DAY 2 TREKKING: DENIKI TO ALOLA

Friday 18 April

The trekkers were up at 5am for breakfast after spending their first night on the Kokoda track. The sun rose at 6am for the first battle cry of the trek, then the packs on call was given and there first full day of trekking began. They trekked out of Deniki, through the choko vines on their way to the village of Isurava for morning tea and it was here that the 39th battalion were finally reinforced by the 21st brigade. They played with kids & gave out some presents before a briefing on the history of the campaign here and then continued trekking for the next hour to Isurava Battle site where they held a moving service at the four pillars. (Courage, Endurance, Mateship & Sacrifice)

Here they paid their respects to our returned and fallen soldiers, and listened to some podcasts of from soldiers of the campaign who made the incredible and ultimate sacrifice, such men as Corporal John Metson, Charlie McCallum, Lindsay Bear, Bruce Kingsbury and more… They also enjoyed watching the locals prepare the monument for the up coming Anzac Day commemoration. The weather was perfect for trekking however, the track is muddy, muddy, muddy.

They had lunch at Isurava and then trekked a short but tough hike onto the "Surgeons Stone” and listened to some more podcast of stories from Stan Bisset talking of his brother Thomas "Butch Bisset". Then it was a relatively easy 90-minute trek into the campsite of Alola, where the trekkers arrived early at 4pm. According to Jules AKT Guide, they are all trekking magnificently & are now enjoying some popcorn whilst waiting for dinner.