Oil Search Pacific Games Relay climbs PNG's highest peak Mt Wilhelm
The Relay ran through narrow gaps between the soaring limestone cliffs of the mountains and the long drop to the valley below.
Over Gogmin village bridge the Relay was joined by thousands of villagers that lined the climb up to Kegsuglo and the famous Betty’s Lodge, at 2,794 metres, home of her trout farm and the starting point for the trek up Mt Wilhelm.
As the Relay passes through the villages and the market, messages of welcome are written out in flowers and sawdust.
The team of runners take the Baton up another 1,200 metres height with some of them running nearly the full way showing the exceptional long distance and endurance running talent that exists in Simbu.
The final leg to the Lodge is up some of the worst road the team has seen, more a goat track than a road.
The team visit Betty Higgin’s trout farm and gardens and enjoy her wonderful hospitality as they prepare for the trek to the summit.
The baton runners to the summit are some of Betty’s longest serving team members.
Senior guide Bonnie Laki has worked with Betty since she bought the land from his father in 1996 and built the lodge, Dua Dumba and Dua Francis.
They are being accompanied by Oil Search representative Wille Kupo’s nephew who lives at the base of the mountain and has done the climb over 20 times also.
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