My daughter carried her own pack (about 15kgs) and had no trouble, but she is in the army and EXTREMELY fit.When we came to creek crossings, she mostly had to make her own way without the helping hand of a porter (except on the more dangerous ones, where the guide gave her a hand). She also had to negotiate the steep, muddy downhills without the…[Read more]

I used Columbus Direct travel insurance. It cost much less than quoted above, and I did not need any extra cover for trekking in a remote area. I was covered for helicopter evacuation should I have needed it.

So long as you clean all mud off it, and declare it as a "carving", you will have no problems at all. It will go through as a "long item" so will not be on the carousel when you land – you will have to go to a different pick up point to get your stick (not too much hassle – I managed OK). Customs hardly looked twice at it.

So long as you clean all mud off it, and declare it as a "carving", you will have no problems at all. It will go through as a "long item" so will not be on the carousel when you land – you will have to go to a different pick up point to get your stick (not too much hassle – I managed OK). Customs hardly looked twice at it.

I was on the same trek as Evo, and none of us used our Leki poles. In fact, I left mine at the hotel in Moresby, because Russell Eroro told us that he has seen them snap under pressure.The poles provided by KTL are not only decorative, but very functional. They are much better for that terrain then the lighter telescopic poles. Next time I go,…[Read more]

I was on the same trek as Evo, and none of us used our Leki poles. In fact, I left mine at the hotel in Moresby, because Russell Eroro told us that he has seen them snap under pressure.The poles provided by KTL are not only decorative, but very functional. They are much better for that terrain then the lighter telescopic poles. Next time I go,…[Read more]

Yes, that's the one I used. Cost about $10 from memory.

I took two pairs of liner socks (Coolmax) two pairs of outer socks (Columbia) and another pair that I wore at night as my feet got cold! That was plenty.

My optometrist ordered me a stick called VU-KLEAR fog-off stick. It worked really well for me, but I have to mention that we didn't actually get any rain in the daytime during our trek.I also wear graduated lenses, and didn't really have any trouble except, as you say Brian, I have to stop before looking around when I'm walking. The biggest…[Read more]

Hi fluppyI notice no one has come in to advise you on this topic!Firstly, I don't know too much about IBS, but I had worried a bit about constipation on the trek. However, I had no trouble. Maybe it was the muesli we had for brekky every day, or even the squatting position as opposed to sitting on a seat, but I was regular. I think walking all…[Read more]

No, I didn't worry about a latrine shovel. In an emergency you can always scrape a hole with the heel of your boot (or a stick). Try to keep pack weight down as much as possible, even if it means leaving behind stuff you "might" need. I'm not sure how big my day pack is (30 litres??) but it just fitted my bladder, two 1 litre bottles for water…[Read more]

LornaDon't forget you will need room for your ration pack each day as well.Moo

Hi KerrynWe stayed at the Gateway Hotel and found their shuttle bus totally reliable. In fact, when we ran out of Kina, the only ATM was at the airport. The hotel bus took my daughter (32) to the airport, waited while she went to the ATM, and brought her safely back. I had no concerns about her at all.The airport is pretty easy to navigate,…[Read more]

Hi FluppyI would suggest an hour a day would do it, as you are really just building up leg muscles used in uphill/downhill. I started my training on the hill I live on, and walked up and down for an hour every morning. Closer to my trek I started carrying 14-16kgs up Mt Archer (equiv of Mt Coot-tha) once a week. I had no problems at all on The…[Read more]

Ah, Lamington. I did a lot of walks up there when I lived in Brissie. After rain, the Lightening Falls walk (21klms) is really lovely.

Hi KristiWe are not too far apart. I am in Rocky! Sometimes we do walks with Bundaberg Bushwalkers. Are you a club member, or a one-off trekker?Moo

Hi KristiI trekked in early August, and like you would love to just do it all again. In fact I am hoping to go back within the next four years, money being the main object. As I trekked south from Kokoda, next time I would like to trek north from Owers Corner, just for a change (although I do remember coming down some awfully long mountains that…[Read more]

Kokoda Spirit musn't put beef jerkey in their ration packs like KTL (for sodium)

I had a main bladder which was called "3 litres" but really only held two and a bit, and two 1 litre bottles. One of these I used to top up the bladder through the day, and I could then get the boys to refill it and put a Micropur tab in ready for the next top up. The other I mixed gatorade in every morning so I had at least 3 litres of water…[Read more]

Hi FluppyThis website should tell you all you need to know. http://www.pngcanberra.org/visas/index.htm