Hi Fluppy,I would totally support the comments of Jafa. As I recall you are not trekking until October next. You really do run the risk of "burn out". Slow down and concentrate on endurance training, e.g extended overnight bush hiking. Given your preparation to date, I am sure you will be fine.Regards, Geoff Hardie

QUOTEJust 'ok' is not going to cut it out there on Kokoda thoughI beg to differ – If you can complete the tasks you say you have then you are fit enough. I would work on endurance.Consider this – It is unlikely that it will be anywhere near the temps you are training in whilst on the track. Most of the time you are under the jungle canopy and it…[Read more]

Next time i'm anywhere near the shops ( end of the month) I'll buy as many different types of anti-fog as i can find. Then on a really humid day I'll road test them by firstly going into the coolroom for a few minutes and then out into the humidity. This always makes my glasses fog!! Will keep you posted.

Hi LornaSorry cannot remember the name of the product that I used I tossed it in the bin when I got to Kokoda as it was a waste of time.I have been told, but could not find it, there is a product called Anti Fog Stick I asked around but could not track it down.What did help at times on my porter Brendan's advice I rolled back the front of my hat…[Read more]

Any replies to this question greatly interest me too. I've so far purchased 2 pairs of Bridgedale women's endurance trekkers ( midweight) and 2 pairs of bridgedale endurance comfort coolmax liners as the base layer. They cost the earth and i'm wondering if the regular and much cheaper explorer socks would do the same job, over the liner socks?…[Read more]

I'm just as short sighted as you Fluppy!! My reading glasses have been progressive lenses for years but it's only in the past couple of years that I've added the bifocal section to my prescription sunglasses so that i can also read in them without difficulty. In fact it's one of these old pairs ( the latest ones without bifocals) that I always use…[Read more]

I am 30 and 'ok' with my fitness. Just 'ok' is not going to cut it out there on Kokoda though. It is because of this that I have 'stepped up' (pardon the pun) my training. My 9kg pack is now 11kg as of today in effort to try and compensate for my 'ok' fitness. Spoke to my doctor today about excessive tremors after exercise and knew it wasn't…[Read more]

Great. I'm doomed then. I don't have bi-focals, but I am very short sighted. Let's just say if a stop sign wasn't red and ocangular in shape, I wouldn't know that it says 'Stop' as I wouldn't have a hope in heck reading the word 'Stop' if I was standing right under it without my glasses P.S. I hear that car window spray stuff works great on…[Read more]

Hi LornaI had nothing but problems with mine in fact I went one day without them despite the strain it put on my eyes found it easier without themMy glasses with progressive lenses were a real problem for me and with the rain continually fogging up made it even worse. I took some antifog spray that did not work at all.By far my worse problem were…[Read more]

Hi FluppyIf you have only just started this type of exercise even not knowing your age or fitness I would say that you are over doing it.Forget the weight until you can happily manage it with out the back pack and only then slowly add the weight gradually building it up to the 9kgsTo start straight off with any weight I feel would be just asking…[Read more]

Our Spirit Brian. As well as the personal challenge I'm incredibly interested in the military history.

Our Spirit Brian. As well as the personal challenge I'm incredibly interested in the military history.

HiI do not think that any pack that you may buy will be 100% waterproof I would recommend that you get covers for them to use when raining, available at all good camping stores.Use zip bags or dry sacks for everything that you want to keep dry take a spare couple to put wet items keeping them away from any dry items.If buying bladders separately…[Read more]

Yep, I wondered about waterproof too, but decided i'd have everything inside in zip lock type bags and if/when it rains my poncho will go over my head and cover my pack as well. Is this what other past trekkers of Kokoda have done????

Ok, went and had a look at the Trinity and Helena packs. All good, but doesn't mention if they are waterproof/mud proof. This is even more important to me than the space itself – what good is all the space in the world if all my stuff will get wet, damaged, mouldy, muddy and rendered useless?!

i'm staying on in PNG to do some scuba diving once I've completed Kokoda, so will need extra clothes other than my trekking gear. Also need something to store them in at the hotel and am mindful of luggage limits on the plane over. So I'm hiring a backpack from the company I'm trekking with. That way I can go over to PNG wth a suitcase and leave…[Read more]

HiI had the Camelbak Day Pack recommended to me by previous trekker I purchased one on his advice am very pleased that I did.I have the version with a 2litre bladder with a pocket for a water bottles up to 1 litre on each side. I usually kept the bladder topped up and depending on my porter Brendan's advice I carried either one or two of the…[Read more]

Hi Lorna,I've been doing a little bit of research and the brand 'One Planet' seems to be ok. I am looking at the mini-Freddy with attachable harness for my day pack although it doesn't have side pockets for those extra water bottles.A task that is proving quite difficult for me – so far I have either found a daypack with side pockets for…[Read more]

Hi Fluppy. i'm trekking in June 09. I'm in the same dilemma as you with the day pack. My kids bought me a black Wolf 'Python' hydration pack for Christmas…. but once I've got the 3 litre bladder full there is very little room for anything else. My list of 'to take in the daypack' is similar to yours, so I'm now investigating a larger one. I'm…[Read more]

Thought I would bump this as I now have some experience with camping hammocks (Hennessy Deluxe). I would have no hesitation taking one next time. The comfort level is far superior to tenting and these hammocks will easily survive the rain storms. The only considerations will be pack storage (just throw it in with porters gear). You might need to…[Read more]