AFF Kokoda Trek [3 - 17 September]

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 29185
  • Start date Start date

Which month suits you for the proposed 2017 AFF Kokoda memorial trek?


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    14
  • Poll closed .
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Deleted member 29185

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Just putting it out there for 2017......would there be any interest in an AFF Kokoda trail trek?



PLATINUM (I'm in subject to all the planets aligning)
swanning_it
swanning_it +1

GOLD (I'm in, pending cold feet, shingles or a better offer)
amaroo
amaroo +1
medhead
Flashback
Mrs Flashback

SILVER
(100%.......a definite maybe)
OzEire
bsb
tuapekastar
QF WP
BVT
drron
Cynicor
samH004
netgrom
Simo
Admin
Awesom Andy
SydneySwan

BRONZE (What!!! Are you bloomin' mad?)
Hvr
BAM1748
NZflygirl
mrs.dr.ron
Buzzard
JessicaTam
Straitman
Fifa
JohnK
 
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Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Hmmmm. It is something I have always had on the "bucket" list.
 
Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Hmmmm. It is something I have always had on the "bucket" list.
That was my thought as well, however it's certainly not your average AFF function, so I'm not entirely convinced there will be much interest! We'll see!
 
Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Are there any good mileage runs from POM? That might swing the numbers.

On a serious note I think it is a wonderful idea but not for me.
 
Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

While I can see the attraction for some, walking through the jungle up then down then up again doesn't excite my weary ankle joints which have been broken in the past.
 
Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

I'd love to do it, but fitting it in is the issue
 
Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Don't call me shirley, oh dear.

I'm a road trip kind of guy. :D
 
Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Initial interest from me, certainly some things to be taken into account, chief being my fitness for task (a big fat no at the moment :shock:) and personal safety. Then there is cost etc.
So just an interest at this stage, I need to read up a bit and think carefully about it.
 
Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

That was my thought as well, however it's certainly not your average AFF function, so I'm not entirely convinced there will be much interest! We'll see!

If you'd said milford track I would have been in!

I looked up kokoda track and saw malaria risk:shock: I'll take that risk sometimes....just not this time.
 
Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

I'm planning on doing the trek with my son when he turns 18 in a couple of years ... hahaha he doesn't know it yet :D
 
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Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

A bit of info fo anyone considering this unique possibility.....

Best time: April to November (could be timed for an ANZAC day service at Bomana war cemetary, which is a beautifully maintained war cemetary not far from Port Moresby, on the way to Sogeri)

Fitness: The trek requires a reasonable degree of fitness, but one does not have to be a Kenyan athelete.

Duration: The time taken would depend on the fitness ability of the trekers but 8-9 days is considered enough time. I know a porter in POM and he tells me he does it in 2-3 days on the walk back. The distance is marginally under 100km and 5-6 hours a day is walked taking about 50 hours all up.

Medical: I've spent about 3 years now in PNG (both coastal and highland regions) and I have copped nothing more than the "runs" once or twice. The travel "bomb" works well to fix that little dilemma. Malaria, dengue, zika and chikungunya are active in PNG, but usual mosquito precautions are adequate as a defence. I've not contracted any of them. Rabies, cholera and Japanese encephalitis problems are not common in PNG although typhoid and Hep A immunisation is recommended. HIV infection controls are the same as in australia.

Costs: If we get a few who are interested, I'll contact the porter I know and ask for rates. Treking can be quite reasonable.

Accommodation: Both ends of the trek, accommodation is quite good (although I have never stayed at Kokoda). Along the track, accommodation is far more modest with communal village accommodation being typical and long drop dunnies being luxurious! A shower consists of what we commonly call a waterfall! These showers are not tepid and I'd describe them as "bloody cold".

