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Hi all!
Firstly, I would like to say that as I prepare myself for Kokoda later this year with my mate, I have found this site to be invaluable – thank you all so much!
Although I myself have done many long, hard treks (mostly at the mercy of the Australian Army Cadet Corps) I am faced now with a new, unexpected challenge. On those treks we slugged it out with ex-military gear. Although this sounds fancy, alot of it is rubbish pre-Vietnam era gear that has been quite poorly looked after since being decommissioned. So the challenge I have now is – choice! There is so much gear out there and just sifting through the endless list of possible gear combinations is starting to do my head in. I've sorted through most of it and find myself coming to what I hope is the last of the gear checklist queries.
First and foremost, I am in need of a pack. Whilst this in itself is fairly self-explanatory, I'm having a hard time working out what exactly is being referred to in the term 'raincover'. Is this a cover that can be wrapped around a pack whilst wearing the pack or is it a cover for when the pack is not being worn? I'm used to getting wet while trekking, and don't much care for raincoats/ponchos as far as protecting myself is concerned (cold weather excepted!). My pack on the other hand, is something I would like to keep dry! Specifically, I am looking at purchasing a Deuter 70+ 15L Aircontact Pro Pack for around $450. So if anyone has any info with reference to that particular brand, that would be helpful.
Secondly, walking poles. I've rarely used them, and didn't much like them when I did, but I've seen reference to them frequently on here and would like to know if they fit into that 'necessary' category? They are one of the few pieces of gear that I am considering for this trip which will not be used after this trek, so if I do opt for one, can I buy a cheapie? I mean, it is just a piece of aluminium right?
Thirdly, if a pack is 'hydration bladder compatible', to what extent does that apply? Is this just a specially shaped pocket? Or does it allow for the tubing etc to run straight out of the pack to the wearer?
Finally (for now at least! LOL), what are people's thoughts on pocket knives / multi-tools? I'm considering taking my trusty Leatherman (which has seen me through quite a few treks!) but haven't really seen the topic mentioned here. Is it going to be an unnecessary piece of kit?
Any and all advice welcome! Thanks in advance!
Cheers,
Mark
Ive had one of those Deuter packs for quite a while,,,but got it for about $300 from Annaconda on special.
I carried it myself on Kokoda and found it to be very comfortable and water tight even without the rain cover on.
The rain cover on the Deuter pack is rolled up and tucked away at the bottom of the pack in its own zippered compartment.It is used for walking in the rain to keep your pack as dry as possible,also handy for leaving the pack outside your tent at night to keep the dew off it.I also found it handy to sit on if the ground was wet while I had morning tea if there was nothing else to sit on that was dry.
I didnt bother with any sought of raincoat,although the others in our group did.
We were lucky and didnt have any wet days at all,only a bit of rain at night.
I didnt take any trekking stocks with me ,,but the other 7 trekkers in our group did and said that they made it so much easier,just about every one I saw on the track had trekking stocks. Its a personal choice and Im just not used to them and like to have my hands free.
I carried a Buck folding with me,it came in handy for cutting tape and string etc.A leatherman would be handy IF the need arises for it, otherwise its just more weight,,better to be prepared though I suppose.
My deuter pack has an outside compartment for a bladder,where as the one my wife bought had an inside compartment.I'd prefer it outside in case it leaked.There are slots and little clippy bits for securing the suck tube,its all pretty well thought out.
DONT FORGET to take a roll of 2" duct tape with you, just a small one,,the uses are endless. Luckily one of the girls in our group (thankyou Wendy) had one for when my boots started to fall apart and bandages got wet and wouldnt stick.
Hope this helps
Peter.Hi MTV,
I am trekking Kokoda in just under 8 weeks now. (18th -28th October 2009) and I have to second Peter with the Deuter brand choice. I have had mine and with all our training, it has stacked up very well.
The 'raincovers' are to put over your pack whilst you walk.
Regarding packs, here are the best brands I've found (in no particular order): One Planet, Deuter,
MacPacks, Caribbee and for the daypacks, Camelbaks – which also have the hydration bladder built in – a pocket on the inside.Packs that say 'hydration pack compatible' mean there is room to put your hydration pack in with a hole out the back of the pack to feed the tube through. Camelbak brand is particulaly useful for this – as this is what they are primarily designed for.
The Deuter pack – 75 – 80L one that I have (design may differ from yours) has a hole out the back of the pack and a pocket to accomodate the hydration pack itself. Deuter brand may not be at the top of the list for some, but for me, it is more than adequate with pockets absolutely everywhere for just about everything.
Stay away from Black Wolf packs for Kokoda if you want to get more than one or two uses out of them.
Mulitools – we are taking a S.O.G multi-tool – but as Peter said, it is just more weight and probably not all that necessary. Duct tape is a MUST though. So make sure you have some.
