Day 7 - Templetone’s Crossing to Alola Village

Another morning and we're up early.. It was definitely the coldest night we've had, but it didn't bother me too much as I was rugged up well. What's better was that, I didn't get any visitors during the night from any leeches.

Being prepared on this trip was always going to be important and this morning was just another little example. A week of solid use, mud and water got to my boots and as I was tying them up ready to head off one of my boot laces broke (probably better here than out on the track). Off comes the boot, bag unpacked to find spare laces (in the last dry bag I look) and I set about repacking and relacing my boot. (I've never ever relaced such a muddy boot and it was not easy - mud makes everything more difficult)

Not that you can really tell with all of the mud, but my right boot is the one with the new lace :)



Apart from my little mishap it was another nice morning. Take 2 and we're ready to set off again.. I just love being so high up in the clouds. Today was going to be a big day, we're going to be visiting another big battle site at Eora Creek as well as some old relic exhibits so there's going to be a lot to take in.

Here's everyone ready, set and then we're off.. Straight away we're walking down to a pretty cool little water crossing and then across the other side into a steep uphill. Today is predominately a decent, but that doesn't stop you going up!




On this section of the trek the jungle was really damp and wet and there were plenty of leeches. I had another couple get on me that I felt and was able to remove before they started sucking. One really massive one got on my leg, he was about 2 inches.. If he was able to latch on and start feeding I reckon he would grown massive.

Here's a couple of videos that show what the terrain was like.





We were under another tight schedule today as there was a few little detours off the track to visit some exhibits of weapons caches and relics. One at Eora Creek and other along the way that a local had uncovered and set out on display. It was quite a beautiful day and our first stop was Templeton's Crossing Dump #2 (last night we stayed at Templeton's Crossing Dump #1)

There were a couple of little wooden bridge crossings today, some looking safer than others and some quite sophisticated. A couple of the bridges are below as is a plaque dedication to Dump #2.




Eora Creek was important in the counter offensive because it saw quite a lot of fighting. As the Japanese, who held the high ground with machine guns and artillery were able to hold off any Australian advance due to the open area, water crossing and the high steep defensive position that they held.



Read more on Eora Creek

Across the water at Eora Creek and over the other side we began the steep ascent around the mountain side. After climbing for some time we were able to take the detour off the track which took us even higher to where the Japanese troops were defending above the Australians. To attack this position was virtually impossible. The Japanese held the high ground with more advanced artillery and machine guns any frontal assault was virtually impossible, especially when the mountain side gradient almost a sheer cliff face and about 90 degrees.

There was plenty of stories of Australian soldiers who made it across the water only to be pinned for days at the bottom of the mountain with no ability to climb up. All the while being shot at by Japanese soldiers who had to lean over the side to be able to shoot down. One Australian soldier was even shot through the ear and the foot with the same shot..

It was really cool to see some more munitions and left over relics from the fighting. Once again everything is big and chunky metal objects which would be so difficult to move anywhere, let alone up and down this terrain.

Here is a display of some left over Japanese helmets, mortar launcher, mortar shells and artillery casings. Not far from it was this tunnel that came out from under a tree. We didn't go in, but the tunnel went a lot further and no doubt networked with a few others for shelter and also the protection of supplies.



This is the view from the Japanese position looking back over Eora Creek. On the right, I've just taken a few steps back and where the guys are standing is where the Japanese artillery was set up in a commanding position over the entire area below. Unfortunately there was nothing of the gun here, but the final photo is a picture of the artillery gun that was there at the time.



Just check out all of this left over munitions. Big artillery shells, mortar packs, shell casings, rifles etc.. it all just looks so heavy.



After 10 days of futile attempts to cross Eora Creek in frontal assaults the Australians managed to outflank the Japanese by going around and above their position. Not far from where we currently were Gareth told us about 'The Lost Battlefield' just a bit higher up on the ridge where a lot of fighting took place with the Australian flanking movement. Discovered back in 2010, this has yet to be included as part of trekking and presumably won't be until the necessary excavation work has been done to investigate and preserve the area.

Channel 7's Sunday Night did a piece on it back in 2010



Past Eora Creek and out of the thick of jungle we spend a lot of the afternoon following the contour of the mountain. A small windy track in and out of tree cover, in and out of the heat and direct sunlight. I think I may just have preferred the thicker jungle where at least the canopy of trees protected you a lot more from direct sunlight.



On this part of the track we were also able to visit another location where a local had uncovered a weapons pit of grenades, mortars and a few other things. It makes a great income for the locals to make a nice little display out of them so that passing trekkers can visit and have a look. Although, I wasn't too sure about this one, something about standing next to so much explosive power (albeit old and hopefully not in tact) was a bit un-nerving.




I've already mentioned that we had a really great team on the trek. We all came from different places, different backgrounds, but we all got on so well. There was a lot of fun, a lot of banter and a lot of laughs. Speaking of grenades, Larry, an ex-soldier was kind enough to demonstrate the throwing of a grenade.. hahaha :)



There were quite a lot of water crossings for the day and there was yet another one not far from Alola Village, our destination for the night. I can hardly believe that it's only one more day on the track, but to be honest I'm ready for the finish line. :)



It was nice to finally arrive in a Alola Village and camp for the night. It has been another long day on the track, a lot of tough terrain, a lot of beating down sun and a lot to take in from the stories about the war. It was still day light, so it was once again time to set up camp, get washed and get warm before it got dark and/or rained. It was much cooler on this half of the track and it was nice to find some comfort in being warm.

I like the idea of a bit of comfort so much that, for tomorrow I'm even going to change my trekking gear.. what?!? I hear you say.. "change" your trekking gear. Yes, you heard right. Although I've been washing my all my gear - top, shorts, socks and undies, every single night, I have not changed that gear. I just hang it out and it stays wet and damp. There was no point, in 5 minutes of walking you're already sweating (if it's not raining) so I was always going to be wet, may as well not dampen and smell up my pack with wet (washed) clothes that don't get a chance to dry.. but for now, it's time for something different, something fresh for that last part of the trek, maybe just a little something to help the mindset.

Here's us arriving at Alola Village and setting up camp.



The locals have set some soft drinks out for purchase and I grab a couple, for me and who ever wants one.. I know it's not good for me, but I'm just after a quick fix to get some energy after the days trekking. Once the housekeeping was out of the way, it was great to settle back and relax, enjoy dinner and play a few games. If I remember correctly, it was guess who, 20 true/false questions about a music personality (which is surprisingly tough) and there was a lot of conjecture about how old snoop dog was (with no internet to help).. it provided a lot of fun for a short time, as everyone was dropping off quickly and hitting the sack. Understandable given the journey we have been on.

Last day on the track tomorrow. Even though I'm really feeling it and craving the finish, I can't believe how quickly it has gone. 8 days tomorrow trekking for us is no comparison to the months and months spent by our troops in these conditions.

Here's the trekking we did for the day