Some Feedback For Other Trekkers.

[aussie]

Some feedback for other trekkers.

For Victorians the weather in the high country was not cold. I used my
track suit trousers and jumper on one occasion only. Sleeping backs do not
have to be -0 as it never got anywhere near cold enough for alpine type
bags.

Nothing dried, some people had nylon tops and they seemed to be the best
option. I washed my walking shorts and top each night and put them on wet
in the morning. They dried within 10 – 15 minutes of walking with nil
problems.

I used cotton boot gaiters which were more than adequate. Others had large
full length types which worked well.

Two or three pairs of socks were adequate as nothing dries, it is irrelevant
to have more. We dried them over the fire.

Men should not wear jocks, all of us went without (freeballing) or used
jockey shorts. I don't know what the girls used but I would suggest the
equivalent.

I used a cheep tent which I gave to my porter. I would suggest a can of
water repellent would be sufficient to keep the water out. From what I
could see hammocks would be difficult to erect and manage. On our trek it
rained one night, the porters dug trenches around our tents and no one got
wet. The porters slept under a open tarp with trenches dug around it and
remained dry.

Some people carried collapsible walking poles whilst the porters cut sticks
from the bush for the rest of us. The sticks seemed to be at least as good
as the poles and a lot cheaper. Some of us decorated our sticks with
carvings etc and Phil washed his at the hotel. By cleaning it thoroughly
he was able to satisfy customs and brought it home. I wish I had thought
of it. It is now mounted on his wall.

There were no mosquitos at Kokoda and the high country at all. At the Port
Moresby end there were some but they were not a problem especially if your
tent has netting built in.

I carried 20 muesli bars to eat and a couple of packets of hard lollies
which I often gave to the village kids. Others carried bags of nuts and
dried fruit to eat and various give alway's like pencils, stickers etc.
The kids loved them and they are light and cheap.

Finally my advice to future trekkers is to take only that which is
absolutely necessary. If you know you will use something ie cup, medicine,
shirt then take it, if you think you might need an item ie 2nd shirt, spare
knife, then think 10 times before taking it. If you're not wearing it,
don't take it. From my observation virtually no one suffered from
insufficient anything but plenty said they had too much.

Thankyou for a wonderful trip.

Garry Fair

[Author]

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