Walk the remote and historical trail forged by our Diggers along Shaggy Ridge…
Shaggy Ridge is a 6.5 kilometre long, razorback ridge in the Finisterre Range, found in north eastern Papua New Guinea. Its highest point is 1,494 metres; located between the valleys of the Mene and Faria Rivers and culminates at one end in Kankiryo Saddle.
Named after Australian soldier Captain Robert “Shaggy Bob” Clampett, commander of “A” Company, 2/27th Infantry Battalion, Shaggy Ridge was the site of ferocious battles during the Finisterre Range campaign of 1943-1944.
Back Track Adventures has been privileged to operate treks over the Kokoda Track for ten years. Kokoda is now an iconic symbol of the remarkable values our soldiers displayed – mateship, courage, endurance and sacrifice.
Together with our fellow trekkers we have shared some very special moments on the “Track”. Many who have trekked with us have expressed an interest in returning to PNG to learn more about the exploits of our soldiers after the Kokoda Campaign. In July 2008 we sent our first exploratory group to Shaggy Ridge. The trek was a great success and we have been going back to Shaggy Ridge ever since.
The location of Shaggy Ridge is remote and very few people have traveled there since the war years. Historians and only a few intrepid adventurers who have a particular interest to go there have made this journey. Below are dates, costs, itinerary overview, a brief military overview and a trekking route map.
Shaggy Ridge Costs + Dates
| Dates | Sunday 29 July – Sunday 05 August 2012 |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Leader | Ray Baker |
| Costs | $3,995 from Brisbane |
| Highlights | Visit unspoilt villages, stand in the actual weapons pits, walk the 6 kilometre long knife edged Shaggy Ridge, trek wild remote trails. Very few westerners have ever vsiited this area since the war years. |
| Grading | Challenging |
If you decide to join our trek to Shaggy Ridge, this is what’s in store for you:
For the serious history buff, we have located and identified what happened at many of the most significant campaign locations. Allowing for the ravages of time, the battle sites are easily recognised. We can stand in the actual trenches, weapons pits, gun emplacements and camp sites of the campaign. There are still many relics of the bitter fighting scattered all along the ridge line and in the jungle. For the serious trekker you can expect wild challenging trails, many creek and river crossings and magnificent trekking atop the ridge. In many places the ridge line is so narrow that progress can only be made in single file. The scenery and the jungle is beautiful and views into the surrounding valleys from entire ridge are sensational. Cultural interaction is lively as we meet people in remote villages that seldom see outsiders.
This is a tough mental and physical challenge and we extend an invitation to past trekkers or anyone with the right spirit and commitment to join us in an 8 day journey to the battlefield of Shaggy Ridge.
Itinerary Overview
| Day 1 | Fly Brisbane to Port Moresby and on to Lae. Met on arrival and transferred to our hotel. |
| Day 2 | Road transport to Onge Village and trek to camp at or near Agenau Village at the foot of Shaggy Ridge. |
| Day 3 | Trek up onto Shaggy Ridge and camp near the “First Pimple”. |
| Day 4 | Trek and explore along Shaggy Ridge camping at Faria River camp. |
| Day 5 | Camp at Agenau Village |
| Day 6 | Finish trek at Onge Village. Drive to Lae. Overnight at our hotel. |
| Day 7 | Fly to Port Moresby. Overnight Holiday Inn. |
| Day 8 | Early morning airport transfer. Fly Port Moresby to Brisbane. |
A brief military overview
By September 1943, Shaggy Ridge was a major Japanese stronghold and a commanding geographical feature in the Ramu Valley end of the Finsterre Mountains, just south of Madang on Papua New Guineas northern coastline. During the war there was no road from Lae to Madang. Australian forces advancing by land from Lae towards the major Japanese base at Madang had to pass directly through river valleys dominated by the heavily entrenched Japanese forces on the near impregnable Shaggy Ridge. The Australian attack on Shaggy Ridge was methodical with air and artillery support. However, to ultimately defeat the Japanese forces it required infantry to scale the mighty slopes and feeder ridges of Shaggy Ridge and one at a time locate and destroy the enemy bunkers and positions. The Japanese had carefully constructed their defenses to cover all approaches with mountain gun and machine gun fire. In places the Japanese were able to roll grenades down the slopes on to the advancing Australians.
The importance of this particular campaign in Australian history is not just based on the savageness of the battles fought on Shaggy Ridge and surrounding valleys. The historical significance is that the Ramu Valley, Markham Valley and Shaggy Ridge campaigns were models for the future of modern warfare. The strategic use of specialist forces, paratroops and the rapid deployment of Independent Companies (commandoes) were paramount in the success of the overall campaign.
Shaggy Ridge trekking route map
