- This topic has 10,714 voices and 13 replies.
- Posts
Hi all,
I'm new here and researching for a possible trip to PNG in the future, I have done a little bit of walking in the past. I live in North Queensland on the coast, so I dont think the humidity will be such a problem as it is for some, but I am a bit concerned about the cold.
Has anyone used a hammock on the Kokoda Track, or in other cooler areas? What sort of hammock did you use and are the camping areas suitable for using a hammock or are they too cleared? Or does it get to cold for a lightweight hammock?
Have'nt got a set date yet so open to suggestions on the time of year to go, although winter/spring is probably not an option with my work.
I am thinking January-February would suit me the best and it should be the warmest. What sort of overnight temps could I expect in those months up in the ranges?
I have walked Hinchinbrook Island a couple of times and would class it as easy-medium. Has anyone here done the Thorsborne Trail? And how would you rate the difficulty level of it?
I will be using a digital SLR and taking max size jpegs. Any suggestions on lens choice and amount of storage I may need.
Thanks, PhilThe only time you might get cold is up around 1900. Half the time you will sleep in a long house (mattress and pillow) and the camping areas are generally cleared.
I`ve just come back and it was stinking hot in the open. Jan-Feb would probably be unbearable.
Ive also just returned and i would completely rule out the hammock idea !! We got rain overnight on several occasions so if your prepared to get wet – go for it. The weather, generally was good, hot and humid during the day (which i expected) but cool and sometimes cold in the nights. I had a sleeping bag (rated at +5degree) with a liner and it was still cold !!
Jafa, how did you go mate, I had an absolute excellent time and would do it again in a heart beat. Although i found it difficult (carrying my own pack) I never gave in and was so proud of my achievements when i finally reached Kokoda !! I loved going through all the villages (Menari being my favorite) and visiting all the families, they loved me !!
The only thing that i would change from my trip was our leader, he should be ashamed of himself. The way he treated his staff and his clients (me included) was appalling, not to mention the fact that we had to constantly stop and wait for him to catch up – i would have thought he would be waiting for us !!
He is NOT one of the kokoda trekking tour guides !!
Would love to hear how you got on jafa – perhaps u could email me
Aussie
Austin,
Perhaps you have missed the topic description slightly. Camping hammocks are a lightweight, extremely small, fully self contained shelter. As quick and easy as any lightweight tent to erect, (perhaps quicker, no poles) complete with insect screening, rainproof hood and fly. No matress is required, small thieving animals are not a problem, making sure you are not in a groundwater run-off area during torrential downpours is also eliminated. They are however, cooler than a tent, hence my question, although warmer models are available.
PhilHi Phil,
I must have missed something in the translation as well, I was thinking of the hammock you sling between two trees and thinking, whoa, not the way to go! Obviously it is similar to a tent, which would be fine, as long as it is big enough to put your pack in as well, and your boots, ( so nasties don't make themselves comfortable in them at night) AND it's waterproof. The weather up there dosn't change through the year, they have wet & dry season's, while it's better to go in the dry season ( round about our winter), when it rains up there, it rains & rains! Climate wise it is a LITTLE cooler in the dry season, but only marginally. It is fairly cold the higher up you get, we took thermals and they were great. As the for the camera, depends on how many piccy's you want to take, I took 335 all up! I took a video camera and a digital, biggest problem was when it rained. Make sure that it is in a waterproof bag.
QUOTE(12_bolts @ 5 Nov 2007, 10:45 AM) [snapback]5920[/snapback]I will be using a digital SLR and taking max size jpegs. Any suggestions on lens choice and amount of storage I may need.
Thanks, PhilDue to the nature of the trail (random lighting due to shade, foliage and other things) I'd recommend a fast lens so you have better flexibility when the lighting conditions change. What DSLR and lenses do you have in your arsenal?
Optimally, if you have a Canon and L-series lenses they're by far some of the most weatherproof lenses. Of course, that's if you want to risk taking along a lens of that value. If you list the equipment you have, it'd probably be a better way to suggest lenses unless you were planning to buy a brand new one for the trip.
Also, be very aware of humidity and what the moisture will do to your camera.
As for storage… How many MP is the camera? Since you'll be taking JPEGs, in general I would think that 2-4GB would be enough, though it really depends on how many photos you plan on taking. If you have 10MP camera and don't plan to take more than about 350 pictures, then a 2GB should be enough.
Hi Phil,
Re your hammock and I must apologise for my ignorance. I googled them up and now can see what your talking about, but it may be easier to explain what it is like up there. Firstly the 'camping grounds' are generally at villages along the way, these have been totally cleared, so you would be hard pressed to find anything to attach it to in most places.. secondly you would need to put your pack somewhere, as I said, when it rains, IT rains! and somewhere to leave your boots. Even though a hammock is light & compact, it really isn't ideal for the conditions.
cheers
NettieThanks for the replies people.
—> jkg07 I have a 350D (8meg) with 18-55 kit lens, 75-300 f4-5.6, 100 f2.8 Macro, and a Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6. I was wishfully thinking along the lines of maybe 24-70 L if the minister for treasury will permit; however seeing as she is not able to go this trip I may not be permitted to show her just what she missed out on
QUOTE(austin @ 6 Nov 2007, 02:00 AM) [snapback]5923[/snapback]Jafa, how did you go mate, I had an absolute excellent time and would do it again in a heart beat. Although i found it difficult (carrying my own pack) I never gave in and was so proud of my achievements when i finally reached Kokoda !! I loved going through all the villages (Menari being my favorite) and visiting all the families, they loved me !!Well – I made it. I had some real problems in the last few days due to a loss of appetite. I would have been fine had I eaten all that was put in front of me.
Fortunately a few guys helped here and there and we crossed the line together. I reckon I might like to try the reverse in a few years. I would definetly go the porter next time though.
Firstly congratulations to all of you who have walked the track and completed it successfully. Sorry to hear that Austin (Aussie) was not wrapped in his guide but glad to know it was not one of my staff!
Next time if you come to walk again hopefully you will save yourself some money and walk with us as I have not heard one complaint about any of our guides.
With regards to a hammock – I suggest you email my son Nathan as he chose to take a hammock and hated the experience. I cannot remember all the negative comments so suggest you give him a phone call (07) 55 716 512 or email him: nathan@kokodatrek.com.au
I can also recall seeing some photographs which are quite funny seeing a boy standing whilst another was on his shoulders trying to hammer in a post with a stone for the trekkers choice of a hammock!
At the time when I saw the pic I wondered what on earth they were doing so asked the guide and thats what he had to say. The guide also mentioned it was a bad choice for the track due to the campsite areas being cleared of trees.
Photograph:
Pic 1: just one group of happy trekkers when they finished their trek at Owers' Corner
Pic 2: Rod Ori just one of our most popular guides
Nice_Pic__Small_.gif
IMGP2486___Rod__Small_.jpgThought 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 erect a little way from the camp but that's not really an issue.
If anyone's interested in techniques just take a look over on the hammock forums. http://www.hammockforums.net/
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
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.
Jafa,
What I was refering too as regards mutual co-operation and assistance to other team members, was that due to the severe lack of suitable hanging points at almost all camps sites along the track, separation would be far far greater than what is the case with tents. If everyone, in even small groups, were to use hammocks there simply would not be enough hanging points at most sites.
Regards, Geoff Hardie
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.