January 14, 2025 • 9 mins
We are back for the 2025 season of The Kokoda Track Podcast.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Apodjay Production. This podcast is proudly brought to you by
Adventure Professionals www dot Adventure Professionals dot com dot au for.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Me, Mission Ridge and Brigade Hill. The whole Kakoda campaign
more people need to know about it, or know everyone
knows someone who's trek Kakoda, but to actually understand the
stories of what these young guys did, it's harrowing what
they went through.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
They were staunched to the end against odds uncountered and
they fell with their faces to the bone.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Welcome to the Kakoda Track Podcast, hosted by former solject
Glen Asa. This is the place to hear stories from
those who've tracked Kakoda and gained tips and knowledge about
what to expect on the track, or to relive your
own amazing experiences. The Kakoda Track Podcast keeping the spirit
of Kakoda alive.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Hey, everyone, Welcome to the Kakoda Track Podcast. It is
twenty twenty five and I guess, as we all know,
there was a bit of turmoil around Kakoda last years
of the political sort of to and throwing going on,
and I thought it's a good chance of coming and
just let you know that I've spoken to the Kokoda
Track Authority KTA last week and the track is most
definitely opened once the season reopens. Now typically that's kind
(01:26):
of towards the end of March and then into Anzac period.
Of course, I know myself, I'm leading two trips over Anzac.
We've actually got three trips going all together, one being
led by Heidi. But yeah, I just want to touch base.
We've had a lot of people contacting me asking for
more podcasts, and you know, it's not always that simple
to do just because of the time I spend away.
But on top of interviewing people who've been to Kakoda,
(01:49):
it is my intention to start to talk more with
the team. So talking with with Heidi and Mick and
other members of our team so that you can get
those sort of perspectives and we can answer the frequently
asked questions that come up on the Kokoda track all
the time, and we can just help you stay ahead
of the curve. Now, for those of you who are
just haven't trecked Cocada but are looking to trek Kakoda,
(02:11):
you've got a wealth of information inside. Here's sort of
fifty plus podcast episodes. Listening to people's experiences over the
last few years, and if I can add another ten, fifteen,
maybe even twenty episodes this year, I'll most certainly do that.
For me, the biggest thing is if you're going on enza,
you really need to be thinking about your training right now.
So what's my current training volume? And this depends on
(02:32):
age and stage of life and all those sort of things,
Like I'm fifty two, only fifty three years of age,
and I can't train like I did when I was
twenty five, and I therefore have to make sure that
I don't injure myself and I move myself along at
a nice pace. Now I'm a pretty active guy. I
do Kakoda sort of six to ten times a year.
I do everyspace camp, killiman Jarro, I do all of
those things. So if I was coming from a ten
(02:55):
to fifteen twenty years sitting behind a desk and not
being particularly physically active, well, of course it's a different
program that I'd be thinking about doing and level I
would take it on. So most people, I think, can
be ready to go to Kakoda in three months if
you've got a pretty average level of fitness and you
dedicate yourself for three months. You can most certainly do
that on our website. If you click onto the Adventure
(03:15):
Professionals dot com dot au, there's an eight week program,
videos and everything for two hundred bucks the cheapest chips.
You could do that program twice. It's the second time three.
You might just pick up some of the weights and
so on, and it is a very base program that
you can do with or without equipment in a gym
or elsewhere. A couple of resistance sessions a week, a
couple of trekking and training sessions a week, a little
(03:37):
bit of talk around, frequently asked questions, and so on.
Most as far as I'm aware, most treking companies will
have a fairly good training program for you to follow.
They've got results on the board so they know that
this stuff works. So there's no mystery behind what it
takes to get ready for Kakoda. You have all that
information available to you. The biggest thing is to do
(03:59):
something with it now. Most common mistake for me is
people wait until the last minute. So it's Jane you around.
You think, oh, April's a fair way away. I promise
you April will get here before you know it, or
whenever your trip is so Typically, if you can give
yourself a minimum of three months, and if you know
you're a bit behind the April and you haven't been
active for a few years and this is going to
be outside your comfort zone, then you might be looking
(04:20):
at a six to twelve month training program to get
yourself ready, whatever it takes. Regularly we get people canceling
trips sort of four or five weeks out and wanting
to postpone them because they realize they haven't done the work.
