- This topic has 9,128 voices and 17 replies.
- Posts
Apologies in advance if this is in the wrong board, but I can't help noticing that as I peruse the photos/latest news, that a lot of people seem to have the same trekking poles. They look hand-carved. I was wondering (if they are hand-carved by the locals) how I would go about getting one?
We give them as a free gift to our trekkers who walk with us. From memory you are not walking with us but have chosen another company so you would need to ask them. Unfortunately ours are not for sale. They make a great keepsake for our trekkers to take home. On lots of occasions trekkers are more worried about loosing their walking sticks then their luggage.
One pole or two??? Many I speak to say two is a necessity, especially if it's raining – but then others think one was sufficient. I have purchased one Leki and was thinking I could get a hand carved one when I'm there as well. That way if I'm comfortable walking with just the one pole I could pack my Leki away.
Question – would 2 'odd/different' poles still work OK? Do I use the pole when I'm doing my stair training? Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers all.
Hi Lorna,
As I have mentioned previously, your preparation will tell you what works best for you, wether it is one stick or two. If it is to be two then I would certainly have two of the same, not a mixture of telescopic and carved wooden. As an experienced hiker, but now of advanced years, 60+, I went with two of the manufactured telescopic variety for my crossing. I found this choice worked best for me, especiaslly on the Kokoda Track. Again my preparation specifically for Kokoda was important in this decision. In the past I have always used one carved wooden stick which I did intend to take however my information was that I would not get it back into Australia through customs. I was not willing to risk loosing my constant companion on many past hiking experiences in the Victorian & Tasmanian high country.
Regards, Geoff Hardie
Hi
In my case I also went with two of the manufactured telescopic variety poles and found them idea I guess at 70 I am not quite as agile as some of the younger ones doing the trek where one pole may be suitable.
When I go again, and I will, I will take the same two poles with me.
The pole given me by KTL takes pride of place just inside the front door of our home.
If I can raise the funds I am hoping to trek the Milford Track in New Zealand later this year I will be taking those same two poles with me.
Brian
PS: I am meeting up with Wallace Lemeki, our guide, next week and taking him to the Tamworth Country Music Festival with us if you are there look out for us as Wallace would sure enjoy meeting you.
Hi, all.
I did the track in Aug '08 with 7 others. THE greatest acheivment i have ever done.
I am back looking at the forum as i have just finished Peter Fitzsimons – Kokoda book and was looking up if a date has been established for "Kokoda Day" – it seems there is a number of dates flying about. ?? Nov 3, Aug 29. ??? If anyone knows, please let me know. Ta.
I was reading about the walking stick questions. We all had telescopic aluminium sticks with various grips. Mine were cork & great for training, although when we arrived at the Gateway Hotel and Gail took us through our forthcoming trek,we were issued with a carved walking stick.
I must admit, we all said to each other how great it was to have a momento of our treck. Some suggested leaving them at the Hotel for when we returned, to take back home and hang on the wall, etc.
I can not express how much i grew to love that stick. !!!!
All of us, we had our aluminium sticks tucked nicely in our packs and that's exactly where they stayed for 8 days.
You need to have a spare hand to grab trees, roots, grass, anything to help get up and down. The extra length of the wood stick helps when you are going up and down, as you can push up then move your hand up the lenght of it and get another push up which is needed.
You can also swap from hand to hand as the track changes in the angle and gradiant, ect.
When i go back to another trek, i will be taking my trusty stick.
The aluminium poles are great for training and i still use them when we go out to the steps (1000 steps in Fern Tree Gully- Melbourne) to keep in shape and will prbably take them to Spain next year to do the Sierra Nevada walks.
For all those about to take the adventure. You will have the best time of your life. All of us who went in Aug, can not stop talking about it. It will linger with you for a very long time.
My advise is, when visiting each village, memorial, battle site, etc. take a good long time to reflect on what those blokes did for us back then.
Good Luck and Enjoy.
