Trek the Kokoda Trail Travel Blog

Archive for the ‘Kokoda Team Updates’ Category

We have just received a report that one of the most liked and longest serving local guides working on the Kokoda Track has passed away.
Colin Obed from the Kokoda Track village of Naduri has passed away on Friday 16th July while resting at his Morata residence. To date we only have a very sketchy report however it would appear that he was suffering no ill health and was in good spirits when he suddenly collapsed and died without any warning.

Though Colin was not working for Back Track this season he has worked with us over the years and completed contract work for us early this year.

He was a very hard working, responsible and well liked Head Guide.  He was  leading a trek for another trekking company when members from Back Track Team 9, met and chatted with him at  the Isurava memorial.  He was in great spirits and the sudden news that he has died so quickly has left all of us who knew and trekked with him in shock and deep sadness.

We wish everyone of Colin’s extended family and all those who knew and loved Colin our deepest sympathy.

He will be forever missed but never forgotten. Not having Colin on the Track  is a great loss to the trekking industry.

While waiting at the Brisbane International  Airport this morning  for the return of Team 7, I had a chance meeting with Bill James.  Bill James is well known and respected within the Adventure Travel Industry because of his long term involvement, going way back to the good old  days  running overland buses from London to Kathmandu. But for many who have walked the Kokoda Track, Bill is  known for his excellent book, Field Guide to the Kokoda Track . This popular Field Guide, which we highly recommend to all trekkers is now in its 8th reprint. It is readily available at bookshops.
Bill had just returned from exploring an area known as the Japanese Forest fort, or as the media have recently called it, the Lost battlefield.  Though our conversation was only brief, Bill indicated that this site was very significant and unfortunately he only had time to answer just a few of my questions. It was very revealing.
It would appear that as the site is examined more closely we may learn a lot more about the battle that took place at Eora Creek during the 2nd phase of the campaign as the Australians were pushing the Japanese back over the Track  to their beachhead at Buna and Gona.
Stay tuned for more information about the Japanese forest fort as it comes to hand.  As far as I am aware no trekking companies are yet visiting  this section of the battlefield which is only metres below the summit  ridge line. 
If the site is still relatively intact and not disturbed it will serioulsy need to be protected.

One of our trek leaders sent this information to us today,  having received the list from a trekker from one of her  recent Teams.  It is posted to illustrate that trekking the Kokoda Track is just not all about  history and challenge and achievement. Trekking the Track with Back Track is also about:-
Rowan’s Top 10

1. Seeing Dacrycarpus on Mt Bellamy and all the other plants along the track.
2. Butterflies at Hoi & elsewhere
3. Birdsong in the morning
4. Service at Brigade Hill
5. Children singing at Naduri
6. Receiving carving from Kay
7. Swimming after hot day on the track – especially at Agulogo & Goldie River
8. The porters singing in the evenings
9. The guard of porters singing at the end of the track
10. Having a fantastic group of people to share the journey with

Australia and Papua New Guinea have signed a joint agreement to protect the historic Kokoda Track. This is the second joint  understanding agreement and aims to support sustainable development of the Owen Stanley ranges, Brown River Catchment, and Kokoda Track region. Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith and PNG Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sam Abal signed the agreement at Alotau PNG  on July 8.

Environment Minister, Peter Garrett and his PNG counterpart, Benny Allen said this marked  the continuation of a joint committment to protect the Kokoda Track region. It also would help improve the lives of local communities by providing access to the potential economic benefits arising from the development of resources such as hydropower and tourism, the ministers said. A key objective of the agreement will be to honour the Track’s wartime historical significance and protect and promote its values.
extract from brisbane Courier Mail Friday July 9.

It’s always difficult for those at home wondering how their friends, partnets, family members are going on the Track.
Team 3 arrived at Naduri Village yesterday the 26th. Naduri is half way along the Kokoda Track and is the village where most of our support crew live. It is always good fun to arrive at Naduri as the crew get to spend a night at home and we the trekkers get to meet some of our crew’s family.
All Team memebrs are doing well. Visit again soon for an update.