https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/members-3/crowie/activity/ Activity feed for crowie. Thu, 09 Oct 2025 07:26:09 +1000 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 120d00336f5313c737fddc999189b9ff https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/bit-quiet-on-the-homefront/#post-104643 Sun, 08 Aug 2010 13:16:17 +1000 new bar looks good…a good cold beer is the first thing on your mind after completing a trek…and to start a discussion how about this ?……on the current affairs program with Brian Freeman finding the lost battle site at Eora Creek. Which I presume is on the northern side of Eora Crrek and looks down from the high ground to the village and…[Read more]

]]> 5a7a05461c1c5f6cabf3d4b468e33eee https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/tribute-to-the-late-robert-bob-mcdonald/#post-104344 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 02:37:22 +1000 Im not sure I understand the controversy…Trail is American Track is Australian….THAT SAID IT WAS CALLED BOTH AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE CALLED BOTH……what is important is the history…pre and post war…..at the end of the day…it is ones experience of the track that matters and thats what continues the history…

]]> 40389b5c282dbe7f7e48c418f89f3672 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/finally-paid/#post-103946 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:02:23 +1000 do your training on hills or stairs…the steeper the better….aclimatise as best you can…..enjoy the trip it will be rewarding in many ways……good luck

]]> c9e7dbaaa042fb9198eee36222dababc https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/backpack/page/2/#post-103934 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:09:53 +1000 In regards to Backpacks it needs to be fitted to suit your body / frame size…everyone is different….but a more important point is…how its packed and the weight of it….reduce the weight as much as possible….going up the hills you wish you had…..I agree with others however… your feet are the most important….no blisters good fitting…[Read more]

]]> d18c046f13246ecfd7c730ee2f6d091c https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/2010-new-year-new-goals/page/2/#post-103875 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:31:02 +1000 Hi Wokabaut Merithanks …yes it was a good trip….the gods were kind to us as it rained the first day and night and 1 hr after we had finished at cockle creek the biggest downpour / thunderstorm occurred for at least 4 hrs…we had planned to camp at cockle creek but decided it was too wet…we headed back to Hobart…it was still raining in…[Read more]

]]> a0ffeacb2bd5ed8d637d2ec0346c8b01 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/2010-new-year-new-goals/page/2/#post-103871 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:14:24 +1000 yes…the internet is a good thing it is easy to check out images of all places here and OS….I have heard the John Muir Trail is great……any snow?….bears would be a new component as well

]]> ab2041d28c9f93dab563ee6d18396453 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/2010-new-year-new-goals/#post-103869 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:03:57 +1000 PeterI agree, time is always critical….a lot of people have the luxury of time and can spend 8-10 days doing a 80-90 klm trek….I cant afford the time away from my business so I plan faster trips…sure it is a bit harder but I find that by being organised and having early starts and reducing pack weights I can always find time to take photos…[Read more]

]]> ae233b7878f07c6db2e819eaec49f716 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/2010-new-year-new-goals/#post-103867 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:23:58 +1000 Hi Peteryes there is bog on that trek as well…in fact most of the South West Coast treks including the Port Davey Track have bog….the south coast track has lots of bog as well, although on our 5 day walk we had minimal rain and the bog patches were only thigh deep in parts….I haven't done the frenchmans peak walk yet….most of the walks in…[Read more]

]]> 8be6c0a9c640b826e9ccf4e803625bdf https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/2010-new-year-new-goals/#post-103865 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:09:19 +1000 Wow….just back from Tassie….completed the South Coast Track….yes Gail you are right the Ironbound range is great training for Kokoda…in fact the west side approach is quite clear and the track is visible from the bottom to the top…it is quite steep but the views are fantastic….the eastern side was very Kokoda like…dense vegetation /…[Read more]

]]> b3dd1ab2f6d0e4982ba1e59845e590bc https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/seasons-greetings/#post-103764 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:06:04 +1000 Merry Xmas to you too Brian and everyone else on the forum…..I have given myself a Xmas present this year that I am looking forward to….A walk on the South Coast Track in Tassie just after Xmas….famous quote from "The Castle"……………."ahhhh the Serenity"so Merry Xmas everyone….take my tip…shout yourself a Xmas present this…

]]> 493a1732ae54336b1de5db2ecec0e664 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/tents/page/2/#post-103763 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:59:27 +1000 Its horses for courses….best to experiment and see what you prefer best…Ive done hootchies (army) bivi bags (army) and tents lightweight…… heavyweight…….. I've slept in snow, water, mud sides of hills, leech infested swamps…hot tropical jungle…and after decades of bushwalking i have found the comforts and weatherproofnesss of a…[Read more]

