we are
bold + brave
DAY 1 ON THE TRACK
THE ABILITY OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT TO CONQUER ADVERSITY - my Kokoda experience
Or, as I like to refer to it, hell. This was categorically my toughest day. It started off with a small and exciting flight to Poppendetta then a four-hour truck ride to Kokoda proper. Upon arrival, we got a glimpse into what the Track’s terrain was really like. The 37-degree heat was beating down on us and we paid our first of many respects to those who had lost their lives whilst facing Japanese soldiers. Before we set off, trekkers were paired with their local porters and it was here I learnt that just three of us had opted to hike sans porter. As the only female to make this choice, I was sticking to my guns and I was going to carry my 15kg for the whole 96km ahead. From my perspective, there was no other way I could experience a glimpse of what our diggers had achieved 80 years prior.
by Emma Foster Project Engineer, SHAPE Australia & NAWIC Member In 2017, I had the rare opportunity to take on the then greatest physical challenge of my life – fulfilling No.2 of my two decade old bucket list and walking the Kokoda Track. I knew walking the Kokoda Track would be physical. I knew it was located in a developing country and it would be a great chance to boost my knowledge of Australian history. I wasn’t wrong, but I was blissfully ignorant of the unexpected learnings which would make the experience entirely unforgettable. I am a relatively fit person. I’ve run half marathons, played most sports competitively and regularly hit the gym. So, I held minimal fear with regard to my physical ability. Leading up to the adventure, training became my everything. For the first time in years, I was putting myself first. I had been pushing to build networks at my relatively new job, I battled repeating illnesses, I was finding my own ground after a relationship breakdown and I was building a new side project of a professional networking organisation. All of that noise dissipated though as physical training became my true priority. I thought it was the only thing that could prepare me. The day finally came where I was packing my bursting bag to fly north, where I would meet courageous people who were to become my family for the next ten days. The airport arrival was the moment of truth. Whilst looking at the mountain of boxed necessities to carry along the trail, it seemed apparent to the growing group of red-shirted trekkers that the only things we may have had in common is our construction industry backgrounds and the shared nervous laughter. 58
Two hours into Day 1, I was almost fainting and genuinely terrified of slowing the group for the next eight days. Here I was, fit, young, competitive and stubborn and it was then this terror transformed into my first enlightenment on mateship. My day buddy refused to leave my side and slowed with me while everyone else rightly powered ahead. Then, in undeniably aspirational leadership, our trek leader pushed me to the front to lead the way. To this day I struggle to describe what that moment meant to me. Still suffering from the extremely humid heat, the 15kg on my back and the sheer shock of the day, all 40 trekkers and porters cheered me on as I stumbled to get my breath. Two hours later we reached camp and the relief was palpable. The mental challenge was also now in full swing.
THE NAWIC JOURNAL