So the biggest thing to me is, this is not
an eight, ten or twelve day commitment, depending how long
you're spending on the track. This is a minimum of
a three month commitment. This is a minimum of two
(04:44):
three sessions a week in and around the gym, a
couple of sessions a week with a backpack on and
getting some walking done, and just doing everything you can
to put yourself in the best position possible to enjoy it.
You do not have to be an athlete to track Kakoda.
I've taken single and double leg amputees. I've taken eight
nine year olds right through to seventy nine eighty year
olds and ever run in between. The thing about it
(05:07):
is you have to be willing to do a consistent
load of work to get yourself ready for it, and
I think you have to have an an average or
a slightly above average level of fitness, recovery, that sort
of thing. So again, look into your training programs first
and foremost. That's the number one thing for COCODA. Number
two is look at the equipment that you need to carry,
the equipment that you need to use, tracking poles, boots, backpacks,
(05:28):
if you're supplying your own backpacks, all of those sort
of things. Make sure you know what your company supplies,
because all companies are different, they're not all stock standards.
And make sure that you do get all the stuff supplied,
or if you don't, you know where to get the
best equipment you can because you don't want to skimp
on things or your boots. There are some areas you
can take shortcuts, but I think clothing and boots and
(05:49):
backpacks if you have to supply them, are not one
of those areas. So the main us for today is
that the Kakarada track is reopened, and that's exciting. That
means we can get back out there. The local P
ANDG people are excited to be back at work. You know,
we're excited as track leaders and must and I'm sure
other companies are excited to be able to spread our knowledge,
spread the experience of Kakoda with you, keeping that story alive,
(06:12):
which we always talk about on this show, and that's
really the main aim of the show is one help
you prepare and to two keep the stories alive, because
at the end of the day, there's no one left
really from that ford On Kakoda, So it's up to
those of us that have been fortunate enough to have
met a lot of them and spoken to a lot
of them and done a lot of research to be
able to keep a story as significant as this alive.
(06:33):
It's very significant in Australian history, very significant in pub
in New Guinean history, and I think it's a story
worth keeping alive. Dakota, when done well, is a life
changing journey. So I'd love you to take on that experience,
give it all of the respect that it's due, and
get some regular podcasts coming out to try and help you.
My next one, I'm going to sit down with Heidi,
one of my tech leaders, and we're going to have
(06:53):
a good old chat about the Kakoda and in particular
her preparation and so on, and what she's doing to
get herself ready to get back out on the track.
This year we're doing both of us are doing a
back to back over anzaicks. So welcome back to the
counter Tract podcast. Look for to more regular shows about
twenty twenty five. And if you're not tricking with us,
I look for to seeing you on the track. Please
come up and say good to myself or any of
my trek team. They're more than happy to have a chat.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
O r ellasy harmuzaube Fee.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
Raising bond Damvisars and bub.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
So.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
The bond between Ossie's and the people of Papio and
New Guinea was forged in war and it endures in peace.
We've felt that friendliness, that special connection in the comforting
presence of our porters and in every small community along
the Kokoda Track.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Okay, guys, thanks for tuning in. It would be awesome
if you'd share this with anyone you know that's going
to the Kakoda Track or there's been and has a
keen interest in the track. It's people and those that
choose to track it. The pillars of is Sharaba say
courage endurance of makeship and sacrifice great words to live by,
and this podcast will offer makeshift and a place for
those that live and love the CoA Coda Track experience.
(08:41):
Until next episode, live a life that inspires you and
those around you, and remember to take time out to think.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
About what's really important, what's really important, What's really important?
Thanks fellow stake to the Kakoda Track Podcast. To get
it touched or stay up to date, go to Kakoda
Track Podcast on Facebook or email Glen at Adventure Professionals
dot com dot a here, don't forget to some puscribe
and share with your friends. Let's keep the spirit and
(09:08):
the stories of Kakoda and the P and G people alive.