Walking poles are a matter of personal choice. I will be taking the spring loaded ones. $24 from a camping store. Some people have said they could not have done it without the poles, but as I said, it is a matter of personal choice.
Hope this helps answer some of your questions.
fluppy
I can't speak to the backpack topic, as we were supplied ours. I didn't take anything to waterproof the outside of the packs, but did put everything in ziplock or waterproof bags and labelled them (night clothes, underwear, clean clothes, dirty-wet, dirty-clean (meaning I could get another wear out of them), morning items, first aid etc) so I didn't have to stuff around in the dark in my tent looking for where things might be.
However, I definitely recommend a good quality trek pole with shock absorption. My dad got a cheap one and it broke while he was training, before we even left. I bought Comperdells(?) with a cork handle for about $70 each and my dad and I both used one. I didn't use one in training and didn't really want to use one on the track, but I am SO glad I took it and I used it constantly. Others took two poles, but I personally wanted to have at least one arm unencumbered.
The poles we bought were the cheapest of the recommended ones with shock absorption. My dad broke his after a few days, as it got stuck in some mud between a couple of logs and bent and snapped, (but I also think he wasn't holding it correctly at the time). I was told guys shouldn't even consider buying something of a lesser quality, as they wouldn't withstand their weight. I guess my dad proved that theory with both the poles he had.
Some people in our group used Pacers, which have ergonomic handles, or Black Diamond, which cost $199 a pair at Paddy Pallin.
Thanks for the replies guys! Will be going to pick up my pack from Anaconda this weekend, it looks like they've got a 20% off sale on Deuter's.
Also, thanks for the advice on the poles. Will see if I can borrow one for a trek and see how I go before we leave, but at this point I think I'll do without. Although 39thdecendent's point on getting one cut by a porter is interesting. I guess you mean whittled out of a branch or the like?
Seeing as I own a multitool, and have found it handy in the past, I think I'll take it. It might be extra weight, but in this case we're talking a matter of grams and that doesn't bother me.
Good point on the duct tape though, hadn't considered that one. Will make sure that there's a roll in the pack.
On another point, did anyone else use gaiters? Are they all that necessary? I've always used them whilst trekking here, but more for snakes than anything else.
Hi MTV
Gaiters are great, not only for snakes (there were 3 on our trek – not that I saw them, as the boys up the front killed them before I got there), but also for minimising the mud in your boots. They help keep your socks a bit drier and are easy to clean in the creeks.
I have a DVD about Kokoda in which they say "real walkers wear gaiters".
Re walking poles, Usually the porters just cut them from a tree beside the track, one of them usually has a bush knife handy. If you are going from Kokoda, the walk to Hoi is fairly flat so there is plenty of time to get them to cut you one.
Nettie
MTV – good luck with your trek.
Gaters are a must have. A guy on our trek did not have them (And Don is tough as old nails and wanted to slog it out the old fashioned army way) but he suffered when going through "The Swamp". Mud got into his boots in the swamp and he ended up getting swamp foot or trench foot – like the diggers did in the trenches in both WW. (The swamp is 2.5 hours of walking in ankle->knee deep mud before "The Wall")
The end result was two red swollen infected feet that oozed puss by the end of the trek. Not pretty to look at and he was in agony but he got thru – just. So please make sure you take them.
Poles – from my experience of carrying my own pack you definitely need poles. They are absolutely vital especially when going down hill to keep you from going a/up. You will be thanking them everyday for saving you from slipping over. The back up is to get the porters to cut you a pole from the saplings all around the place but then you are cutting down what you are going over to enjoy walking thru – not that I am a greenie or anything.
Also the poles give you the option to lengthen or shorten the poles according to if you are going up/down hill. And buy as expensive as you are able. I know that sounds like an ad for the manufacturers but we had multiple pole failures – 90% from the cheaper brands.
The leatherman is a good idea but makes sure you are not in a group of 20 people that has 20 leathermans – you really only need 1 or 2. I used one of the groups for pole repairs – yes I had a cheaper one!! Take your own leatherman if it adds a comfort factor but remember you will feel every extra gram added and curse it at times.
The bladder situation – I had a pack without a bladder compartment and I simply hung them on either side of the pack by clips. I then used the pack cover to cover over the pack and them to keep them secure. Worked a treat. And they are easier to access when it comes time to fill up – instead of burrowing into your pack to get them out.
Hope this helps
Hi
I agree 100% with YowieShane's comments we had rain 7 days of our 9 day trek I wore gators and used two top of the range trekking poles certainly not cheap ones I did slip a few times and my poles definitely saved me particularly going down hill and on occasions when I would have expected them to break they took the abuse that I gave them without any sign of breakage.
I had never used trekking poles before I started my training for Kokoda and actually on the Kokoda trek I am now sold on them and would not consider bush walking in tough country without them.
