AFF Kokoda Trek [3 - 17 September]

[penegal]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

What a great thread swanning_it.

As you know I have been to PNG (and Bomana specifically) before. You can probably find my garbage message in the guestbook, and I have always wanted to go back to PNG to do Kokoda.

Now penegal would be the ideal candidate for this excursion into the unknown.....shall I put him down as gold?

You can actually. I am keen, especially when travelling with such a good group of people

I would raise some fitness concerns. But perhaps it is an excuse to get fit?

 

[penegal]

July looks to be the coldest so I didn't vote for that month.

You've obviously never been to PNG.

COLD = GOOD in the context of their weather.

When I was working in POM I would break sweat walking from the air conditioned hotel to the air conditioned car, and then the air conditioned car to the air conditioned office. This isn't because I was particularly unfit at the time, it was just that bloody hot.

As such, I would suggest the colder months may be best - as noted by philtru up-thread.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Just to put my two bobs worth in - I've walked the track a few times (in fact doing it again next month). One of the important things to consider when looking at the time of year is the rainfall levels. April may feel nice because it is around Anzac Day, but that is in the heart of the rainy season which means that you will be slogging through mud the whole time, and getting pretty wet in the process. I would recommend around the July / August period when the track will be dry (er) and therefore the whole experience a lot more enjoyable.

Wow....excellent first hand info, thanks.....and welcome to AFF! Feel free to recommend a tour group as in reading up, it seems my "hire a group of porters/guides" may not be so great as it appears they would need to be KTA registered or risk being evicted! :shock:

I originally though ANZAC day would be a great tie in, but I do agree that less rain may be far more preferable. I also thought Owers to Kokoda would be the better walk, but I guess it's all on the table for discussion and your first hand opinion is greatly appreciated. May I assume, as you're done the trek a few times now, that you think the effort is well worth the pain?

I have always wanted to go back to PNG to do Kokoda.You can actually. I am keen, especially when travelling with such a good group of people

Ah, there you go, I can read you like an open book! Consider yourself listed as gold......

I would raise some fitness concerns. But perhaps it is an excuse to get fit?

You and me both! I've already started my training (elev. 8000' hill tracks in PNG, Mt Warning, Springbrook and O'Reilly tracks), plus we did get that walk in at DRW down "backpackers way"......that surely must count as training?

 

[penegal]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

.....that surely must count as training?

Liver training?

 

[philtru]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Wow....excellent first hand info, thanks.....and welcome to AFF! Feel free to recommend a tour group as in reading up, it seems my "hire a group of porters/guides" may not be so great as it appears they would need to be KTA registered or risk being evicted! :shock:

I originally though ANZAC day would be a great tie in, but I do agree that less rain may be far more preferable. I also thought Owers to Kokoda would be the better walk, but I guess it's all on the table for discussion and your first hand opinion is greatly appreciated. May I assume, as you're done the trek a few times now, that you think the effort is well worth the pain?



Ah, there you go, I can read you like an open book! Consider yourself listed as gold......


You and me both! I've already started my training (elev. 8000' hill tracks in PNG, Mt Warning, Springbrook and O'Reilly tracks), plus we did get that walk in at DRW down "backpackers way"......that surely must count as training?

I can absolutely guarantee that it is worth the pain! In fact the pain is really only there for the first day or two, then you very quickly get your "kokoda legs" and it all really comes together. I will add though that every time I have had a porter carrying most of my gear, and so only had 5kg on my own back. Never underestimate your porter - they know the track backwards - you might not see yours for an hour, but come to a tricky part and suddenly he will be right by your shoulder to steady you and help you along. They are really fantastic guys, right in the old spirit of the "fuzzy wuzzy angels" and will do anything for you.
In my view, you can't go wrong with this tour company: kokoda track experience at kokodatrack.net They have been around for a while, are definitely not overpriced, and provide a great experience. Note that with them you get an Expat (Aussie) leader which can be a big advantage over some of the similarly priced crowds who for that price will only supply a Lead porter (which can potentially cause some language / culture issues etc).
Good to hear you are doing Mt Warning - one of my favourites. A lot of people say that if you go up and down twice without stopping, its the same as a day at Kokoda.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Good to hear you are doing Mt Warning - one of my favourites. A lot of people say that if you go up and down twice without stopping, its the same as a day at Kokoda.

That's good news. I can do that already (In fact about 10 years ago I used to do that with my youngest on my shoulders......but I was 10 years younger then!)

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Another possible point to consider, is to think of dates that span 2 weekends, for those who need to take holidays/time off school. Perhaps a Friday POM arrival and a Sunday AU return.......only 5 days off (not counting any necessary "recovery" days :shock

I've just searched flights for next year and without codes or sale prices the following is showing up:

VA

CNS-POM - $423.79
POM-CNS - $328.64

BNE-POM - $258.13
POM-BNE - $209.73

SYD-POM - $417.83
POM-SYD - $283.68

MEL-POM - $372.45
POM-MEL - $320.30

QF

CNS-POM - $210.00
POM-CNS - $181.00

BNE-POM - $389.00
POM-BNE - $313.00

SYD-POM - $408.00
POM-SYD - $332.00

MEL-POM - $524.00
POM-MEL - $372.00

PX

CNS-POM-CNS - $436.12

BNE-POM-BNE - $597.76

 

[philtru]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Another possible point to consider, is to think of dates that span 2 weekends, for those who need to take holidays/time off school. Perhaps a Friday POM arrival and a Sunday AU return.......only 5 days off (not counting any necessary "recovery" days :shock

I've just searched flights for next year and without codes or sale prices the following is showing up:

