Hi,some of the people in our group wore long sleeves and some short, it depends on your skin type, I wore short sleeves and shorts, long pants I think are way too hot, but some wore long pants and it didn't worry them. Just to clarify, I didn't go with Kokoda Trekking, but will next time. nettie

Hi,Cotton quick dry shorts are what you need, it's hot & humid during the day, even when it rains. Depending on your skin type, short or long sleeve cotton shirts, good quality boots, cotton work socks. My son & I took 1 pair of shorts, 2 King Gee work shirts, 2 T shirts, 1 more pair of shorts for after your wash, 4 pairs of socks, thermal's for…[Read more]

Depends on which trekking company you go with, we got rations packs which were 1 kg each, we got three to carry in our own packs, and these took up quite a bit of room, we had to scrunch ours down, biscuit & dip turned into crumbs! I had a porter called Burbon, and he just tied his stuff to the back of my pack, I had a pack cover for when it…[Read more]

hey Jafa,I did the same thing, just had to get a clearance from my op in Feb, the dr just took my blood pressure, but he did do a complete blood test. You will be fine, I stressed as well before I went, and I can tell you NOTHING will prepare you for it, being pysically fit helps, but when you start to climb…. We had some pretty fit boys in our…[Read more]

Hi Austin, am in the process of emailing you a full account.. cheersNettie

Hi Jaffa,Had no problems on the way up, plane was a little late, but no real problems,good flight, excellent service, the real problems only started after we went up, when the only plane they had for International flights was 200 hrs out of it's 1000hr refit date, it was leased from Air NewZealand who took it back, so then they had to find another…[Read more]

Galen, your site did not register, could you put in on there again please. I have been in contact with a friend of mine who's husband still works in Goroka, she said the Western & Eastern Highlands are not good, but everything seems to be peaceful in Goroka at the moment. If you could post that link again, I would like to have a look at it. nettie

Hmmm gives a person food for thought! Anthony & I are going on to Goroka as well.. I hope everyone gives this a good read. I remember when Self Government and Independence came, the same warnings were broadcast down here, but we didn't really see anything, but back then, they didn't have guns! Maybe Boss Meri can shed some light as to just how…[Read more]

Jafa,when I had a look at your mat, the virus protection picked up a virus, you may want to check thatnettie

Hi Austin,I went to Kokoda Day yeasterday, Kokoda Day is on the 8th of August, but most times the major service is held on the sunday before, it was great, so sad though to see all the old diggers, another one of the 39th passed away on the 18th of July, seems that I am getting emails all the time now, soon there won't be any left! I met a few…[Read more]

have you tried Ranger camper – oconner on stock rd – you are in perth arnt you !! was in this store last week and it seemed that thay had lost of thermals. Hi Aussie,No, I am in Queensland, Glasshouse Mountains to be exact, will be trying BCF ( similar to Ranger Camper) this weekend to see what I can find, unfortunatly where we live there is…[Read more]

Hi David,I noticed that no-one has replied to you, the weather is very hot/humid in Moresby, getting cooler as you climb. September is the end of the dry season start of the wet season, so you could expect rain, not the same as here, it pours, then it stops. I lived the Highlands of New Guinea, and from talking to a lady who lives at Kokoda, the…[Read more]

Hi jaffa,that must be the long course my doctor was talking about, there is a long course and a short course, but because we are going at the end of August, and I suppose left it too late, we have had to have the short course, but I can tell you I would rather have had the long one!

Just a note on injections, had mine yestereday, and let me give you the drum, don't leave it too late, my arms feel like I'v done 5 rounds with Mike Tyson! Hep B is given in three lots, 7 days apart, so you have to start least 21 days before you leave and the way my arms feel at the moment ( 1 in the left, 2 in the right) I wouldn't want to be…[Read more]

Hi Austin,You can call me Nettie, most do, I think the water is the main thing, 2 litres in a camel pack and then a 2 litre bottle, there's 4 k's straight up, It's a bit of an eye opener just how easy things weigh up, wen you are trying to keep it down! I am buying some 'skins', expensive but I think they will be the best for chaffing, they also…[Read more]

Hi Austin,I have just about got everything for the trip and packed my pack yesterday & weighed it, it came to 7 kg, all I have to add is some more clothes, 4 litres of water – 1 kg per litr, and some bits & pieces, allowing for around another 3 kg or so, I figure that all up 15 kg max, this weekend I intend to pack everything i intend to take,…[Read more]

dcorker – that's great, you will be able to fill us all in on your expierences, hope you really enjoy the expierence. I am going to scan in my dad's diary ( 39th battalion) he had entries at the same time Anthony & I will be walking, so we will be able to trace his exact footsteps during the war, as we are walking as well. Very Special.

Got the backpack at the camping shop, it's an 'oztrail discovery 65' it's got everything we need, waterproof, detachable day pack, etc etc, anthony's was $110.00 cause he is 6'3" and had to have the bigger one, we got the packs fitted and adjusted at the camping shop, I am having a 'porter' cause of my knees, but the locals are all around my…[Read more]

I usually take a backpack of water when I do the mountain thing, but yesterday we did it without, I thought the sound was the water sloshing around, how embarrasment! it was my knees making the noise.. am getting some Glucosamine and Fish oil tomorrow. Only 29 sleeps for me…..Back Pack $ 78.00Boots $200.00air matteress…[Read more]