I now have days 1,and 2 photos up on my facebook profile for those who haven't seen them already

Yes, you did (obviously because I've been talking to you on facebook) For others who might be interested in seeing more of my Kokoda photos, here is the link to my facebook profile:http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#…amp;ref=profile

I too did a lot of stair training. There were hills where I live here in QLD (Australia), but initially, I found the local water-tower and walked up and down those stairs. 60 stairs x 10 times = 600 stairs at a time. I too, like Boss Meri was near dead on the first day I tried this. But as time went on, I became better at it, my legs…[Read more]

Hi Rob,Firstly I welcome you to the forum and commend you on taking on such an extraordinary investigation.Secondly, I echo everything the others have said – it's just that they got in first and took the words out of my mouth!And lastly, but not least, I have just returned from trekking the Kokoda Track myself. Reasons for walking Kokoda vary…[Read more]

[attachment=8837:Mesomewh…fthepack.jpg]Me somewhere in the middle of the pack. Just past the porter with the bright yellow pack (Stan) there is a guy. Ahead of him (if you squint real hard or enlarge the pic) you'll see me. I remember this day as the song 'Paint It Black' (Tour Of Duty themesong – sung by The Rolling Stones) was playing. It…[Read more]

Touching as always Mike. I will be the first to put my hand up to purchase a copy of your book. flups

[attachment=8834:MrOttertakesabreak.jpg]I took a friend with me. His name is Mr Otter. Sometimes he was carried in my pack, but sometimes I allowed him out and on this particular day he wanted to sit in a tree and relax for a bit [attachment=8835:MrOtterl…ownrifle.jpg]Other times, Mr Otter tried to get into the mood of it all and sat in a…[Read more]

[attachment=8831:Bloodytr…VERYWHER.jpg]Bloody tree roots absoulutely EVERYWHERE for the entire 9 days!!!! I am sure these contributed heavily to my slipping all over the place…[attachment=8832:Yesitwasmuddy.jpg]Yes, it was muddy – even without the rain. But my Zamberlan boots (good 'ol Italian one-piece leather) held up magnificently.…[Read more]

[attachment=8828:CoralSea…ndowview.jpg]Looking out the plane window on the way to Port Moresby at the Coral Sea Islands[attachment=8829:Showingt…th_Ialmo.jpg]Showing the curvature of the earth looking out the plane window[attachment=8830:Sunset1.jpg]Sunset over (current) Ioribaiwa…[Read more]

Hi micmak, Yes, your walker's guide dvd (& the map too – as I got this long before I purchased the Bill James book) was indeed a great help.Everyone else – I am about to post some pics up of the first couple of days. You will (in time) also be able to view them on my facebook profile under the name, Brooke Preston. Add me as a friend if you…[Read more]

Mike – you never cease to amaze me with your poetry. I sincerely enjoy reading every one of your poems and to be honest am a bit jealous and/or envious at your ability to write so…so…(struggling to find the right word here) so…emotive. So powerful. You truly are an inspiring poet.fluppy

Gail – Mr Fluppy's (Earle's) knees started to go around the day 3 mark (he is 6ft 2") so downhills were a real problem for him. By day 5 he was in a fair bit of pain, but refusing to let it get to him. I drew a lot of strength from him. He showed much courage and perserverance. Luckily we had bought two knee braces, seen the physio for numerous…[Read more]

Thanks so much everyone for all your thoughts and positive vibes – the experience was absoulutely fantastical! Given I don't even make 5ft and I had many more steps to take than a lot of others, my fitness held out remarkably well. My asthma gave me a bit of grief early in the mornings as my night-time medication was still wearing off and the…[Read more]

I took 800+ photos, but a lot of them look the same. Mountain range after mountain range, village after village. It is not until I go back to my journal that everything comes flooding back. Speaking of flooding, we were incredibly lucky. It only rained once – day 1 – the whole 10 days I was there. That didn't mean there wasn't any mud…[Read more]

Day 1 was good. We pretty much followed the map/timeline in Bill James' book, "Field Guide To The Kokoda Track". Days 2 and 3 for me were an absolute nightmare. Woke up on the wrong side of the bed(mattress?) so-to-speak and began what I called the first real hell-hike up to Ioribaiwa Ridge/Peak of Maguli Range. Much mud. Many tree roots. Oh…[Read more]

Just bumping this topic as the grand prize caught my attention. Mr Fluppy and I both have Goretex jackets and my goodness, they work damn well. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a prize to be sneezed at! Goretex jackets are very expensive, but worth every bit of money. They are unbelieveably light, luxurious and comfortable for what they do.…[Read more]

Fortunately I had the good sense to buy not just one, but two spare glasses from my optometrist (he's known me for 14 years). I have one spare set at home which will stay at home. I have the pair on my face (of course) and a spare set to take to Kokoda with me. Also purchased (only yesterday) those straps that hold your glasses on. $2 from the…[Read more]

Potato. Well. Who would've thought eh?! *mental note to self: make sure to keep nightly ration of potato aside for glasses* With the suggestion of removing hat I also thought of a bandana. If I have that around my head it might absorb some of the sweat that would otherwise fog up my glasses.My glasses are very much of a necessity. I'm…[Read more]

Lorna – No no! Don't do that – I don't think I'll get it in time! But of course, thank you for your generosity I leave this coming Sunday at 10am from Brisbane Airport. I will be returning on the 30th of October (taking a night or two extra at the Gateway to decompress and absorb everything before we fly home to Oz). I probably won't be able…[Read more]

I have run out of time to get this stuff. Couldn't find it anywhere. What else is available? Rainex (for cars?)