I am 30 and 'ok' with my fitness. Just 'ok' is not going to cut it out there on Kokoda though. It is because of this that I have 'stepped up' (pardon the pun) my training. My 9kg pack is now 11kg as of today in effort to try and compensate for my 'ok' fitness. Spoke to my doctor today about excessive tremors after exercise and knew it wasn't…[Read more]

Great. I'm doomed then. I don't have bi-focals, but I am very short sighted. Let's just say if a stop sign wasn't red and ocangular in shape, I wouldn't know that it says 'Stop' as I wouldn't have a hope in heck reading the word 'Stop' if I was standing right under it without my glasses P.S. I hear that car window spray stuff works great on…[Read more]

Ok, went and had a look at the Trinity and Helena packs. All good, but doesn't mention if they are waterproof/mud proof. This is even more important to me than the space itself – what good is all the space in the world if all my stuff will get wet, damaged, mouldy, muddy and rendered useless?!

Hi Lorna,I've been doing a little bit of research and the brand 'One Planet' seems to be ok. I am looking at the mini-Freddy with attachable harness for my day pack although it doesn't have side pockets for those extra water bottles.A task that is proving quite difficult for me – so far I have either found a daypack with side pockets for…[Read more]

Thanks Geoff – yes, it did slip my mind that leeches can throw themselves at you from surrounding vegetation. Can't see myself smothering my upper body in vaseline lol!

Brian – I did tend to think you lived here lol!re; balloons. Didn't think of the environmental concerns, so might take the marbles instead…I am trekking in October 2009Always was the 'why' kid – the kids at school hated me in science for that

Thanks Brian – water purification tablets as well as anti-squirts medication will also come in the first aid kit…Happy to take the advice on only a 2L Camelbak – this is what we actually have here at home, but thought a 3L one wouldn't go astray. Good thing a 2L one will do just fine.Waterbottles – we found the side pockets weren't wide enough…[Read more]

Thanks Geoff. Something we did discover yesterday was that the day pack might be a tad too small. So we are thinking of buying a separate day pack each – which will need to fit in it:1 x 3L hydration pack1 x t-shirt1 x shorts (these are 1 set of spare clothes)1 x headlamp2 x 1 L or 500ml waterbottles in the side pocketsMunchies for along the…[Read more]

Well, just bought our packs. I would like to know anything bad or negative about these in advance please!Brand: CaribeeMake/Model: DakarCapacity – 75-85L & 65-75LRemoveable day pack, strong adjustable back, shoulders & hip support, waterproof (so they say – I will be doing my own water-proofing on them as a secondary precaution and using a pack…[Read more]

Thank you for your insightful information Mrs Moo. Stretches for archilles – yes – must remember these – as I am hyperflexible, I am prone to injury in such areas if I don't stretch. Again, thank you for your input

Thanks for the tips guys. Every little fragment and snippet of information I can get hold of before I go helps. Ian – training in a tracksuit in 37 – 40 degree celcius heat?? (as is most temperatures this time of year where I live) Wow. That's dedication! Fortunately, today is cloudy. I suppose that makes little difference though lol!Brian -…[Read more]

No, as I live in QLD – but I'm sure others would be I'd like some suggestions as to some areas I could walk around in Ipswich in QLD though.

Thanks again

Thanks again

Thank you. Much appreciated. Could you PM me with your address so I can send them back to you when I'm done? Thanks.Brooke

Wow. Lost for words Netti. I laughed, I cried, I thought and I felt. Thank you so much for sharing.

Wow. What can I say to that? You are so right. 'You are what you think you are' as the saying goes.re; your father's audio tapes etc – that would indeed be extremely difficult. It's amazing they retold anything at all really. Simple things like eating a good ol' Aussie meat pie (which would've been absolute heaven if they had one over there)…[Read more]

Thank you Tilly for relating your experience. It all helps.Love 'nervous-nelly' lol!

Thanks cdt Smith. Are you in the cadets? I was (127RCU) – but that was nearly 15 years ago now, so am not as young as I once was . Some days are good and some are like today where I think, 'what have I got myself into?' and it is harder for me to begin the day's training – hence why I posted this topic.I did a light walk up 2 (long) hills with…[Read more]