Kokoda Trekkers Hall of Fame
Our Kokoda Trekking (KTL) - Hall of Fame shows all the names of our past trekkers and also up to date statistics:We at Kokoda Trekking would like to thank past trekkers for their support and confidence in choosing us as their preferred operator. To all future trekkers, we look forward to meeting you in 2008 KOKODA TREKKING (KTL) STATISTICS:Total Number of Trekkers: 2003 = 24. Number of Treks: 5 treks
Total Number of Trekkers: 2004 = 426. Number of Treks: 43 treks
Total Number of Trekkers 2005 = 682. Number of Treks: 75 treks
Total Number of Trekkers 2006 = 850. Number of Treks: 104 treks
Total Number of Trekkers 2007 = 722. Number of Treks: 80 treks
Total Number of Trekkers 2008 = 707. Number of Treks: 77 treks
Now in 2010 in excess of 4000 trekkers
Per above, 3400 + trekkers since we first commenced operation. Many years in a row we have taken more trekkers on the Kokoda Track than any other operator. This is indeed something we are proud of. Our Kokoda operation is PNG run and you can be assured your money employs hundreds of porters and guides from Kokoda and surrounding areas right up to Sogeri. We have invested heavily in motor vehicles; a Cessna 206 Aircraft for food drops; satellite radios; two way radios; Orohaven Kokoda Retreat and other equipment we feel necessary to run successful Kokoda Treks.
KOKODA CHALLENGE RACE - 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008:In 2004 I arrived home one day to find our porters disappointed that Brian Freeman had broken the track record. They felt the record should belong on PNG soil. Russell and I discussed this and decided that in 2005 we would run a race so that the local boys could try and win back the record and their pride. John Hunt Hiviki not only broke the record, he smashed it. Last year we decided to change direction and run the race from the Ower's Corner end. Brendan Buka won the race in 17 hours 49 minutes.Update 31st August, 2008: Once again Brendan Buka has re written the history books when he broke his old record to win the 2008 Kokoda Challenge Race in a record time of 16:34:05.
2005 - Kokoda Challenge - Track Record Kokoda to Owers' Corner - 28th August, 2005 - Winner - John Hunt Hiviki Time 22:14:01 2006 Kokoda Challenge- Track Record Owers' Corner to Kokoda on 26th August, 2006 - Winner - Brendan Buka (KTL) - Time: 17:49:172007 Kokoda Challenge - Track Record Owers' Corner to Kokoda on the 26th August, 2007 - Winner - Tom Hango (KTL) - Time: 19:07 2007 Kokoda Challenge - Track Record Kokoda to Owers' Corner on the 26th August, 2007 - Winner - Brendan Buka (KTL) - Time: 17:20 2008 Kokoda Challenge - Track Record Owers' Corner to Kokoda on the 30th August, 2008 - Winner - Brendan Buka (KTL) - Time: 16:34:05 Kokoda Challenge Race Records:Fastest man on the Kokoda Track/Kokoda Trail: Kokoda Trekking (KTL) porter - Brendan Buka - in both directions set in August 2007 and August 2008
Fastest Female - Nesta Gipine - set 31st August 2008 - Time 22:08:38
Fastest white man - International Competitor - Owers' Corner to Kokoda - Damon Goerke set in August 2006 in a time of 19:28
Fastest white man - International Competitor - Kokoda to Owers' Corner - Andrew (Andy) Rowan set in August 2006 in a time of 24:15
Other KTL records: First Trekkers: 16th April, 2003 - Geoff and Daniel Trott from Melbourne
Youngest Male Trekker: Nicholas Lawson (7) - 2005
Youngest Female Trekker: Ellie Hargrave (12) - 2004
Oldest Male Trekker: Walter (aka The Fox) Kelly (81) - 2004
Oldest Female Trekker: Sybil Dwyer (74) - 2010
Youngest Papua New Guinean Trekker: Malik Suma (6 years) 2007
Trek Numbers - most trekkers - over 4000 in the past 5 + years
Bases - only company with a head office in Port Moresby and bases in Kokoda and Australia
A hard record to beat - guides with the most number of treks:John Derick Eroro (400 + Treks lost count)
Russell Eroro (287+ treks)
As John Derick Eroro is in high demand to lead our treks, an additional $500.00 per group is required to request his services: The Eroro family is well known in the Kokoda and Popondetta area. Their mother Peggy raised 17 children, 9 of her own and the others adopted. Many of these now walk for us.
