Back Track Adventures employ professional trek leaders, ensuring a safe and informed holiday. Your trek leaders will explain the history at all the battle sites, give you an insight in to the culture of the people living in the villages and keep you well informed about each days objectives and most importantly, ensure that you all complete the trek safely. They attend to the smooth day-to-day operation of the trek so you can relax and enjoy the holiday. They remember their first time over the Track and they know the challenges you will face. It is your holiday and our crew are dedicated to ensuring that you complete the challenge and enjoy the experience. Some Back Track leaders have held Senior rank in the Australian Army and worked in elite miltary units. As we do not conduct our treks in a military format, we do not consider it important that all leaders on the Kokoda Track should have an army background.
Understanding the Kokoda campaign: If one of the reasons you wish to trek the Track is to gain a detailed understanding of the campaign and visit all the signifcant historical locations, then we would love to have you join us.
Our Trek Leaders are knowledgeable and passionate about the history of the Kokoda Campaign. They have detailed knowledge of the campaign, the tactics used by both the Japanese and the Australian forces and they also know the personal stories of many who fought and died along the Track. Our Leaders carry selected maps, historic photos and other pictorial reference material which will be used to assist your understanding at all the briefings during your trek.
When you trek the Kokoda Track with Back Track you will trek with a fantastic local PNG crew – your Head Guide, trekking crew and personal porters. All your local trek crew come from the villages along the Kokoda Track. You will on occassions meet their families (wife, brother, sister etc), as you pass through or stop in their home villages during the trek. Click here to meet our local PNG crew and Personal Porters, including staff managing our Port Moresby Kokoda office.
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Meet the Back Track Kokoda Trek Leaders:
Jim Drapes
Jim will take any opportunity to escape the Brisbane office and head in to the world’s wild places. For the last 26 years, Jim has led trekking groups to wild and remote places all over the globe. If not out trekking or on safari in Africa you’ll find Jim in the mountains of New Zealand pursuing his love for mountain climbing. Jim is a Back Track Director. His father served in the AIF in New Guinea in WW2.
Ray Baker
Ray is equally at home leading groups in the mountains of Nepal, the jungles of Borneo or the wilds of Africa. He’ll get you there and back safely and you’ll have a lot of fun in between. Ray is one of the most highly experienced Nepal trekking guides in the world, having led close to 50 treks in the Nepal Himalaya. As a qualified gym instructor and personal trainer, Ray is availabe to discuss what training is required to maximise your outdoor adventure. Ray is a Back Track Director. His father served in the AIF in New Guinea in WW2.
Andrew Hall
From Andrew’s first trek on the Kokoda Track he discovered a new passion for life. Andrew’s military knowlegde is wellserved by his 10 years in the Australian Army, with a deployment to Cambodia working with the Cambodian Mine Action Center. He enjoys getting out in the beautiful PNG jungle, meeting the friendly people of PNG and sharing his extensive knowledge of the Kokoda Track campaign. He will ensure you have a safe trip and the experience of a life time. His moto is “Everybody finishes together – no one is left behind”.
Chris Herlihy
After serving as an Advance Care Paramedic with the Queensland Ambulance Service,combined with a love for
personal training and hikes in the mountains behind cairns, Chris’s role in trek leading along the Kokoda Track fit his
lifestyle perfectly. His passion for Kokoda and the love of the people is especially influenced by the fact that his
Grandfather fought along the Track and at Buna and Gona in the 2/16th Battalion. “My Grandfather went on to the track at 12 stone and came home at 8 stone, but essentially got out unscathed. He spoke so highly of the Fuzzy Wuzzy angels along the track and he credit’s them with the fact he made it home at all.” After being there myself I know exactly what he means.
You’ll enjoy sharing your trek with Chris.
Damiano ‘Damo’ Caniglia
A passionate photographer and trekker, Damo just has that knack of ‘getting along’ with people, he’s an experienced leader and you’ll enjoy traveling with him. When not on the Kokoda Track or trekking in Nepal, you’ll find Damo riding his mountain bike or working at Paddy Palin in Brisbane. Many of Damo’s photographs are featured in this site. He is also leading Back Track’s Nepal Photography Tour in November 2011. View some of Damo’s great photographic work from along the Kokoda Track.
