I trekked with AK in June/July 2006 at age 56 and did all the right things – medical, plenty of preparation, good gear, and got myself as fit as a Mallee bull – and still ran into bad trouble – dehydrated Day 1, through not drinking enough in the stifling humidity – and can’t recollect too much about days 2 and 3.

BUT Chad and Bernie kept a close eye on me to make sure things were not critical AND we had a doctor in our group who did the same. AND I knew that AK had the communications, manpower and organisation to get me out if things hadn’t improved – which is why I chose to tour with them, and not some cheaper but underprepared organisation. Had I not been able to secure that peace of mind, I would not have trekked.

People doing the Track need to understand a) it’s not a gentle stroll, but a brutal mental and physical challenge (in our group, everyone I talked to admitted to at least one “REAL BAD DAY” on the Track); b) it’s in a Third World country and if things go wrong assistance is not guaranteed; so c) don’t go with unprepared cowboys, because you can bet everything will NOT be all right on the day!

Moreover, as the many comments have indicated, if the Kokoda Track Authority really is an authority, it should have the power to insist on medical clearances; to license only tour operators who meet strict standards of care for the trekkers they take; and to liase meaningfully with all stakeholders (especially the villagers) so that consensus emerges about what development (if any) should take place re the Track.

Nothing will remove all the risks attendant on trekking Kokoda, BUT it is only common sense to insist on measures which anticipate foreseeable problems and dangers and seek to minimise their impact. So KTA – off your arse and do it !

Regards,

Derek Cameron.

Phillip’s death was tragic and it was not easy to break the sad news to his family. I will not reveal the details of the conversation I had with his partner but it was my strong impression that neither she nor their sons wanted Phillip to trek Kokoda at this time.

I am sorry that you interpreted my remarks the way you have but I can appreciate where you are coming from in view of your own recent experience with Kokoda.

I met Phillip at our recent Kokoda reunion dinner and was impressed with his passion for the history of the campaign and his search for the link with his uncle who was shot down over New Guinea during the war. He was excited at the prospect of going onto Popondetta to search for a plane at the end of his trek.

I accept the fact that there may have been a medical condition that was not detected during Phillips medical examination which, as you know, is very comprehensive. I also appreciate your hypotheticals but I would prefer to wait for the Coroner’s report to see if this was the case.

I appreciate the issue is sensitive but I can only report on the facts I have at hand when answering calls to the media. In this case I was advised by his trek leader, Chad Sherrin, that he observed Phillip during the descent from Owers Corner to the Goldie River and during the short climb to the old Uberi village campsite. At this point he advised Phillip that he did not believe he was physically capable of completing the trek and instructed that he return to Owers Corner where he would arrange to have a vehicle waiting for him.

According to Chad, Phillip agreed with both his assessment and his instruction.

Chad then arranged for his PNG Head Guide, Medic and Phillip’s personal carrier to escort him back to Owers Corner.

I fully support Chad’s decision and the plan he made for Phillip’s evacuation. His tragic death has had a profound impact on Jill and I, Chad, our other trek leaders, the members of his trek group and our PNG trek guides who were with him at the time.

I am sure you will appreciate the media’s interest in Kokoda is fairly intense in view of the fact that four trekkers have died on the trail this year. They expect an immediate response and will not accept evasive answers or a refusal to comment.

It has been a difficult time but, as I stated earlier, I could only deal with the facts I had at the time during the intense barrage of media calls in the 24 hours following Phillip’s tragic death.

I certainly did not mean to be disrespectful and I’m sure the family will appreciate your condolences.

And how did Adventure Kokoda respond to this tragedy? By focusing on covering their ass, using the media attention to promote Adventure Kokoda as being a superior tour company, and blaming the dead man for not being fit enough. The Herald Sun in ‘Aussies walk into danger’ 06 Oct 09 stated “At Adventure Kokoda we have mandatory health checks and three or four other credible operators require health checks, but too many don’t,” Mr Lynn said…..”Mr Lynn warned Australians to avoid cheap tour operators because they might not be properly equipped.” Multiple newspapers have also quoted Mr Lynn attacking the dead man’s preparation including the Brisbane Times 05 Oct 09 who quoted Charlie Lynn as saying “But he could not manage the first hour, the easy part. That doesn’t say to me that his fitness preparation was any good. He wasn’t physically prepared.” in the article ‘Kokoda Track kills within an hour’.

This seems incredibly disrespectful to the poor man who has died and his family.

