A couple of questions Jaffa ( or anyone else who has used this product) re the Ether Thermo 6 sleeping mat… from your link in this forum. How difficult is it to blow up without a pump? And also to pack up into it's stuff sack again? the sales lady at GoGoGear says it packs down to about 25cm x 13cm. Not quite the size of a can of coke. I like…[Read more]

A couple of questions Jaffa ( or anyone else who has used this product) re the Ether Thermo 6 sleeping mat… from your link in this forum. How difficult is it to blow up without a pump? And also to pack up into it's stuff sack again? the sales lady at GoGoGear says it packs down to about 25cm x 13cm. Not quite the size of a can of coke. I like…[Read more]

Next time i'm anywhere near the shops ( end of the month) I'll buy as many different types of anti-fog as i can find. Then on a really humid day I'll road test them by firstly going into the coolroom for a few minutes and then out into the humidity. This always makes my glasses fog!! Will keep you posted.

Any replies to this question greatly interest me too. I've so far purchased 2 pairs of Bridgedale women's endurance trekkers ( midweight) and 2 pairs of bridgedale endurance comfort coolmax liners as the base layer. They cost the earth and i'm wondering if the regular and much cheaper explorer socks would do the same job, over the liner socks?…[Read more]

I'm just as short sighted as you Fluppy!! My reading glasses have been progressive lenses for years but it's only in the past couple of years that I've added the bifocal section to my prescription sunglasses so that i can also read in them without difficulty. In fact it's one of these old pairs ( the latest ones without bifocals) that I always use…[Read more]

Our Spirit Brian. As well as the personal challenge I'm incredibly interested in the military history.

Our Spirit Brian. As well as the personal challenge I'm incredibly interested in the military history.

Yep, I wondered about waterproof too, but decided i'd have everything inside in zip lock type bags and if/when it rains my poncho will go over my head and cover my pack as well. Is this what other past trekkers of Kokoda have done????

i'm staying on in PNG to do some scuba diving once I've completed Kokoda, so will need extra clothes other than my trekking gear. Also need something to store them in at the hotel and am mindful of luggage limits on the plane over. So I'm hiring a backpack from the company I'm trekking with. That way I can go over to PNG wth a suitcase and leave…[Read more]

Hi Fluppy. i'm trekking in June 09. I'm in the same dilemma as you with the day pack. My kids bought me a black Wolf 'Python' hydration pack for Christmas…. but once I've got the 3 litre bladder full there is very little room for anything else. My list of 'to take in the daypack' is similar to yours, so I'm now investigating a larger one. I'm…[Read more]

Yes, the ration pack…one more thing. Did you also carry a small latrine shovel Mrs Moo? It seems i'm going to need a decent sized day pack. These forums are a fantastic learning/information tool arent' they. Cheers

Thanks for replying Brian. The Black Wolf 'python hydration pack is described as a streamlined hiking pack… which I think is where the problem lies. As such it's quite small and fitted to the back. There is a large zippered section and then one big outside pocket that has bungy cord type adjustments. … though the sides are quite low on this…[Read more]