Hi DanielleThe best advice that I can give is to walk up hills, hills, hills – the steeper the better. When they are too easy, start adding weight. By the time I did the track, I was walking up a steep track on Mt Archer (Rockhampton) with a 16kg pack without difficulty. While I didn't really struggle on Kokoda (well, there WERE a couple of…[Read more]

Good on you Brian, you are an inspiration. Sorry to learn that you will require dialysis – that's bad luck. You have such a good positive attitude to life, I'm sure it won't slow you down too much.Best of luck for the future.RegardsMary (Trek 429)

GailI love my "mass-produced" carved stick, and will probably bring it back with me to PNG rather than get another one!CheersMary

Hi RachelSally and Gail have given you sensible advice. My daughter was 32 and fit when we walked the track, carried her own pack and she had no troubles whatever. However I did notice that when it came to creek crossings etc, she had no hand to hold except on the occasions when my own porter helped her across. Also, when coming down steep…[Read more]

They wouldn't get one of those back into Aus because it would not be varnished etc, I shouldn't think. I'm really proud of my varnished one and am glad I trekked when they were available!

I trekked with KTL and they provided the absolute best pole as part of the package. It was perfect for the job, and now sits at home as a souvenir of my trek.Gail, do you still provide walking poles for your trekkers?CheersMary

Gail, you have done a brilliant job. I am noted as a "big eater", but I had rations left over every day (mind you, fewer leftovers towards the end!). I loved the hot chocolate before bed, but I also loved the beef jerky to snack on when we got into camp. It also helped to keep salt levels up.When I go on long walks now, I fashion my own ration…[Read more]

Thanks for alerting us to the link … I've just read the article. I actually found it quite funny, and not so insulting as I had thought it would be.He's probably right about "If they want some street cred, Kokoda trekkers should embark on a famine a month before, give themselves a dose of dysentery, only attempt the journey at the height of the…[Read more]

Well said, Dave. The reality is that the amount of training required just to get over the track is more than most people are prepared to do. Therefore the 'overweight middle aged person' is likely to die in the attempt, or as in my case, lose a large amount of that extra weight in the training!Let us know if he responds …CheersMary

I haven't seen the article, but take it that it is a little insulting(?) to Kokoda trekkers? I don't think anyone who hasn't been there can possibly judge the physical and emotional affect that the track can have on trekkers. Just seeing the remains of the weapon pits, and old shells and helmets along the way, can give rise to quite strong…[Read more]

My thoughts go out to Russell, John and the Eroro family for the loss of Kingsley one year ago today. Gail, please convey my deepest commiserations to them.To the families of the trekkers who died, my thoughts are with you also. It is two years today since our group walked off the track, and so I feel for those who did not get to enjoy the…[Read more]

Jack, you can book with KTL on this very website (choose your trek dates from the list of treks provided), and pay by credit card. You will also need to book your hotel (we stayed at the Gateway) some months in advance. That way by the time you get to PNG everything will be well and truly organised.

I tried to convince my porter that he would be much more comfortable if he used the waist straps, but he didn't want to. Considering that they take the weight of the pack off your shoulders and onto your hips, I can't understand why they don't use them …

Hi Marion n NormWelcome to the forum. You will find lots of good advice in these pages.As you haven't settled on a provider yet, I would strongly encourage you to trek with KTL. We trekked with them in August 2008. I have spoken with friends who have trekked with other companies, and they were amazed that we didn't need to take extra rations (I…[Read more]

Seasons Greetings to all of you from me, too. Especially to Gail, Russell and the KTL team – I hope 2010 is a great trekking year.May everyone on the forum and their families and friends have a wonderful year ahead!

My name is Mary, and I'm a KTL addict … is that how it goes? I was so obsessed with the Track before I went, I expected that after I came home it would be "out of my system" No such luck.Apart from checking this site everyday (and putting in my 2 cents worth), I'm already planning to return to the Track. I wonder if there's a cure?Merry…[Read more]

QUOTEMy porter said the local villagers had eaten everythingGlad they aren't cannibals then …

So what's the transport now for trekkers reaching Owers Corner to get back to PM?Editors Note: This year the truck was hardly used as in the beginning the road to Owers' Corner was so bad that we only used our 4WD's. After it was finally graded, it was the time of year when trekker numbers only warranted smaller vehicles. As a result the…[Read more]

Fluppy, like you I was horrified by the mention of footbridges on the track. I have just sent off an email to the KTA at the address listed above, to that effect. Maybe if we all lodge a protest, they might decide it's not such a bright idea.Mary

Hi Peter,Yes we did it this June just gone. It is a fantastic walk, as each night you get to camp beside pristine waterholes with rapids and waterfalls…wonderful. We had to carry all of our rations for 6 days because there is little or no access to most of the track. As a result we carried 20kg packs. Two people slipped in creeks on…[Read more]