Tennis to Taurama. Sunday 29th, July.

I have never done this walk but I am informed that it is a relatively easy, straightforward walk. But having said that, I will not be in attendance as I am currently scribing this note some 1850miles away.

Please meet at the normal time and normal location and the group will make their way to the Tennis Club and then wander across undulations to Taurama Barracks. That's all the information that I have at the moment.

Like with all walks around Moresby, please bring along plenty of water, a hat, sunscreen and some cash for the coppers. From a distance, the terrain looks like it may cover some Moresby naked hills and therefore if it is sunny, it will be a hot morning. But not like Burn's Peak was.

I hope you all have a great walk, and remember this is Moresby and you should exercise a degree of caution whenever you partake in the walk. Make sure you have checked all of your security arrangements and always try to keep the group together.

Blogless in Port Moresby

Well, this Blog Author is going OS for a few weeks so I will not be updating this 'ere site. Sorry!

If I were you and I was wondering what will be happening regarding the next Sunday walk (29th of July) then I would just wander down to the normal meeting spot at the normal time and see if others show up. Eh? Maybe they will, maybe they will all sleep in for a change?

Having said that, I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable walk and I hope it is not nearly as much fun as the last walk I missed. I'm still annoyed about that!!! grrr...

I may still be able to check the emails and also update this site on the odd rare occasion but please do not rely or expect anything.

Catch Mulai.

Ower's to Imita.

What a walk! After a dodgy altercation with an alarm clock that has failed us on more than one occasion previously, we finally arrived at the meeting point and were met with a larger than expected crew of hardcore serious trekkers.

We then travelled to Ower's Corner via all points of Moresby picking up fellow wantoks from Madang to Rigo to Hagen; all keen to see what lay beyond Sogeri. At the Village of Sogeri we discovered that our guide had started without us and was well on the way to Kokoda, so we picked up Mr Entertainment and made our way to the start point. Due to the corrugated, rutted nature of the road to Ower's, all of our convoy were reluctant to carpool and tackle the 4WD course themselves.

At Ower's we were greeted with a swag of Trekkers whom had just completed the entire Kokoda Track and were in search of their PMV to take them down to Moresby to a Hot Shower and a Cold Beer. Come to think about it, the whole journey to Imita and back was full of trekkers starting or finishing the track.

Well our Sunday stroll started off with a steep descent down to Goldie River. Along the way there was murmurs that perhaps we had all taken off at a fair clip but it was dismissed as decent trekking; despite the odd fall upon one's derriere.

After removing boots and socks, we crossed the chilly Goldie River but what a gorgeous Gorge of rocks and rapid water. It was then time to head upwards towards Imita Ridge, and time for the track to get muddy. The best part of the track was that it was amongst the shade of some fantastic rainforest and not exposed to the PNG sun.

As the steps got steeper, the tree roots formed a natural ladder; there was more roots than a Heidi Fleiss' Closing Down Sale...

But I digress, the serenity was amazing. It would have been more peaceful if the birds would have shut up!

So there we were, on top of Imita Ridge, none of us saw any bloody golden staircase, only muddy steps... On top of the ridge we met a group of trekkers whom were heading south to the Goldie River. We all stopped for kai where Mr Entertainment recited the famous WW2 poem about the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels which was written at Dump 66 and he also danced a dance that the Koiaris would.

After a rest we wandered back down towards Goldie. The walk was going so well, there was Pandanus of all sorts, huge strangling Ficus and massive Pterocarpus. We all thought it was a Sunday stroll.

And then it hit, the last stretch of trekking from Goldie up to Ower's was disgustingly rude. It was brutal. Many of us walked for 10 steps only to lean over our staves/poles and suck in huge breaths of Oxygen. But eventually, we made it, we also passed out on the grass of Ower's Corner. Exhilaration, and relief filled us as we had a taste of what it was like to walk the Owen Stanley Track.

The Golden Staircase. July 15th.

Well, the opportunity came knocking and I grabbed at it with both hands.

This Sunday's walk is something that I have wanted to do and some of us have already done so, and some of us have as part of the Kokoda Track, but it will be an all day affair walking the first part of the Kokoda Track, from Ower's Corner to Imita Ridge.

The walk will be around 7 hours in duration and we will have to depart town at 7am in order to complete the walk during daylight hours.

We will start from Ower's Corner and I have arranged for secure parking arrangements, and with already arranged guides, we will wander down hill to the Goldie River, cross over and then up the other side to the top of Imita Ridge. Starting altitude around 735mASL and descending to 420mASL, then climbing to 850mASL.

And then back again.

The Goldie River is approximately 1 metre deep and around 20 metres across. It can also be described as cold and wet and is a fairly fast running river.

But for those who would like a taste of what the Kokoda Track is like, then this is a good opportunity. You will need to bring plenty of water, some food (this is an all day walk) and suitable walking gear (hat, and shoes). The area has not received any rain for some time and is dry, but still greasy underfoot, and it could rain at any moment.

A 4WD is required to get you to Ower's Corner, as the Road from Sogeri to Ower's is heavily rutted. It is dry at the moment and solid underwheel, but the ruts are large and good clearance is required.

This walk is tough and remember, although we can help arrange guides and parking, your own personal safety is your own responsibility. Ower's Corner does suffer a reputation for raskol activity, so remember to ensure all your relative security proceedures are in place.

An alternative for those not wanting to attempt this challenging walk is to perhaps arrange for a PAU walk?

POM Bushwalkers. the Next Walk?

In previous emails, it has been mentioned that we may be heading out to Fisherman's Island for our next stroll. With the logistics and weather an important issue, I am currently unable to offer a review of the next walk, but I will when available...

Also, because of the ease of Yesterday's stroll around Lea Lea, our resident Chimbu Police friend has suggested we walk from Maloro (sp?) Markets out to Taurama. He also quietly says that this is the toughest walk that he has been involved in and is a good workout. Especially after such a soft walk yesterday...

Hmmm? Who knows, but keep an eye on this space for updates.

Lea Lea. A Review...

Well, what an easy walk.

On the coolest morning of the year so far for Moresby, we travelled out to Lea Lea Village where we accidently met our guide for the morning. He then led us across the bridge and along the beach for a pleasant stroll in the morning.

Part way along the beach some young men who had obviously had liklik spak the night before tried to convince one of the female members of the bushwalking group to fund the purchase of a banana boat for all the young men. Needless to say the young men failed in their attempt...

Towards the end of the beach, we then headed inland for a wander amongst the mangroves, whilst trying to keep the Mozzies at bay. We visited the amazing Mangrove beach bridge and one of the wells in which the Lea Lea Village collect their water.

We then wandered back through the middle of the village and finished our day at a reasonable time and still feeling reasonably good. It was a great morning escape from Moresby and thanks to our guide, we learnt a great deal about the life and times of Lea Lea Village.

And the drive out and back from the Village was fantastic too. Seeing the Owen Stanleys blue in the morning sun as we made our way to Lea Lea was indeed a fantastic view. Oh and there was an abundance of Pandanus!