Behind The News
Kokoda Challenge
Kokoda Challenge
The kokoda challenge is a 96 km trek through the jungle of Papa New Guinea. And one inspirational 18 year old girl attempted this long journey. But what a shock because just 16 months before doctors were unsure if she would live. She was in a car crash with major damage to her head, leg and her stomach leaving her in hospital for for 6 to 7 months. A while after she decided to go on the kokoda track with her dad and docters who helped her so much when she was in the hospital to raise money for trauma research in the hospital and her way to say thanks for all the help.
About the Kokoda Trail
The track is the most famous in Papua New Guinea and is known for being the location of the World War II battle between Japanese and Australian forces in 1942. It reaches a height of 2,190 metres (7,185 ft) as it passes around the peak of Mount Bellamy. Hot, humid days with intensely cold nights, torrential rainfall and the risk of endemic tropical dieseses such as malaria make it a challenge to walk. Despite the challenge posed it is a popular hike that takes between four and twelve days (depending on fitness). Locals have been known to hike the route in one to three days.
Walkers
Since 2001 there has been a rapid increase in the number of people walking the track .Six Australian trekkers have died from natural causes while attempting to walk the track. Four of those deaths have occurred in 2009, with two in the same week in April and another two 8 days apart in September and October. The deaths have sparked calls for mandatory fitness tests for all walkers before starting.