Walking the Kokoda Track, PNG
The Track is
centuries old and was used by natives to commute from the coast to the
hinterland and to move further away from the intertribal warfare that was
commonplace.
In the early years
of white settlement, apart from a few handy locals, it was considered
impassable to white men.
The Kokoda Track is
a challenging adventure that traverses through some of the most remote jungle
in the world - over rugged mountains, remote villages and rivers. The 96 kilometre Track takes seven days (or
more if requested) to walk carrying up to 15 kilograms in your pack.
Training for the track
Key things to point out when preparing for the track. Lot's of miles and lots of hill work needs to be completed well in advance. Here is one exercise that mimicked more than just the slopes.
Exercise: Squat Pulse
"I worked very closely with the Taurus Trainer up to 3 times per week to ensure I had sufficient leg strength and conditioning to take on the track. Without this tailored preparation I very much doubt whether I would have been able to complete the challenge". - Flint D.
Itinerary
Australian Withdrawal
Kokoda to Owers’ Corner
– 9 days (7 Days trek/6 nights camping, 2 nights in Port Moresby)
Days: 10
Taurus Level: Intermediate
The
following itinerary is recommended as a guide for planning purposes only.
Track and weather conditions will inevitably determine the final journey of
each individual challenge. To maintain our unblemished safety record, all
trekking with Taurus is done during daylight hours only. Trekking at
night increases the risk of injury and should only be attempted by experienced
trekkers when absolutely necessary.
Day/Date
|
Details
|
Day 1
|
Bound for PNG
Fly to Port Moresby. You will stay in a hotel overnight, meet
the team and go through the final details of the trek
|
Day 2
|
Kokoda – Isurava
(approx 8 hours including transfers)
Fly to Kokoda airfield; visit the Kokoda Plateau
and Australian War Museum and then trek up through Deniki, the choco fields
and onto Isurava.
|
Day 3
|
Isurava – Tempelton’s 2
(approx 9 hours)
Tour the Isurava battleground and take on the
first steep slopes of the Track to Eora Creek and camp overnight at
Templeton’s Crossing – here you’ll get to swim in the coldest river on the
Track!
|
Day 4
|
Templeton’s 2 – Efogi
(approx 11 hours)
Today we will trek to the highest point (Mt
Bellamy – 2,190m), have lunch at Naduri (home of an original ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy
Angel’) then onto Efogi. This is the halfway point.
|
Day 5
|
Efogi – Nauro River
(approx 8 hours)
After a breathtaking trek up Mission Ridge and a
private service on Brigade Hill, we pay our respects by ‘digging in’ today.
We will descend to the Vabuiagi River, through Menari and ascend the Menari
Gap, and down The Wall into the flats of Nauro River.
|
Day 6
|
Nauro River –
Ioribaiwa (approx 7 hours)
We take the ‘little kick’ up the 9 false crests
which brings us to the peak of the Maguli Range. We descend down into Ofi
Creek then a steep trek into furthest point of Japanese advance – Ioribaiwa.
|
Day 7
|
Ioribaiwa– Dump 66 Ower’s Corner (approx 6 hours) Then we’ll take on Imita Ridge and then descend down
what used to be ‘The Golden Stairs’.
|
Day 8
|
Dump 66 - Ower’s
Corner (approx 8 hours)
Have a refreshing swim in Goldie River and then
hammer up the last climb to Ower's Corner.
After a stop at Bomana War Cemetery you will take the bus back to Port
Moresby to unpack, say your farewells to the Porters and head for a well
earned shower at the Hotel. A presentation diner will be held that evening at
Yacht Club
|
Day 9
|
Redundancy day on track or in Moresby
|
Day 10
|
Fly back to Australia
Spend the morning in Port Moresby and then transfer
to the Airport and fly home.
|
Any questions about Kokoda. Email me sr@taurustrainer.com.au
