Can I Do It On My Own?

[Tegs]

Hi,

I am very committed to being in kokoda on Anzac day next year however my brother who was supposed to come with me looks like pulling out! I'm a 25 year female and pretty cofident and self reliant but would like to know more about safety and if this is someone I should be doing with someone else.

Also how many people are in a normal group on a trek? The trek I want seems to be filling up quickly and I don't want to miss out.

[Mrs Moo]

Hi Tegs

Provided you are trekking with a reputable company (eg KTL) and staying at a reputable hotel with transfers (we stayed at the Gateway and they were very good), I can't see any reason for you not to travel alone. In PNG you will need to be very security conscious, and not leave the airport building unless with the hotel busdriver. Security at the Gateway Hotel was excellent, with guards patrolling the hotel and grounds at all times.

It is such a wonderful experience, you would not want to miss out.

Moo

[Geoff Hardie]

Hi Tegs,

What is the optimum group size? Our group of 21 was about the maximum I would consider comfortable. I certainly would not like to be with a group of 50 plus which I know is common with some trekking companies. We passed one group in excess of 100 including support Porters etc. Groups of this size put far too much pressure on the available camp sites along the Track. I am certain KTL are very mindfull of this issue and many other factors and make a point of restricting the numbers on each of their treks.
It was not my pleasure to trek with KTL as our crossing was arranged through another company by our organisors .
Nevertheless, as a frequent contributor to, and reader of this Forum for nearly 12 months, it is very clear to me that all who trek with KTL, are extremely pleased with their choice.
It is indeed unfortunate if your brother decides to pull out however I am sure you will still thoroughly enjoy the experience should you still decide to go.

Cheers, Geoff Hardie

[Boss Meri]

Hi Tegs, even with Anzac treks we cut off at no more than 20. Any more than that puts too much of a strain on campsites and our KTL staff. Besides more staff get work and we have a lot less hassles as its easier to manage a pick up of a smaller group in April compared to a large group due to the road conditions in and out of Owers' Corner. We also stagger our Anzac treks so that they start in different days in both directions. We also offer Anzac Morning at Isurava; Kokoda or Bomana and plan trips to co-incide with any one of these three venues.

[Tegs]

Thank you for your quick responses, it has helped put my mind at ease. Hopefully I will be booking in, in the next couple of weeks and hopefully with my brother!

[Waza]

Hi Tegs, hope you are still reading the KTL Website.

I can only agree with the advice offered by Gail, Mrs Moo and Geoff and add my own as well.

It is a shame if your Brother can't make it, but please don't let that deter you from going, it could well be a life changing experience for you. You could also request other female Trekkers to trek with you on via this Website and you could end up with 2 or 3 other girls to trek with and share accommodation expenses at the Gateway and you will feel a little more safer this way as well.

Trekking with KTL and with a small group would be your best option, I would think, but talk more with Gail, or ask questions here and if you do decide to go, I can email you a list of items that I took, which shows the weight of each item, which gives you an idea of what you need to take.

Hope to here from you.

All the Best

Warren (Waza – Trek 83)

[Tegs]

Hi Waza,

Thanks for the feedback, good news, my brother has decided to come and we are booked for April. It is a bit of a relief for safety reason's but also it gives me someone to train with.

I would love some help with exactly what to take, I'm trying to get as much advice as possible and to be as prepared as possible, my big concern right now is training, I'm really worried that I won't be fit enough.

How did you go about being prepared?

[Geoff Hardie]

Hi Tegs,

You have ample time available between now and your departure to comprehensively prepare yourself. The better you prepare the experience will be all the more enjoyable.
For comprehensive preparation advice you only have to read through the excellent numerous articles on this forum under General Discussions and Track Preparation.
If you happen to reside in Victoria, Eastern Metro area, I can offer suggestions on excellent prepartion training tracks to consider. Ideally you should seek out the steepest bush tracks and train regularly, up and down.
Best wishes with your preparation.
Geoff Hardie

[Author]

Posts