PICTURES | transpng

Expedition Photographs

Dusty Road Richard takes a break next to the road just after a logging truck drives by. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	The Beginning The second day of walking under equatorial sun. The day before the team suffered mild heat oedema so they limited their walking distance initially. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Bewani Sunset A sunset in one of the small villages near Bewani. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Flat Waterfall The waterfall is very shallow, but slopes down by 40 meters. The locals use it as a latrine. Beats any loo in the UK. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	The Lightshow Talking by a camp fire while a lightning storm slowly approaches. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Sunrise in the Bush Sunrise at one of the camps, the low lying clouds always lifted and exposed the team to the strong sun. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Natures Tattoo A child with a skin infection. This disease is common in northern parts of PNG, medical patrols (Like ChildFund) help alleviate these problems. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Cloud Forest The cloud forest presents itself one morning to the team while walking on the Bewani Mountain range. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Gold Rush A large mining operation at the centre of the island near the Star Mountains. Gold and Copper is found in the hills. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Mini Predator A spider that was seen at the end of the day when the team was walking to a nearby stream to find water. It was nearly caught on a team members face. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Waterfall Family A family that live next to a waterfall. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	A Mine's Waste The OK Tedi mine operation leaves a lot of evidence to it's presence in the Western Province. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Sunrise Not a bad view to wake up to, sunrise in Sanduan province. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Star Mountains The bush tracks start going uphill, and soon the team find themselves scrambling up roots and rocks. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Top of the Expedition One of the expeditions high points, roughly 2500 meters. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Happy Enough Patrick and Richard sit down for a welcome rest in the bush. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Upstream A tough day walking upstream. The absence of a track made the day knackering. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Slow Progress The undergrowth became a problem as it tangled over the team's boots. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Upstream Paddle Occasionally a paddle upstream was necessary when the river networks obstructed the areas for walking. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Rustic Raft In a remote area a raft was built by the team and some locals, trees were chopped down from the bush and tied together with vines. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Quiet Section of River There were a few quiet sections when drifting when the team could relax.
Remote Rafting downriver for three days was a dangerous game, as the team often got caught in syphons and whirlpools. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Rustic Raft Paddling was not an option, as the team had no paddles. All they could do was push off the sides with large sticks as they drifted down the fast flowing river. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	A Long Day Richard in thick jungle. On days like this the team would only make 3 miles/ 5km distance in a day due to the ruggedness of the area. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Tough Going Nearing the end of a tough day, Patrick does a location check to keep tabs on the local navigator, sometimes they weren't all that reliable.	Alpine Mountains Although it looks more like home, the path was very sloppy and the team decided to cut through the grass rather than risk their lives on a track next to near sheer drops. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	2600 Meters The highest point of the expedition, behind is a 2300 meter high plateau, thus the view isn't as expected. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Home for the Evening This pig sty was a welcome place to sleep, and offered a night where the team didn't have to worry about putting up hammocks and tents. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	A Rare Clearing Clearing in the canopy was a rare treat and offered spectacular views when in the mountains. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Before the Hindenburg Just before descending down the Hindenburg Wall, without any safety equipment. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
The Landslide The locals called it 'the landslide' but the maps call it 'The Hindenburg Wall'. Further down the team had to negotiate a vertical drop with no safety equipment (bar some jungle vines used as rope) and 34kg bergans. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Descending the Hindenburg A team member climbs down the Hindenburg Wall. The limestone was very crumbly and the team had to be careful with their points of contact on the wall. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Best Part of the Day Richard in the heart of the Star Mountains. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Tabubil Market A woman from Tabubil with a traditional tattoo on her face. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	On the Fly Patrick takes a break from paddling on the Fly River. opyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Meeting the Rebels Described by the Indonesians as terrorists, but by the Papuans as freedom fighters, these rebels slip across the border to attack the Indonesian military in a bid to free West Papua from Indonesian rule. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