VA

CNS-POM - $423.79
POM-CNS - $328.64

BNE-POM - $258.13
POM-BNE - $209.73

SYD-POM - $417.83
POM-SYD - $283.68

MEL-POM - $372.45
POM-MEL - $320.30

QF

CNS-POM - $210.00
POM-CNS - $181.00

BNE-POM - $389.00
POM-BNE - $313.00

SYD-POM - $408.00
POM-SYD - $332.00

MEL-POM - $524.00
POM-MEL - $372.00

PX

CNS-POM-CNS - $436.12

BNE-POM-BNE - $597.76

Just a minor issue: VA don't actually fly CNS - POM direct which is why they seem so expensive - that fare will be via BNE...
With timing, you can't really avoid two weekends. Just try not to walk on two Saturdays, as that will upset the porters, given that they will all be Seventh Day Adventists. As a guide, this year I'm starting on a Sunday, and finishing on a Monday. Last walking day is a Sunday, then taking a truck to Popendetta (POP), and the shuttle from there to POM.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Just a minor issue: VA don't actually fly CNS - POM direct which is why they seem so expensive - that fare will be via BNE...
With timing, you can't really avoid two weekends. Just try not to walk on two Saturdays, as that will upset the porters, given that they will all be Seventh Day Adventists. As a guide, this year I'm starting on a Sunday, and finishing on a Monday. Last walking day is a Sunday, then taking a truck to Popendetta (POP), and the shuttle from there to POM.

VA only does BNE-POM and VV. QF only does CNS-POM and VV. The rest listed are all connections (except PX which does both CNS-PM and BNE-POM and VV).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

In my view, you can't go wrong with this tour company: kokoda track experience at kokodatrack.net

Thanks for the link philtru, much appreciated. As you mentioned you didn't want to be seen to be pushing one company, may I ask if they are who you will be a guide for? I'm not bothered, but I'd like to be clear on that. Also, I note their web site states that lunches on the track are not covered in the trek fee. What do most trekers do for lunch? I've started a comparison spreadsheet, so if you are by chance affiliated with kokodatrack.net, would you be able to answer some of the questions on inclusions, for us? (by email of course, rather than on an open forum)

Also on the two Saturday bit (an excellent point that I'd failed to pick up on), are some porters (non-Seventh Day Adventists for example) prepared to do two Saturdays? I'm fine with the one only, but I think a number of our possible members will be needing to take leave or time off school and the extra couple of days may be the difference between being able to go or not (or possibly having some RnR or not ).

 

[Flashback]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

I suspect flights from LHR will be considerably more than the above list of examples :mrgreen:

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

I suspect flights from LHR will be considerably more than the above list of examples :mrgreen:

I wasn't ignoring you Flashback...........but my brow furrows clouded my vision of the screen when I checked prices!

Glad it's you and not me! But can you please take video of friends when they're told of your plan........I can just see it, (in the finest English Accent) ..... "Kokoda?....Wear the fox hat."

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

August????

 

[Simo]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Would love to do the Kokoda trip with the forum... I will be booking my trip in the next month or so as Anzac Day trips always popular... Anyway I'm very keen and will be doing Anzac Day walk. Hope I can do it with the forum...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Would love to do the Kokoda trip with the forum... I will be booking my trip in the next month or so as Anzac Day trips always popular... Anyway I'm very keen and will be doing Anzac Day walk. Hope I can do it with the forum...

Good reminder post Simo. I do agree that we need to start firming dates at least, so people can lock in or bow out.

August is ahead in the poll, April is running a close second.

I have asked this previously, but can all those that are interested, please reconfirm your interest......and the month (or months) that suit you or bow out. I genuinely believe this is a trip that cannot be decided upon a few weeks before the chosen date. There are bookings which will need to be made (trek company, accommodation, airlines etc), fitness which may need to be worked on , quite possibly gear which may need to be bought (nice to know for the sales), appropriate insurances to be investigated, visas obtained etc.

Here's the current list (condensed version).... Could everyone listed indicate if either month suits or not, and if yes to both, perhaps indicate a first and second preference.

NAME	APRIL	AUGUST
Admin
amaroo	Maybe	Maybe
amaroo jnr	Maybe	Maybe
Awesom Andy	Yes [SUB]2nd[/SUB]	Yes [SUB]1st[/SUB]
bsb
BVT
Cynicor
drron	No	Maybe
Flashback	Yes[SUB] 2nd[/SUB]	Yes[SUB] 1st[/SUB]
Mrs Flashback	Yes [SUB]2nd[/SUB]	Yes [SUB]1st[/SUB]
Medhead
netgrom
OzEire
penegal
QF WP
samH004
Simo	Yes	No
swanning_it	Yes [SUB]2nd[/SUB]	Yes [SUB]1st[/SUB]
mrs swanning_it	Yes [SUB]2nd[/SUB]	Yes [SUB]1st[/SUB]
SydneySwan	Yes [SUB]2nd[/SUB]	Yes [SUB]1st[/SUB]
tuapekastar	No	Maybe

 

[SydneySwan]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

August 1st, April 2nd

 

[Awesom Andy]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

August 1st, April 2nd for me. Thanks.

 

[Flashback]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

August 1st, April 2nd

 

[amaroo]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

I/we are still sitting in the cheap seats. Interest is high - particularly since he told me he doesn't want to do it... which means I'm going to make him do it

I've still got to fit this in with his school schedule, which includes a trip to China, and other family holidays we have planned.

Once the date is confirmed - I'll be able to see if we can jump on board.

 

[drron]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

I'm certainly no where near being definite but couldn't do april any way so august it would be.