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Hi,
My name is Lou, and I am walking the Kokoda track in just under three weeks…. am starting to get nervous now!!
I do have one question, does anyone have any suggestions to keep the blisters at bay??
Hi Lou,
Welcome to the forum.
You should find plenty of advice for blisters on this forum if you go here:
Thanks for the tips on blisters, the metho really dried them out!
I was just wondering, were people really nervous before heading out on the track? I am heading over this Saturday, and am really worried about how the humidity will affect me…
Oh an Fluppy, I saw your pictures, and I have just about the same amount of stuff in my pack, minus a tent
Iou76
If you are from Melbourne, the humidity will hit you "head on", the moment you step off the plane at Port Moresby. I do not enjoy humidity.
Of course it maybe too late for you now but I have mentioned a few times before, anyone coming out of a Melbourne winter are well advised to allow 2-3 days to acclimatise in PNG before commencing your Trek. The allowance was certainly my saviour in 2007.
Best wishes for your Trek. Provided you have done all the proper preparation there is no need to be nervous. It certainly will be an experience of a lifetime.Cheers, Geoff Hardie
Hi Lou,
I am hoping you are doing well. It is now around 3 weeks until I leave now. So you would've been, gone & got back by the time I leave lol!
Good luck and enjoy every moment of it – even the moments where you are dog-gone tired and fed-up! Have a really momentous time over there.
Flups
Speaking of blisters, did anyone find a use for Metho while they were over there? Thinking I have enough gear already, but would a small amount of metho be beneficial for my blisters when I am trekking?
Short answer – no.
I used the sports blister pack things, after developing some blisters on my heels. (they are meant to stay on for a few days but I had to replace them daily). I found these good. I didn't need to treat the blisters, other than anti-bacterial/iodine cream.
You wont need metho over there .
Metho is good to rub on your feet for a few weeks before you go,it toughens your feet up.
If you drink metho you'll grt blue lips,,,not a good look for a young lady.
Like rocky I put sports blister packs on a blister on my heal,then I put some 2" duct tape over it and it lasted the whole trip.Lou, once you arrive at your Port Moresby Hotel don't head for your air-co room, or the air-co'd bar/restaurant/lounge. It's very tempting as the humidity is horrid…. but it's far better to sit out by the pool or on your balcony and acclimatise as much as possible.
I hate humididy too but actually didn't find it too daunting on the track. Sure, you're sweating constantly and need to keep the fluids up, but I really didn't have any problems. It cools off nicely at night and once you reach a bit of altitude is far more pleasant.
Blisters, make sure you wear a thin pair of inner socks as well as proper hiking socks. The only day I felt a hot spot coming on was when i wore my socks that supposedly had the liner's built in. As soon as I felt it I stopped and applied a blister pack, and had no more problems. From then on I wore the liner socks with those ones too.
Some of you may remember the drama I was having with blisters early in my training….. but the purchase of another pair of hiking boots solved that problem totally.( and my husband, thank goodness, didn't even notice!!). I sent my first, uncomfortable Scarpa's over to my porter when I got home as he was barefoot on the track.
You're about to embark on the experience of a life time Lou and Fluppy. I had an absolute ball and was so pleased I was fit enough to not just survive each day but to really enjoy them. Savour every moment and I look forward to reading your posts when you arrive back home.
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