An OPM Pose The rebel's struggle has been going on for nearly 50 years. Their weapons are either home made or stolen from the Indonesians. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Bush Camp Richard next to his hammock in a bash camp, Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	A PNG Problem HIV is a big problem in PNG, and posters such as this one are scattered all around urban parts of the country. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Morning Paddle To maximise distance the team would carry on paddling or drifting day and night, sleeping on the boat in a staggered timetable so someone was always awake. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	The Day's Slog Often it was easier to paddle standing up, more power can be gained this way, and it slows the onset of repetitive strain. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Former Glory? This 99 year old man admitted that in his youth he would often kill men with a stone axe, behead the corpse and carry the head back to his village. Headhunting was a common occurrence with Papuan men in remote villages. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Cameras Rolling To keep the cameras rolling in such an extreme environment wasn't easy. Constant admin had to be kept up. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Typical Village Here a man with a common contagious skin disease holds his baby. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	A Bad Time? Two dogs locked together after mating in an environment devoid of colour. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
A Creek for Docking A place nicknamed 'The Bus Stop' where boats come to let people rest between Daru and Sturt. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Nearing the End Richard after another early wake up. Still smiling.... Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Pushing the Boat This photo is in fact colour, yet it looks like it is taken in greyscale. Locals push the sail boat through the tide. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Traditional Haircut A man in the Western Province with a traditional haircut. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Millipede's Home Millipedes are in fact very dangerous, and locals told Richard and Patrick that some had lethal bites. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Feel Like Chicken Tonight Richard cooks dinner after killing one of the chickens that the team kept on the boat. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Sunset on the Fly The brief moment before the night time malaria carrying mosquitos descend. The last bit of light the team will see for 12 hours before a night of drifting. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Halfway Down the Fly Richard and Patrick roughly halfway down the Fly River. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Unwelcome Surprise Although there were many spiders in the jungle, none would be capable of killing a healthy adult, just a highly toxic bite. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Macro Dragon Bugs ruled the bush, and mammals seemed to come a distant second. There are no native monkeys to PNG. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	River Village A welcome sight, a village the team spent the night at before ailing on. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Waiting for the Tide Richard waits for the tide to go out before the team can carry on sailing. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Spearing Dinner Patrick prepares to kill a pig with a spear. The meat was handed out to the villagers. It was the first non poultry fresh meat the team had had in months. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Carrying Dinner Patrick helps carry the pig he killed with a spear. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Preparing Sago A woman prepares Sago for eating. Sago, is the staple food in massive swathes of PNG. It is a pure carb meal, and provides very few vitamins, and virtually no protein. It is one of the reasons why cannibalism was practised till the introduction of pigs by missionaries. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
The River Becomes a Sea Although most poor people own canoes on the fly river, there are a growing number of motorised dinghies, especially near the mining areas. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Escaping the Tide The team pushed the sail boat up on the silty sloppy mud to stop the boat getting destroyed by the powerful tide. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Getting Tired The team becomes more and more haggard the further south they get. On the walking stage alone both team members lost 10 kilos each. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Smoking Fish A local smokes fish to sell at the market. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Catching some Sleep One of the expedition's guides catches some sleep while waiting for the tide. The team would often get up at 02:00 am to start paddling, and then would start sailing once daylight came. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Dissolved Foundations The fly river constantly changes it's banks and takes trees and rocks with it. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
A Lonely Boat Despite how it looks, it is still a river even though the water at this point was salty and rough. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Dying Landscape An almost apocalyptic looking river bank. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Sailing in Open Water Patrick on a worryingly small sail boat in open water. Waves would often crash over the side of the boat and soak everyone aboard. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Open Water Sailing Rigging the sailing boat for a rough day. It is an old craft that leaked a lot, but it got the job done. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	Friendly Face An old man grins for the camera. He lives up a creek in a remote section of the Fly River. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	The Last Day The last day of sailing, the team hoist the Papuan flag and the Union flag. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.
Waiting Out Waiting in a creek for the tide, a common occurrence. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.	The End, Daru Patrick and Richard in Daru, having successfully found their way from the North of the island to the south, without the use of a motor. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA​

