Goal 2010,

I'm a 27 year old female and I did Kokoda alone in August this year. I had originally planned to do it with my brother but like your Dad, he had to undergo a knee reconstruction. I wasn't sure if I could do it by myself, and like you, I was worried about not having someone there to lean on, someone who knows you. Everyone said to me "Don't worry, you'll make friends, you're not really alone etc etc" and while that's true, I did make great friends with my group and our trek leader and especially my porter, at the end of the day you're still alone. I envied the people there with their partners and family members and best friends. Even surrounded by the most amazing, friendly, welcoming group of people, in some ways it was pretty lonely, it forces you to REALLY step out of your comfort zone even more (as if walking the Kokoda Track isn't ENOUGH to step out of your comfort zone!).

In the end, going alone added a special layer to my experience, that only people who do it by themselves can understand. And I wouldn't have done it any other way. I walked Kokoda alone, and because of that, I know I can do ANYTHING. For the rest of my life, I never have to be worried or nervous about the unknown, I know I can face any challenge, because I walked Kokoda by myself. How can anything be more difficult, more physically challenging and mentally hardening?

You can do it.