Less than half an hour into the Kokoda Trek, Grace Parker and Mel Gleeson realised all their training had not adequately prepared them for the 10-day hike.
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"I can honestly say we had no idea. The fist 20 minutes after we arrived we realised we weren't going to be clean or dry for ten days," Ms Parker said.
On Friday, the ladies spoke about their experience overcoming challenges and learning to be leaders while conquering the 96 kilometre Kokoda Track at the Dubbo RSL Club.
The trek was centred around four themes: courage, mateship, sacrifice and endurance.
Ms Gleeson said one of the biggest challenges she faced was when she fell over during a river crossing and was dragged under the water.
"When I came up I was laughing but I cried myself to sleep that night because I realised it's not all fun and games," she said.
For Ms Parker the biggest obstacle was a foot infection, known to the group as 'the red dots of death', which she only had a scarce supply of antibiotics to treat.
"On the eighth or the seventh day I just remember walking and my feet were getting sorer and sorer and it felt like I was walking on glass," she said.
Ms Gleeson said seeing her friend continuing when she was in obvious pain was inspirational.
"We might think we're having the worst day or have the worst life but there's always someone worse off. We have to appreciate what we've got, like feet to walk up a mountain," she said.
One of the moments that affected the girls the most was the last stop at Bomana Cemetery at Port Moresby where they walked through the graves before taking a break for lunch. Bomana is the largest military cemetery in the Pacific, containing the graves of 3779 Australian soldiers.
"Most of the gravestones were for 17, 18, 19 year olds. They were young adults," Ms Parker said.
"We mostly sat in silence. We didn't speak to anyone, didn't make eye contact. We just sat on the hill in a line and reflected. I think it was one of the most important hours in my adult life," Ms Gleeson said.
During the trek, the group had to choose one thing they would "stick" with and one thing they would "leaf" behind.
For Ms Gleeson, she left behind her anxiety over the simple things and brought back the belief that every mountain has a top.
"You're always going to get to the top of the mountain. It might take two hours or 12 months but if you keep going you'll get there," she said.
Ms Parker said she left behind her ignorance in the Kokoda reality and a lack of confidence in herself.
