DAY 3 - ISURAVA BATTLE SITE TO VASI

Friday 25 April

An early wake up as the crew commemorated Anzac Day at the Isurava memorial. A moving service was held here as they paid their respects to all our serving and returned soldiers, as well as those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. Then they trekked for approx. an hour to the surgeon’s stone and another hour to Alola village. They had a short break here and continued through and out of the village with incredible views across the valley to the small creek crossing. Then it was a short uphill for a break and then a long gradual ascent for a few hours to Eora Creek battle site. Here they left the track for a short side trail to see a Japanese ammunition dump. The trekkers discussed the forts defensive significance and how the battle to capture the fort unfurled and then it was another 60-minute hike to morning tea. They had a short break at morning tea, refuelled and then it was packs on again for a tough, steep and slow hike for approx. 45 minutes to inspect an Australian Ammunition Dump containing live grenades and rounds. Then a long trek 2.5-hour trek of undulating terrain with a few fallen trees across the track to Templeton’s crossing for lunch.

After lunch it another tough hike up for 30 minutes and then the track flattened out for a bit, then some more ups for an hour to a rest at the top the mountain, then the last 30 minutes down into Vasi campsite over the water for night 3. The trekkers had a really big and long day today, getting into the campsite at 6pm right on dark! The group had an amazing Anzac Service however this put pushed their schedule back roughly 2 hours. Everyone is doing well and they are grateful they experienced good weather with only light rain after lunch, although the track condition was very muddy. Once again only a few trekkers braved the cold of tonight’s creek for a swim, and they are enjoying some popcorn and getting ready for dinner.

Messages :

Mitch says miss you dad and hope you’re ok.

Jacob says i’m alive!

Abbey to her loved ones, today was tough but we’re smashing it, only a few falls.

Hello family, i’m surviving well and enjoying the grind. I love you all Makenzie.