Surviving the Jungle

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It’s 6:30 a.m. and the humidity is building by the minute as our team prepares to board a small twin-engine prop plane, which will be taking us over the Owen Stanley Range and dropping us off in the remote jungle of Papua New Guinea. Our one-hour private charter is flying from Port Moresby to Kokoda and the start of the famous Kokoda Trail – considered by many to be the hardest 100K (60 miles) of sea-level walking on the planet.
photo credit: Adventure 35

As our flight crosses over several scattered villages, it's hard to believe that this same area was in the middle of a major conflict over 60 years ago. The Kokoda Trail is not only known for its rugged terrain and unique landscape, but more importantly, the historic significance it had during WWII. Between 1942 and 1943 several battles were fought here between the Australian and Japanese armies, and the remnants of these battles linger on the trail today. 

This spectacular trail offers more than just a chance to follow history but an opportunity to visit an amazing culture in a pristine environment. The local villages of Alolo, Efogi, Naoro and Kagi, to name a few, were as welcoming and accommodating as the five-star hotel we had recently stayed at. These villages, and the natives that occupy them, went out of their way to offer fresh bananas, perfectly-cooked sweet potatoes and huts for us with running water and the occasional mattress. The Kokoda Trail was a brilliant walk through history and one that brought unparalleled camaraderie to each and every one of us. 

However, as spectacular as the Papua New Guinean jungle experience was, this hostile environment can be extremely dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. Understanding how to navigate, stay clear of hazards and toxins and comprehend the health and fitness concerns for jungle exploration will enable any outdoor enthusiast to have an adventure that is both meaningful and fulfilling.  

Navigate

Navigating in the jungle can be particularly challenging due to the dense underbrush and canopy coverage, which make traditional techniques of using land bearings difficult, without determining a good line of sight. However, if carried out in a disciplined way, compass navigation can still be valuable. A very effective technique used in military applications is leapfrogging. The technique involves two units, with an initial known position, leapfrogging one another on a calculated bearing. Since there is always one stationary team the position can be referred back to the initial spot. If this method proves to be ineffective, another alternative is to head for higher ground or follow your water supply to civilization. 

A slight depression in the jungle, where one side is higher than the other, suggests there could be a river. The wider the river, the more chance you have of finding civilization. Oftentimes the use of a GPS (Global Positioning System) is ideal in situations when traditional methods are not as useful. However, in the jungle these devices have major shortcomings and should only be relied upon as a backup. First, deep jungle valleys and dense canopy cover can actually block the system from getting a signal. Second, most systems rely on batteries, which have a limited life span. Finally, heat and humidity can rapidly reduce the working life of any piece of electronic equipment, and keeping items dry during a tropical storm or a river crossing can be very challenging. 

Hazards & Toxins

We often associate jungle hazards with anacondas, crocodiles or piranhas. While these predators should be kept at bay, the most dangerous are the vast array of stinging and biting insects, which can cause sickness or diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. Many plant saps contain irritants or toxins, which can be absorbed through the skin. Fungus can also be a major source of infections, and in the high humidity the human body can become the perfect growing environment for a variety of unpleasant fungal parasites.

To avoid such infections it is essential to keep your feet dry, as the jungle can quickly slow a person down and turn a healthy trekker into a casualty. Additionally, taking care of your equipment will drastically reduce your risk of attracting hazards and toxins. For example, check your footwear for visitors before putting your feet into them and wash your clothes with camp suds on a daily basis. This will prove invaluable over a six-day trek. Finally, an unexpected hazard that must be considered is the instability of the foliage. Surprisingly, falling trees and branches are the greatest killers in the jungle. Stay alert, move slowly and steadily through the dense jungle and stop periodically to listen and take your bearings.

Health and Fitness

As I already mentioned, jungles are extremely hot and humid places and such conditions can place an enormous strain on the body. The most common ailment in jungle exploration is heat exhaustion - particularly for travelers who are unaccustomed to the extreme humidity and high temperatures. According to Brian Freeman, an expert in jungle survival and the world-record holder for the fastest Kokoda crossing: "Most trekkers will experience heat exhaustion on their first day, particularly those from temperate climates, and if not treated early it can create a very dangerous situation."

Freeman further adds, "It is imperative to sit the person down and cool them off for several minutes before pressing on. Keep the person hydrating consistently and monitor them on a regular basis."

The jungle has a reputation for quickly destroying the fitness levels of the inexperienced through dehydration, malnutrition, disease and fatigue. It is advised to take anti-malarial medication, and this should be started at least four weeks before you depart. In addition, you should be vaccinated for cholera, typhoid, and in some cases yellow fever. Many experts advise an immunoglobulin injection, but you should discuss this with your physician prior to departure and be sure to have all your immunizations entered on an official International Health Certificate.

Kevin Jackson is the owner of TST Adventures, an elite adventure training and guiding organization in San Diego, California. To learn more about their global adventures, or corporate development programs in San Diego, call 858-309-2311 or e-mail at info@tstadventures.com. 

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