What a fabulous read! I too found my stick invaluable and it wasn't until about 5 days into our trek that I was brave enough to ask our trek guide if he knew any porters in our group who could carve my name into my stick (looking back, what a silly question to ask – as if he wouldn't know anyone who could carve – it's what they do best!)My…[Read more]

"This study has confirmed that a small number of people can drink too much fluid and potentially become unwell from low salt in their blood, particularly while undertaking arduous treks.The best way to avoid this is to drink when you are thirsty."Well this is interesting…What if a) the fluid you are drinking has magnesium + extra salt in it to…[Read more]

QUOTE(Boss Meri @ 24 May 2010, 11:47 PM) [snapback]11741[/snapback]We also grow our own chickens at Orohaven Kokoda Retreat.… If you are from the city and think chickens come in frozen packages, this too is on offer in our freezers. Do not laugh, some people think of a live chicken as a kind of pet whereas a frozen one does not give them a…[Read more]

Shorty – wow. I get goosebumps just reading your post. When we had our dawn service at Brigade Hill, it was very eerie. You could almost sense and almost even see the glint of silver of the Japanese bayonets hiding amongst the undergrowth. It was very awe inspiring too – knowing that hundreds upon hundreds of soldiers on both sides…[Read more]

Another great read Mike. I never knew about this guy. Is the man in your poem your father? Grandfather? Your poetry not only is moving, but also one of informing as well – to which you write to this day – to tell people, to inform them, to move them and to educate them. Today, you have educated me. Thank you.flups

Hi Graham,We live in QLD and found Mt Barney was the best training ground for us. In the wet, it was terrific and came about as close as we were going to get to resembling Kokoda conditions. Lots of steep climbs, lots of downhills, lots and lots of tree-roots (but nowhere near as many as Kokoda had lol!) and lots of slipperyness when it was wet.…[Read more]

Shane – thank you for jogging my memory. I remember now (although didn't at first)…

Oh Gail :'(Such a horrible tragedy to have happened under any circumstances. I pray that the Lord will be with Wayne & his family as they go through this difficult time. Please pass on our condolences to Wayne & his family. Brooke & Earlexxxx

Hi Scott,When we went, we did take a ground sheet & were mighty thankful we did – not because of the rain – but because of the condensation in the early morning. However, I don't think a groundsheet is totally necessary. Once or twice our porter had our tent set up but forgot all about the ground sheet as my partner had it in his pack – so our…[Read more]

Nice one Mike. I learn something new about Kokoda every day Given any more thought to putting these in a self-published book??flups

Thanks Brian Not looking at going for quite some time (next 5 or 6 years) but still nice to know these things ahead of time anyway. Good thing is Gateway Hotel would've been finished being revamped by the time we trek Kokoda again and we can reap the rewards of wonderous views with a beautiful refreshing pool to swim in and a complete new…[Read more]

What if you don't have a credit card? I am on a disability support pension and so would have to pay say each fortnight or 3-weekly. Does KTL allow this? Editor's Note:We have two options for payment of our treks. One option is by bank transfer and the other credit card transactions:http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/payment/index.html

QUOTE(peterh13 @ 2 Mar 2010, 02:51 PM) [snapback]11341[/snapback]treat every day as a seperate bushwalk and youll have no probs..I have to most definitely agree with this. This is the exact advice that Peter gave me and it works very well. In fact there was a day or two when I had to remind myself of this out loud. It re-ignited my energy to…[Read more]

This is great news! Keep up your training and enjoy every bit of Kokoda when you go!!fluppy

QUOTE(peterh13 @ 24 Feb 2010, 04:03 PM) [snapback]11332[/snapback]You know what would make this site kick along a bit better ?? everyone should have a go at doing a product review with relevant treking gear. And then everyone can put their 2 cents worth in.Agreed. That's a brilliant idea

QUOTE(Brian @ 10 Feb 2010, 01:53 PM) [snapback]11322[/snapback]Lyn's is 16kg and John's 18kg both for 6 days so it can be done. BrianIt most certainly can be done. My pack weighed in at 12.6kg & hubby's weighed in at 15.2kg – with the tent included – when we trekked Kokoda last year in October.

Yep. Everything ddkdave said. Cannot stress the importance of the harness. If you do not want a damaged back or shoulders or to do irreversible damage to your body – then take the advice and search for a backpack with a decent harness, hip supports, back support and shoulder supports.We went with Deuter packs and had no problems.

K*I*M – so glad you enjoyed your trek. An amazing experience isn't it! Congratulations on completing Kokoda. You never got any blisters? Wow! Lucky you!! Once again, congratulations – many memories will no doubt be etched in your mind forever now fluppy

Nice one Mike *thumbs up*

I would like to do Machu Pichu (unsure of correct spelling) – in a few years time – I would like to get married at the Incan Ruins. How different would that be?!But I still would like to trek Kokoda again in 5 years time in the opposite direction (Kokoda – Ower's Corner) with KTL this time of course. I would stay 1 night at whatever hotel is…[Read more]