There’s been a bit of publicity lately over the amount of deaths that have been occurring on the Kokoda Trail in the last few weeks.
It seems there is an unusually high amount of casualties happening and really there should be no reason that any of these should be allowed to have happened.
You can read more about what is happening here but don’t you think it’s time for common sense to overrule political correctness?
If a person is obviously overweight that should automatically rule them out of a gruelling trek like the Kokoka Trail.
While I have never done this trek I do know one thing.
It is not a walk in the park and it definitely should not be treated as such.
Treating this walk the same as a ‘normal’ 96km walk is just asking for trouble.
You cannot simply walk around the local national park with a backpack for a few hours on the weekends and expect to be able to nail Kokoda.
I have read some books on the history of Kokoda and how it changes the lives of everyone who takes the journey is it really worth your own life because you aren’t ready for it?
It is a crazy 40 degree incline for basically the whole first day, according to reports, so that is automatically going to separate the fit from the not so fit right from the get go.
And then you add in the inclement weather and mud and it is not smooth sailing.
Sure there may be reckless tour companies that just want to boost their bottom dollar by taking anybody and anyone, but the responsibility has to rely on the individuals.
If you’re overweight and want to do Kokoda – great – that should be the shot in the arm and the kick in the backside for getting you to lose that extra baggage.
Your body will thankyou for it every single step that you take.
Imagine if you drop 10kg-20kg in your preparation, which incidentally, should be a year long journey, not a haphazard couple of months before you go – imagine being 10-20kg lighter for every single step that you take over the 96km.
Don’t you think you’d notice a big difference?
I know you will.
Be smart and do the necessary homework.
Get medical clearances and tests on your arteries for blockages if you are a smoker or out of shape before you start.
I am definitely in support of regulation across the board fitness tests for anybody who wants to do this thing.
Don’t get me wrong, I am sympathetic to the families of the victims but let’s be serious – would these deaths have occurred if the individual was in shape and ready for the trek?
More than likely not.
What’s your take on this? I’d love to hear if you’re in support or if I am just a cold hearted so and so…
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Great article with a big dose of common sense! I have a friend who has been talking abourt walking the Kokoda trail. He is in his late 30′s and no longer the fit guy he was in his 20′s. We used to row surf boats together, but he’s not done a lot since. I have forwarded on your article. I hope he takes it on board.
thanks Kellie – I hope so. It’s not worth risking your life over. The diggers that gave their lives so we didn’t have to would be shaking their heads and saying this isn’t how it was supposed to work. Take an extra year of preparation if you have to but you can’t take short cuts = no doubt about that.
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