DAY 8 - UA ULE CREEK VILLAGE - OWERS' CORNER

Thursday 17 July

The final night spent on the Kokoda track was had with mixed emotions as the trekkers were happy to finally be so close to the finish line but also, sad and amazed at how fast the past 7 days had gone. They started at first light and trekked straight back into the creek as they crossed it 1/2 a dozen times for an hour on the way to the base of Imita Ridge. They then trekked up Imita for an hour and more than a few said this was the hardest climb of the trek. They then trekked down Imita Ridge on the way to the village of Goodwater. They stopped and had a break here before they trekked on to Dump 66, then another hour onto there “Goldie River” where they crossed and then gathered arm in arm and reflected on the past 8 days. After this it was another 45-minute hike with the last 15 minutes in the sun, up to Owers’ Corner. They arrived exhausted, excited and enjoyed some cold beer, Moet champagne, soft drinks and a BBQ. Then they headed to Bomana War cemetery to pay their respects to the service men and women that lie there. They are now back at the 5-star Hilton hotel and tonight they will enjoy a celebration dinner with their guides and porters that helped them over the past 8 days.