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Australia's Toughest Ultramarathon?

Dr David McKinnon recently completed the Mind Alpine Challenge in the Victorian Alps.  The event raises funds for MIND, an organisation that supports people with mental illness.  At 100 miles long with 7000m of ascent and descent it has justifiably claimed the title of Australia's toughest trail Ultramarathon (and there is nothing harder on road or track either!).  The course covers Mt Feathertop, Mt Hotham and Mt Bogong; and is as beautiful as it is hard.  He completed the task running with the only other Queenslander in the event Tamyka Bell in just over 46 hours.  He was pleased that he did not need to self treat for anything more than some minor foot problems.  He was very thankful for his down jacket on the second night.  Report and photos from the event via www.mindaustralia.org.au
Last Updated on Monday, 24 May 2010 18:03
 
Kokoda Research Completed

The Adventure Medicine research team has returned after a fascinating week on the Kokoda Trail.  The participation from the trekkers was fantastic.  Most were in fine form as they passed through our village with smiling anticipation of the challenges that lay ahead.  We hope they all have a fantastic experience and a memorable ANZAC Day.
Last Updated on Friday, 23 April 2010 13:01
 
Kokoda Track Research

During the week leading up to Anzac Day in April 2010, a team of researchers from the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital will be undertaking research looking at potential causes of illness and recent deaths of trekkers on the Kokoda Track. Led by Drs Sean Rothwell and David Rosengren from Adventure Medicine, the team also consists of Drs Bill Lukin and Julian Williams and will be assisted by Professor Alan Frost and Mr David Thomae.

Drs Rothwell, Rosengren, Lukin and Williams are all specialist Emergency Medicine Physicians from the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.

Two seperate research teams will trek a number of days in from each end of the track and set up research stations. We will be recruiting trekkers to volunteer to be part of the research project.

Volunteering to be involved will consist of:

  • signing a consent form that confirms you are aware of the trial and are volunteering to be involved
  • a brief questionaire will be completed assessing general health and fluid intake during the trek
  • a small sample of blood will be collected - In most cases this blood sample will be collected by a simple pin-prick specimen in the same way that at diabetic person checks their blood sugar levels. It may however be necessary on occasions to take a formal specimen from a vein in the arm
  • the blood sample will be analysed by portable iStat analysers with results available within a couple of minutes

If the blood test suggests a significant abnormality that would put a trekker at risk if they continue on the track, the researchers will be obliged to notify the trekker and their trek leader of this associated risk.

Importantly this research project has no commercial interest and the results will be completely independent of any commercial entity. Adventure Medicine is a non-profit medical advisory service and all researchers will be completing the research as representatives of the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine.

Whilst there is no commercial interest for the research project, the successful completion of the project is greatly enhanced by financial and logistical support from a number of organisations including:

The research team are extremely grateful for the support provided by Mr Rod Hillman, CEO of the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA).

If you would like any further details regarding the research project feel free to contact us.

 
Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 January 2010 12:26
 
Alpine Walking Track

On Tuesday 29th December,  four ultrarunners (including Dr David McKinnon) will be attempting to complete the Australian Alpine Walking Track.
The track is 670km long with over 28,000m of ascent and descent through some of Australia's harshest terrain.  About 20 people hike the track each year with most taking 40-50 days using several 'food drops'.
Whilst records are not officially kept (as it may encourage inexperienced and inadequately prepared people) the quickest confirmed traverse is 22 days, a time the team hopes to beat.

Follow their blog at  http://www.alpineultra.blogspot.com/

Good luck!
Last Updated on Sunday, 27 December 2009 09:18
 

Recent Kokoda Deaths

We are saddened by the news of the deaths of two trekkers in the last week on the Kokoda Trail.  To our knowledge, the cause of these deaths remains unknown.  Adventure Medicine supports proper physical preparation and thorough medical checks prior to embarking on the challenge of the Kokoda Trail.  However, while the cause of these deaths and others before them remain unclear, it would be pure speculation to blame the lack of medical checks or physical preparation.
Last Updated on Monday, 05 October 2009 17:13
 
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