Apodjay Production. This podcast is proudly brought to you by
Adventure Professionals www dot Adventure Professionals dot com dot au for.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Me, Mission Ridge and Brigade Hill. The whole Kakoda campaign
more people need to know about it, or know everyone
knows someone who's trek Kakoda, but to actually understand the
stories of what these young guys did, it's harrowing what
they went through.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
They were staunched to the end against odds uncountered and
they fell with their faces to the bone.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Welcome to the Kakoda Track Podcast, hosted by former solject
Glen Asa. This is the place to hear stories from
those who've tracked Kakoda and gained tips and knowledge about
what to expect on the track, or to relive your
own amazing experiences. The Kakoda Track Podcast keeping the spirit
of Kakoda alive.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Hey, everyone, Welcome to the Kakoda Track Podcast. It is
twenty twenty five and I guess, as we all know,
there was a bit of turmoil around Kakoda last years
of the political sort of to and throwing going on,
and I thought it's a good chance of coming and
just let you know that I've spoken to the Kokoda
Track Authority KTA last week and the track is most
definitely opened once the season reopens. Now typically that's kind
(01:26):
of towards the end of March and then into Anzac period.
Of course, I know myself, I'm leading two trips over Anzac.
We've actually got three trips going all together, one being
led by Heidi. But yeah, I just want to touch base.
We've had a lot of people contacting me asking for
more podcasts, and you know, it's not always that simple
to do just because of the time I spend away.
But on top of interviewing people who've been to Kakoda,
(01:49):
it is my intention to start to talk more with
the team. So talking with with Heidi and Mick and
other members of our team so that you can get
those sort of perspectives and we can answer the frequently
asked questions that come up on the Kokoda track all
the time, and we can just help you stay ahead
of the curve. Now, for those of you who are
just haven't trecked Cocada but are looking to trek Kakoda,
(02:11):
you've got a wealth of information inside. Here's sort of
fifty plus podcast episodes. Listening to people's experiences over the
last few years, and if I can add another ten, fifteen,
maybe even twenty episodes this year, I'll most certainly do that.
For me, the biggest thing is if you're going on enza,
you really need to be thinking about your training right now.
So what's my current training volume? And this depends on
(02:32):
age and stage of life and all those sort of things,
Like I'm fifty two, only fifty three years of age,
and I can't train like I did when I was
twenty five, and I therefore have to make sure that
I don't injure myself and I move myself along at
a nice pace. Now I'm a pretty active guy. I
do Kakoda sort of six to ten times a year.
I do everyspace camp, killiman Jarro, I do all of
those things. So if I was coming from a ten
(02:55):
to fifteen twenty years sitting behind a desk and not
being particularly physically active, well, of course it's a different
program that I'd be thinking about doing and level I
would take it on. So most people, I think, can
be ready to go to Kakoda in three months if
you've got a pretty average level of fitness and you
dedicate yourself for three months. You can most certainly do
that on our website. If you click onto the Adventure
(03:15):
Professionals dot com dot au, there's an eight week program,
videos and everything for two hundred bucks the cheapest chips.
You could do that program twice. It's the second time three.
You might just pick up some of the weights and
so on, and it is a very base program that
you can do with or without equipment in a gym
or elsewhere. A couple of resistance sessions a week, a
couple of trekking and training sessions a week, a little
(03:37):
bit of talk around, frequently asked questions, and so on.
Most as far as I'm aware, most treking companies will
have a fairly good training program for you to follow.
They've got results on the board so they know that
this stuff works. So there's no mystery behind what it
takes to get ready for Kakoda. You have all that
information available to you. The biggest thing is to do
(03:59):
something with it now. Most common mistake for me is
people wait until the last minute. So it's Jane you around.
You think, oh, April's a fair way away. I promise
you April will get here before you know it, or
whenever your trip is so Typically, if you can give
yourself a minimum of three months, and if you know
you're a bit behind the April and you haven't been
active for a few years and this is going to
be outside your comfort zone, then you might be looking
(04:20):
at a six to twelve month training program to get
yourself ready, whatever it takes. Regularly we get people canceling
trips sort of four or five weeks out and wanting
to postpone them because they realize they haven't done the work.