I am really concerned when I read all the comments from other trekkers that should perhaps know better by suggesting that everyone asks porters to cut a walking pole for them. Dry dead branches generally not being suitable as they a brittle and liable to snap easily so each pole means that often a small green tree is cut down and if each of those 5000 plus trekkers each year only asked for one pole to me that adds up to 5000 trees either killed or damaged. My poles saved two of those trees take your own poles and you can do the same.
Brian
Hi All,
I totally agree with what seems to be the majority view that manufactured adjustable trekking poles are a most worthwhile investment for Kokoda. Poles with specific handle grips are far more comfortable over 8-9 days trekking than hand made sticks from the local bush.
For those of us of an older generation, 60+, two sticks are also worthwhile but can be cumbersome at times.
Like Brian, I do question the long term sustainability of an endless supply of sticks being cut from the bush
Gaiters are a must for "Real Walkers" and certainly for Kokoda. Long or Short? I suggest it boils down to personal choice. I have both, but chose and was happy with the short ones for Kokoda.
My prior advice, which was logical for me, was that the long variety would cause excessive swetting on legs, particularly in PNG.Cheers, Geoff Hardie
Editors Note: I walked in long gaitors and by day 4 had a horrible rash on one of my legs. I walked with my friend who is an intensive care nurse from Brisbane and she suggested I take them off and wear long trousers if I had a pair. Fortunately I had purchased a pair where you could unzip the lower part of the leg is needed and wear as shorts. For the rest of my trek I wore them which worked out great. Perhaps if I had chosen the shorter gaitors I would not have developed the itchy rash which some may laugh but even after it had cleared up, I still felt like itching that part of my leg for ages afterwards.
Having written the comments above I have to admit that the majority of trekkers who have walked with us, do so in long gaitors. As for myself I would now settle for the shorter ones that slip on and sit on top of your socks just covering your boots. If that failed I would go back to a pair of long lightweight trekking pants and forget the gaitors!
I did not have much of a chance to train in them as my training was done in the stairwell of where I worked. However, if you are doing lots of walking, wear them in training to see what works for you before coming up to trek.
Hi Folks
I have short legs, wish that they were longer, I originally purchased a long pair of gators but found that the tended to rub on my knees so took them back and exchanged for a shorter pair that were great and ideal for my shorter legs.
If you are short like me check when buying gators that the long ones are correct for your legs for if they tend to rub on your knees they may not suit you where the shorter ones would.
I have also, as mentioned by Gail, heard that the long ones are apparently warmer to wear.
Particularly boots buy the best you can afford do not skimp on them and with poles I would say the same as it is generally the less expensive versions that often do not take kindly to the punishment often handed out to them.
Unfortunately good gear can be expensive but look for sales or also possibly on Ebay you can save there.
Brian
I wore the really short gaiters, but lasted only two days before I took them off, because they annoyed me and I felt like they were constricting my legs too much. Maybe they were just a tiny bit too small, I don't know. I didn't want the longer ones, because my body temp rises pretty quickly without any real effort, so I didn't want something that was going to heat me even more. And I'm another 'short leg' person.
The weather on our particular trek was probably the most ideal we could have hoped for. We got a little rain in the evening at Isurava (and some on the truck journey from Popondetta to Kokoda), but nothing other than that. The temperature was warm, the wind was cool, the creek crossings were low, so we were lucky. The only extreme weather we had was one night below zero at Myola, where we woke up to ice on our tents. Very unexpected!
I wore long skins if I wore my trousers as cut-offs. Luckily, the weather meant I didn't have to worry a lot about getting too much 'stuff' in my shoes. I'll take a different style gaiters next time, but won't decide till I'm there if I'll wear them, or not. The long trousers/skins just helped me to not keep count of the scratches and bruises on my shins. Logs jumped out at me everywhere.
Thanks for all the help guys, I'm pushing myself to my absolute limit at present with training and I can feel myself get fitter with each passing day – phew!
Looks like I'll be buying trekking poles then. With this in mind, I'm of the opinion that one ought to do the trick (assuming I buy a decent one) and I like the thought of having at least one free hand. Does this go against common sense? Is there some basic principle of trekking poles that I'm missing in opting for just the one?
I picked up my pack on the weekend, a nice solid Deuter. Must say, it looks the goods. Will be putting it through its paces soon enough!
I'll be taking the leatherman based on the above, it is quite compact and will easily fit into the small compartment that my pack has on my waist straps so I'm not worried about the weight. My partner has opted not to take his, so we'll be sharing.
I'm tall, over six foot, and lean, so I'm thinking that the short gaiters will likely be 'too short'. So will look to get some medium sized ones. I was at anaconda on the weekend and they had only the one type, they were long and expensive. Can anyone suggest anywhere else in Sydney where I would be better off looking for some?
Thanks for all the info so far! You have all been a huge help!
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