Kokoda - Day 8

Imita base camp to Owens Corner

Distance: 6.7 km

Walking time: 2 hours 45 min

Elevation:

If day 7 had dawned with the crew in an exuberant mood knowing that it was the last full day of trekking, then this, Day 8 and the final day, saw us set off with almost a hop and skip. Almost.

We had approximatlely 2 hours of trekking to go to reach Owens Corner, but as always there was a some climbing to do and our last river crossing.

This is the beofre breakfast shot of our last camp site. Taken for a reason, if none other than to once again illustrate just how beautiful a part of the world we were fortunate enough to find ourselves in.

This is the after breakfast shopt taken from the same spot as the one above. There were many unsung heroes who worked effortlessley behind the scene to ensure the success of the trek. None moreso than the guys who, whilst we gorged ourselves on anohter sumputuous breakfast (insert sarcasm) would pack up the tents, load them into their back packs and get ready for their trekkers. All this done quietly and without fanfare, mostly unoticeable at the time.

Although the 'finish' line was within reach, there was still some inhospitable terrain to be negotiated. It wouldn't be the Kokoda Trail unless you were faced with dense jungle, humidity off the scale, moisture laden air, heat, and of course a slippery trail.

Goldie River would be our last major river crossing before the end of the trail. The last time we would have to take off our boots, wrap the laces around our necks, enjoy the coolness of the water, and wonder if we were going to topple over.

From Goldie River it was our last climb up under the jungle canopy. Of course to get to the end of the trail it was a climb. It was never going to be a jolly jaunt down a hill was it?

300 meters from the end of the trail the front portion of the group gathered under the shade of the jungle to await the entire group so we could all enjopy the final meters together. A pensive Gareth probably wondering how he was going to deal with the withdrawl symptoms of all the drugs he had taken the previous few days as he had stoutly battled on with his somewhat 'compromised' hamstring.

One last look back at the trail and from where we had come over the last 8 days as the arches denoting the end of the trail beckon just meters ahead.

Two buddies ...

The Crew. L-R : Glen, Grant, Lisa, Jenna, Kristy, Dammo, Lynda, Anne, Chris...all very special people in their own way.

Author and his "wantok' , Stansol. A more unassuming man you are never likely to meet. Heart of a bull and the demeanour of a saint. Kokoda Trail crossing no.176 done for him

Author with our fealess leader, Peta.

The Man that is the legend that is Gareth.T Absolutely spent.

We sort of kept to these times. Sort of. Maybe. Perhaps. Hopefully. Optimisitically.

As always, there were an entrepreunial lot at the finish haking various products. Lynda availed herself of some local artowrk. A lovely artefact to remember the last 8 days by.

Finishing the walk, we then climbed into a mini bus and started to make our way towards Port Moresby some 30 km away.. The first 10 km were a long a one lane jungle track. Meeting a load of fresh faced trekkers about to begin their trek from Owens Corner it was a game of chicken between bus drivers. Ours gave way and reveresed with ease to allow the other to pass. I got the impression these drivers had done this just a few times.

When you've been walking for 8 days your body is spent, and your salt levels are less than zero, then sitting down on a hard bus seat with with your legs pulled up to your chest because you are sitting over the wheel arch, is very cramp inducive. It was going to be a long bus ride back to Port Moresby for Dammo.

(Photo courtesy of Kristy)

We stopped en-route to look at the original start of the trail which is McDonalds Corner. Many years ago I had visited this site numerous times over the years when we came up to Sogeri to escape the Port Moresby coastal heat. I had in fact commenced a walk along the trail from this very spot with 2 mates back in the early 1980's. A trek cut short by a bad injury to one of them which curtailed the ambition of walking the entire trail. 44 years later that itch has been scratched. Well and truly scratched.

L-R : Gareth, Chris, Danette, Lynda, Damma, Jenna, Anne (obscured), author, Kristy, Glen, Lisa,Grant, Marty, Mo...foreground: Peta

(Courtesy of Peta.B)

Bomana War Cemmetry . 15 km outside of the city. Home to the graves of over 3,500 soliders. Many of them unknown. Whilst Port Moresby has crumbled into decay, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has ensured, as it has done everywhere in the world, that the fallen will rest in tranquility in a manicured and cared for environment.

William Edwards. At the start of the trek he had been assigned as 'my solider''. A small plasic card with his details that I carried with me for the entirety of the trek . Just 21 years of age, he , like thousands of others around him, lying in rest, having given their lives so we could have ours.

Lynda & Chris . The wounded paying their repsects to the fallen.

(Photo courtesy of Peta. B)

Gareths leg was now in full bloom and whilst nowhere near the level of sacrifice made by the thousands that fought on the trail, it was a gentle reminder to us about everything the trail can throw at you.

Lest We Forget