- This topic has 14,450 voices and 19 replies.
- Posts
Serious Injuries or Just Can’t Go On.
The Chief Guide has a two way radio and is always in daily radio contact with KTL at Port Moresby or Kokoda. If someone gets seriously injured or simply just can’t go on, they are very lucky, because they are in some of the best hands anywhere. The porters are the grandsons of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.
They will get you to safety in the shortest possible time. This will probably mean building a stretcher and carrying you to a clearing where a helicopter will lift you to Port Moresby.
Mosquitos and Malaria.
On the trek, our experience was as follows; Each night after washing in the stream, we put on long trousers (track suit bottoms), and a long sleeve shirt. We put some insect repellent on any skin that was still exposed, and that was it. In the morning (or afternoon for some) we took our malaria pills. And that was it.
Water
The water you drink will be from the mountain streams. When you need water, tell your porter and he will fill your water bottles from ‘the right place’. You then just add your water purifying pill and maybe some Gatorade / Power Aid etc.
Honestly, I don’t think you really need the water purifying tablets or Gator Aid.
The water is beautifully fresh and pure.
But
Getting dysentery or ‘the runs’ is not fun, so the water purifying tablets are a pretty good idea, although they do make the water taste funny – which is where the Gator Aid comes in handy.
Finally.
This is probably the hardest thing to write, but here goes.
Whether you are walking the Track with World War Two in the front of your mind, or walking it as an adventure, or walking it as a corporate team building exercise, walking the Kokoda Track is an emotional experience.
It is a Rite of Passage
You will discover things about yourself and others that only an experience of this type can reveal.
In some small way, you will be saying ‘Thank You” to the Aussie Soldiers and Papua New Guinea Porters who suffered on the track. They suffered so that Australia would be the great place it is today.
You will be a better person for walking the track.
Allan, on behalf of Kokoda Trekking and everyone who will read this article, THANK YOU for taking the time to write it and to share it with not only our clients but others walking with other companies who may read your suggestion list.
To any of our ex trekkers, if you too would like to share your experience, please email me like Allan with your contribution to what makes a GREAT TREK! and helps to take the worry out of your preparation.
To anyone who would like to write a journal about their trek, whether you are a journalist or not, we would love to hear from you!
Photographs of Trek 390 to share with you. Allan is the guy in the yellow shirt in the photographs below – or in his words, the bloke with the huge smile on his face as he was just so happy to have completed the trek:
Allan_Bradley_4.jpg
Allan_Bradley_5.jpg
Alan_Bradley_2.jpgI had read quite a lot of books regarding the Battles fought along the Kokoda Track. There is plenty of evidence still remaining of the battle, including fox holes and pieces of equipment. There is even the wreckage of a B 25 Mitchell bomber with an unexploded 500 pound bomb next to it.
All I can say is "What fantastic advice provided by Gail!"
Gail has been so involved with the Kokoda Track, the History, her staff, her community imput, her business parteners, especially Russell, her Sons, Nathan & Shane over so many years that her advice is just so solid and would be trekkers should just print this out and adhere to it, it is GOLD.
regards
Waza
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.