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Brian and Geoff
you both raise very good points. I have discussed the issue of group size in this forum before and the main reason behind Charlie Lynn's group size is that the intention is for a platoon size group(traditionally 30 plus )…what is the obvious benefit of this…..none that is apparent to other trekking groups. However Charlie is well known for getting groups to do activities in section group sizes…carrying extra supplies for villages etc. A bit like the company team building exercises that are prevalent in the corporate world. Do I think groups (70-100) of that size are inappropriate …yes I do…..I have passed Charlies groups in the opposite direction and the long line continued and continued and continued….One of the problems with large group sizes is the availability of fresh food. Especially if you happen to be in a group that is a day behind a larger group. To give Charlie his dues, he does do alot for the Track both in PNG and Australia. And from my last count he had done the track himself 52+ times (this number may be higher now). I suppose the answer is for the Kokoda Track Authority to introduce guidelines which may involve restricting group sizes. In this discussion it would be interesting to find out if villages along the track are becoming dependent on the trekking groups.Why have the number of trekkers from Australia dropped?
I don't really buy (pardon the pun) the GFC argument. Unemployment is still low, and notwithstanding the hits to older people's super in particular most people have more disposable income because of reduced mortgage payments. Aussies are travelling in record numbers: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/austral…6-1225795172869.
So what has changed? I can only put my finger on the walking deaths this year and the plane crash. I would guess at the walking deaths on the track as having the greater impact. People have realised it is no cakewalk.
Many of the Great Walk tracks in Australia limit the number of people allowed on the track in one day. The Jatbula track in NT only allows groups of 10 on the track each day. The new one at Carnarvon Gorge is only going to allow 6 people per day on the track.
I know this is not feasible in PNG with the number of different operators running treks, but I agree that the KTA should consider restricting trek sizes to manageable numbers, eg 25 max including porters.
I can't imagine what it must be like in camp competing with 100 others for the loo! We had eight trekkers plus porters, and that was a really good size.
Mary
Hi Peter,
Yes we did it this June just gone. It is a fantastic walk, as each night you get to camp beside pristine waterholes with rapids and waterfalls…wonderful.We had to carry all of our rations for 6 days because there is little or no access to most of the track. As a result we carried 20kg packs. Two people slipped in creeks on different days – one broke her ankle and was taken out by 4WD. The other broke her pelvis and was airlifted out by chopper.
Don't let me discourage you – just letting you know the dangers we faced when crossing rocky creeks with heavy packs. I suspect you are far more experienced than I, and probably already knew this!
The country is pretty flat, so it is not a hard slog like Kokoda. I really enjoyed it though.
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