Gas Stoves And Drinking Water.

[dgsimpson]

Hey guys,

Walking the track in April, just a couple of quick questions,
Gas canisters for personal cooking stoves (MSR, Jetboil etc) readily available in PNG? As I'm guessing you can't fly with them?

Second question, drinking water on the track – how clean/pure/safe is it to drink? I wouldn't mind boiling it first, or even throwing in a packet of water purification tablets just to be sure. Over-cautious? Better than getting crook though.

Thank you very much.
Cheers, david.

[39thdecendant]

Hi dg,
Not sure if you would need a personal gas stove, your porters generally look after all that for you, and always have water on the boil when you camp, you will need to keep your pack to the minimum, so the less you have to take the better, you will be amazed how quickly the weight builds up, with water and food! Your trek guide and porters will also advise you on what water is suitable for drinking, generally fast flowing water is okay, but with the recent flooding it may be a problem. You can buy water purification tablets at any camping store. As a general rule, we found if you carry a 2 litre 'camel pack' and an extra 2 litre bottle, you will always have good water to drink as the tablets take 1/2 hour to work, they do make the water taste funny though. Although don't do what I did.. I can't see a thing without my reading glasses, I used water purification tablets as above, to ensure I had good drinking water ( I always asked the porters which water was ok first as well) when I got home, I found that I had packed the water pruification tablets and the glucose tablets in the same pocket of my back pack, all the water purification tablets were there, intact, but the glucose tablets were almost gone! thought the water tasted a mite sweet!

Nettie

[Geoff Hardie]

Hi David,
Assuming you are travelling with a accredited tour company, your porters will provide you with all the boiling water you need. A fuel stove is not necessary.
Again your porters will let you know where it is safe and best to collect water. It is always best to play safe and use purification tablets. We used Micropur Forte tablets by Katadyn. A bit more expensive but the they leave the taste more normal. Cheaper versions leave water tasting awfull.

Cheers,

Geoff Hardie

[Boss Meri]

Hi there, have read your question and the answers given and it reminded me of one particular trekker who came to PNG and has his gas container taken off him by authorities in Australia.

He was so worried about how he was going to cook. I tried to convince him that he need not worry as our boys carry cooking gear and will take care of the whole trek. However I later found out he went all over town trying to replace his gas container to no avail.

When he arrived back in from his trek, he said what a wonderful experience – that the boys looked after their every need and he definitely did not need his stove and to inform all future trekkers to leave their stove behind in Australia.

If you are walking with Kokoda Trekking (KTL) you will need no cooking equipment.

[khorr]

hi. i am doing the trak in a weeks time and coming down from france. i know its the wrong season any inputs?? also about the flooding that happened will that cause any problems for my trip???

by the way i will be going solo. is this possible?? could i get lost on the trip?? i wont have a carrier and my bag will weigh about 18 kgs is that okay????

the only thing i gots is i am trained physically but otherwise i dont have lots of money for gear like i ran out of budget and i cant by a tent or new choes i old hiking shoes will they last???

any comment would be aprciated.

[michael765]

Hi David, you might also consider taking a water purifier with you such as the First Need Deluxe. It removes bacteria, cysts and viruses from water without requiring chemicals or electricity. It's light and compact – and the water tastes like water not like tablets. I was in the Solomons some years ago for awhile and had to use the tablets. I don't know about you but I found them unpleasant and tedious – I wish I'd known about the First Need then.
If I'm not violating any rules by mentioning a web site you can see one at: http://www.crystalclearwater.com.au/product/320000

All the best on your trek
Cheers
Michael

[ikfsohk]

[AceParkle]

Going on a trip while bringing some things necessary for cooking and drinking is a little a mess because you will be walking with large bulks of baggage, but it is very important in order for you to be sure of the food you are cooking. Water in different places differ. Filter tablet is also needed so that we can be sure of the water we drink.

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