Reasons to Trek With Us
Experience:
Director of Frontline Kokoda, Paul Croll has walked the Kokoda Track more than 20 times over a 13 year period, as a Trekker, Film Maker and Trek Guide. He has been trained in Wilderness First Aid and has been part of the evolution of the Track into a major trekking destination. Paul is responsible for Frontline Kokoda’s operational procedures.
Director, Amanda Loth has walked the Track 5 times, has a direct connection with the Track through her Grandfather’s war service and is a trained nurse. Amanda is responsible for Frontline Kokoda’s administration and health and safety procedures.
From a client’s first contact with Frontline Kokoda. They are dealing directly with someone who has an in-depth experience of walking the track and who can provide information based on their personal experience, not hearsay. As a premium service company, clients are always able to access a Frontline director to answer their concerns or queries and are not treated as just another online booking form.
History:
While most trekkers have some knowledge of the military campaign of 1942, we aim to provide the most comprehensive military briefings possible. On our ten-day treks there is the opportunity to get off the beaten track and divert to areas rarely seen but of particular military significance. Our briefings are researched not just from what we’ve read, but also from our personal associations and relationships with veterans and our own investigations of the Track. All of our treks aim to educate and enhance our client’s knowledge of the military history, for us it’s the focus and what sets us apart from many other trek operators.
Safety:
Frontline Kokoda has teamed with the largest PNG based trekking logistics provider. This gives us the security of a professional, stable local presence, with the ability to respond rapidly to changing situations and provide support to our trekking operation without compromise.
We provide our clients with a comprehensive, custom designed training program to help them prepare physically for their trek.
Clients are required to provide a medical history and medical certificate and those that fall into a potential risk category are required to undergo a medically supervised ECG test.
All of our treks carry a VHF radio, Satphone and personal emergency locator beacon.
A professional paramedic staffs all Frontline Kokoda treks. In the event of a major incident there is no substitute for such experience, we do not rely on first aid certificates for our client’s safety.
The minimum time for Frontline treks is 8 days on the track. We believe that anything less than that compromises safety, historical briefings and the trekking experience.
As a responsible operator we of course have Public Liability Insurance, backed by Lloyds of London.
Trek Numbers:
The statutory body responsible for managing the track is the Kokoda Track Authority. As a result of consultation across the trekking industry, the KTA has recently released interim guidelines for trek operators. The agreed maximum number of clients per trek is 20; Frontline Kokoda agrees to abide to this limit without exception.
A major trekking company states that its treks “average” the convenient number of 20 per trek. This means that while you could be on a trek of 10 clients, you are just as likely to have 30+ people escorting you. With a local porter ratio of 2:1 that could mean a total trekking group approaching 100, hardly the unique experience you were hoping for and not in keeping with the spirit of the guidelines.
There have also been instances of trekking groups comprising 100 paying clients, with individual trekkers being unaware that they were to be part of such a large group. One can only imagine the effect such a group has on the environment it treks through.
We encourage people to question their potential trek operator on the size of their trekking groups. If they respond with “averages”, is evasive or non-committal, we suggest you look for another operator, one that places the environment and your well being over their bottom line.
Equipment:
When pricing a trek it is important to add in all ancillary costs. Frontline Kokoda provides its clients with all their major equipment requirements and most of their minor needs as well. All our equipment has been selected for its durability, comfort and suitability to the tropical environment. This is important, not only for the trekker’s comfort, but also for our local PNG porters.
We even provide customized, personal first aid kits. This means that you won’t be spending money on unnecessary items and our porters won’t be carrying unnecessary weight.
Philanthropy:
Papua New Guinea is our closest neighbor, a developing country with some unique challenges. For many trekkers, their Kokoda trek is the start of a love affair with the PNG people and a desire to give something back.
Frontline Kokoda clients automatically receive a 2-year membership of the Kokoda Track Foundation. Frontline is also a corporate member of the Foundation, purchases a table at the Foundation’s annual fund raising dinner and contributes through the year to the Foundation’s appeal. Frontline’s staff are also individual members of the Foundation.
Other trekking companies also state their philanthropic credentials, some of these can be substantiated, and others cannot.
The Kokoda Track Foundation is an independent charity, whose sole purpose is to better the lives of the local villagers of the Kokoda Track. It does this through a variety of projects, with education being its primary focus. It has an independent board of professional people who donate their time and a full time chief executive officer to ensure the efficient implementation of programs. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible, which in itself ensures that the Foundation is under rigorous scrutiny in regards to accountability.
When a Frontline Kokoda client donates to the Foundation, they can be guaranteed that their donation is used for one of the Foundation’s programs and is not influenced by or directed to Frontline Kokoda’s interests. Their donation can be accounted for and the results of the Foundation’s programs substantiated.
We feel this independence is important and gives our philanthropic efforts credibility. Unfortunately the same cannot be said of some other trekking companies claims. In fact we know of only 2 other trekking companies that are contributing effectively to the Foundation.
Even if you do not trek with Frontline Kokoda, we can unreservedly recommend the Kokoda Track Foundation as an organization worthy of your support.
Frontline Kokoda directors also donate to the 2/14th and 39th battalion associations.
Ethics:
Frontline Kokoda aims to provide safe treks with an emphasis on military history, conducted in a relaxed atmosphere and with due consideration to the environment, local villagers and our porters.
There is no doubt that trekking the Kokoda Track can be challenging experience and leading people across it even more so. This can attract the sort of guide who puts their own machismo and need for recognition above the interests of their clients. Our ethos is- “to enhance, not dominate, your trekking experience”.
We trek Kokoda because we enjoy it and wish to be at the forefront of a sustainable trekking industry. We also recognize that as well as taking on the physical and mental challenges that Kokoda presents, our clients are also having a holiday and are hopefully enjoying themselves.
Just as important as our clients, are our local PNG guides and porters who escort us on the Track.