]]> 1417393348125174d51a3e076c425299 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/kokoda-track-authority-4/page/2/#post-103714 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:56:20 +1000 Brian and Geoffyou both raise very good points. I have discussed the issue of group size in this forum before and the main reason behind Charlie Lynn's group size is that the intention is for a platoon size group(traditionally 30 plus )…what is the obvious benefit of this…..none that is apparent to other trekking groups. However Charlie is…[Read more]

]]> 473cc144e32807d5bfb5be0886983083 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/tracking-kokoda/#post-103693 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:21:31 +1000 Fluppythe book was written by Geoffrey Scott, 1944 its a softcover and 138 pages. Its rare and hard to come across. If you cant find it let me know and I will post it to you so you can read it…another good book is called "Retreat from Kokoda" written by Raymond Paull 1958also another good book is the story about the 39th Battalion "To Kokoda and…[Read more]

]]> bdf17983e5af81e427d340eada2920eb https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/tracking-kokoda/#post-103690 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:00:18 +1000 Thanks for the link…what a great read…very interesting….I have read all of the mentioned books…a good book that was written shortly after the war is also another book written by soldiers giving a detailed story of their experiences….it is called "The Knights of Kokoda" I suppose there will always be debate about the significance of the…[Read more]

]]> 6d66b669d219ec3f255ccd7fb8721c29 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/be-inspired-watch-tv7-sunday-630pm/#post-103620 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:12:09 +1000 It is an amazing feat…Im sure we will hear about this amazing effort…….the walk is tough enough on two legs…..The history of the Kokoda campaign tells a story about Corporal John Metson who after being shot in both ankles refused to be carried by his mates…He crawled in the jungle for 3 weeks to escape capture by the Japanese…[Read more]

]]> 139ab99d4d57807a14df6b6f4c711c6f https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/travel-insurance-3/#post-103607 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:34:06 +1000 Travel Insurance is like an excess on a hire car….most people dont think it is necessary ….until its needed…but as its name suggests….Its "Travel Insurance" and for peace of mind it should be mandatory and not an option….A friend of mine was injured in a surfing accident in Indonesia…and didnt have travel insurance…he is now a…[Read more]

]]> 494348a80ee452359edd1190e3d9eca5 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/preparing-for-kokoda-the-average-joe/page/5/#post-103553 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:32:25 +1000 maybe a peg could suffice……clothes by night…toilet visit by day……

]]> 91c7d2d529b2973654e96c10d0eedc0b https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/going-it-alone-2/#post-103556 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:29:51 +1000 Wayneif you worried about doing it alone, you would feel more at ease if you could organise a training walk with other trekkers before you go, this will allow you to "break the ice" I'm sure if you contacted your trekking company they could pass your details on or provide contact information of the other trekkers in your group…. a couple of…[Read more]

]]> 5a45f0e918bc25d7fcdaf36d75e56e18 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/greetings/#post-103554 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:44:44 +1000 Hi Robgood stuff and very interesting thesis topic, I responded to Simone from UTS (mentioned previously) she had a survey she wanted answers from trekkers that had walked Kokoda. I walked the track and will continue to walk the track for several reasons…1. The Military History (ex regular army)2. To experience the local culture and…[Read more]

]]> ca10641319a54d5f03e67e0fa3f2cce9 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/preparing-for-kokoda-the-average-joe/page/5/#post-103538 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:39:30 +1000 Hijust adding my thoughts on the Toilet pits….or "Long Drops"….Its par for the course and quite necessary…it would be quite dangerous to quickly duck off into the bush and dig a hole to do your business….my only concern with the pit toilets is that they need to be located away from water courses. I have photo of a pit toilet at Eora…[Read more]

]]> a7e72b145c69c6468359ed5e906d56bd https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/underwear-on-kokoda/page/2/#post-103431 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:24:51 +1000 Hi all …I second Brian for the lycra skins…they do reduce chaffing of the thighs and other areas….and I agree with Anthea…when stopping for the day on the trail I washed my clothes whilst wearing them and sat on the edge of the creek resting my feet in the water….within a short time my clothes were relatively dry and ready for wear the…[Read more]

]]> a129d94bfce5531168c0dd8c776e30bf https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/sleeping-gear/#post-103434 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:14:41 +1000 That may explain why the creek water was so cold…however always refreshing after a good walk

]]> e823aa8d4e791965511e71b74459f3b7 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/tent-bivvy-or-other/#post-103424 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:56:15 +1000 Lorna that is correct, however having spent weeks in the jungles of Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand and various other locations hot and cold….and seeing what the locals do…. hammocks are very popular and if two trees 10 -12 feet apart are the hardest criteria….well its not that hard…..easier than trying to find a nice level spot with hip…[Read more]