Dan Tones
Daniel was brought up on a dairy/cattle property in rural Queensland where he developed a keen appreciation of the bush and the outdoors. After 9 years service in the Australian Army Engineers, Dan is back ‘on the land’ at Kilcoy. He has a passion for military history. His uncle served in PNG with the 2/25Bn giving Dan a real connection with the Track. Dan loves to share his knowledge and passion for Kokoda history with our trekkers.
Gareth Ward
Ever since being found floating down the Sepik river in an old Arnotts’ biscuit tin as a baby, Gareth has had an affinity with the outdoors. Sharing knowledge and experiences of both natural and human histories are his passion. The campaigns fought by Australians in PNG, its’ peoples,fauna and flora are a special interest for Gareth and he finds it humbly rewarding to safely guide trekkers through it all and to find their own connection. Gareth had an uncle who fought in the New Guinea campaign during WW2. When not lying in mountain creeks, Gareth works as a registered nurse with a focus in wilderness first aid.
Garry Thompson
Garry was part of our Borneo exploratory group in 2006 as well as a member of our first Mt Wilhelm exploratory group in PNG. He will be leading the Boots in Borneo holiday trek in August 2011. From the jungles of the Kokoda Track to the heights of Mt Kinabalu, Garry is a relaxed and motivated leader. In addition to Kokoda treks, Garry leads our new Boots in Borneo trips and will share his knowledge of the Sandakan Death March with you. Fun, knowledgeable and very fit, you’ll enjoy travelling with him.
Graeme Johnson
Graeme’s adventurous spirit is easy to understand as he spent 12 years as a Navy Clearance diver, one of the Australian defence forces most elite units. Today he loves exploring, watching wildlife and listening to and enjoying the quietness of the bush. He is at home in the rugged country along the Track and will keep you well informed on the military history and introduce you to the local culture. Most importantly he will watch out for you to ensure you complete the trek safely and happily. During WW2 both Graeme’s Father and Uncle enlisted on the same day and served in PNG and Borneo. You are in good hands.
Ian Arnold
Whether it’s the Kokoda Track, the mountains of Nepal, the summit of Kilimanjaro or the wilds of Bass Strait on a Sydney to Hobart yatch race, Ian is at home in the great outdoors. He will make you feel the same. In you live in Sydney, you can chat with Ian (Manager) at Trek & Travel, Sydney’s leading outdoor gear & equipment retailer – Kent Street in the City.
Jason Elmer
As a Senior Sergeant with the Tasmanian Police force and as a former member of the Police Search and Rescue Squad, Jason’s been fortunate in being able to spend a lot of time in Tassie’s beautiful great outdoors, skiing, trekking, abseiling and caving. Having trekked all the famous Tasmanian treks and spending most free time camping and fishing, leading treks along the Kokoda Track is just an extension of his life’s work. “Having played sport all my life, I am a big believer in team work and all working together to achieve a goal”. Jason’s philosophy on team work fits perfectly into Back Track’s goal of ensuring all trekkers complete the Track safely and happily. You’ll be safe, well informed and enjoy trekking with Jason.
Jo Macaione
Jo brings significant leadership and motivation skills and talent to the trekking environment from her role as business manager for a large Medical Practice. She is a very fit and accomplished trekker with significant Kokoda experience and is confident and relaxed in any outdoor environment. She has brought to her role as a Kokoda leader a heartfelt passion about the historical aspects of the Kokoda campaign and the local people who live along the Track. A popular leader you’ll enjoy trekking with her.
Martin McIver
Martins leadership qualities have been admired by many. One trekker recently commented on his leadership abilities as ‘awesome’. Martin’s positive approach to life in general and his friendly nature make him a popular Kokoda leader. His knowledge of the Track and its history is superb. Martin will be leading the Black Cat Track trek in PNG in 2011.
