A Lesson Was Learnt By A Lone Trekker!

[aussie]

Kokoda – Outdoor Australia did indeed do a story (as noted in a previous post) on the Kokoda in the April/May issue and after it appeared we (I'm the editor) received an interesting letter that was published in the June/July issue from a person who attempted the Kokoda with a "budget" guide and ended up in deep s..t. I also corresponded with this person. To cut a long story short he was chased
by some bad guys on the Kokoda, his "guide" (not registered) was next to useless and deserted him and he was given up for dead by the UK High Commission (he was a pommy living in Australia at the time).

Lucas Trihey
Editor – Outdoor Australia
postal – PO Box 1014, Haymarket, NSW 1240
courier – Level 5, 187 Thomas Street, Haymarket, NSW 2000
web site – http://www.outdooraustralia.com

Here's the full text of the letter to the Lucas Trihey – Editor of Outdoor Australia
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Message from a trekker who sent a letter to Outdoor Australia, refer below:

While flying back from Papua, I read with much interest your article on the Kokoda Trail. Unfortunately my experience of the trail was less positive as I had to be air lifted to safety. As a lone traveller I was obviously a target for the Raskols, who followed me onto the trail. I want to highlight the dangers of Papua to any of your readers who may read the article but still choose not to use one of the organisations listed. I would strongly suggest that no trekker, however experienced, starts the trail alone or with an unregistered guide. I was fully equipped with camping equipment and a satellite phone, which actually saved my life, due to being able to call for help. Nothing could have prepared me for a group of men following me into the jungle with guns, if I had of been with a group this may not have happened.I understand from the British High Commission that they thought they were looking for my body at one stage. Although shaken by the
experience, it has not stopped me wanting to go back to this beautiful country and as soon as fund allow I plan to return to explore further.
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[aussie]

Hi everyone, I came across this article through a search on Google and thought I would post it here for the people who still think they can do IT ALONE!

Please THINK AGAIN! I am not here trying to get more people to join with us, our trekking group, you can join any trekking company you like, but PLEASE DO!

It is important to us also, as messages like this in the market place do no-one any good.

Our guide was recently in the Tourism Promotion Office in Port Moresby when two German Backpackers walked in asking for a trek pass. Someone had the good sense to ask if they had a guide to which they replied NO.

Russel, a veteran of close on 140 treks to his credit was shocked and tried to talk some sense into this couple.

They were really hard headed and said they could not afford a guide etc……the article above shows you exactly what happens if you do it alone.

Russel ended up talking some sense into this couple and went out himself and found someone who he could trust to travel with them on the Kokoda Trail.

Not only is there safety in numbers, but there is also safety in the people you pick as your guide and porter. Nationals like Russel know it is the way they make their living and they too need to keep YOU ALL SAFE!

PLEASE, PLEASE listen to what guys like Russel have to say. In this instance he had nothing to gain coz he could not have done the trek as he was himself heading out with a group the following day. He simply wanted to help.

Bear in mind also, that airlifts are not cheap, this bloke would have spent more on the airlift than hiring a group of people to trek with him….food for thought!

[aussie]

Also heard last week from good sources that a lone woman traveller looked up the internet and picked the cheapest package available.

She arrived here in PNG and headed out on the Kokoda Trail.

Turns out she got sick along the way and the guide and porters took off and left her there stranded in the bush with no way to get help.

So please be AWARE, the Kokoda Trail is not a bush track where you can take risks.

Make sure you are with a recognised tour group and they will make sure they get you home either by foot or airlifted out.

Please also take the time to cover yourselves for medical insurance cover as if you are ever needed to be airlifted off the trail, then the cost is quite large and compared to around $60 – $80 Australian insurance cover cost, is cheap by comparison.

Depending on where you are on the kokoda trail, it can cost anywhere up to K5000. In some places aircraft cant land such as Menari and the only way out is by Helicopter.

I have spoken to Bradley Bailey who handles all the medevac requests for his company and in his opinion also, this is a must. You should also pass on this information to your tour operator so they can access in an emergency as things do not move very quickly here in PNG.

Also, for all overseas travellers, please make sure you have a current Australian entry visa stamped in your passport in the case you have to be airlifted to Australia.

I asked Brad to recommend an insurance company and this is what he said:

quote:

We hear the best travel insurance deals including Medevac are thru AXA and it's assistance Company "Worldcare" you may want to contact Elizabeth Teeland at world care Aust on assist@worldcare.com.au or 07-3371 0144

Regards
Brad Bailey

unquote:

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