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Hi
Really I cannot suggest much further than others already have done.
I personally see no reason to carry the stool I do not recall us once stopping without something to sit on.
The ice pack as far as I am aware can only be used once so only good for a very short period.
The I-poo as mentioned not really needed.I took two pairs of shorts one always wet for day use and the other dry for night use did not take jeans even if I had done so I would not have worn them.
I took four pairs of socks wore them all making sure I had a dry pair at least to start the day with.
I also use the Mantis 11 tent very happy with it. Saw mention of extra pegs and ropes for the tent why? The ones supplied with it should be all you need.
I took far to many snacks will take very little if any next time KTL provided more than I could eat possibly will only take some barley sugars and a few extra tea bags next time.
Australian Customs from what I know are not worried what you take out they are certainly worried what you bring back in. As long as you are not carrying anything illegal they are not interested.
It is not so much what you are taking it is the quantities that you need to look at, break the packets and jars/tubes open put in smaller containers.
Perhaps you may be over doing it with the "first aid" items but you never really know what you need.
I am confused as to what you are carrying in your daypack I have the impression that you are considering carrying your water in the main pack that the porter is carrying?
The Porter does not carry your water you carry your own water he carries his.Saw mention of gators I totally agree having shorter legs myself I found the full length ones rubbed on my knees so I purchased the half height ones which were great.
I did use two top of the range walking poles and will certainly be using them next time I go, being 70 I found that I really needed them.
In a rush as I have to go out that will do for now
BrianHi Fluppy
Quick additionIf staying at the Gateway leave what ever you decide not to take at the last moment with your luggage in thier secure room, do no carry your passport, tickets or Aussie money with you leave it in the managers safe or in a safe deposit box.
Do make sure that you have some 5kina say 20x5kina notes with you to buy drinks and/or fruit along the way as those you are getting it from may not have change. Everything we purchased along the way was 5kina. Keep them in a dry place.
Each time I purchased a drink, 5k, I also got one for my porter but this is up to you.
On my trek one couple did not carry any kina at all with them which meant that the others were having to fork out for them.
Brian
Ok, firstly, thanks everyone for your advice and comments. Certainly taken on board.
Secondly – a lot of our stuff had been packed already. Gaiters included. There is a detachable day pack on our main porter's pack. This was deliberately left off for the porter's gear. We found the detachable day packs too small once we had put our hydration bladders in so bought bigger day-packs for ourselves.
We will be carrying our own water in the daypacks that we will have.
In our main pack (that the porter carries) there is: Clothing (including socks), spare bushman's, laces, duct tape, sleeping gear, 1 towel each (sea-summit small towels – quickdry stuff), 1 collapsable plate (also sea-summit) & cutlery (I have a 'spork',hubby has a 3-piece set), gastro kit (hydration stuff etc) + 1 tent between us. That is all. I guess it looks like heaps when it is sprawled out on a tarp like that.
We have everything listed on our gear list that was supplied to us by the company we are trekking with (which unfortunately is not KTL).
Good point about the vaseline, toothpaste, salt etc. My feet are horrendous at the best of times (very prone to not only blisters, but corns, bunions and anything else that can go wrong with feet) so hence the amount of vaseline, foot care products.
Walking poles, sandals are attached on the outside of our daypacks that we will be carrying along with an extra water bottle each. Some stuff we will be leaving at the hotel (Gateway).
Hope this clears a few things up!
flups
A quick note about carrying stuff on the outside of your packs (poles, sandals etc) is that anything that swings can make your life a little harder when you walk as the inertia tends to mean you over-rotate when walking. This doesn't sound like a lot when walking a short distance or over flat ground etc, but when you are at the point of exhaustion you will probably feel differently. With that said, an occy strap or just clever use of the straps on your day packs to keep everything in tight and secure will make short work of that.
Gday Fluppy, looks like you have it all covered.
If you have room for your porters gear, then i would take everything if it fits in your pack.
Remember if you start to stress a little before you go then sit down and take a few deep breaths.
On the subject of money, i ended up taking about 200 kina ($100) on the track, which when you think of how much the trek is costing, is not much. Definately in small notes. i spent about 80k on soft drink and fruit and had plenty left when reaching kokoda, so bought a carton of sp's to share with the porters. In the end i gave what i had left to my porter. You've never seen a smile like it
Of course it would depend on how your porter is, but i'm sure you will make a friend for life.
Maybe factor in a few dollars if you are staying in kokoda a night.
I have suffered from cramps in the legs after many days on the cricket fields and was sure that would happen on my trek, so took a light pair of thermals just in case. sure enough come day two i started to cramp up, and they became a godsend at night around the campsite. That and nurofen for breakfast
Mt Barney is fantastic and the camp at Lower Portals is nice, still can't get used to how cold the water is though!
Good luck to you and your partner, safe treking.
DaveHi Fluppy,
Not long to go now..! My pack for the porter ended up weighing 14kg, but we didn't take a tent, that was supplied and carried by the porter. Like you I packed, unpacked and repacked that many times, I almost knew by heart where everything was. Like so many others, I too took too much first aid stuff, but you never know and you just can't duck out and buy some if you need it, but you will find that once you get on the track, bonding with the other trekkers, you will all share if needed.
Just a few things, extra zip-lock bags (lge) for any wet clothes, etc and blister paks, these are expensive, but were a god send when Anthony got blisters and the bandaids kept coming off.. I never used my gatoraid powder, but did the glucose tablets. the only other thing that came in so handy was a little wash cloth that hooked on the outside of the day pack or on your pants, kept it wet and was great for just wiping the sweat off our faces. I couldn't fit much into my day pack as dad's ashes took most of the room, and weighed in at 5kg on their own! Mainly the water and anything you need during the day, as your porter will most probably potter off on the easy bits and catchup withhis mate, then you'll find him sleeping onthe side of the track and you will realise JUST how slow you have been going! but they will always be there to help on the tricky bits. Just be very aware of the health issues up there at the moment, make sure you drink only bottled water, even in the hotels and use your anti-bacterial handwash.
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/vie…apua_New_Guinea
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