In June 2011 a group of Caloundra residents completed the Kokoda Track, walking from Kokoda to Ower's Corner. They had a great group of 10 trekkers who had trained together during the preceding 12 months. Most trekkers are members of the Goodlife Gym in Caloundra and have been put into condition by Ryan who helped to coordinate the trip.
Our 65 and 71 year old trekkers did a great job and powered through the 8 days. Although the track was a bit sloppy we had a great run with the weather and were only affected by rain on the way to Menari from Brigade Hill. Unfortunately the rain prevented the usual swim at the base of Menari.
Our porters were fantastic and well led by Walter who shared his local knowledge with trekkers after dinner. Our group clearly saw the interaction with our porters as the highlight of the trip and already have plans afoot to liaise with them on their next trip to Australia.
On arrival at Kagi we became aware that the village was in mourning. It was interesting to see the traditions followed during this process. This meant the usual sing a long was bypassed but our trekkers still enjoyed passing gifts to the kids who visited us at Gerry’s camp.
We had an extra day at Port Moresby and got the opportunity to go to a local rugby game and visit the ‘Big Village’ on the water. This was enjoyed by all and reinforced the clear cultural differences.
Rhys Livingstone - No Roads - Expedition Guide
The entire team at No Roads Expeditions would like to pass on our condolences to Frank Ilu as his wife passed away today after a short illness. Frank is one of our longest serving and well known Kokoda Track porters and the choir master for our Kagi Boys.
Many of you would have met Frank when he came to Australia and some would have met his son, Aba. No Roads has offered Frank assistance in returning to Kagi, his home village, with his wife.
Peter Miller, the Managing Director of No Roads Expeditions has sent our love to Frank and the Kagi Community at this tragic time.
Building Emergency Stairwell
Do you work in the city in an office environment and struggle to find time to get out into the bush to train for your Kokoda expedition and push yourself on some tough hills?
Whilst this idea is not quite the same as walking in the bush and certainly not as pretty, walking up and down your emergency stairwell in your building is tough and can give you a very hard workout. Have you ever had to walk up a long flight of stairs or seen how fit the athletes are that compete in the building 'run-up' races?
All multi-storey buildings typically have emergency stairwell(s) as part of the suite of building evacuation measures. In tall buildings they can go for many floors and provide an ideal opportunity for slogging up and down to give your heart, lungs and legs a really good workout.
