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It is most disappointing to read of the latest two trekkers who were unable to complete their trek. One can only imagine the anquish both would have gone through in deciding to call it a day on their objective to complete the Kokoda crossing.
Many will no doubt think with my following comments are insensitive however I feel strongly that they need to be said.
As stated frequently, trekking Kokoda is "not a walk in the park". Before deciciding to trek Kokoda, anyone in excess of 50 years of age must take a good hard look at themselves, particularly if of excessive Body Mass Index (BMI) and with pre existing ankle,knee and hip injuries. At age 60 and 18 months out from my crossing in August 2007 this is exactly what I did. Even with a long history of regular indoor and outdoor rowing exercise of 10K plus per day I quickly decided I needed to reduce my BMI and incorporate serious outdoor trekking on tracks that best duplicated the conditions of Kokoda.
Our trekking company insisted on extensive medical reports from my doctor who simply, quite rightly, was not going to "rubber stamp" my own word on my preparation. I had to prove to him that I had completed a satisfactory preparation. It concerns me greatly to learn that when I meet people of my own age group preparing to walk Kokoda that their preparation consists mainly of "perhaps a 10k walk in the park at the weekend".
Intending trekkers need to heed the simple equation that excess BMI equals greater load carrying. e.g. 10kg excess body weight plus day pack of 12kg equals an excessive pack weight, particularly for Kokoda.
Cheers , Geoff Hardie
Geoff, I think when Brian reads this he will confirm what I informed him when we first met when he was considering walking Kokoda. At that time he needed to loose quite a bit before even attempting to walk.
Brian took the advice and from memory shed some 20kg and did lots of walking on bush treks leading up to his trek and even then he did it tough and was lucky to finish.
I met up with one of the trekkers who came off the track today and it turns out to be someone in his forties unless I guessed his age wrong. His problem was a crook knee due to AFL. He is going to have it looked at when he gets back home but yes is naturally disappointed.
As for John in the other trek, he flew in to Kokoda and is resting there having wanted to wait for his wife who arrived at Orohaven Kokoda Retreat this afternoon. I guess they both felt they had a taste of what it is like to walk the track but no doubt they both would have loved to have completed their trek.
Yes I did it tough walking Kokoda to celebrate my 70th birthday but before doing so I certainly went into extensive training where possible on rough and steep bush tracks, up and down the steep steps on Kangaroo Point Cliffs here in Brisbane and when not doing these working out in the gym. As Gail mentioned I did loose 20kgs before leaving. Whilst not rough like Kokoda I did set myself a goal to meet prior making the final payment this was to climb with a 10kg pack to the very top of Mt Warning and back 5 days in a row after my training this I did relatively easily.
I did also have a thorough medical including stress tests etc these I passed with flying colours.
Possibly the only reason that I had it tough trekking Kokoda was my own stupidity not looking where I was going and looking around whilst doing so, not taking the advice given to me by my porter Bredan Buka who told me at the start that if I want to look around stop first look around then walk again. On the fourth day out a had a nasty fall injuring quite badly my left leg which became very weak so that I was have real difficulty with it so much so that at one stage they were planning the possibility of lifting me out but with the help of my porter Brendan Buka, guide Wallace Lemeki and my shear determination I made it all the way.
I have a group of 6 friends who are trekking Kokoda in July next year they are really heeding my advice and am already undertaking serious training one of the ladies going is older than myself and is already showing me up when we go walking, providing there are no injuries I expect the entire group after all their training and preparation to trek the complete track.
I cannot impress enough no matter the age how essential training and preparation is and anyone not doing this and also going without a thorough medical needs their head read.
Saying all this I well know accidents do happen although the fitter you are like I was at the time the easier accidents are to handle.
Brian
I too have the utmost admiration for Brian and his achieviements which I have expressed to him via personal email.
Brian's own preparation for his Kokoda Trek clearly followed all the good advice available on this forum and is exactly the point I was making.
Obviously, for many who fail to complete their Trek, unfortunate accidents aside, their individual preparation would have been less than adequate. Proper preparation will also tell you whether pre existing injuries will fail you.
I know Ron Barrassi, the AFL legand and my boyhood idol, when he walked Kokoda he had cronic knee problems. It was his undoubted courage and determination which got him through. Not many however have this degree of G & D. Brian is clearly is an exception.Cheers, Geoff Hardie
Geoff, Ron walked with PNG Trekking but they sub contracted the track through us and the 2nd fastest man on the track Wayne Urina walked as his personal porter. Not wanting the world press on our doorsteps, I instructed Wayne to do whatever it took to get Ron home. I joked and said if he goes off the mountain you had better be one step behind him.
Wayne on arriving in Port Moresby remarked…Boss Meri that was a hard trek. I did what you asked and did everything expected of me. He went on to say that at one stage Ron said…good block Wayne; good tackle and so on.
Ron being the champion he is, was never about to be air lifted off the track but his knees played havoc with him according to Wayne but he walked off the track at Owers' Corner and his personal porter could not have been happier.
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