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- 31/05/2012 at 12:40 pm #106294
Saloo8
MemberTime is variable, depending on the number of people in your group. We will be a group of 12 teens and 4-5 adults, so it will take us quite a few hours. I cannot remember how long our last trip up there took but as a guide, this group took a bit over 6 hours to do Donna Buang last week whereas when I go on my own, I take 4.
Keep an eye out for our red shirts and black jackets and if you see us, say hi!
02/06/2012 at 1:55 pm #106276GeoffreyMB
MemberPerfect directions to Mt St leonards. I went up and back today and had a very good day.
It is 7.5 km, some sections steep but quite easy under foot (not rough and slippery).
I went up in 2 hr 30 mins and came down in 1 hr 38 mins.
Compared to Dona Buang, hmmm, Mt DB definately has many more sections to it where you have to plan your steps and watch your footing. At Mt DB I find the slipperiest, difficult, most concentration needed bit is right at the bottom where the little wooden bridge is. Also the area where the track hugs the barbed wire fence, make a mistake and it will hurt.
Mt St Leonards has mainly easy to negotiate tracks although some looser rocky sections and a good bit where you have to get over a few fallen tree trunks. Popping out at the top and seeing the metal tower (fire/aerial tower?) is great, although I think MtDB is harder getting to the top, Mt St Leonards gave me a greater sence of achievement, I guess because unlike MtDB, the steeper bit is in the last section.
I will definately hit it again next week.
Geoffrey02/06/2012 at 3:48 pm #106277Fordy
MemberI found that Mt Donna Buang to be the best track if you are after a long session but you can't go past a couple of climbs of the Glasgow track in the Dandenongs. It's relatively short but you won't find a steeper or more uneven track.
03/06/2012 at 1:35 am #106278GeoffreyMB
MemberYes, the Glasgow track is rocky, uneven, slippery due to loose rock/stone not mud. I do it 3 times a session to feel I made the trip worthwhile. Would I be right in saying that's 2hr 30 mins for the 3 up & backs?
03/06/2012 at 11:39 am #106280Fordy
MemberIf you are doing 3 repeats of the Glasgow track comfortably then your training preparations are going really well. it's always difficult to replicate a 2 hour continuous climb on shorter tracks but hitting shorter climbs and doing it at a good pace like it looks like you are is ideal.
03/06/2012 at 12:36 pm #106281GeoffreyMB
MemberQUOTE(Fordy @ 3 Jun 2012, 06:39 PM) [snapback]14069[/snapback]If you are doing 3 repeats of the Glasgow track comfortably then your training preparations are going really well.hmmm 'comfortably'… hmmmm, the third could be better discribed as Clumsily
2 hour climbs, is that in reference to the real Kokoda track?03/06/2012 at 1:00 pm #106282Fordy
MemberYeah the climbs are continuous and at times seem never ending. The pace would be far slower than what you would be doing on the Glasgow in terms of 3 repeats in two hours. If I was you I'd try going a bit slower and try doing a 4th repeat.
03/06/2012 at 1:14 pm #106283GeoffreyMB
MemberGood advice.
Just confirming it is 3 times in 2 hr 30 mins (@ 2 1/2).
I probably could do 4, still at same pace or little slower but I have to add 45 mins there and 45 mins back to Mt Dandy making it a long day out. Still got to do the household chores too03/06/2012 at 1:27 pm #106284Fordy
MemberI haven't timed my walks at Glasgow but would think your times are pretty good. I was doing my training at 5-6 km per hour including hills and was advised by a repeat Kokoda trekker to slow it considerably and add distance. We did max distances of about 22km and hill sessions as often as possible. Out trek leader said most people needed more downhill training due to stresses on the legs/ knees etc.
08/01/2013 at 9:06 am #106477MargD
MemberCan anyone suggest a suitable training trek near Warragul Gippsland? Also how often will I need to walk and is walking up hills on made roads okay sometimes or should I only find hilly tracks. I run 4 times a week including hills and a long run. I don't want to stop running but know I have to walk with a pack to prepare for Kokoda. Does the running count towards the training? I'm worried I won't do enough. Any suggestions are welcome.
12/03/2013 at 12:33 pm #106495rickgainsmith
MemberDid the Warburton to Mt Donna Buang walk today. It's a challenging walk, it was 36 degrees today so that certainly contributed.
Parts are very steep, with little or no rest and yet another climb.
This was my first experience of steep long distance down hill, the pain caused in the knees was surprising. They seem to have recovered pretty well but only tomorrow will tell.
I've done the 1000steps twice every week for a few months now but this walk by far was more challenging.
You start at Martyr Road, the sign says 7 hours it took me 3 hours up, 20 minutes to eat something and check out the view, then 2 hours down.
Trek is not until July so plenty of time to get my body use to the stress of the down hill.
20/03/2013 at 3:06 am #106453Waza
MemberHi Rick
Looks like you have youth on your side so I expect your knees will be able to recover pretty quickly even if you do feel some soreness.
The Mt Donna Buang trek seems to be a good training walk for you and perhaps over Easter, you could trial a walk every day on it, to further simulate what you will have to do.
Good luck in July.
Regards
Waza (Treks 83 & 872)
10/02/2014 at 4:14 pm #106890Nathan Thomas
MemberWe would like to introduce our new Training Website Fit 4 Treks. http://www.fit4treks.com.au/
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Fit4Treks has been designed exclusively for Kokoda Trekking clients, to equip your body with the strength and stamina you'll need. A self-training program, it gives you the utilities and you manage it yourself or with the help of your personal trainer.
Fit4Treks is the only Training program of its kind!
No other Kokoda Trail organisation offers a fitness program with the tools to prepare clients for their trek. As a valued client of Kokoda Trekking, whether you are about to embark on your first ever trek or you've been there, done that before, there's no doubting you'll benefit hugely from Fit4Treks.
Improving your cardiovascular fitness and increasing your muscular strength will help you to cope better with the demands of extreme hill walking, and you'll also protect your body more effectively against injury.
You don't even have to be a member of a gym to train with Fit4Treks as we've designed it to include programs and exercises you can do in or out of the gym.
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20/02/2014 at 1:11 am #106933rossco
MemberHey, if you're in Melb I wrote a small summary comparing the Warburton – MtDB track and the Glasgow in this thread, worth a read.
http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=1631
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