Tales From the Kokoda Track

As mentioned in a previous post at Between Keyboard and Chair I became interested in the Kokoda Track in Papau New Guinea when I learned that an on-line Australian friend, Ange Recchia, planned to make a trek along this dangerous 96Km trail. Well, Ange has finally returned to Australia and documented her experience. It makes a fascinating read and I'd strongly suggest that you drop by her site and follow Ange as she hikes through the Owen Stanley Range along the Kokoda Track.

1. My Excellent Kokoda Adventure Part 1
   Ange arrives in Port Moresby, PGN. Flies to Kokoda Village. Hikes with her group to the first camp site at Deniki.


2. My Excellent Kokoda Adventure Part 2
   Days 2 and 3 follow the climb to Templeton's Crossing & Eora Creek. Ange introduces her guide, Armstrong.


3. My Excellent Kokoda Adventure Part 3
   Days 4 and 5 describe the terrain, the mud and the sleeping quaters.


4. My Excellent Kokoda Adventure Part 4
   Day 6 The disaster that ended Ange's trek.

And for those who are interested here are some of the original sketch maps that were used by the Australian troops on the Kokoda Track in 1942.

And that's it for now from Between Keyboard and Chair.

So, Just Where Is The Kokoda Track?

Being a good ol' Canadian boy, I'd never heard of the Kokoda Track (or Trail) until I started hanging out with some Australian friends on the Internet. The Kokoda Track is a 96Km, single file footpath crossing the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea and was the site of a major campaign during WWII. A nine part video entitled Kokoda - The Bloody Track can be viewed on Youtube. As with many events in the last century, modern day hindsight has generated some controversy as to the significance of the campaign.

Be that as it may, hiking the Kokoda Track has become a popular, if somewhat dangerous, challenge. One of the biggest problems would likely be exposure to malaria. Of the 15,000 people who have attempted the trek since 2001 there have only been two reported deaths.

I became interested in the Kokoda Track when I learned that an online friend, Ange Recchia, was planning on making the trek in June of this year. From what I've learned about Ange from her blog I can't quite picture her as the outback, walk-about type let-alone the hazardous jungle, mountain-climbing type. But I must admit I admire her determination and fortitude and wish her all the best on this endeavour. Hopefully, she'll be able to keep us advised of her progress during the hike and if so I'll be following her closely.

All the best Ange.

Don