Trek the Kokoda Trail Travel Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Brigade Hill’

With so much interest  in our war history and so many Australians wishing to visit the battle fields  where our soldiers fought and died, Back Track has a number of new trips that cater for this interest.

Celebrating Anzac Day on the 25 April 2011 on the Kokoda Track is an option we have available.  We have 4 Teams all converging on the remote sacred summit of  Brigade Hill  on the eve of Anzac Day in 2011.  Here we will all camp  and at dawn on Anzac Day, we will all get  together for a special Anzac Day ceremony.  After the ceremony each team will continue on with  their trek  team and complete the Track.
If you would like  to be part of something special for Anzac Day we welcome you to join us.

On Tuesday 20th April, Team 1 departed Kokoda in the rain with the plan to meet up with Team 2 who trekked from the other end of the Track. Morale in both Teams was high. The plan was to meet at Brigade Hill on Anzac Day eve for a combined Anzac Day Dawn Service. Brigade Hill has always been Back Track’s chosen place to celebrate Anzac day. Brigade Hill is considered to be a sacred site by the Australian Army. On the summit of Brigade Hill where we hold our ceremony, 76 brave young Australian soldiers gave their lives in the defense of their country.

For Teams 1 and 2 the weather this April was not merciful. Both Teams had prolonged rain fall every day and most nights. Team 2 had to ford the swollen Brown river under very adverse conditions while Team 1 crossed many of the creeks on make shift bridges as the rising water lapped over feet. Both Teams had wet slippery trails and extremely hot and humid conditions to contend with. Miraculously, the weather cleared when the 2 teams met and our Anzac Day Dawn Service was held under the most beautiful blue morning sky. With our trek crew singing and the Australian flag flying from its makeshift flagpole, it was a very special moment.

When the two Teams separated after the ceremony, to continue their individual journeys, we were all significantly more aware of the sacrifices our soldiers made. By the time both Teams had finished their journey several days later, we were all humbled and wiser for the experience. They were both great treks.