Papua New Guinea 'Shaggy Ridge' 2011

Overview | Itinerary Overview

Testimonial 2010:

Once again thanks for a great trek to Shaggy Ridge 2010.The trek was very well organized and you and your company are true professionals in the treking business. I would have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone who would like to undertake a similar trek. Thanks Again Ron Veivers

Trip Overview

Back Track Adventures has been privileged to operate treks over the Kokoda Track for eight years.Kokodais 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 Ridgeever 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.

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.

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.

Our 2010 Team in Onge Village at the completition of the trek

Read client testimonials about our Shaggy Ridge holiday.

^Though we are not expecting any price increases from our suppliers, airline prices and/or taxes could increase. These increases will be added to our quoted holiday costs.

..Home | Sitemap | Links | Privacy Policy

..© Back Track Adventures 2009

..Site by Red Creative

Trek the Kokoda Trail with Back Track Adventures | Kokoda Track | Kokoda Trail