Iou76If you are from Melbourne, the humidity will hit you "head on", the moment you step off the plane at Port Moresby. I do not enjoy humidity.Of course it maybe too late for you now but I have mentioned a few times before, anyone coming out of a Melbourne winter are well advised to allow 2-3 days to acclimatise in PNG before commencing your…[Read more]

I too have the utmost admiration for Brian and his achieviements which I have expressed to him via personal email.Brian's own preparation for his Kokoda Trek clearly followed all the good advice available on this forum and is exactly the point I was making. Obviously, for many who fail to complete their Trek, unfortunate accidents aside, their…[Read more]

Hi K*I*M,Welcome to the forum. I will endeavour to assist you with any of your queries whenever I can.I am not sure of the climatic conditions you can expect in January as I trekked in August. No doubt it would be very hot, humid with periods of torrential rain however others maybe able to offer more reliable advice. I would suspect that even the…[Read more]

Hi MTV,One or two poles?. It would seem that one pole will be more than adequate in your circumstance. Two can be cumbersome at times and generally not necessary for younger people with sound knees and ankles.Kathmandu have three sizes of gaiters although I would tend to avoid the smallest size.Look to purchase only when on sale at Kathmandu which…[Read more]

Hi All,I totally agree with what seems to be the majority view that manufactured adjustable trekking poles are a most worthwhile investment for Kokoda. Poles with specific handle grips are far more comfortable over 8-9 days trekking than hand made sticks from the local bush. For those of us of an older generation, 60+, two sticks are also…[Read more]

Eddie,Congratulations on you wonderfull achievement. Obviously it was not easy for you and I am sure you will forever look back upon your trek of Kokoda with a great deal of pride. Again, congratulations, your effort will be further inspiration for others of your generation.Cheers, Geoff Hardie

Hi Eve,For boots to dry overnight on Kokoda suggests use of fire to accellerate the drying. Be carefull, as frequent or even occassional quick drying is not good for the long term vialabilty for your boots. I would think two days is about the right time to expect boots to dry out naturally.Cheers, Geoff Hardie

Eddie, I of course do not know you so I am not sure of your identity from the above photo. I am assuming you are the mature age gentleman of perhaps " Baby boomer" vintage like myself.Like Brian, I wish you all the best for the remainder of your trek. With the help of your wonderful Porters you certainly appear to be calling upon all your…[Read more]

Hi Eve,I will always commend Charlie Lynn's Adventure Kokoda for their emphasis on informing their trekkers of the military history of the Track and thereby drawing attention to the sacrifices made by our WW2 diggers on the Kokoda Track, including my own father.My concern with the large numbers on his treks is purely about the pressure they put on…[Read more]

Hi Gail,Your accounts of the organisation going into the establishment of Orohaven Retreat are most interesting. They of course illustrate the difficulties you face, whereas in Australia they would happen so much more easily and I feel so helpless.In relation to the Kokoda Track Foundation and their Cyclone appeal late in 2007, I recall the…[Read more]

Hi Brian,As always you display a heart of pure gold and your intentions are without question.Our group of 21 in 2007 gave donations of clothing and money to our individual porters at the end of our trek. One of my sons subsequently sent a brand new pairs of boots to his porter. (The postage cost was nearly as much as the boots themselves.) Via…[Read more]

Hi All,From media reports it seems Kokoda Trekking activities have resumed along the lines of Brian's excellent and timely post. I am sure all trekkers on the track at the moment and in the future, the tragedy of last week will be foremost on their minds in rememberance of this most unfortunate loss of wonderful lives.To Gail, I do hope, despite…[Read more]

Hi Marshall,Welcome to this forum where you find a great deal of information on boots based upon the experiences of many past Kokoda Trekkers. Just click on "Trek Preparation" and follow the relevant topic.In summary though, based upon your enquiries to date, with due respect to the Ray's Outdoors chain of stores, I would move "up market" for more…[Read more]

Hi Natalieae,I agree with Lorna, the PMV trip Popondetta to Kokoda is excellent. albeit that for 2-3 hrs, travel in the PMV is a little uncomfortable. It gives you an additional view of village life in PNG compared with Port Moresby and the more primative perspective you will experience along the Track. The spectacular countryside along the road…[Read more]

I note the just announced response to the tragedy by Charlie Lynn of Adventure Kokoda, a NSW parlimentarian and very experienced Kokoda tour operator of approx 20 years.In the past I have made it known that I do not agree with the large numbers his organisation often include on many of his individual treks, often in excess of 100 including…[Read more]

Hi Andy,You are at an ideal age to commence preparation to walk the Track, although I would not recommend before at least age 16. This opinion is based upon the experience of my own two sons in the early 1990's during hiking treks with the Boy Scout movement at ages 13 to 15. Whilst they coped well carrying packs up to 18kg for 3 and 8 days in the…[Read more]

Arising out of this tragedy and in an ideal world it would be great to think that the views of Kokodanut in an earlier post could come about. i.e. Upgrade of Kokoda Airstrip to allow the larger aircraft, a Dash 8, to service the route Port Moresby to Kokoda.My Kokoda Trek experience involved a flight in a Dash 8, Port Moresby to Popondetta and…[Read more]

Dear Gail and all the KTL Family,It was not my pleasure to trek with KTL yet through this forum I feel I have come to know of the significant contribution made by the Eroro family to Australians trekking Kokoda, and PNG tourism in general.All my prayers and condolances go out to the Eroro family at this sad time.Sincerely, Geoff Hardie

Hi Gail,Delighted to learn that Trek 531 has apparently gone so well and is nearing a successfull completion.Thanks for mentioning my name to Greg, I was certain Greg was my old school mate from circa early 1960's. Feel free to pass on my email address to him at your convenience. I will also leave my address with his Melbourne consultancy room.…[Read more]

Thanks Gail,A check of an old school photo, Greythorn High School, 1962, 1st XVII Aussie Rules football team has me convinced that I have identified a younger Dr Greg Taggart matching the one in your photo. I must say Greg looks extremely fit and should complete the track with ease.I think I must have I earlier missed your photo caption of Greg…[Read more]