Yes, you did (obviously because I've been talking to you on facebook) For others who might be interested in seeing more of my Kokoda photos, here is the link to my facebook profile:http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#…amp;ref=profile

Wow…thank you to all for the very warm welcome and helpful information.I will certainly follow up Simone as a contact; it seems her work and mine will be different yet similar in many ways. Still, Im confident I won't be treading on someone else's "patch" so to speak. At this stage, I have completed my initial sections on battlefield tourism in…[Read more]

I too did a lot of stair training. There were hills where I live here in QLD (Australia), but initially, I found the local water-tower and walked up and down those stairs. 60 stairs x 10 times = 600 stairs at a time. I too, like Boss Meri was near dead on the first day I tried this. But as time went on, I became better at it, my legs…[Read more]

Hi Simone, I agree with Eve's comments, find yourself a highrise building and use their stairwell. I live in Port Moresby for the majority of the year and when I walked the track with the exception of a few 5km walks around the CBD, my whole training was in the stairwell where I worked.When I first took to the stairs I was just walking up and…[Read more]

Hi Rob, welcome to our forum. A few years back the main trek operators such as ourselves were approached to ask our trekkers for honest feedback about their trek by Simone Grabowski who was doing something similar to yourself.Simone was looking to collect over 200 completed questionnaires from trekkers over the age of 18.I suggest you contact…[Read more]

Hi Simone, If you have limited space and/or options of where to train, these are things you can do anywhere, with no equipment. If you have knee or joint issues, walk/step the exercises, rather than jumping or bouncing. Mountain climbershttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO5KVEoEbo4Burpeeshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5oXadjFAlQPlus step ups,…[Read more]

Rob – you ask why did people go:I went with my 62 year old father earlier this year. Dad's father (pop) served in PNG – not seeing action on the track itself – but in and around the lae area. He was injured physically with shrapnel and bullet but also suffered mentally from the whole thing. My father raised the idea of doing the track to get an…[Read more]

Hi Rob, do you have a time line for completion of your Thesis? I'm trying to get a project started that you might be interested in (and involves doing a Kokoda trek some time in the next six months). Don't worry, I'm not trying to sell you something, or anything of that nature. I did Kokoda back in August. I'm a personal trainer, but Kokoda (and…[Read more]

Hi Rob,Firstly I welcome you to the forum and commend you on taking on such an extraordinary investigation.Secondly, I echo everything the others have said – it's just that they got in first and took the words out of my mouth!And lastly, but not least, I have just returned from trekking the Kokoda Track myself. Reasons for walking Kokoda vary…[Read more]

Hi Simone,Like Brian said, your task will not be easy. Our son Stewart, who walked Kokoda with his younger brother and myself in 2007 is also currently working and living in London (since Feb 2009) and may have some suggestions which I will pass on. Provided you have a solid background in overnight hiking back in Australia, a good Gym program…[Read more]

Hi Rob,Along with others I welcome you to the forum and pass on my best wishes with your thesis.I have just received an invitation to the launch of Patrick Lindsay's book "Kokoda Spirit" to be held at, "Ellery Suite" Old Melbourne Observatory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Ave (opp The Shrine). 10.30am-11.30 am Tues. 10th November 2009.The book…[Read more]

Hi RobAnother book you may find useful is Paul Ham's "Kokoda". It is probably only available in the library these days, but is a comprehensive and very easy read. I liked it better than Fitzsimon's book myself.Personally, I walked the Kokoda Track for two main reasons: as a pilgrimage to try to understand what the Diggers went through in that…[Read more]

RobHave a read of "The Bone Man of Kokoda" the extraordinary story of Kokichi Nishimura and the Kokoda Track by Charles Happell I would think a must read for your thesis.Brian

Thanks guys, certainly a warm welcome!Meri, I certainly have read Hutchinson's Pilgrimage Guide, I have been referring to it frequently. I've also been using Stuart Hawthorne's "Kokoda Trail: A History", and Bill James' excellent field guide. Iv'e also found Lindsay's "Spirit of Kokoda" to be likewise quite helpful.I will look out for the book on…[Read more]

Hi Simone,Echoing Brian's advice here again – the office block step training is a Kokoda and mountain trekking staple as is adding layers of clothing (one at a time!) while you do so.My physio got me walking BACKWARDS on a treadmill at the highest slope possible at ~4.5kms/hr. This does replicate some of the downhill walking and is also kind to…[Read more]

Hi Rob,What a great subject for your thesis. Have you read Garrie Hurchison's PILGRIMAGE A Traveller 's Guide to Australia's Battlefields? It has chapters on both Gallipoli and Kokoda and may prove a useful resource if you have not already come across it. Publisher is Black Inc.

We can truly say that the whole circuit of the earth is girdled with…

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Hi RobGood luck with your project whilst you certainly have taken on a challenging one I am sure it is one that you will find even more interesting and challenging as you go on.I do hope that it challenges you to one day take on the ultimate challenge yourself and to trek Kokoda.It actually took me fifty yes 50 years to get there originally around…[Read more]

Hi SimoneYou do have a problem eh? Mt Snowden and Ben Nevis just a little too far away for you whilst it has now been many many years we cannot recall any where suitable.One thing for sure you will not have to worry about cold and snow where you will be trekking, although not well known there are glaciers in Papua. Suggest that you rug up well for…[Read more]

Hi FluppyFew Brooke Prestons there hope I picked the right oneRegardsBrian

Congratulations Brooke!Sounds like the first bit of your trek was the biggest challenge. It's mentally and physically overwhelming, so I wouldn't feel bad about having a hissy fit. I reckon most people would, even if they don't show it haha. (Did I ever tell you the first day was my worst? Baaad reaction to the malaria tablets! Thought I was going…[Read more]