Megan Davidson
From her years as an officer in the army, Megs bring her leadership skills and her wide experience and love for the great outdoors into her role as a leader on the Kokoda Track and in South America. A great travel companion, she’ll show you how to make health and fitness part of your lifestyle.
Nerida Hopkins
From the Blue Mountains to the remote Kimberley region, Tasmania, Mt Kilimanjaro, and the Kokoda Track, Nerida escapes from her hospital job whenever she can. Known as “Gear Girl” to her friends, her infectious enthusiasm for the outdoors will ensure you enjoy your trip. When not trekking, you’ll find Nerida regularly training in the bush around Sydney with Wild Women on Top or working part time at Sydney’s leading outdoor gear and equipment retailer, Trek & Travel – Kent street the City.
Nick Skelton
Nick enjoys mixing fitness and outdoor pursuits. He likes exploring the NSW hinterland on weekends taking nothing but a backpack and a motorcycle. He competes in fun events such as the Oxfam 100km and Wild Adventure long hauls but also enjoys the shorter events such as the Mud Run and Tough Bloke Challenge. Nick believes that the spirit of Kokoda is a defining moment in Australia’s identity. It holds many unsung heroes who deserve to be rewarded with the highest honour of all – remembrance, and simply taking people to the places the battles occurred ensures that the story lives on through generations.
Peter Barnett
If Peters not training for trekking at Mt Coot-tha on weekends with friends and fellow trekkers, he’s either diving or skiing. He skis regularly in places like Canada, Japan and New Zealand. He has identified some good ski runs along the Kokoda Track for when the next ice age hits. His passion for the preservation of the Anzac legend has driven him to become a volunteer organizer at the Gallipoli dawn service. With a keen interest in fitness training, a love for the Kokoda story, Pete will get you over the Track safely, keep you well informed and you’ll have a lot of fun along the way.
Sarah Jane Joerin
Whether it is trekking through the Mt Lofty Ranges along the Heysen Trail or taking part in endurance events such as the annual 100km Trailblazer, Sarah is in her element – “If it’s physical I’m loving it”. Kokoda is her passion, “It is exhilarating, emotional, challenging and one of the best adventures anyone could tick off their Bucket List”. Sarah Jane loves trekking, the camaraderie, the mate ship between trekkers and porters and the villagers, the friendships formed in such a short space of time, the bonds we all come to share….just fantastic. Her favourite saying is “There is no ‘I” in Team” and “You are stronger than you think”.
Spencer McDonald
Spencer has travelled and trekked in places as varied as Tahiti, Norway, Iceland, Vietnam, Nepal, PNG, Italy, Scotland and Ireland. As a trained high school teacher of Geography and History he has a passion for getting to know the locals, their food, music and customs. As well he has spent 6 years in the outdoor gear and equipment retail area and is a specialist on outdoor clothing and footwear. He enjoys the challenges of trekking the tropics and alpine regions, especially the Scandinavian fjord country and the New Guinean highlands. Spencer is manager of specialist outdoor gear supplier, Southern Cross Equipment, a division of Sydney’s leading outdoor gear and equipment retailer, Trek & Travel located in Kent Street the City.
Steve Foster
Steve will find any excuse to get out on the Kokoda Track. His knowledge of the History of the Kokoda campaign is legendary and he just loves sharing his knowledge. He knows how difficult trekking the Kokoda Track is for many people and he will ensure that your experience is safe, enjoyable and the experience of a lifetime. Steve was the assistant Leader on our first exploratory trek on Shaggy Ridge and will be leading this trek in 2010 and 2011. If you’ve done the Track, Shaggy Ridge is a great follow up trek
Tony Cleva
From the rugged gorges of the Hawksbury region ofNSW to the wild panorama of Tasmania you’ll find Tony trekking and training groups in Outdoor Fitness and adventure. Tony has trekked Kokoda in both directions and has a solid knowledge of the history of the Kokoda campaign as well as a passion for the people and culture of New Guinea. An accomplished athlete he enjoys Adventure Racing and outdoor endurance events. As a professional trainer Tony specialises in getting the very best out of people and believes you don’t really know what you can achieve until you try.