There are any number of medical reasons that the man may have struggled within that first hour not related to his fitness but which may have made him look like he was unfit. He could have been suffering from reduced cardiac output or respiratory perfusion/ventilation mismatch (due to PE) – both of which could be caused by complications secondary to dehydration. Both these conditions could present with shortness of breath, fast heart rate and possibly sweating. These are purely hypotheticals but my point is it was far too premature for Adventure Kokoda to start publically criticizing and blaming the poor man who had died and was unable to defend himself.

As it turns out the family have asserted that Mr Phillip Brunskill’s preparation was adequate, with 10 months of training involving gym work and regular pack marches.

It is a shame that Adventure Kokoda have not publicly acted with more compassion in this terrible set of circumstances.

My heartfelt and deepest sympathies go out to the family (

Condolences to the families of the tragic death within the Adventure Kokoda family. It must be heart wrenching for them, Charlie and most of all John- I have met this man and he is an inspirational person. Mandatory medical clearences are a must, anything to save heartache for all involved. The testing was simple, and if followed the fitness regieme was there to help make the experience a little less challenging.

We all had hard days, but if you listened to the experienced guides and did as required and hydrated when told, you were fine. Not once did I feel like I was alone- I trekked with the lovely lady Anna who commented above and we all looked out for each other, but I thought Simon and Mel always knew how we were feeling and guaged our day well.

As for surveys- the only one I filled out was for Adventure Kokoda – not once were we approached in PNG to fill one out for KTA. I applaude that finally some continuity will occur for trekking companies who use the track- but have doubts that it may be more of a money spinner for the authority – money that may not be used in the way we as trekkers would like to see it be used. I only hope this all gets sorted out so people are not frightened off from the best experience of their lives

There were many moments in time especially on Brigade Hill where Simon conducted a service that was very emotional. Then to walk down off Brigade Hill and Stand looking over Efogi yes feeling quite exhausted but overawed thinking I am really here.

We passed the place where sadly a lady had died only the day before her gaiter hung over a walking stick at the spot. Yes it was a sobering moment.

However sometimes there are acts of god and we do not have any control over that – nor should we try to.

That is leave the track alone. It belongs not to us, the trekkers, we are priviledged to walk it in someone else’s country – yes it represents our brave Australian soldiers who changed the course of history so hence we are able to walk it peacefully and remember them. Close to what it was like for them.

Having accreditated companies is an absolute as Adventure Kokdoa ticked all the boxes for me – especially in learning more about the history of Kokoda.

I found it physically hard and felt I should have put in more training! Even though I read all the pre-information that was fantastic. Yes my medical gave me the all clear and I was glad to know that. It should be absolute for anyone taking on the trek. I still heeded the good advice of our group leaders in taking a sacket of gastrolyte at night as well as the staminade during the day. It made the difference to how I felt as I did not realise the humidity would be so huge and being of Celtic background maybe made me feel it that much more.

The group I was in was mixed but looked out for each other and this was an important aspect as mentally you were tested.
The porters are also the integral part of the trek and should be consulted as well as the trekkers and companies such as Adventure Kokoda that have the years of experience, especially Charlie Lynn.

As I opened the computer today I looked at my screen saver of myself and my porter Ian walking across Myola and felt great emotion and was visualising those many moments on the trail.That is how the experience of Kokoda leaves you full of much emotion of what you have seen and achieved in all its rawness. I hope many more Australians get the same opportunity
Rest peacefully all those who did not get the opportunity to complete the experience you are not forgotten.

As I am sure we will reach some middle ground here especially with people like you Charlie to keep speaking for what you believe the trail represents.

Well by the time I got to go through this and all responses, we have most unfortunately, another death and this time very close to home, given it is AK. Indeed I believe my brother John is the trek leader and I know full well his deep experience. Obviously all our condolences go to all the families.

I believe the comments have covered the sentiments well, particularly the need for medical clearance. There can never be a guarantee for anyone – that is the nature of the track – but the risk can certainly be minimised if every trekker undertakes the appropriate medical clearance, ( for anyone with a potential heart condition that would include full ECG and stress test). In my view the appropriate medical clearnace should be a requirement before anyone commences a trek. This is the duty of care both of the KTA and/or the tour operator.

I also was interested in Natalie’s comments re RFDS – I think definitely worth exploring. It represents an avenue to address a situation in advance of an evacuation, and may improve treatment on what is already undertaken where a life threatening situation arises. Perhaps something for Scott to pass on to Garrett for consideration?

These steps won’t eliminate risk, but they will help trekkers to be prepared, and to have confidence that their well being can be optimised in the event something goes wrong. I have no doubt that AK has set the standards on care for trekkers, and I am sure with or without support of Govts or statutory bodies, will cotinue to seek new advances to maximise safety and give future trekkers the confidence to take on the challnege for all the right reasons.