DAY 8: UA ULE CREEK TO OWERS CORNER THE FINISH LINE

Saturday 30 August

Both groups camped together last night and were up early for the last battle cry of the trek and then it was straight back in and out of the creek for an hour on the way to the base of Imita Ridge. The trekkers regrouped here and then tackled their second last climb of the trek on their way to the Goldie River. Then they crossed river and had a brief chat and reflected about the previous 8 days of trekking. Then it was an easy 40-minute hike with a steep 20-minute trek exposed to the sun until emotionally but triumphantly they arrived at Owers Corner. They are now enjoying a BBQ with cold Moet champagne and beer before boarding a Guard Dog security bus on the way to Port Moresby. They will stop at Bomana War Cemetery, to pay their respects to the Australian soldiers who died in the Kokoda campaign and in other campaigns in the Pacific who have been laid to their final rest. Tonight, they will get together to celebrate their achievement with all the guides and support staff from the trek.