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After attempting the trek in 2006 and my husband being airlifted off due to illness, we realised this year that Kokoda was 'unfinished business'. We are in our late 40's with 3 grown kids and work fulltime so training was at times, inconvenient. We stuck at it, had a training schedule and having the advantage of spending 3 days on the track last year, we knew what was ahead of us. This year we included a lot of stair training and it really made the difference. We both went with very strong leg muscles and knees, you will struggle if don't work on getting the leg strengh for climbing.
So early August, trek 340 with Kokoda Trekking, we started at Kokoda. By the end of the first day we knew we were going to make it. We were with 6 other trekkers, 5 were our age and 1 was a 22 year old German backpacker who had wanted to see rain forests. He'd seen more than enough by day 4! Thankfully we were all of similar fitness level and once we started in the mornings, we didn't stop until the trek leader rested us for morning tea and lunch. All of us completed the trek with very few problems at all, no sickness, no serious injury and absolutely loved the experience.
Being the only female in our group made no difference at all. I was not the slowest trekker and was not the last to be ready in the mornings!! We had a wonderful trek leader who briefed us each night on the following days schedule, we got the map out and worked out exactly what was ahead of us.
Knowing what to expect keeps you focussed, and at no time did we ever question why we were there. When we finished at Owers Corner, everyone cried including some of the porters and the trek leader David. We sang both the Australian National Anthem and the PNG Anthem 3 times while trekking, at Isurava, Brigade Hill and at Owers. It was very moving for all of us and we were fortunate to have a trek leader with considerable knowledge of the battles fought in 1942.
For anyone thinking of doing the trek, stop thinking and get up and start training. We have been home 3 weeks and Kokoda seems like such a long time ago and I miss everything about it – the people, the challenge and just being there. I now know why people do the trek more than once.
Rather than writing about everything we did, everything we took and what we should have left home, I will check the forum regularly and happy to answer any questions anyone has.
Donna
IMGP4512__Small_.JPGwonderful to hear you guys made it this time and all was well, sounds sooooooo exciting and am full of anticipation for my trek in early october. well done and congratulations
austin
Actually I'm happy to say we were all up bright and early each morning with a spring in our step. We had generally starting walking by at least 7am some days earlier, meant we finished the day earlier which was great for recovery. Our trek leader had us tackle some of the big climbs early in the morning when it was cooler and we were fresher, and it worked, we all made it to the end successfully.
DonnaHi Donna – quick question.
How long prior to the trek did the chaps at Kokodatrekking get in contact and let you know the when where and how of getting you on the trak? Mines in two and a half weeks and I am a little in the dark.
We didn't actually hear from Gail prior to leaving, other than me emailing with general questions. Not sure what hotel you're staying at but I think Gail generally has a briefing at the Gateway (where we stayed) at 6pm the night before the trek starts. We probably left it a bit late, only phoning Gail once we were in Moresby to find out the meeting details. If she doesn't reply on this forum, send her an email just to confirm. At the briefing everything is explained in detail including pick up times for the following day.
Any other questions, I'll keep checking the forum….good luck I'm sure you'll love it. A month on for us, and Neil and I feel like different people. I think knowing that we have tackled one of the most difficult treks in the world, and survived, has an amazing effect on everything else you do. We hold so much appreciation for the soldiers who fought there and what they gave up for future generations. You will have heard it before but its definitely more than just a trek.
Look forward to hearing your story.Donna
Hi
Our days went like this:
Up every morning by 5:45am, pack away all the gear, have breakfast and be ready to leave camp by 7am. Stop for morning tea (usually 30mins) at about 9:00. Lunch stop about 11:30-12 (about 45mins) then trek until about 2:30-3:30 which was the end of the day. We all had the attitude that we would complete each section non stop…meant that we got to camp earlier so plenty of rest time in the arvo. Worked perfectly for us and none of us were super fit, had done a lot of endurance training though which really helped being able to trek for 2-3 hours at a time.
Finishing early in the day was great, time for a wash, some afternoon tea and even a nap if we felt like it. Dinner was always about 5:30 so by 7pm we were either sitting around the campfire or resting and reading. Having at least 10 hours sleep each night really gave us plenty of rest time and we felt recuiperated.
DonnaHi Donna & Co. Glad you guys made it all the way this time. We met you at the Gateway on the day you were about to start the trek you have now completed; we were about to fly out of PNG the same day.
I was in KTL trek 303 with my son, his girlfirend & another friend of their's. As the only trekker in my group over 50yrs I felt I earned my title "Lapun Mama" (Pidgin for Grandma). I trained for 12mths prior to the trip, but still the heat is a killer for Victorian's, but you do get used to it. Trekking poles are a must as is good blister prevention.
After the Trek we spent another 3wks in PNG & would encourage others to do the same.
I have family friends visiting in a couple of weeks as they're planning to walk the Kokoda Track next year & are doing their research – will definately direct then to KTL & this forum.
I plan to do it again probably 2009 & plan to walk in the opposite direction from last time & then continue up to Popondetta & check out some other site up there – run out of time to do it all last time.
Footnote: Lapun Mama has just booked again for August 2008 on a trek to put something back to Kokoda by way of a donation of $500 to the Kokoda Primary School.
http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/schedule.html#40
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