Johnsford; Davidson; Ross; Duggie & nephews, Paulo, Emmanuel and Oliver. Attention anyone who has logged onto this page through the 'Hall of Fame' area using the icon on our front page: to view the photographs mentioned below,
PLEASE CLICK HERE:Photograph A group of our hard working KTL boys seen here at Isurava: At Kokoda Trekking each year we try and give something of importance to the community of Kokoda. 2004, we placed a Mitsubishi Canter 3 tonne truck in Kokoda, commonly known as KTL 1 which has served the community for the past three years going back and forth from Kokoda to Popondetta on a daily basis except when trekkers are in town: In 2005 we placed a 4WD Toyota Hilux in Kokoda to add another service should the need arise to pick up trekkers from Kovelo Village or areas where our truck cannot access. This vehicle also serves the Gona/Buna/Sanananda end picking up trekkers from the airport and showing them around before driving them up to Kokoda: In May 2005 we purchased an ambulance for Kokoda and surrounding areas so that anyone requiring urgent medical attention can be transported down to Popondetta. In 2006 we purchased thousands of australian dollars worth of equipment for villages along the track which included, water containers, good quality tarpaulins, cooking pots, change rooms and other items. Photograph below was taken at Ua'Ule Creek. One of our tarpaulins was used when a roof was leaking. On one of our treks, it was used for trekkers to sit on and relax in the village of Kagi: In 2007 we decided on a 3 cyclinder tractor lawnmower as a much needed piece of equipment to help keep Kokoda Station and Kokoda airstrip mowed. Finally it has arrived in Kokoda and is now hard at work trying to clean up. After we catch up, it will be used on a monthly basis to keep Kokoda clean and tidy. Our aim is to TRY and make KOKODA the most beautiful place in PNG. All our KTL boys have been asked to find and take to the Kokoda Station at least 10 plants each when they have been selected to walk on one of our treks. With this kind of help, it is hoped they can continue to grow the beauty of the station:
Another addition of ours both on the track and in Kokoda this year in 2007 has been the introduction of rubbish bins. So far we have placed them as follows: - 2 at Kokoda Station
- 2 at Kokoda School
- 2 at Kokoda Airstrip
- 2 at Kokoda Monument area
- 2 at Kokoda Hospital
Also in Menari, Efogi, Ua'Ule Creek and Owers' Corner We also purchased various items for the Kokoda Primary School including a brand new lawnmower. However, now we have our tractor we will mow their lawn for free each month: Our latest project has been the Kokoda Airport, check out our progress: Photographs:Pic 1: before work commenced
Pic 2: work in progress
Pic 3: trekkers now posing for photographs in front of our carved signs
Pic 4: the end result, a nice building and atmosphere now present at Kokoda airstrip
Pic 5: our New Holland tractor which now mows the airstrip to allow all track operators the chance to trek as tractors in Kokoda have all broken down. With the rainfall in Kokoda it would not take long for long grass to close the airport - hence another community project for Kokoda Trekking (KTL) Hello Gail
Congratulations to you on your wonderful unselfish nature and attitude, in supplying all these necessary items to the wonderful people who live on the famous Kokoda Track. You never cease to amaze me with your Love and Care for PNG and it's people, by willingly donating and giving so much out of your own pocket.
I know you are rewarded in your heart for what you do, but I sincerely hope that one day you are recognised and rewarded in a tangible manner for all you have done and no doubt will continue to do over the years for the people of Kokoda, Deniki, Isurava, Alola, Eora Creek, Templeton's Crossing, Myola, Kagi, Efogi, Menari, Nauro, Ioribawa and Ua-Ule Creek.
