Sounds like a good idea – happy to pass on any details that may help. Would be great to have this network go country-wide.

Congratulations and well done!Sounds amazing with the creeks and rivers up. The porters are the sung and unsung heroes of the Track:

Slow and careful in bad placesOn the awful mountain track

With the emphasis on the 'awe' as in full of wonder… walking the Track is a paradox in so many ways

Glad that you enjoyed the South Coast, crowie. The bog is quite indescribable. We were in it to our waists on occasion. Agree that the downs are worse on aging knees (referring to myself!). A storm caught us before we could crest the Ironbounds and making our way down to Deadmans Cove in a downpour, saw a frog doing better time – and…[Read more]

Lorna,Just the two of us did a 35 day trek on the Nepalese side of Everest in March/April 2004. We flew into Phaplu (4 days walk south of Lukla) and walked to Namche to acclimatise the up the Thame, Dingboche and Gokyo valleys. We climbed Kala Pattar and Gokyo Ri for views of Everest as well as a trip to Base Camp and a walk/scramble ascent of…[Read more]

Brian,Hope that your health improves and that you are back walking again soon. If you venture into South Australia on your Grey Nomad travels, there are some wonderful walks – both short and long – that I'm sure you would love.We're off back trekking around Everest this year but on the northern (Tibetan side) this time, our goal is Advanced Base…[Read more]

Seasons Greetings to everyone on the Forum and to all at Kokoda Trekking…Throughout the New Year, may there always be

adventures ahead of yougood friends beside youand fond memories behind you

and naahhh.. Fluppy you're perfectly normal… I wasn't logged on to the forum Christmas Day but was discussing Kokoda over dinner with a prospective…[Read more]

Mrs Moo,I think that the footbridges are in line with:3. Principles to be followed in delivering on the Management Outcomes.

• Maintain the perceived risk of the adventure but reduce the actual risk.

This reflects some of the discussions that I've had with prospective trekkers ie they want to experience an adventure but want to be safe at the same…[Read more]

Great point Brett!Statistics can be interpreted in many ways but the real issue here is the sustainability/preservation of the Track, not just for the tourists but for the PNG people.Regarding litter, my husband walked the Track in 1996 and was surprised at how much cleaner it was when we walked it again this September.

Hopefully they've learnt a lesson about being flexible with policies when the situation warrants – seems like common sense. The resulting bad PR should help.I had a totally different experience with another carrier when returning home from Kokoda this September out of Brisbane back to Adelaide. I had cracked 2 ribs in a fall on the Track and had a…[Read more]

Truly an inspiration to everyone and a great example of how courage, tenacity and sheer guts can overcome obstacles.Well done!! an amazing tribute to the Spirit of Kokoda.

Totally agree with you, FluppyThe Whiz is a great concept but just isn't convenient most of the time. Although I did find it very useful when the only patch of ground was covered with stinging plants and I just had to go!The Tiger Balm tip is something I picked up years ago from fellow trekkers in Nepal and it has worked for me ever since. I…[Read more]

PSA dash of Tiger Balm under the nostrils helps banish any smells

A post for the ladies…Apologies if this has been previously discussed on the Forum – while we ladies still have to squat for #2s, we can now pee standing up: WhizBiz.I am no stranger to bush toilets but used a Whiz for the first time on Kokoda as a help to my knees and am of two minds – it was certainly great in the busier toilets as I could…[Read more]

Hi Simone,Echoing Brian's advice here again – the office block step training is a Kokoda and mountain trekking staple as is adding layers of clothing (one at a time!) while you do so.My physio got me walking BACKWARDS on a treadmill at the highest slope possible at ~4.5kms/hr. This does replicate some of the downhill walking and is also kind to…[Read more]

Hi Rob,What a great subject for your thesis. Have you read Garrie Hurchison's PILGRIMAGE A Traveller 's Guide to Australia's Battlefields? It has chapters on both Gallipoli and Kokoda and may prove a useful resource if you have not already come across it. Publisher is Black Inc.

We can truly say that the whole circuit of the earth is girdled with…

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Gail,May I add my congratulations to you and your team for the excellent service provided by your website. Although only a recent member of the forums, I researched many topics when planning our trek this year and found much useful information on any topic that I needed and had all my questions answered.As we were already committed to another tour…[Read more]

Heartiest Congratulations! I admire your dedication to your preparation.Will be interested to hear how your fitness held out – pretty good, it seems!Enjoy your hard-earned success and be gentle with yourself during the 'Re-Entry' process. (I always find that the only antidote to this is to plan the next trip).

Anthea,You're spot on with the Ex-officio knickers. I bought 2 pairs in March 2004 and since then they have comfortably and ably survived:

• 7 weeks trekking in Nepal being bashed on rocks in glacial water
• 3 weeks in the desert on the Larapinta Trek
• the mud and rain of the South Coast Track and Overland in Tassie
• 6 weeks on African safari plus Mt…

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