Hi guys,Saw your post and as a'veteran' of the Kokoda and other wet and rugged places. Forget the hutchie and the bivy bag. Tents now are just about as light as any hutchie and bivies are only ever designed as overnight emergency shelters. In a bivy the main problem is that they are so small all of your gear has to stay outside and that means wet…[Read more]

Hi Guys,There is an Exped Poncho that triples up as a poncho, bivy bag and tarp. They are great but like all ponchos they don't breath and are hot to walk in despite the openness of them. You can use one of the cheapie ones for $2 or go for a 2 layer Goretex waterproof jacket like the Photon from Mountain designs that doubles as a windproof…[Read more]

Hi guys,I like gaiters as they protect your lower legs from scratches etc, the overboot protectors are also ok but not as water proof etc. The track can be oozing mud or dusty just depends on the weather. Most of the time you will be ok with the lighter weight overboot protectors and just accept that they will only keep a limited amount of water…[Read more]

Hi guys,That link is excellent, it would take me a thousand words to explain it. On any trek your feet are the most important things to look after. depending on the weather up in PNG at the time your feet may be wet all day. You MUST dry them off at the end of the day and put some powder, Prantal is good. If you don't you will get fungal…[Read more]

Hi,If I were you I would save my work boots for what they were made. They are not designed to go up and down hills all day in the mud slush and other stuff. You will find that they will give your toes a hammering and you will lose the nails. You must learn how to tie your hike boots as well to help prevent this.Go to a "specialty" hike shop, Not…[Read more]

Hi, Just a note about boots and loosing toenails etc. When you are doing up the laces in your boots tie the lower half off and then the top section to lock your heel into the back of your boots. This stops your foot sliding forward alot on the downhill sections. Believe me I know there are lots of them.This is an old climbers trick that will save…[Read more]

Hi, good to see you all fired up. I hve only just come back and in hindsight I needed to do alot more hill climbing work. The trip is brilliant but does require alot of preparation. If you are using a porter then it is much easier but still bloody hard.I carried my own and that was really satisfying for me. If you have old war wounds then that is…[Read more]

Hi, Couldn't agree more. You are mad if you trek alone or unaided. If you hurt yourself you have to get yourself out. One poor bloke was in there for 6 days waiting for a helicopter and he was with another tour company. The porters make the trip, they are fun, professional and amazing people. Don't miss this experience.

Hi,I have been a huge fan of the Meindls for a long time now and just finished the track in a pair of Makalus. They were superb. A little trick when trying to dry your boots at night, the porters try to do the right thing but sometimes they put them a bit close to the fire and they come off second best. Didn't happen to me as I wouldn't be able to…[Read more]

Hi, Couldn't agree more. I had a lot of PNG boys at boarding school with me years ago and they ALL swore that you HAD to have the treatments. I am using Doxy as well, my neighbour is a chemist and he says you are crazy if you don't use it and the only possible side effect is with some people it makes their skin a bit blotchy or sensitive to…[Read more]

Hi John,Great o see you using the forum. I have used 75 ltr WE backpacks for years and am going back up to Kokoda( again) in April. I am not sure what else you would need in the daypack apart from camera, rain gear and some snacks etc but I have a WE Contour which is about 35 ltr- 40 ltr and it is massive. I used it on the Thorsburne trail for 4…[Read more]

Hi,Just wondering how cold it was at night compared to say Brisbane . I am going up in April 06. Thanks.

Hi,Interesting to read about all the blisters and fun breaking in new boots. Scarpas seem to be like that at first but then they settle down. I have tried dozens of boots and have just bought my second pair of Meindls. They are quite simply brilliant.I bought the Makalus this time and had the Island Pros before. Both excellent and suited for…[Read more]

Hi,I must agree, Nepal is harder, mainly because of the height and it goes on and on, longer than 9 days. I took three weeks and that was pushed a bit.The best part about Kokoda is the historical links to Australia and it is still a great trek.Nepal can be tricky with the cold weather but it has a lot more opportunities to stop and recover if you…[Read more]

Hi Dave,Good to see someone who appreciates quality packs. I was lucky and got one of the last WE packs still made in WA. I have seen the latest offerings and can only say , I can't see any change in them. I hope it remains the same.I know they are expensive but it's like good boots, you buy rubbish and you suffer for it and of all the items that…[Read more]

Hi,Just thought I would add to your initial query about gear.Believe me I have tried all sorts over the last 30 odd years.Leather boots definately. Good brand no cheap rubbish. Good socks and wear them both in for weeks before you go. Use beeswax or dubbin.Take it with you and add every evening. use sparingly, if you use too much you can saturate…[Read more]

Hi,Back again. have been away in the hills. The Wilderness Equipment packs vary in price from $300 to about $500 it just depends on which model you bu. They are very generous in their sizing, mine is rated at 75 ltr but is more like 85. Once again they are bomb proof. No cheap Chinese fittings either.I bought my latest one from Silk Road in…[Read more]

Hi,Saw your post and can offer some advice on packs. I have used Wilderness Equipment packs on and off for over 20 yrs and they are Bombproof. MacPac and One Planet are also fine. They are expensive but you can bet you will still have them in 15 yrs time and they will still be remarkably waterproof.Read some of the reviews on trailspace.com and…[Read more]

Hi, I am new to the forum but have hiked for a very long time in lots of remote places.In response to you wearing webbing, I assume you mean army style webbing. I wouldn't and I don't mean any disrespect to any service people but that style of carrying water etc really gets to you after a couple of days and is very uncomfortable. There are alot…[Read more]