Trek the Kokoda Trail Travel Blog

Archive for March, 2010

The Australian Government is providing another $3 million to improve safety along the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.

Environment Minister Peter Garrett says the money will be spent on several projects including improved navigation for flights in and out of Kokoda.

It will also provide for upgrades of roads and the Kokoda airstrip, as well as first aid training.

Earlier this month the Government spent $250,000 to improve the road that leads to the Kokoda Track.

Work on the safety upgrades began after 13 people, including nine Australians, were killed in a plane crash near Kokoda last August.

Back Track are excited to share details about out own ground crew in PNG. In addition to your Trek Leader (from Australia), our Head Guide and Trekking Crew are an essential part of every Team trekking the Kokoda Track.  All your Trek Crew will come from the villages along the Kokoda Track. You will on occassions meet their families,( wife, brother, sister etc),  as you pass through or stop in their home villages during the trek.   They are the direct family of the original Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.

Each  Team is guided over the Kokoda Track by a Head Guide. His expertise and experience and leadership qualities has earned him the role as  Head Guide.  He supervises  and is responsible for all the Trekking Crew and  Trekkers Personal Porters.  He appoints the various crew members to the daily roles of  Lead man , lunch site set up team and evening camp set up team. He will also oversea the crew attending to all meal preparation and acts as the liason between the  Trekking Crew and the Trek Leader.

Pic above: (left) Andy Ovoru, a respected Naduri Village leader and 2010 Head Guide with (right) Nick Huleva,  BTA Operations Mgr based in Port Moresby but from Naduri Village

Trekking Crew

There is a ratio of 1:1 trekking crew to trekkers and trek leader. The Trekking Crew carry food, mess equipment, tents and other camping equipment. They also watch out for all trekkers during the course of the days walk. During each days walk, they will assist at river and creek crossings and especially on difficult sections of trail and generally look after the welfare of all trekkers at all times.

Tips for training for up-hill trekking and walking. Walk only as fast as you can comfortably breathe and keep your eye on the trail in front of you. Walk to protect your knees… watch this video to see how.

Visit our You Tube channel for more videos about fitness and gear for trekking the Kokoda Track.

Tips for training for down-hill trekking and walking. Keep your eye on the trail in front of you and walk to protect your knees. Watch this video to see how.

Visit our You Tube channel for more videos about fitness and gear for trekking the Kokoda Track.

Tips for training for up-hill and down-hill trekking and walking. Walk only as fast as you can comfortably breathe and keep your eye on the trail in front of you. Walk to protect your knees… watch this video to see how.

Visit our You Tube channel for more videos about fitness and gear for trekking the Kokoda Track.