Hombrum's Bluff. A reconnaissance. 22.06.08

A trio of intrepid trekkers wandered out on an unofficial POM Bushwalk to scope new terrain for future treks. Our journey would start at 15 mile at the small village on the other side of the Laloki River near the Bluff Inn. The villagers assured us that it would be okay to drive our vehicles across an old World War 2 Marston matting bridge, but we preferred to leave the cars on the same side that the road was on. With car guards in place, we headed across the Laloki and up towards Hombrum's Bluff.

Our guides from the Village outnumbered us and this didn't include the kids who came along for the walk. Many of the kids had never climbed the mountain before and they were keen to see what the view was like, so they ran up the ever steepening slope. Unlike the kids, we took our time. Resting frequently to catch our breath, we would often turn around and admire the view as it was a clear morning with little high level cloud. We saw Wallabies and a Bandicoot and this increased the excitement with the kids, as the area we walked through was the local hunting ground and the men of the village hunted in much smaller groups then the one we were amongst.

Our original plan was to walk up to the top and then return in the same manner, but we were soon to discover that this was perhaps a one way track with a descent thwart with danger. The grass was very tall and feeling your way with your boots was a recipe for a trip and a fall on the way down. So it was decided to continue across the top of the ridge until we reached the Sogeri Junction, this added another two hours or so to the two hours of climbing.

After negotiating a ride back to the Bluff Inn and back to our cars, we were able to head home, tired, bleeding and sore. But a good walk, and a good challenge. Special thanks go to the "Queen" of the walk who was very supportive.

A tough start with a super steep two hours up hill followed by a lengthy undulating 12kms back to Sogeri. Will investigate another spur which may prove to be a safer descent and therefore making a good loop instead of walking to Sogeri...

Bisianumu Bushwalk. 15 June 2008

It was a pleasant day for a stroll around the topside of Sogeri, overcast and not too hot. A good sized group of us headed out from the old Rubber Farm and wandered off past the puk puk inhabited swamp and into the sclerophyll forest. It was dry and dusty.

After a good descent we found ourselves on the edge of a ledge overlooking the Goldie and beyond to Kokoda and the Owen Stanleys. We made her way to a waterhole below and rested up for a spell. Some of us indulged with a short swim in the fresh mountain stream, plunging our heads under the invigorating waterfall.

It was a good walk back up to the old plantation, a good steady, consistent walk, up a good steady, consistent grade.

Perhaps we will work out a way to put the waterfall at the end of the walk, not two thirds of the way through…

Seeya CB, thanks for all the walks. Cheers!

Bisianumu Water Fall. This Sunday June 15th.

See this Bisianumu Review for a report of the last time we walked out to Bisianumu Falls.

This is a "Go Pinis" walk for one of the original crew who was on that first bushwalk of the reincarnated POM Bushwalkers and we all had a great time. I seem to recall spending more time relaxing on the rock then walking to and from.

This time we will hopefully walk it in the opposite direction to the link above, and save the shorter of the two legs for the return, after we have had our swim.

Varirata. June 8th 2008

Unfortunately, Imita Ridge didn't happen today. We didn't have enough 4wds to get us to Ower's Corner so we opted for an extended loop of Varirata. I haven't done the longer loop before and I am now kicking myself, because it was fantastic, a mixture of up and down muddy slopes with the odd technical descent or climb combined with bird songs, overcast conditions and the cool jungle surrounds.

It was just over 3 hours in length and opened up a whole new part of the Park and gave us some good ideas for future walks, everyone had a good time and no one was really exhausted by the morning's effort, although there were some sleepy heads on the way back down from Sogeri.

There were some spectacular scenery from gorgeous wildflowers to interesting insects, a small water course and some massive tall trees. Good fun. Everyone stayed upright, everyone stradled a large tree trunk and everyone held hands when it came to some of the trickier spots.

Rumours abound that next week there will be a walk to one of our favourite waterholes?