Kokoda Track Death
Kokoda Killing Trekkers
Deaths on the Kokoda Track will continue to happen.
The recent death on the Kokoda Track is a tragic reminder of how precious life is and how vulnerable we are as humans.
The Kokoda Track is stunningly beautiful, but brutal to trek, with mountains and conditions that stretch the body to breaking point. It is not only a physical demanding journey but an emotional and spiritual roller coaster. The Kokoda Track is an adventure like no other, and will continue to fire the spirit of Australians that dream to walk in the footsteps of our heroes.
The recent death will not slow the interest in Australians walking the track but will only heighten their desire to conquer the challenging Kokoda Track.
I have seen many medical emergencies on the track and precautionary evacuations, including the evacuation of a high profile Australian trekking company guide.
No one or no company is perfect, no Doctor can guarantee how long we will live or our future health, no one can guarantee that we will not die, all we can do is ensure that we take every possible precaution.
Preparing and training extensively for the Kokoda trek is an important and essential part of succeeding on Kokoda. The other essential requirement for successfully trekking Kokoda is to ensure you look after your body during the trek and give it the essential requirements it needs to cope .
Unfortunately some of the new smaller trekking companies fail their trekkers by having inadequate management practices, punishing itineraries, long walking days and fail to ensure trekkers have adequate rest breaks, avoid overheating, adequate hydration stops and nourishing and hygienic food. Failure to look after your trekkers on the track can lead to health problems for trekkers.
Our Kokoda Spirit trekkers are well warned about the dangers and difficulties of walking the track. The track is very difficult and you do need to be prepared both physically and mentally for it, no doubt about it. Kokoda Spirit provides a comprehensive training program and detailed information on health and safety requirements for the Kokoda Track to our trekkers.
Both our trekker and their Doctor are required to understand and acknowledge the following.
The Kokoda Trail is 96 km long and we cover the distance in 9 days. The track is located in a mountainous and remote part of PNG. The track climbs to an altitude of 2190 m and over the complete track we climb more then 6000 m and descend over 6000 m in height. This part of PNG is hot, humid and wet with rough mountain tracks, narrow passes and numerous river and log crossings.
Conditions on the track are challenging, strenuous and physically demanding. High physical stress, dehydration and body overheating is a major concern for your patient.
A large part of the area that we trek in is inaccessible by helicopter or any other emergency service. There is no access to emergency first aid or medical facility on the Kokoda Track.
Please advise your patient that they need to be undertaking a suitable training program and they will need to be of a high level of fitness and in good physical condition. The trek is arduous and physically demanding, with particular demand on the heart, lungs, knees and joints.
Kokoda Spirit requires that each of our trekkers undergo and pass a medical and fitness examination.
I have just completed my 35th crossing of the Kokoda Track and continue to be amazed and inspired by the determination and spirit of the trekkers who set out to trek Kokoda.
These trekkers go out as individuals in groups and have their own reasons and dreams for trekking Kokoda. Most trekkers succeed in achieving their goals, all trekkers that have been on the Kokoda Track are touch by the spirit of the diggers that went before us.
I have seen strong, fit people brought to their knees by Kokoda and I have seen the weak and less fit get stronger.
No matter how many rules, regulations or medical examinations we bring in for trekkers and Kokoda trekking companies , no system or procedure is perfect.
No matter how, fit, prepared or medical examinations we undertake there is no guarantees in life, all we can do is ensure we do our best to prepare for the Journey.
If you are planning on trekking Kokoda ensure you do so with a reputable and professional company, this will minimise the risks of walking the track.
Visit http://www.kokodaspirit.com
Deaths on the Kokoda Track will continue to happen.
The recent death on the Kokoda Track is a tragic reminder of how precious life is and how vulnerable we are as humans.
The Kokoda Track is stunningly beautiful, but brutal to trek, with mountains and conditions that stretch the body to breaking point. It is not only a physical demanding journey but an emotional and spiritual roller coaster. The Kokoda Track is an adventure like no other, and will continue to fire the spirit of Australians that dream to walk in the footsteps of our heroes.
The recent death will not slow the interest in Australians walking the track but will only heighten their desire to conquer the challenging Kokoda Track.
I have seen many medical emergencies on the track and precautionary evacuations, including the evacuation of a high profile Australian trekking company guide.
No one or no company is perfect, no Doctor can guarantee how long we will live or our future health, no one can guarantee that we will not die, all we can do is ensure that we take every possible precaution.
Preparing and training extensively for the Kokoda trek is an important and essential part of succeeding on Kokoda. The other essential requirement for successfully trekking Kokoda is to ensure you look after your body during the trek and give it the essential requirements it needs to cope .
Unfortunately some of the new smaller trekking companies fail their trekkers by having inadequate management practices, punishing itineraries, long walking days and fail to ensure trekkers have adequate rest breaks, avoid overheating, adequate hydration stops and nourishing and hygienic food. Failure to look after your trekkers on the track can lead to health problems for trekkers.
Our Kokoda Spirit trekkers are well warned about the dangers and difficulties of walking the track. The track is very difficult and you do need to be prepared both physically and mentally for it, no doubt about it. Kokoda Spirit provides a comprehensive training program and detailed information on health and safety requirements for the Kokoda Track to our trekkers.
Both our trekker and their Doctor are required to understand and acknowledge the following.
The Kokoda Trail is 96 km long and we cover the distance in 9 days. The track is located in a mountainous and remote part of PNG. The track climbs to an altitude of 2190 m and over the complete track we climb more then 6000 m and descend over 6000 m in height. This part of PNG is hot, humid and wet with rough mountain tracks, narrow passes and numerous river and log crossings.
Conditions on the track are challenging, strenuous and physically demanding. High physical stress, dehydration and body overheating is a major concern for your patient.
A large part of the area that we trek in is inaccessible by helicopter or any other emergency service. There is no access to emergency first aid or medical facility on the Kokoda Track.
Please advise your patient that they need to be undertaking a suitable training program and they will need to be of a high level of fitness and in good physical condition. The trek is arduous and physically demanding, with particular demand on the heart, lungs, knees and joints.
Kokoda Spirit requires that each of our trekkers undergo and pass a medical and fitness examination.
I have just completed my 35th crossing of the Kokoda Track and continue to be amazed and inspired by the determination and spirit of the trekkers who set out to trek Kokoda.
These trekkers go out as individuals in groups and have their own reasons and dreams for trekking Kokoda. Most trekkers succeed in achieving their goals, all trekkers that have been on the Kokoda Track are touch by the spirit of the diggers that went before us.
I have seen strong, fit people brought to their knees by Kokoda and I have seen the weak and less fit get stronger.
No matter how many rules, regulations or medical examinations we bring in for trekkers and Kokoda trekking companies , no system or procedure is perfect.
No matter how, fit, prepared or medical examinations we undertake there is no guarantees in life, all we can do is ensure we do our best to prepare for the Journey.
If you are planning on trekking Kokoda ensure you do so with a reputable and professional company, this will minimise the risks of walking the track.
Visit http://www.kokodaspirit.com
posted by Wayne's Kokoda Spirit Blog at
8:12 AM
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