God Bless
Love
Waza
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Total number of treks: 508
Private Closed Trek Kokoda to Owers' Corner
Date: 7 March 2008 - 15 March 2008
Private Trek commencing in Kokoda on the 7th March and finishing at Owers' Corner on the 15th March - Trek 462 - Guide Kingsley Boropi. Assistant Guide Tony Ogomeni:
List of Trekkers:
1. Andrew Choice - paid in full 20/02/08
2. Adam Choice - paid in full 20/02/08
3. Owen Gregory - paid in full 20/02/08
4. Glen Packer - paid in full 20/02/08
5. Hose Espinoza - paid in full 20/02/08
6. James Baldwin + Requires a porter - paid in full 20/02/08
7. Kori Chan - paid in full 20/02/08
8. Angus Sippe - paid in full 20/02/08
9. Christine Ward + Requires a porter - paid in full 25/02/08 - Tom Hango
Day 1 (7/3) - Ex POM to Kokoda (overnight)
Day 2 - Kokoda to Isurava
Day 3 - Isuarava to Iora Creek
Day 4 - Iora Creek to Templetons
Day 5 - Templetons to Kagi
Day 6 - Kagi to Efogi
Day 7 - Efogi to Naoro or a campsite close to Nauro
Day 8 - Naoro to Va' Ule Creek
day 9 - Va' Ule Creek to Owers Corner and to POM
Additional Message:
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This is a South Sea Horizons booking - Kori Chan
January special - first trek of 2008
Date: 8 January 2008 - 16 January 2008
Owers' Corner to Kokoda commencing on the 8th January and finishing in Kokoda on the 16th January. Depending on the number of trekkers booked, you will either fly back into Port Moresby from Kokoda or will be driven down to Popondetta and fly in with Air Niugini. Trek 399 - Guide Andrew Yauga:
List of Trekkers:
1. Amy Nicol - (Meals - Vegan) - paid in full 12/12/07
2. Roland Alexander - paid in full 04/01/08
3. Jeremy Zimet - paid in full 06/01/08
Private Booking - KFL
Date: 22 July 2007 - 1 August 2007
Private Booking - Owers' Corner to Kokoda commencing on the 23rd July and finishing in Kokoda on the 31 July where you will overnight. On the 1st August, fly back into Port Moresby by chartered aircraft - Trek :
List of Trekkers:
Between 30 - 60 trekkers
PNG Guided Trek - Kokoda to Owers' Corner
Date: 28 November 2007 - 5 December 2007
Commencing in Kokoda by flying in on the 28th November and finishing at Owers' Corner on the 5th December - Trek 401 - Guide Paul Esiko:
List of Trekkers:
1. Thomas Brennen + Requires a porter - paid in full 06/10/07
2. Peter Gray - paid in full 05/10/07
3. Richard Gray - paid in full 05/10/07 + Requires a porter - ROD ORI as free porter
4. Sam Steadman + Requires a porter - Jade Travel - paid in full 22/10/07
Trek 401 Cancelled Friday 16th due to bad weather
Date: 20 November 2007 - 28 November 2007
PNG Guided Trek Owers' Corner to Kokoda commencing on the 20th November and finishing in Kokoda on the 27th November. You will fly back in to Port Moresby on Wednesday 28th November - Trek 400 - Guide Wallace Lemeki:
List of Trekkers:
1. Rob Kercheval - deposit paid 27/08/07 - advised they wish to transfer to a trek mid 2008
2. Phil Kercheval - deposit paid 27/08/07 - advised they wish to transfer to a trek mid 2008
3. Peter Gray - paid in full 05/10/07 - advised they wish to transfer to trek 401 28th Nov
4. Richard Gray - paid in full 05/10/07 - advised they wish to transfer to trek 401 28th Nov
5. Sam Steadman + Requires a porter - Jade Travel - paid in full 22/10/07
6. Phillip Brunskill + Requires a porter - deposit paid 04/10/07
7. Andrea Brunskill - deposit paid 04/10/07
Footnote: This trek is also top heavy with our KTL guides. Wallace is one of our most popular requested guides. Along with Wallace on this trek is Rod Ori and Andrew Yauga who are great mates of Wallace and often recommended by ex trekkers to select these guys for their own trek.
Wallace, Rod and Andrew were all invited guests of the Lord Somers Powerhouse Camp in Victoria in the first week of January this year and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. All three returned to Australia in July when some of our staff competed in the KOKODA CHALLENGE on the Gold Coast to act as support crew.
They will be accompanied on this trek by Ross Eroro and Sailas Harike also guides in their own right. So once again a great trek in the making when all these guys bond for their last trek of the year.
Update 16th November: This trek has been cancelled today 16th November due to the bad weather we have been experiencing the past week. Roads have been cut; bridges washed away and trekkers with other companies stranded on the trail due to flooded creeks and rivers. We trust you appreciate the call we have had to make as our main concern is for your safety and that of our guides and porters. We look forward to welcoming you all to PNG on another trek.
Gail Thomas
Kokoda Trekking
+675 325 4423 or +675 323 6650
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For more information, please check out our
Kokoda Trek packages.