EXPEDITION​

AN UNMOTORISED CROSSING

Expedition Photographs

Dusty Road

Richard takes a break next to the road just after a logging truck drives by. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

The Beginning

The second day of walking under equatorial sun. The day before the team suffered mild heat oedema so they limited their walking distance initially. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Bewani Sunset

A sunset in one of the small villages near Bewani. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Flat Waterfall

The waterfall is very shallow, but slopes down by 40 meters. The locals use it as a latrine. Beats any loo in the UK. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

The Lightshow

Talking by a camp fire while a lightning storm slowly approaches. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Sunrise in the Bush

Sunrise at one of the camps, the low lying clouds always lifted and exposed the team to the strong sun. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Natures Tattoo

A child with a skin infection. This disease is common in northern parts of PNG, medical patrols (Like ChildFund) help alleviate these problems. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Cloud Forest

The cloud forest presents itself one morning to the team while walking on the Bewani Mountain range. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Gold Rush

A large mining operation at the centre of the island near the Star Mountains. Gold and Copper is found in the hills. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Mini Predator

A spider that was seen at the end of the day when the team was walking to a nearby stream to find water. It was nearly caught on a team members face. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Waterfall Family

A family that live next to a waterfall. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

A Mine's Waste

The OK Tedi mine operation leaves a lot of evidence to it's presence in the Western Province. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Sunrise

Not a bad view to wake up to, sunrise in Sanduan province. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Star Mountains

The bush tracks start going uphill, and soon the team find themselves scrambling up roots and rocks. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Top of the Expedition

One of the expeditions high points, roughly 2500 meters. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Happy Enough

Patrick and Richard sit down for a welcome rest in the bush. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Upstream

A tough day walking upstream. The absence of a track made the day knackering. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Slow Progress

The undergrowth became a problem as it tangled over the team's boots. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Upstream Paddle

Occasionally a paddle upstream was necessary when the river networks obstructed the areas for walking. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Rustic Raft

In a remote area a raft was built by the team and some locals, trees were chopped down from the bush and tied together with vines. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Quiet Section of River

There were a few quiet sections when drifting when the team could relax.

Remote

Rafting downriver for three days was a dangerous game, as the team often got caught in syphons and whirlpools. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Rustic Raft

Paddling was not an option, as the team had no paddles. All they could do was push off the sides with large sticks as they drifted down the fast flowing river. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

A Long Day

Richard in thick jungle. On days like this the team would only make 3 miles/ 5km distance in a day due to the ruggedness of the area. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Tough Going

Nearing the end of a tough day, Patrick does a location check to keep tabs on the local navigator, sometimes they weren't all that reliable.

Alpine Mountains

Although it looks more like home, the path was very sloppy and the team decided to cut through the grass rather than risk their lives on a track next to near sheer drops. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

2600 Meters

The highest point of the expedition, behind is a 2300 meter high plateau, thus the view isn't as expected. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Home for the Evening

This pig sty was a welcome place to sleep, and offered a night where the team didn't have to worry about putting up hammocks and tents. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

A Rare Clearing

Clearing in the canopy was a rare treat and offered spectacular views when in the mountains. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Before the Hindenburg

Just before descending down the Hindenburg Wall, without any safety equipment. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

The Landslide

The locals called it 'the landslide' but the maps call it 'The Hindenburg Wall'. Further down the team had to negotiate a vertical drop with no safety equipment (bar some jungle vines used as rope) and 34kg bergans. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Descending the Hindenburg

A team member climbs down the Hindenburg Wall. The limestone was very crumbly and the team had to be careful with their points of contact on the wall. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Best Part of the Day

Richard in the heart of the Star Mountains. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Tabubil Market

A woman from Tabubil with a traditional tattoo on her face. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

On the Fly

Patrick takes a break from paddling on the Fly River. opyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Meeting the Rebels

Described by the Indonesians as terrorists, but by the Papuans as freedom fighters, these rebels slip across the border to attack the Indonesian military in a bid to free West Papua from Indonesian rule. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

An OPM Pose

The rebel's struggle has been going on for nearly 50 years. Their weapons are either home made or stolen from the Indonesians. Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

Bush Camp

Richard next to his hammock in a bash camp, Copyright PNG Expedition, 2014.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

EXPEDITION