Great – thanks Brian and Jafa. I'm sold… i like the weight ( about 600grams), good thickness and compactability. As this will probably be a one off for me I feel buying a thermarest is overkill – $$$ wise. Have a good day.

HiI also used the GOGoGear blow up mattress and found it ideal and very easy to blow up and if folded up the way the manufacturer suggests was easy to do so.I found blowing mine up about 50-60% was ideal any higher for me the mattress started to become uncomfortable and I feel one may tend to roll off it if blown right up.I have never used one…[Read more]

HiI also used the GOGoGear blow up mattress and found it ideal and very easy to blow up and if folded up the way the manufacturer suggests was easy to do so.I found blowing mine up about 50-60% was ideal any higher for me the mattress started to become uncomfortable and I feel one may tend to roll off it if blown right up.I have never used one…[Read more]

Thanks Jafa. The sales lady said they had done a roaring trade of late… most probably due to your posted link here! Shows just how popular this forum is. Cheers

Thanks Jafa. The sales lady said they had done a roaring trade of late… most probably due to your posted link here! Shows just how popular this forum is. Cheers

Hi Kerryn,I did the trek in April and it did nothing but rain (and rain and rain some more!) I took one pair of boots and a pair of crocs for river crossings & camp. I did take extra shoe laces – thankfully they wern't required. My feet got alittle "damaged" from all the water but that was my fault and not because of the boots I was wearing.…[Read more]

At the moment I am doing bits of the bibbulmun (overnight stuff) and am working up to some week long walks. I really want to get back and do another Kokoda trip in the next few years.

Perhaps – but sleeping in a tent is pretty much the same when it comes to separation. I would urge people that might be interested to try and lend one first. It can take a little getting used to in terms of sleeping positions.

No – it's about the size of two cans end to end (I pulled mine out to take a look). You only need blow them half way up as that is the most comfortable with regards to hardness. It only takes maybe 15 good breaths and is as easy as a balloon.No problems with getting them back into the stuff sack. Personally if I where to get one again I would get…[Read more]

No – it's about the size of two cans end to end (I pulled mine out to take a look). You only need blow them half way up as that is the most comfortable with regards to hardness. It only takes maybe 15 good breaths and is as easy as a balloon.No problems with getting them back into the stuff sack. Personally if I where to get one again I would get…[Read more]

A couple of questions Jaffa ( or anyone else who has used this product) re the Ether Thermo 6 sleeping mat… from your link in this forum. How difficult is it to blow up without a pump? And also to pack up into it's stuff sack again? the sales lady at GoGoGear says it packs down to about 25cm x 13cm. Not quite the size of a can of coke. I like…[Read more]

A couple of questions Jaffa ( or anyone else who has used this product) re the Ether Thermo 6 sleeping mat… from your link in this forum. How difficult is it to blow up without a pump? And also to pack up into it's stuff sack again? the sales lady at GoGoGear says it packs down to about 25cm x 13cm. Not quite the size of a can of coke. I like…[Read more]

I would agree with the majority view that hammocks are not suitable on the Kokoda Track. For very experienced hikers, maybe. If you are trekking in a small or large groups, team spirit is important and being isolated/separated in camp sites is not condusive to good team spirit.Geoff Hardie

Hi Kerryn,In my opinion a second pair of hiking boots,in case of emergency, is an overkill and totally unnecessary. You simply should not have the capacity, weight wise, for this luxury.The Columbia hiking boots are of a good quality and you should not have any difficulties. A spare set of laces is important though. If it gives you comfort, a…[Read more]

Hi We walked the track in 2004 and the worst toilet was the one at Nauro where they built a hut around it and a plastic tarp for a door (smell was horrendous) only toilet seat i saw was a wooden bench in Efogi and proper toilet at Popondetta & Buna, when bush camping a hole in the ground was a lot better. As far as toilet seat covers and wipes…[Read more]

If you have access to a "step " class at a local gym, make full use of it, even if once a week. "pump" or weight classes are also good. You will find as the strength of you legs improve. the jitters will reduce. If you can't get to a class, then working on squats at home with your back pack on will help – 10 minutes a day – as though you are…[Read more]

Your guides will tell you when to take boots off and when to leave them on. On our September trek, we had flooding, and so walked about 3 km with multiple crossings in bare feet or sandles. I too had crocs, and they saved my feet big time. Sometimes crossings are easier in bare feet, sometimes, crocs – your guide will tell you. Most creeks had…[Read more]

Dani – I heard you survived your toilet experience in Kokoda! Congratulations. In fact, I heard you did so well, toilets no longer faze you!I just wanted to let others know about a product recommended by another female trekker. Called a "whizbiz" http://www.whizbiz.com.au/, it allows a female to pee standing up! No more embarrassing "exposures" at…[Read more]

I would have carried 4-5 litres of water on my first trek too, but it was unnecessary most of the time. Second time round I again carried 5 litres of containers, but not water – 3 litre camel pack and 2 bottles, but walked with the pack half empty (most of time) and one bottle empty, the other full with half strength endura. This worked well for…[Read more]

having walked twice in 2008 and battled rain most days both ways, the best protection your socks can have is to waterproof your boots PROPERLY and MULTIPLE TIMES prior to trekking. This will keep your socks drier and enable you to wear them for two or three days in a row before changing. Wash them and then hang them on the back of your pack to dry…[Read more]