DAY 5 - KAGI TO MENARI

Sunday 24 May

The trekkers enjoyed emerging themselves last night as they listened to beautiful voices of the local children singing. However, it was another 5am wake up call as they made the short trek past the church out of the village to the airfield for the steepest descent of the trek down to the creek crossing. Here they filled up with some water and then had a 10 minute calf burner to the top followed by a relatively easy hike for 30 minutes out in the sun for a rest and then another 30 minutes into Efogi on the hill for a break. The trekkers rested and had morning tea, enjoying the views down to Efogi Village in the valley. Then they trekked 30 minutes down to the village and inspected the museum however & hiked out of the village enjoying the beautiful views as they began the slogging ascent of Brigade Hill via Mission Ridge. They stopped briefly at Mission Ridge to chat some more about the campaign and then headed onto Brigade Hill for an emotional ceremony on the summit in honour of the soldiers and in remembrance of their bravery. The crew had lunch at Brigade Hill and then followed the track, with a long descent for 2.5 hours into Menari. This is the site where the brave 39th Battalion were withdrawn from the campaign before the battle at Brigade Hill. Exhausted and on the brink of total collapse the remaining ‘Ragged Bloody Heroes’ struggled back to Port Moresby. They would return to fight at Buna and Gona. It was a very hot day today and few struggled through however, the trekkers are now having a well learnt rest and waiting for dinner.

Trekker Messages :

Allan ( ACE ) : Aimee, Harper and Kayden - Dad still going strong and loving it! Not long until I see you. Love and miss you all xx

Gabby : For those following at home Miss Madden on the day of Sabath ( quiet respectful day ) flashed the village of Kagi and was appropriately awarded the chicken award.