DAY 7 - NEW NAURO TO UA ULE CREEK
Monday 27 July
Refreshed after a yesterday’s half day trekking, the trekkers set out with a mixture of anticipation and determination — only to be met immediately by a climb to start the day. It was a relentless, unrelenting 60‑minute climb that took every ounce of energy and focus to reach the summit. Breathless and sweating, they pushed on, step by step, until the ridgeline finally opened out. Their effort was handsomely rewarded: from that high vantage point they were treated to sweeping, panoramic views across the vast Maguli Ranges. On a clear day the vista stretched so far that old wartime tales say Japanese lookouts could once spot the distant lights of Port Moresby — an reminder of the area’s fraught history and the drama of its landscape.
After soaking in the scene and taking a short, well‑earned rest, the group continued their trek. They descended and for the next 90 minutes negotiating a mix of ridgelines and shady gullies, following the track as it wound through dense rainforest and across narrow, root‑strewn paths. They paused briefly to regroup, refuel and take photographs of a the valley before pushing on for another solid hour. Gradually the pressure of the day eased as the path dropped toward Ofi Creek. There, in a peaceful clearing beside the water, the trekkers relaxed — some taking an invigorating dip to wash away the grime of the morning while others wrapped their hands around steaming cups for a leisurely morning tea at their campsite.
But the day still had more to offer. Rested from their break, the group turned their attention to what many described as one of the toughest ascents so far: Irobaiwa Ridge. This imposing ridge carries significant historical weight as the location of the final Japanese advance, and the atmosphere along its slopes felt charged with the memory of those events. Once at the ridge, the trekkers dropped their packs and set out on a short 15‑minute walk to explore the area. They inspected weathered Japanese slit trenches carved into the earth and examined the remains of an old ammunition dump — tangible fragments of history that offered a sobering, connection to the battles that once unfolded here. After this they returned to the track and began a cautious descent to Irobaiwa Village, where a satisfying lunch awaited them amid the village’s quiet, village rhythms.
In the afternoon the journey continued through a change of scenery as the group descended toward Ua Ule Creek. Here they prepared for a different kind of challenge: the stream crossings. A few sliding into river shoes as they set off and crossed the creek a dozen times, carefully picking their way over slippery rocks and through shallow pools while navigating the amazing scenery. Each crossing demanded concentration, with the porters offering steadying hands and encouragement in the trickier spots. The repeated crossings finally brought them to Ua Ule Creek campsite — a sheltered spot where the team would spend their final night on the Kokoda Track.
The trekkers took time to unwind and cooled off with another swim in the creek, the fresh water a welcome balm after a long day on the track. Conversation turned to the final push that awaited them the next day — the ascent of Imita Ridge and the triumphant finish at Owers’ Corner. There was a tangible mix of excitement, reflection and quiet reverence in the air: excitement at coming so close to completing the challenge, reflection on the people and events they had encountered along the way, and reverence for the land that had tested and rewarded them in equal measure. All the trekkers are all well, upbeat and ready. With spirits high, they are now settled in for the night, prepared for the final morning’s climb and the emotional finish that lay ahead tomorrow.
