Age A Barrier?

[AreWeThereYet]

Hi…

A group of us – (female) 50 + – are intending to do the track April 2009… We are a group with a varying range of trekking experience – I am possibly the least experienced – but have recently had my first ever trekking, camping, tenting, widerness experience in Tasmania (Walls of Jerusalem/Cradle Mountain) and absolutely loved it…. The mental challenges were more difficult than the physical which suprised me as I was far more worried about the physical. I realise that the Kokoda is a completely different and more difficult trek.

I have been looking at the great photo gallery available on this site which has inspired and scared me at the same time.

Basically, I am scared but up for the challenge and just wonder if there is anyone else out there who felt the same – and would like to know what their experience was like.

[dcorker]

Hi
My husband and I completed the trek Aug 07, he is 49 I'm 47 and like you had very little trekking experience. I was also very daunted at the prospect of Kokoda as it is considered one of the hardest treks in the world. The biggest challenge was definitely the mental challenge of attempting something as difficult as Kokoda. We trained regularly to make sure we were physically fit and as a female, its very important you have strong legs and thigh muscles. We did a large amount of stairs every week which gave me the leg strength I needed.
I was the only female in our group but honestly that didn't make the slightest bit of difference. We had a terrific group of people who had a very positive frame of mind that we were all going to finish. Whenever any of us became negative at all about the more difficult climbs, we would quickly point out that we were all fit enough to do this. Basicly the saying that you can do anything you set your mind to really applies in Kokoda. It was sometimes just one foot after the other, slow and steady but we all made it home with no injuries and no illness.
It truly was the most amazing experience so don't let any negative thoughts you may have stop you from attempting this. Get yourself fit and strong, train with a backpack and just keep saying to yourself that you can do this – age is not a problem. We saw people in their 20's on medivac flights off the track due to perhaps believing they could do it with little training…trust me you can't. Our group consisted of 7 people aged 45 – 53 and 1 22yo backpacker. At times, us 'oldies' were urging on the young 22yo!
If you would like any more info or photos, more than happy to help. My email is dc25660@hotmail.com
Donna

[Brian]

Hi Donna

Found your post most interesting and encouraging I have booked to go on trek 435 and be on the track for my 70th birthday in September unfortunately my wife Maureen can no longer do longer walks a few years back she would have been there with me, I do though have her full support and encouragement to go.

Tried to get family and freinds to come with me but all of a sudden everyone appears to be very busy and have too much on about that time ha ha.

I meet Wallace a KTL Guide when he was down here with Gail and I am hoping that he will be my guide when I go otherwise I will know no one but I am sure I will make some great new freinds whilst trekking with them.

Thanks again for your post.
Brian

[Geoff Hardie]

Hi All
Being all of mature age, I believe this gives us all the ability to recognise the physical challenge of Kokoda and the sense to prepare properly. "Are we there yet",you certainly have "ticked all boxes" so far.
Myself, at age 61, with an extensive background in hiking, 6 months before ,I too was extremely nervous of the challenge. Being very conservative and cautious by nature, If it had not been for the encouragement of my two adult sons I probably would not have participated in our crossing in August 07. I will be forever indebted to my sons for their encouragement. My trek with them and fellow direct descendents of the 39th & 2/14th Battalion Diggers was very special and the overall emotion made the physical aspects quickly forgotten
In our training we were fortunate to have been introduced to Ross Clover who materially assisted Bill James in the prepartion of his Field guide to Kokoda. Ross was also preparing to yet again walk the Track and escort his own group one month earlier. The knowlege Ross gave our group during our walks, was invaluable. It was interesting that many groups who we crossed paths with on our training walks were also preparing for Kokoda. Ross was most obliging in offering his vast knowlege to these groups as well.
I discovered the KTL Forum very late in our own preparation. The valuable info available from this forum very much duplicates the info we were able to obtain from Ross.
Cheers and best wishes to all in their preparation for Kokoda.
Geoff Hardie

[AreWeThereYet]

Thanks for responding… scarey (but exciting) – can't wait to book and finalise dates…. I have been looking (quite fondly) at some pine log fences around the local primary school to practice my log creek crossings on (my biggest fear)…

[Geoff Hardie]

Hi.
No need to fear the water crossings, Your Porter , I am sure, will give you all the assistance and assurance you need. The agility and overall ability of these guys is truely amazing.

Cheers again,

Geoff Hardie

[Mrs Moo]

I chuckled when I read about your log practice – I had the same fear, and can now walk all the way around our park without putting a foot on the ground. It was interesting first time I tried it with a pack.

I identify with your apprehensions, as I am 55 and trekking in August, but I feel confident I will drag myself over the track because I hate to be seen as a quitter.

Sounds like you are putting in the effort to get yourself "seasoned" to hiking and camping, so you will be fine I'm sure. It seems to me that women in their 50's can do so much – our entire bushwalking club is made up of middle-aged people who are so fit it's scarey.

Happy Trekking. Just do it!

[Boss Meri]

Recently I received a copy of a study into trekkers' needs on the Kokoda Track which contained such information as to the average age of trekkers who walk the track. You might all be surprised at the findings:

Results:

The sample population of Kokoda tourists, tended to be male, middle to older aged, university educated and in full-time, paid employment. These socio-demographic results are judged to be representative of the population as they are comparable to those obtained in the pilot study. The age of the Kokoda tourist is consistent with North American ecotourist studies (2001) but much older than trekkers studied in Thailand, Nepal and Portugal. This suggests that the Kokoda tourist is more than just a trekker.

Age:

• 18-24 – 2.2%
• 25-34 – 13.4%
• 35-44 – 28.4%
• 45-54 – 36.6%
• 55-64 – 17.9%
• 65 or older – 1.5%

Gender:

Male – 74.1%
Female – 25.9%

Education:

• Below year 10 – 0.8%
• Year 10 – 9.0%
• Year 12 – 9.8%
• Trade Certificate – 7.5%
• TAFE Certificate – 17.3%
• University Degree – 35.3%
• University masters/PHD – 20.3%

Employment status:

• Home or family duties – 2.3%
• Student – 1.5%
• Full-time paid work – 73.7%
• Part-time/casual paid work – 6.0%
• Retired, not looking for work – 4.5%
• Volunteer work – 0.8%
• Other – 11.3%

One for Brian…..

Trip Profile:

Generally ecotourism studies have found that party composition is small with none or one travelling companion. The results of this study found that just under half (42.3%) of the sample travelled alone or with one other and is similar figure to heritage tourists. The median number of travelling companions of the Kokoda tourist is 2 with the response ranging from none to 30.

[Pam]

No age is not a barrier. I recently completed the "walk" with a group of 5 female friends. The youngest was a smidge shy of 40 and I was the senior at 56. Walking the Kokoda track is the greatest thing I have ever done. It may have been the first time but will not be the last.

Being prepared is essential. Having said that the physical and mental part were difficult but the emotional side was way harder than any of us expected. We have been back just over a month and all are finding it difficult to settle back into the lives we had before Kokoda.

Oh well, that means keeping up the fitness and training and walking back the other way in two years time.

[Author]

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