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Hi,
I know it is near impossible to compare training conditions in Melbourne with those on the track but was hoping somebody who had trained in Melbourne on the 1,000 steps out at Ferntree Gully could give me a rough comparison.
ie. how many times up and down 1,000 steps would get me close to experiencing what I will encounter in a days trekking at Kokoda?
Thanks,
Derek.Hi Derek,
I live in Chirnside Park, Melbourne, and incorporated the 1000steps at FTG a few times in my preparation for our Kokoda crossing in 2007 at age 61. This was mainly in respect of my late father, a member of "A" Co. 39th Battalion who of course served on the Kokoda Track during the 2nd WW. Dad was Secretary/Treasurer of the 39th Battalion Association for much of the 1980's &90's, was mainly responsible for the organisation and installation of the Kokoda Memorials placed along this walk.
I have to say though, this walk is very much a "walk in the park" compared to the actual Kokoda crossing.
It is of moderate benefit, if only to get klms into the legs.I would recommend as a "must", either the walk up Mt Donna Buang from Warburton starting at the Golf Course or, the High Lead Track at Powelltown. Both very much duplicate the stepness of the terrain you will experience at Kokoda. The humidity you will experience PNG will of course, not be duplicated in Melb.
Best wishes with your preparation.
Kind regards
Geoff Hardie
Derek, there is a track in Montrose area known as the Glasgow track. it is a short, sharp track but has some really steep sections. Melways reference 66 C1. The actual track isn't on the Melways but if you park at the bottom of Glasgow rd and just head up, you can't miss it. A few trips up and down will count for a very good workout.
As Geoff has said, it is hard to match the conditions on the Kokoda track with anything in Melbourne but the track up Donna Buang gives a bit of an insight. I went up in in 2 hrs 20 mins and came back down in 1 hr 40mins, so all up it is a good 4 hr workout.
My measure of whether I was training hard enough was always in my recovery. As long as I pulled up fine with no soreness the next day, I knew I was doing Ok and could push harder in training. As it was I pulled up perfectly every morning on Kokoda, so all those hills were definitely worth it!ETA- here is a link to a post I made last year regarding tracks in Victoria. http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index…ic=1631&hl=
Thanks heaps….went to Mt Donna Buang last weekend and had a good workout. Will be doing it a few more times before I depart. Cheers.
I did lots of training at the 1000 steps in preparation for my trek (I trained at other places too of course!). Because the steps are so busy and I was carrying a pack my training partner and I used Lyrebird track next to the steps quite often. The day we did it 4 times to the (very) top and back was when we felt we were ready (20km, and no flat bits!). I wish we'd done the steps more because in some places on the track there are 'cut outs' in the dirt which are like stairs, so it might have helped.
The other things that helped in my training was after hitting the gym (couldn't bush walk more than once a week) finding a set of stairs and doing them. After a long session on the treadmill at the highest incline, then biking, then walking again the stairs were tough. But I think it did my legs good to get used to moving even when they were tired. The other thing I did was wear ankle weights while I trained. Normally I think they are a bad idea (the are marketed to runners sometimes, and running puts enough stress on the body), but I think they stimulated the feeling of walking with tired legs and made me stronger. If you try this make sure the weights don't rub on your boots (mine hit the fabric inner lining and rubbed it away – damn!). I trained most days and was tired, although no pain (except those associated with other injuries…). Never felt sore while we were treking though so it was worth it.
Hi all, I realise this forum is a getting on a bit but I have a simple question,
Can someone, in detail, tell me where the "High Lead Track at Powelltown" is. Eg where I park the car, then where do I go. I have been looking at maps and cannot see it.
Thanks
GeoffreyIs this a part of the Tram line trail? We walked a section of it last week but from the other end, at Big Pat's Creek car park which was easy to find. Try calling Parks Vic, they are always pretty good when I've phoned for similar details.
Yeah it is part of that trail. There are 6 sections to it. If you check out http://www.railtrails.org.au it has all the info you need, directions, descriptions etc.
as my time will be limeted by the time I get there, what is the best, hardest, steppest, muddiest, most Kokodaish section that you would recommend? Thanks
Geoffrey have you done the Mt Donna Buang track? Or Mt St Leonards? They would be the closest training you can get to the actual track. Donna Buang is steep, slippery (very at the moment!) and wet. Mt St Leonards has a long, slow ascent that just gets stepper as you go and can be a bit similar in nature to the false peaks on the Kokoda track.
If you've done these, then disregard, but if not, let me know and I'll give you the locations and how to get there.
Hi Saloo8,
I have done the Mt Donna B track, great track, did it on a Sat and again on the Sunday. Not done St Leonards, would love to know how to find tht one, as the weekend is approaching and I dont seem yet still to know exactly where to park and walk to with the High Lead track, perhaps I will replace it with this St Leonrds one. The info would be great. TaNo worries Geoffrey. The Melways ref is 270 G9. That reference is for Donnelly's Weir Rd. You'll do a left at the lights in Healseville (there is a sign) and then a right onto Donnelly's Weir Rd. Follow this road, bending to the left and continue along over a small creek (regular cars are fine) until you reach the carpark of Donnellys Weir. Then just follow the track up to the summit. Part of the way you'll be on a fire track road but there are options to take the the grassier tracks as you go. It will all make sesne once you're on it. The hills just get steeper and steeper! As much as I love Donna Buang, I think this track is probably the best Kokoda training as it just gets harder. Good luck-I'll be up there with our group on the following Sunday.
No worries Geoffrey. The Melways ref is 270 G9. That reference is for Donnelly's Weir Rd. You'll do a left at the lights in Healseville (there is a sign) and then a right onto Donnelly's Weir Rd. Follow this road, bending to the left and continue along over a small creek (regular cars are fine) until you reach the carpark of Donnellys Weir. Then just follow the track up to the summit. Part of the way you'll be on a fire track road but there are options to take the the grassier tracks as you go. It will all make sesne once you're on it. The hills just get steeper and steeper! As much as I love Donna Buang, I think this track is probably the best Kokoda training as it just gets harder. Good luck-I'll be up there with our group on the following Sunday.
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