Epic Backpacking in Papua New Guinea
I'm excited to announce my new series on YouTube, Trackin' Dirt with Eric Hanson. Each episode follows my adventures around the globe in search of the world's top hiking trails.
Watch now!
First, a quick explainer:
Trackin' Dirt is the new digital video series we're releasing in conjunction with our television production of Epic Trails. Each time we travel to film an episode of Epic Trails, we will be producing a web-specific version of the episode for people to enjoy as Trackin’ Dirt on our YouTube Channel. Epic Trails episodes will continue to air on Outside TV and Fox Sports regional networks. Welcome to Eric Hanson in your face, all the time. There's no escaping!
Pictured above: sing sing ceremony in the village of Kokoda
This has been a while in the making. I travelled to Papua New Guinea to kick off Season Two of Epic Trails over a year ago. And while it was one of the more challenging destinations, it was also one of the most rewarding. I'm so excited to share with you how wonderful this place is.
When it boils right down to it, PNG is one of the most interesting locations I’ve ever travelled to—unique in every sense. There is no question that it is worth the trip to experience the mystique of Papua New Guinea.
"The Kokoda Track is known as one of the world’s most difficult trails. It's steep. It's hot. It's muddy. And it's bloody amazing."
I've been fortunate to travel a lot. And I've been to some exotic places. I thrive on traveling to lesser-known locations. I had no idea what lay in store for us on landing, but I was more than ready for the adventure. We began by flying from Port Moresby on a tiny, 9-seater airplane (much smaller than the one pictured above) to a remote airstrip and the beginning of the Kokoda Track. The Kokoda Track is known as one of the world’s most difficult trails. It's steep. It's hot. It's muddy. And it's bloody amazing.
Rising steeply out of the jungle basin, the trail is unrelenting. The whole trail is a series of stair steps carved out of mud. It's not an easy ascent. Luckily for me I got to hike with an amazing team from PNG Trekking. There was a crew of locals from various villages to help with our logistics, camera equipment and they were quick to carve up a pineapple or share a Coke with me.
Of all the things to say about PNG, the amazingly rich culture and wonderful people is what really stood out to me.
PNG is massive. And each zone has something entirely unique. After the Kokoda Track, our team traveled to the Western Highlands with the help of Trans Niugini Tours. Here we had the chance to have an immersive, authentic experience with the locals unlike anything I've experienced before.
Pictured above: experiencing the culture in PNG's Western Highlands
The village of Malbanga had just built the Redlands guest house, a rustic two-story bamboo bungalow. And our team was the first group of outsiders to ever be hosted at the guest house. It was truly the experience of a lifetime. I was treated to special access to several ceremonies, including a courtship ceremony where I may have accidentally gotten married without my knowledge (sorry you weren't invited, Mom!). After the courtship ceremony, I got to show off my dance moves with the whole village.
"I had never before experienced such raw hospitality."
Getting to dance and celebrate and enjoy the culture of the local people was truly an honor, something I will remember forever.
Saying goodbye to the people of Malbanga was difficult. I got quite emotional as I hugged goodbye to the people I just met the day before. I had never before experienced such raw hospitality. It could be easy to think how different we are. And yet, we share so much in common, and to participate in each other's joy was humbling and beautiful.
PNG will hold a special place in my heart. I was surprised and wowed and inspired. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen. I am confident that the footage we shot is incredible. And I think it will make for one our most colorful and adventurous episodes of Epic Trails and Trackin' Dirt ever!