight. Simple, no great statues of specific men of the time. Just four stones, with the words, that would mean so much to the diggers of the time.

COURAGE
ENDURANCE
MATESHIP
SACRIFICE

Behind the memorial in the V of the hills is the Kokoda valley. That is cloud down in the valley below our height.

A group photo at the memorial, then time to move on.

From here we wound our way around the ridges, through more coco vines then you will see in a lifetime.
In and out of the forest, a lot of little creeks coming down across our track. We started meeting a lot of walkers coming back from Kokoda villages, from school and carrying supplies. For them it’s only a few hours walk, for us a days walk.

Then as Scotty and Milto and I topped the rise the porters started giving us a big cheer Oro Oro Oro as they had done the other boys coming in, this was it the last camp. What a welcome. You could see the Kokoda airfield down in the distance. We were there almost. We all waited to give Tractor a big welcome in which we did. The porters thought it was great.

We all settled in and relaxed. We went back down the track 100 meters to the water supply had a shower, washed some clothes and took it easy. Josh got a game of Texas holdem going with matches for money.
We sat back and looked out over the valley to Kokoda and all the villages and talked about all the things that we got up to. Some of the porters came over and pointed out their villages and what they did to make a living. Its not Kokoda the town, but Kokoda the valley, and lots of villages.

Mike and Cheryl gave us a two up set before they left. So I got that out and gave it to Harry to get a game going. That was a lot of laughs. They soon picked up the style of the game, and could through the pennies ok. They caught on quick with the punting; we used the pack of cards for money. Horis threw 5 heads to clean everybody out to finish the game, so I gave him the two up set. He thought that was great. I bet there still playing in his village

Every body hit the sack not long after dinner as they were keen to get down the hill and party the next day.

Story written by Ian Bown of Forbes

For more pictures visit the Kakoda Gallery

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Day 9 – Deniki to Kokoda Village

March 6, 2009 by  
Filed under Forbes to Kokoda & Back

The last day was very normal. Up breakfast, pack kit ready to go. Mansoon was upfront ready to go.
Wok and Roll and our last days walk began only 3 hours to the end.
Just a short walk down the hills. We went through a couple of villages, one had a cassowary penned up, so we all went over and had a look. Then we came out into open country and a road appeared, rough track but a road.

We formed up in two lines side by side, with the porters behind us .We found out later they always do this so we can lead them in , Tractor was up front leading us in. The porters cranked up the guitars and sang nearly all the way into the village. For me it felt just great, with them singing all our blokes were fit and healthy the hair on the back of the neck were standing up, what a finish.

Before we knew it Phillip called us to a halt and we were finished at Phillips guest house. So we moved on into the courtyard and took of the packs and time to party. Phillip owned this guest house and ran it with his mother and his wife and family. He had solo panels to run all his electricity, which is rare in the villages. Phillip ran a good show. An esky was set up in the centre and Simmy became the barman. We all had a beer and the porters too and toasted the trip. Over several beers we had a chance to get lots of photos shake each others hands pats on the back for each other and the porters. I gave a lot of my gear away to my porter
Tassie, as did everyone else. That made him smile, as Tassie had been walking the whole track with an eye infection that closed his eye towards the end of the walk. No complaints from him though, tough little bastard.

We got to meet the legend him self Johnny Hunt-Hiviki the record holder of the fastest track crossing ever he did it in 22 hours 1 minute in the Kokoda track race. He is a partner and best mate of Phillip, was getting ready to take the next group over the track. (An update as of the 28/8/07 his record was broken. Brendan Buka set a new time of 17 hours 20 minutes for the Kokoda to Owens Corner crossing. He also holds the Owens to Kokoda time of 17 hours and 49 minutes.)

Tractor recited a poem that was written of the diggers of the track. Tractor did his usual top job but only just made it before his emotions nearly got to him. Very moving and I’m sure all the team felt there emotions at the end of that poem.

 

Tractor Rennick, reciting the poem.

Tractor Rennick, reciting the poem.

 

Fuzzy Wuzzy Angles (of the Kokoda Track)
By Bert Beros of the 3rd Battalion.