So the biggest thing to me is, this is not
an eight, ten or twelve day commitment, depending how long
you're spending on the track. This is a minimum of
a three month commitment. This is a minimum of two
(04:44):
three sessions a week in and around the gym, a
couple of sessions a week with a backpack on and
getting some walking done, and just doing everything you can
to put yourself in the best position possible to enjoy it.
You do not have to be an athlete to track Kakoda.
I've taken single and double leg amputees. I've taken eight
nine year olds right through to seventy nine eighty year
olds and ever run in between. The thing about it
(05:07):
is you have to be willing to do a consistent
load of work to get yourself ready for it, and
I think you have to have an an average or
a slightly above average level of fitness, recovery, that sort
of thing. So again, look into your training programs first
and foremost. That's the number one thing for COCODA. Number
two is look at the equipment that you need to carry,
the equipment that you need to use, tracking poles, boots, backpacks,
(05:28):
if you're supplying your own backpacks, all of those sort
of things. Make sure you know what your company supplies,
because all companies are different, they're not all stock standards.
And make sure that you do get all the stuff supplied,
or if you don't, you know where to get the
best equipment you can because you don't want to skimp
on things or your boots. There are some areas you
can take shortcuts, but I think clothing and boots and
(05:49):
backpacks if you have to supply them, are not one
of those areas. So the main us for today is
that the Kakarada track is reopened, and that's exciting. That
means we can get back out there. The local P
ANDG people are excited to be back at work. You know,
we're excited as track leaders and must and I'm sure
other companies are excited to be able to spread our knowledge,
spread the experience of Kakoda with you, keeping that story alive,
(06:12):
which we always talk about on this show, and that's
really the main aim of the show is one help
you prepare and to two keep the stories alive, because
at the end of the day, there's no one left
really from that ford On Kakoda, So it's up to
those of us that have been fortunate enough to have
met a lot of them and spoken to a lot
of them and done a lot of research to be
able to keep a story as significant as this alive.
(06:33):
It's very significant in Australian history, very significant in pub
in New Guinean history, and I think it's a story
worth keeping alive. Dakota, when done well, is a life
changing journey. So I'd love you to take on that experience,
give it all of the respect that it's due, and
get some regular podcasts coming out to try and help you.
My next one, I'm going to sit down with Heidi,
one of my tech leaders, and we're going to have
(06:53):
a good old chat about the Kakoda and in particular
her preparation and so on, and what she's doing to
get herself ready to get back out on the track.
This year we're doing both of us are doing a
back to back over anzaicks. So welcome back to the
counter Tract podcast. Look for to more regular shows about
twenty twenty five. And if you're not tricking with us,
I look for to seeing you on the track. Please
come up and say good to myself or any of
my trek team. They're more than happy to have a chat.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
O r ellasy harmuzaube Fee.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
Raising bond Damvisars and bub.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
So.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
The bond between Ossie's and the people of Papio and
New Guinea was forged in war and it endures in peace.
We've felt that friendliness, that special connection in the comforting
presence of our porters and in every small community along
the Kokoda Track.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Okay, guys, thanks for tuning in. It would be awesome
if you'd share this with anyone you know that's going
to the Kakoda Track or there's been and has a
keen interest in the track. It's people and those that
choose to track it. The pillars of is Sharaba say
courage endurance of makeship and sacrifice great words to live by,
and this podcast will offer makeshift and a place for
those that live and love the CoA Coda Track experience.
(08:41):
Until next episode, live a life that inspires you and
those around you, and remember to take time out to think.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
About what's really important, what's really important, What's really important?
Thanks fellow stake to the Kakoda Track Podcast. To get
it touched or stay up to date, go to Kakoda
Track Podcast on Facebook or email Glen at Adventure Professionals
dot com dot a here, don't forget to some puscribe
and share with your friends. Let's keep the spirit and
(09:08):
the stories of Kakoda and the P and G people alive.
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