]]> 648107091c665f8e6a7be63e2bd03ab2 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/seal-skinz-socks/#post-103421 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:10:35 +1000 Just my thoughts on waterproof socks from my experience in the Army and other treks that i have done in different climates. Waterproof socks may be of benefit in cold wet climates to stop feet getting wet..and cold….however in a tropical climate where feet are prone to excessive sweating i would think that you will be trapping the moisture…[Read more]

]]> 89f3a95b7966bb2dd879651ad1e9e332 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/plane-missing-in-png/page/3/#post-103419 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:53:10 +1000 It is worth considering for safetys sake that no one has complete right to book out campsites, a good example of this is the huts on the overland track in tasmania….even if the huts are full no one has the right to refuse entry to any persons for any reason. This is made very clear. maybe a good precedent for Kokoda. In response to Adventure…[Read more]

]]> 6ea2551a4d65a9766b60456c34917c07 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/going-it-alone-2/#post-103418 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:19:29 +1000 Doing the trek will certainly be a life changing experience for you (if you want it to be) going with a group you will not be alone and you will make good friends as the bond of doing the trek will be strong. You will be amazed how quickly as a group you develop and work together as a team…creek crossings, drying clothes, bathing and swimming…[Read more]

]]> ca09873758cfaba4f9706d086f79becf https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/another-death-on-the-track/#post-103417 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:11:07 +1000 The Kokoda trek is certainly an experience that alot of people have not adequately prepared for. I have spoken to people prior to their treks and asked about their level of training. A lot of people assume that they have adequate fitness because of other sports played or trained. This may help but there is no better substitute for Kokoda than…[Read more]

]]> 0605b23111d5b8fc21aeb7b38a775e38 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/creek-crossings-in-your-hiking-boots/#post-103416 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:47:44 +1000 it depends which way you walk…..if walking from kokoda to owers the last day involves many creek crossings (Va ule) with last crossing of Goldie river, most people would leave their boots on for this. If walking the other way keeping your boots dry is more critical as there is still along way to go.The use of crocs for these crossings and night…[Read more]

]]> 251c7b22f1d3552e511b1bc63722e6a1 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/tent-bivvy-or-other/#post-103415 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:35:33 +1000 as an experienced trekker and ex army ive used all including hootchies, bivy bags and tents. However the best sleep which is relatively lightweight is a hammock with mozzie net and tarp. Ive used this extensively for the last three years in all climates and it takes less than 2 minutes to put up or take down. No more hard sleeps on the ground. I…[Read more]

]]> 6839ff8774662fc41ff7059bc1618835 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/environmentally-friendly-soaps-what-did-you-use/#post-103414 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:21:15 +1000 Wilderness wash is highly recommended as its bio degradable and will not harm the water system. Tie a piece of hootchie cord around the neck of the bottle and the other end have a slip knot around your wrist. This allows you to wash yourself and clothes without the risk of the bottle washing away. The creeks are fast flowing and cold

]]> f6276d1d7ab654616a9a06ce1204cad6 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/practice-trek-perrys-to-lockleys/#post-103413 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:15:37 +1000 Hi all the Blue Mountain walks are great preparation, the steeper the better and the rougher the better, A great preparation walk is also Staircase Spur to Mt Bogong (near Falls Creek / Mt Beauty) 1 hour out of Albury. This trek is suitable only for out of winter as snow can be accounted from 900m above sea level. The mountain creek carpark is the…[Read more]

]]> c3c6504da97471c79f471d87091a7c28 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/quick-gear-questions/page/2/#post-103411 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:03:22 +1000 Hi just adding my thoughts on packs. I have used alot of packs including Army Issue. Its important to find a pack that suits your frame. Aarn packs are good, robust and reasonably lightweight. Walking Kokoda weight is critical…the lighter the better…..Ive seen trekkers start off with heavy equipment and after a period of time…gear gets…[Read more]

]]> b7ec1ef8e370007947c1a84b29aa62e9 https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/sleeping-gear/#post-103410 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:49:33 +1000 Sleeping bags are varied but worth considering is a good quality lightweight bag that can be opened and used like a quilt. Western mountaineering make great bags you can buy these from Paddy Palin or direct from US. I own a Western Mountaineering ultralight and it weighs apprx 600 gms and is rated to -5. I have used it in PNG and Tassie walks in…[Read more]

]]> 8d21dbbc921b34e4a9ced9465899b07d https://kokodatrekkingaust.com.au/forums/topic/owers-to-kokoda-stops/#post-103409 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:40:31 +1000 Hi I have walked Kokoda and other treks, I have also been a member of the Australian Army so my adventures are many and varied, my advice from previous experience is to remain flexible as many factors can and will effect a supposed iteniery. My group was due to fly from PM to Poppendetta at 9.00 in the morning. Our flight left PM around 4 in the…[Read more]

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