Many a mother in Australia, when the busy day is done,
Sends a prayer to the almighty, for the keeping of her son;
Asking that an angel guide him, and to bring him safely back.
Now we see those prayers answered on the Owen Stanley Track.
Though they haven’t haloes, only holes slashed through the ear,
And their faces marked with tattoos, and with scratch pins in their hair,
Bringing back the badly wounded, just as steady as a hearse,
Using leaves to keep the rain off, and as gentle as a nurse;
Slow and careful in bad places, on the awful mountain track,
And the look upon there faces, makes us think that Christ was black.
Not a move to hurt the carried, as they treat him like a saint,
It’s a picture worth recording, that an artist’s yet to paint.
Many a lad will see there mother, and the husbands wee’uns and wives,
Just because the Fuzzy Wuzzies, carried them to save their lives,
From mortar or machine-gun fire, or chance surprise attack,
To safety and the care of doctors, at the bottom of the track.
May the mothers in Australia, when they offer up a prayer,
Mention these impromptu angles, with fuzzy wuzzy hair.

 

We got our group photo and then went into the dining area for lunch. The presentations by Max and Phillip of our Certificates and shirts were made and we all got to say a few words at this time. Timed passed so fast and it was time to load up and head off. One last hand shakes with all the porters which took a while and then we loaded up on the truck and headed off.

On the way to Popondetta we had to go past Oivi Village. This was the village that Viv’s fathers in laws two brothers were killed. So we stopped the truck and Viv and I and a few others went back to the village as Viv had a job to do. He had carried the two photos of the men in his pocket all the way. Had a photo taken holding the photos in front of the village and left the photos with the villagers to take care of them and they will. I got a photo of the sign of Oivi Village as Uncle Trevor fought there as well.

On to Popondetta.

 

Popondetta to Port Moresby.

It was a two and half hour or so trip down to Popondetta on a rough road most of the way. We set up in the motel and had a hot shower for the first time in a week. Then we gathered at the bar.

We had a big long table for our group for dinner in the restaurant and it was a great night. Viv as usual had kept notes and gave each of us an award where could respond and say what the trip was like and what it meant to each of us. I can’t remember most of the awards, but mind was the corruption award for introducing the Dragons gear to all the villagers. I’m sure they are better off for having it.

The next morning we went around to the memorial the Governments had built. Protected by a barbed wire fence it explained of all the fighting on the beaches where we were about to go to. It showed us the date the Japs landed on New Guinea beaches 21/7/1942. Exactly 65 years to the day when we started at Owens Corner. No one picked that up till we read that then.

A long truck ride, on a rough track, down to the beach at Buna. When we arrived I thought, Nothing has changed there is still nothing there. Just a black sand beach a few huts and a swamp the Japs fought for. The locals showed us around the area and took us to meet Solomon. Solomon is 98 this year and lived there all his life. When the Japs came they shot through into the hills and came back to help the diggers when they were pushing the Japs back up the track to the beach. He is an original Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel. Solomon junior a great grandson showed how they climb coconut trees about 50 ft up and got us about 20 coconuts down. Mad I say mad. Fresh coconut milk and coconut not bad.

Back on the truck all the way to Popondetta air port. We had to wait a while for the plane and they had a market going outside the front gate. You would love the fresh prawns and fish, just sitting in the shade the flies being waved away. The locals didn’t mind. One truck came by and pulled up, must have been 45 people got of it; we were loaded up with 16.

Anyway loaded on the plane and back to Port Moresby. That was about it.

It was a trip of a life time. The mates, porters, track, experience brilliant. You just don’t know how far your body will go till you try. It was tough but I knew it was easy compared to how the diggers did it. Anyway I had a good time, whether this explains it to anyone else I don’t know. If anyone does it they have to want to do it. Don’t be taken there with a half thought you will suffer too much. Nothing can prepare you for it. I’m sure there is just no other track like it.

Back (L to R) Andrew Drane, Josh Baker, Steve Cook, Ian Bown, Scotty Reid, John Milton, David Hoggets, Zac Rennick. Front (L to R) Ralph Baker, Norm Cook, John (Tractor) Rennick, Michael (Harry) Walker, Peter Hollstein, Viv Russell.

Back (L to R) Andrew Drane, Josh Baker, Steve Cook, Ian Bown, Scotty Reid, John Milton, David Hoggets, Zac Rennick. Front (L to R) Ralph Baker, Norm Cook, John (Tractor) Rennick, Michael (Harry) Walker, Peter Hollstein, Viv Russell.

Story written by Ian Bown of Forbes

For more pictures visit the Kokoda Gallery

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