Hi EVO
The 8th August annually has been celebrated by the 39th Battalion as "Kokoda Day" since the Second World War recalling the successful attack by the 39th Battalion, "A" Company (of which my late father was a member) against the Imperial Japanese Army to retake the village of Kokoda on the 8th Aug 1942. They then fought off a series of fierce day & night attacks until nightfall of 10th August when, greatly outnumbered, their food and ammunition exhausted, they were forced to withdraw with their wounded back to Deniki. The Battalion then fought pitched battles at Deniki and at Isurava where they held the Japanese from 17th to 26th August when the 2/14th Battalion arrived to save them from annihilation.
I do not believe there is any "Official " Kokoda Day as such. The 8th August 2006 was chosen to mark the raising of the 39th Personnel Support Battalion and its return to the Army's Order of Battle. It was a very emotional day for the surviving WW2 39th Battalion diggers as their wartime Battalion was disbanded in very controversial circumstances after their wartime New Guinea campaign.
Glad to hear your carved walking stick is a lasting momento of your crossing and it worked well. As I frequently mention, it is important for all to experience in their prepartion for Kokoda, "what works best for them" Normally I would have used one stick however I walked with one suspect Achilles tendon all through my preparation and on the Track and I did not wish to take any chances. It was not my experience that I needed to use hands to grab hold of vegetation etc all that much, the sticks did all that work for me by supporting going down and leverage going up. Cheers, Geoff HardieWhat about spring-loaded ones? I've heard they're very good for pushing off with for that extra 'umf' as they say, but wouldn't they get all clogged up with mud etc on Kokoda?
The "spring loaded" type you refer to I think is in fact purely of a shock absorbing nature. Spring is internal and poses no problem with mud etc. A bit more expensive than the standard telescopic type. I in fact used the shock absorbing type. This was a conscious decision on my part as I found them to "work best for me" As to whether they give you "push along" the effect is very very minimal. They do minmise the jarring from a solid stick though.
Cheers Geoff Hardie
I wouldnt recommend a shock absorbing walking pole(s). Fairly unnessesary expense in such muddy terrain- the mud will achieve the same effect. I would however suggest if you are taking telescopic poles to ensure you get the little mud guards with it so that your pole just doesnt sink forever into the mud. I'm taking 2 poles, if i find i need just the one- i can easily collapse the other down and 140g's isnt much to worry about strapping to your pack. its the whole 4 points of contacts as opposed to 2 thing. The carved wooden ones weigh about 760-800gms but make a nice momento.
I was on the same trek as Evo, and none of us used our Leki poles. In fact, I left mine at the hotel in Moresby, because Russell Eroro told us that he has seen them snap under pressure.
The poles provided by KTL are not only decorative, but very functional. They are much better for that terrain then the lighter telescopic poles. Next time I go, I will definitely not bother taking any telescopic poles with me. The KTL ones are ideal, and are more of a souvenir if they have actually been in the Kokoda mud!
I used telescopic spring loaded poles and found them to be very handy. going down hills the poles gave my knees some cushioning. remember the terrain is not universally muddy but often the terrain is steep on ascent and descent and two poles worked for me. Even on flatter ground the poles allowed you to maintain a steady walking rhythm. personal choice.
I of course very much support the comments of petedowling. Comprehensive preparation will tell you "what works best for you"
I certainly respect the wide experience and view of Russell Eroro however it often boils down to the physical capabilities of the user. Light weight telescopic poles will never ever support the full weight of an individual in a fall situation.Given reasonable care, these poles are fine for Kokoda. One of our group used a $5 telescopic pole picked up at a $2 buck shop. It survived perfectly apart from the "gimicky" light inbuilt in its handle.
Cheers, Geoff HardieHi all, my first post so please be kind… I'm trekking with KTL soon and have noticed you get a wooden pole to trek with. I'm wondering if there are any 'tricks' to getting this back through customs – it would be devastating to have to leave it in Port Morseby. I noted that Brian didn't seem to have any difficulty which was encouranging but are there any tips? Does it just need to be cleaned? Declared?
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.