Double dome swag sounds way too cumbersome for Kokoda. Think light or ultra light weight tent, good quality waterproofed material,well seamed. You should look for something with a weight no greater than 2.5 kg all up including fly cover and pegs.Enjoy.

Congratulations to the Kokoda Track Authority and to the Governments of Austalia and PNG for funding the study of such an important area of research. Well done to the researchers for such an innovative project. Evidence based research on such an important topic has been needed and has the capacity to give important information about the health and…[Read more]

Any commments regarding the actual cause of death in the latest incidents that have occurred on the Kokoda Trail are indeed premature and inappropriate until coronial inquests are held.Having said that, sudden cardiac death happens every day in every major city in Australia. Deaths occur at safeway, at the railway station, at borders, at the…[Read more]

hi fluppy I took some jelly babies and jelly snakes in about six mini plastic seal bags. not a lot probably about 300 grams. As we went through each village fresh fruit was plentiful and we would each put in about 5 kina and you had more fruit than you could imagine. and also the odd can of coca cola was able to be bought . meals were good and…[Read more]

In response to Eve, I too have been on one of Charlies treks and whilst his treks have a good military historical perspective to them, the size of the group can be a problem. If as you say, the basis of a large number of trekkers is to create a platoon size, remember that there are almost double that number as well in porters and carriers .…[Read more]

We would like to express our condolences to the family and friends of all of those killed in this terrible accident. Like all the people who have trekked Kokoda , I believe there is a wider sense of family and comaraderie shared by all who come to such a beautiful place to walk the track. When a tragedy such as this happens we all project our…[Read more]

hi kass, I think that you should reassess the strategy of walking the trek "carrying everything on your back" and "picking up a carrier/porter when you arrive". Confidence is a good thing as is independence, however Kokoda is not your average walk/ trek and there are good reasons to put a bit more planning into it. Have you thought about the…[Read more]

g'dayjapanese encephalitis is a viral disease spread by infected mosquito . It is not transmitted person to person. It is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia mostly in China Korea SE Asia and Indian sub continent There have been a few cases in the Torres Strait Islands and Cape yorke peninsula. PNG is not a high risk area but…[Read more]

hi there, it is clear that not only do you see the problem but you know the solution. The question is what are you going to do about it? Take on new challenges( Kokoda for a start) and follow your employment dreams. I did and I am so glad that I took the chance of a new career. After a long time as a high school teacher I left and became an…[Read more]

It is indeed sad that another trekker has died on the track. Again I would say that it is too early to speculate on the causes of these latest deaths and they will be subject to coronial inquiries. Certainly people who walk the track must be fit and have put in reasonable training but that does not mean that they will be any different…[Read more]

I agree with Geoff that it was extremely sad to hear of the death of another trekker on the kokoda track. As geoff points out the track is certainly confronting especially in the early stages from the Owers end with the climb up Imita and Ioribaiwa ridges.Whilst not commenting specifically on the latest death which will be subject to a coronial…[Read more]

Good on you Brian, I followed your blogs with interest coming up your walk and it was clear you were commited and determined to to give it your absolute best shot. Attitude and sheer guts will always get you through when you face adversity and combined with the "never say die attitude" it is a recipe for success. Kokoda is as much a mental…[Read more]

I read Bill James book "Field Guide to the Kokoda Track". it gives a great historical perspective about kokoda and New Guinea during ww11. As well it gives to todays trekkers practical information and great maps that are excellent to reference during the trek. recommended.regardsPete Dowling

good on you Jessie to join the group of one percenters of Australians who take on the challenge of Kokoda and then pass on th e magic by story, written or verbal, or by having some great pictures or video grabs to show to family, friends and colleagues. Hopefully your story is a part of the wider kokoda story and you may have motivated others to…[Read more]

organise your tent so that you have your pack accessible and undercover at all times. it makes no sense to leave gear outside your tent. My day clothes were hung each night after washing on a makeshift clothesline and my boots were always undercover between my tent and the flycover of the tent. my crocs were always accessible in the same way. the…[Read more]

Similar to geoff I have both a 3/4 and a full length thermarest. i took the 3/4 to kokoda and it was great as usual. buying and using quality stuff rewards you with a good nights sleep and you certainly look forward to that at the end of the day. I have used thermarest over many years and they do take about the same space as a foam bedroll but the…[Read more]

Similar to geoff I have both a 3/4 and a full length thermarest. i took the 3/4 to kokoda and it was great as usual. buying and using quality stuff rewards you with a good nights sleep and you certainly look forward to that at the end of the day. I have used thermarest over many years and they do take about the same space as a foam bedroll but the…[Read more]

I agree with Geoff and Brian. Its good advice. Whilst elastic sided boots are fine for normal work and also for leisure(I love my RM elastic sided boots) its horses for courses and lets not forget that kokoda is serious trekking. The aim of good high sided lace up hiking boots is to give good protection for your ankle joint and also to your lower…[Read more]

I agree with Geoff and Brian. Its good advice. Whilst elastic sided boots are fine for normal work and also for leisure(I love my RM elastic sided boots) its horses for courses and lets not forget that kokoda is serious trekking. The aim of good high sided lace up hiking boots is to give good protection for your ankle joint and also to your lower…[Read more]

hi Brian, yes the steri pen is a tad expensive but tablets at $30 a packet are also expensive . I like the steri pen because it immediately disables the giardia and cryptosporidium bugs and stops them from replicating in your gut. If a few of you are travelling together then one pen can be shared. yes it is heavy on batteries but again Itook…[Read more]