DAY 7 - NEW NAURO TO UA ULE CREEK

Tuesday 29 April

The trekkers were refreshed after only a half day of trekking yesterday. However, it was a tough start to the morning as the trekkers commenced the day with a climb for 60 minutes up with the sky becoming overcast. At the summit they were rewarded with some amazing views of the Maguli Ranges, where it was reported the Japanese could see the lights of Moresby. After a short break here it was then a long hike down and across for 90 minutes for another short break, before another 60 minutes trek for another short break. Then a small hike down to Ofi Creek for a swim and up-to the campsite for morning tea. After morning tea, it started to rain causing the track conditions to be extremely muddy. The trekkers got straight back into it for what many said was one of the toughest climbs of the trek to date, up Irobaiwa Ridge; this was the final advance of the main Japanese army. The trekkers stopped here, dropped their packs and took a short 15-minute hike to see some Japanese slit trenches and an ammunition dump before trekking back to the track and down the ridge to the Village of Irobaiwa for lunch.

After lunch they hiked down to Ua Ule Creek for to change into their river shoes before trekking across the creek a dozen or so times, on the way to the Ua Ule creek camp site for their final night on the Kokoda track.

They are now in camp enjoying a swim, and some can’t believe it’s their last day of hiking tomorrow. Upon reflection many of the trekkers said today’s downhill was the toughest part of the whole trek. All the trekkers are doing well, are excited and looking forward to Imita Ridge tomorrow before the finish line, Owers Cnr.