Tent, Bivvy Or Other

[Earthboy_rod]

Hello,

I'm booked for Kokoda in July 2008 and I'm not sure what to use for shelter, and would appreciate some thoughts from anyone who has already completed Kokoda.

My options are:

* sleeping bag & single man tent e.g mantis I

* sleeping bag & bivvy bag & hoochie

* sleeping bag & hoochie * 2

I was originally thinking of the tent but with many years camping experience and accustomed to using hoochies etc from my army days I'm now thinking option 2 is the one.

Also weight is a consideration as i am planning on carrying my own pack.

Any comments would be appreciated, I guess weather may play a part.

Rod

[39thdecendant]

Hi Rod

I would definately take a tent, and waterproof it, when it rains, it really rains and there is nothing worse than trying to pack up soaking wet gear, at 5.30 in the morning, then carrying it for 7 hours. Weight then REALLY becomes a problem.
The tent is not only to keep you dry, but to keep your pack & boots dry as well, also helps to keeps out any nasties that might like to find a home in your boots at night.

We took a 9+ lightweight sleeping bag and a self inflating matteress, in hindsight and when we do it again, the sleeping bag will stay, but I will take one of those light foam camping matteress instead of the self inflating which I found extremely uncomfortable, but then maybe I just camped on every rock there was!
It gets pretty cold up in the hills at night, we took thermals which came in pretty handy.

[jkg07]

QUOTE(39thdecendant @ 9 Oct 2007, 06:35 AM) [snapback]5759[/snapback]

the self inflating which I found extreamly uncomfortable, but then maybe I just camped on every rock there was!

And here I was under the impression that inflatables cushioned against rocky surfaces more than other materials!

[39thdecendant]

It was most probably just me, I didn't like it, and found it uncomfortable, but it's personal preference I suppose. I think both would be a good option, if weight permits it.

nettie

[phantom]

Hi guys,
Saw your post and as a'veteran' of the Kokoda and other wet and rugged places. Forget the hutchie and the bivy bag. Tents now are just about as light as any hutchie and bivies are only ever designed as overnight emergency shelters. In a bivy the main problem is that they are so small all of your gear has to stay outside and that means wet gear.

You can do alot better that a hutchie. If you want entry level go and look at some of the Outer Limits range or the Black Wolf tents. Light and cheap. If you want more expensive then the sky is the limit. I took a One Planet Caddis and they are bombproof. Tons of room and a bit heavier ( 3 kg) than some but the chance to spread out is worth it. I carried my own pack each time up there.

Self inflating matts( Thermarst ) etc are great but if you are used to 6 inches of foam then practise in the front yard or lounge room floor before you go.

Cheers and have fun.

[JaniceSeptember]

We took a 9+ failing sleeping bag and a cocky inflating matteress, in hindsight and if we do it again, the sleeping bag will stay, but I will yield one of those ablaze cream camping matteress instead of the cocky inflating which was extremely uncomfortable,

[crowie]

as an experienced trekker and ex army ive used all including hootchies, bivy bags and tents. However the best sleep which is relatively lightweight is a hammock with mozzie net and tarp. Ive used this extensively for the last three years in all climates and it takes less than 2 minutes to put up or take down. No more hard sleeps on the ground. I have used the hamock in tropical climates and cold climates with sleet / snow and it has never let me down. The whole setup weighs less than 1 kg

[Lorna]

Presuming yu can find two trees the right distance apart to hook it to!! Might prove difficult on the track.

[Brian]

Hi

And those trees in the right spot on the Kokoda track well may just not be where you want them.

Remember also that every bit of the land along the track is owned by someone sounds silly but that is a fact, where you hang your hammock maybe on someone Else's patch to where the rest of the group are and you may have to pay for use of that spot.

Trekking companies do pay a fee for each night spent at a particular spot of guest house.

Brian

[crowie]

Lorna that is correct, however having spent weeks in the jungles of Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand and various other locations hot and cold….and seeing what the locals do…. hammocks are very popular and if two trees 10 -12 feet apart are the hardest criteria….well its not that hard…..easier than trying to find a nice level spot with hip holes for a tent ……rainforest floors are very damp and lots of creatures move about including leeches snakes and others…..eco challenge competitiors in Borneo and other locations use hammocks including ultralight versions that weigh around 600 gms…..if no trees are available (rare) it is possible to set it up as tarp on the ground by using trekking poles…but at the end of the day its all a personal preference to what you prefer…

[Lorna]

Yes, it most definitely is personal preference Crowie…. however I think a tent is the best and easiest option on the Kokoda Track. All campsites on the track are cleared, grassy areas, not your regular jungle terrain. And I'd have to say I didnt' notice many ( if any) tress at these campsites.

[peterh13]

I was thinking the same thing Lorna,most of the sites are like bowling greens.

[Lorna]

I wonder how they keep the grass so neat Peter? Only place I saw a slasher was Effogi… and it obviously hadn't gone for a very long time!!

Wonder how Fluppy is getting along. She is full of determination – equally as important as the fitness side of things. Good luck to her… I'm sure she'll ace it in.

[Mrs Moo]

QUOTE

I wonder how they keep the grass so neat Peter?

At Isurava monument area I saw people (including kids) slashing the grass with their bush knives. Not sure how many people it would take to clear Eora Creek campsite this way – it was fairly extensive!

[Author]

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