Trek the Kokoda Trail Travel Blog

Archive for the ‘Getting fit for Kokoda’ Category

Our trekkers health and safety are a major concern for us all. The Track is a remote location and if any problems are encountered along the Track it is essential that we have systems in place to handle any emergency situation.

The most important requirement is that our trek leaders have ready access to outside assistance should it be required.  Just a quick call on the satellite phone will put the Leader in contact with a Doctor back here in Australia and if there is a real medical emergency,  systems are in place to arrange for a helicopter evacuation.

From the moment one of our trekking teams departs Australia, our back up emergency operations  plan comes in to play.  24 hours a day, our operations managers  in Australia and in Port Moresby carry with them  mobile phones  linked through to our Trek leader’s satellite phone on the Track. If a call is received at any time the Operations manager carries with him a complete list of all the details of each trekker from their insurance details right through to their emergency contacts.  From back in Australia the Ops manager is therefore able to  assist the Trek leader in any emergency situation.

We are often asked how fit you have to be to trek the Kokoda Trck. The answer – the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the Kokoda Track. Trekking the Kokoda Track is tough and physically and mentally challenging. Your personal training programme starts as soon as you book your trek and you need to make fitness preparation part of your lifestyle.

The Kokoda Track is tough – You will need this ingredient more than any other for the trek. In your preparation, be tough on yourself. Set your training goals and stick to them. If it means getting up earlier to train, then do it. If it means dieting, cutting back on alcohol, coffee etc, then do it. If it means forfeiting social engagements, then do it. Don’t compromise with yourself under any circumstances. Every additional step you take and every sacrifice you make will pay incredible dividends for you somewhere on the Track.

Trekking the Kokoda Track requires mental preparation – Travelling in a remote, underdeveloped country like Papua New Guinea requires patience, flexibility and a positive attitude. The local people have a more relaxed, easy-going attitude to life than most Westerners. You may have to wait longer for service in a shop, hotel or restaurant than you would expect to back home. We don’t look upon these things as problems, merely facts of life in PNG. If you are open-minded, relaxed and strive to be happy, your travels will be rewarding and unforgettable.

We have created a few videos with tips for getting fit for trekking the Kokoda Track. Have a look at our Fitness on the Kokdoa Track page or visit our You Tube channel: youtube.com/trekkokoda

Trekking the Kokoda Track is tough and physically and mentally challenging. The fitter you are the more you will enjoy the Kokoda Track. Your personal training programme starts as soon as you book. If you book a Kokoda Trail trek with Back Track a detailed, simple to follow Training Schedule is provided in your Confirmation Kit that will illustrate how to start your own personal walking training programme wherever you live.

Back Track has also created a series of short videos giving you some basic tips to help with your fitness preparation. Visit our Fitness on the Kokoda Track page on our Kokoda website for more information. We are always adding new videos so keep checking back to help with your Kokoda Track fitness preparation. Or visit our YouTube website >

Unless the Gods smile on us I think it is very safe to say that we will get rained upon (possibly heavy every day) considering that it is late April and the rain is still usually hanging about. Some tips:

1. Consider bringing 2 extra pairs of socks.
2. Clean and water proof your boots again in Australia just before departure.
3. Consider placing your socks in individual sandwich bags.
4. Bring at least 2 spare large garbage bags (useful for sorting wet clothing)
5. Ensure you have items sorted into plastic bags inside your pack.
6. Many trekkers wear ponchos (recommended) as their preferred raincoat. A poncho has the added bonus of covering your day pack as well. If you are carrying your own large rucksack make sure you have a large enough pack cover. If you have hired a rucksack from us for your personal porter, this pack will come with a cover. Some trekkers prefer to walk in the rain without a poncho. If you have a day pack consider having a pack cover for it as well. Read the rest of this entry »

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.