Temperatures

[Jungle Jim]

I have tried searching to find out how cold it gets overnight, but all anyone ever says is "it does get cold up high overnight"

How cold can it get in a tropical area? I live in Canberra so know what cold is (eg -10). We get Sydney news and weather where they consider +10 degrees celsius cold.

Whenever I have been in a tropical environment before it has been much closer to sea level and it would have been lucky to dip below 15 degrees (if that far) certainly not what I consider cold.

The main reason for asking is because I intend to get a new sleeping bag for Christmas and would like to get one suited to doing Kokoda as I plan to go next year. Any suggestions on brand or model would also be welcome.

Thanks

[Boss Meri]

At night in Kokoda its warm. The first overnight at Isurava its quite cool…how cool you may ask…well I have been to Canberra in winter and I would say NOTHING like you experience living there!

The temperature varies depending on whether its raining or not. On average its like a winter's night in Brisbane at Isurava. As you work your way through to Eora Creek and Templetons/Myola its gets a little cooler at night. Would say around the 12 – 14 degree mark.

Once you hit Efogi and move on it starts to get warmer again and by the time you reach Goldie River you experience warm nights like here in Port Moresby.

Once you are inside your tent, inside your sleeping bag and all zippered up, you will not feel the cold. Its only when you are outside going to the toilet or sitting with your porters you will feel the cold.

[Jungle Jim]

Thanks

12 – 14 degrees is not by any means cold (cool maybe but not cold) and at least it is more comfortable to sleep in than 30 degree weather.

So with such warm temperatures I can seriously consider one of the superlight sort of sleeping bags like the Roman Palm series (good for 10-15 degrees, weighs 500gm and packs down small enough to fit in the palm of your hand)

[Boss Meri]

Hi again, most Victorians do not think its cold so assume you will not either. Its mainly trekkers from QLD and here in PNG that feel the cold.

However on a couple of treks this year we did have trekkers coming back in saying it was really cold so they have hit a time when it was even cool here in Port Moresby which is not the norm, ie a cold spell.

If its raining the place is warm, if its the dry season than trekkers feel it more.

[jckresq]

I did a trek in early Oct 2007 and whilst it rained for 5 out of 8 days constantly and rained on every other day at around 2:30pm for a few hours, I was never cold, day or night.

I took a sleeping bag and never used it. I did use my silk sleeping bag liner but mainly for mossie protection, which again was not a problem for me. I would seriously consider not taking a sleeping bag next time.

I wore my dry lightweight long pants and shirt at night instead of my wet shorts which kept me warm enough at all times.

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