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Hi all, I am new to this site and the Kokoda trail. Learned a bit about it in school (many years ago), and would like to do the trail someday.
Can anyone give me some idea of the minimum fitness level needed to do the trail?
I am by no means a marathon runner or regular hiker, but am really interested in doing the trail.
I am currently reading the book "A bastard of a place" brings tears to my eyes, both emotionally and painfully over what these diggers went through especially the blokes in Maroubra force!anyway hope to hear from someone
cheersGreg
Hi Greg,
Welcome to our forum!
I've never walked on the trail myself, but from what I hear you would need to be fit, i.e. it involves walking for about 4 hours every day up and down hills. Most people train themselves several months before doing the trek.. just walk with a small backpacks + drink in the bag etc.
I hope someone else who has done it would be able to tell you more about this.
Cheers
Hi Greg
I have done the trek September last year. I had stepped in at the last minute for Richard Thompson in the Steve Ovett trek. I don't think you have to be "superfit" to do the trek.
It was my first time on trek and I had had a last minute training – at least three weeks prior to the trekking. I had exercised daily with walks, sometimes running, walking up and down the hill and getting on the exercise. I have done this at least four hours each day. I took my training very very seriously.
I was working so I had two hours training in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. I am a mere 5'2" and weigh around 50kg but I did okay on the trek.
I also suggest you go hiking up a steep hill just to get rid of the nervousness or fear you might encounter on your first climb and also get the feel of what it is really like.
I hope this helps and you're welcomed to ask anymore questions if you are not sure or in doubt.
Regards
AlisonHi Allison
Was interested in your advise of fitness levels required to do the track I am 45 and recently climbed Mt Barney in SE Qld (8.5 hour walk & is rated one of the longest & hardest treks in QLD & I was totally gone by the end of the day) What i am wondering is how hard is each day on the trail ?
I train a minimum of 3 times a week, walking hills around the area i work in Bris with pack for approx 1 hr 20 min, will cycle on w/ends for 20 – 30 klm & also a walk on w/end climbing a local 700 mtr mountain 2 to 3 times.
Basically am trying to find out am i doing enough (we depart on 3rd july)
Cheers
Anzac
Hello Greg
Lots of walking up & down steep hills with 20kgs in a back pack worked well for me. I did minimum two hours a day most days and up to four hours on the weekends for five weeks prior to the trek. I found on the trek my body coped well. It is important to make sure your boots are well worn in.
Hi Greg,
Having done the trek September last year the best advise I can give is get very familiar with a stepping machine or walking up hills. Good luck.
QUOTEHi AllisonWas interested in your advise of fitness levels required to do the track I am 45 and recently climbed Mt Barney in SE Qld (8.5 hour walk & is rated one of the longest & hardest treks in QLD & I was totally gone by the end of the day) What i am wondering is how hard is each day on the trail ?
I train a minimum of 3 times a week, walking hills around the area i work in Bris with pack for approx 1 hr 20 min, will cycle on w/ends for 20 – 30 klm & also a walk on w/end climbing a local 700 mtr mountain 2 to 3 times.
Basically am trying to find out am i doing enough (we depart on 3rd july)
Cheers
Anzac
Hi Anzac
Judging by the hours of training you have and especially the different types of fitness you undertake (esp, mountain climbing) I can say that you are heading the right way. If you can endure those types of fitness level then you are in for Kokoda.
How hard is the trail each day?
It depends on the number of days you are trekking. If you are doing the trek in nine days the average trekking hours would be around 4 hours each day. I did it in nine days – In that way I had enough time to recover and get ready for the next day. In some places it is quiet tough though, but it doesn't really matter if you know you have undergone some fitness level. Each individual may have their own views on this but I think you have to have confidence in yourself – that you can do it – a part of that confidence comes from training.
Go for it!
cheers
alison
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