Safety: PNG has a poor personal safety reputation and in some cses it's deserved, but is generally confined to Port Moresby, Lae and the Highlands. The track is a major tourist drawcard in PNG and most of the villagers depend on the tourist kina to supplement their subsistent lifestyle and as such, trekers personal safety is somewhat assurred. There was a recent issue that made worldwide press, but in all honesty, the trekers involved should have been criminally charged. Two porters were not paid for their work as negotiated and when they fronted the pair, a bit of "argy-bargy" ensued with the outcome being unsubstantiated allegations being levelled against the porters who were promptly arrested for "their misdeeds". The truth has more recently come out however, and it turns out the pair (an American and his English girlfrind) left a trail of bad debts throughout PNG and were attempting to beat-up a Tarzan and Jane story to sell to the media. Their lies actually meant a 17 year old boy (one of the porters) was badly beaten in gaol because of "him" bringing the PNG tourism safety into a bad international focus. It was totally unfair and an extreme example of self-centred tourists that need to be brought to account for their actions. The PNG government and the PNG people are very aware of looking after their fledgling tourism industry and personal safety for the tourists is regarded as being critical and they do protect the trekers to the utmost. The Black Cat trail episode was somewhat different and unfortunately involved a tribal stouch that was witnessed by a party of trekers. Importantly, no trekers were injured and in fact, they saved the lives of some of their porters. Tribal warfare is not uncommon in PNG, but it is very uncommon for it to include people from outside the warring tribes. There were reasons for the Black Cat fight and neither parties would harm a treker.

Experience: This suggestion will not appeal to everyone, however PNG is our closest neighbour and many have never even though to visit. This could be the golden opportunity. There are other side trips that could be added as a "recovery" bonus, like lounging in over water bures in New Island or canoeing the fjords of Tufi (I'm keen for that one especially) or even just lazing back at Loloata Island before the flight home.
 
Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

The only thing wrong with these walking tours is that you have to........ walk.
20 years ago I would have been up for it.

I hope something comes of your proposal swanning_it, a couple of my friends did this trek a few years back and enjoyed it even though the going was tough. My friend Liz paid extra to have a Sherpa carry her backpack whilst her husband carried his own.
 
Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

images
You could just get a sedan chair and a couple of strong porters :D
 
Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

A bit of info fo anyone considering this unique possibility.....

Best time: April to November (could be timed for an ANZAC day service at Bomana war cemetary, which is a beautifully maintained war cemetary not far from Port Moresby, on the way to Sogeri)

Fitness: The trek requires a reasonable degree of fitness, but one does not have to be a Kenyan athelete.

Duration: The time taken would depend on the fitness ability of the trekers but 8-9 days is considered enough time. I know a porter in POM and he tells me he does it in 2-3 days on the walk back. The distance is marginally under 100km and 5-6 hours a day is walked taking about 50 hours all up.

Medical: I've spent about 3 years now in PNG (both coastal and highland regions) and I have copped nothing more than the "runs" once or twice. The travel "bomb" works well to fix that little dilemma. Malaria, dengue, zika and chikungunya are active in PNG, but usual mosquito precautions are adequate as a defence. I've not contracted any of them. Rabies, cholera and Japanese encephalitis problems are not common in PNG although typhoid and Hep A immunisation is recommended. HIV infection controls are the same as in australia.

Costs: If we get a few who are interested, I'll contact the porter I know and ask for rates. Treking can be quite reasonable.

Accommodation: Both ends of the trek, accommodation is quite good (although I have never stayed at Kokoda). Along the track, accommodation is far more modest with communal village accommodation being typical and long drop dunnies being luxurious! A shower consists of what we commonly call a waterfall! These showers are not tepid and I'd describe them as "bloody cold".

Safety: PNG has a poor personal safety reputation and in some cses it's deserved, but is generally confined to Port Moresby, Lae and the Highlands. The track is a major tourist drawcard in PNG and most of the villagers depend on the tourist kina to supplement their subsistent lifestyle and as such, trekers personal safety is somewhat assurred. There was a recent issue that made worldwide press, but in all honesty, the trekers involved should have been criminally charged. Two porters were not paid for their work as negotiated and when they fronted the pair, a bit of "argy-bargy" ensued with the outcome being unsubstantiated allegations being levelled against the porters who were promptly arrested for "their misdeeds". The truth has more recently come out however, and it turns out the pair (an American and his English girlfrind) left a trail of bad debts throughout PNG and were attempting to beat-up a Tarzan and Jane story to sell to the media. Their lies actually meant a 17 year old boy (one of the porters) was badly beaten in gaol because of "him" bringing the PNG tourism safety into a bad international focus. It was totally unfair and an extreme example of self-centred tourists that need to be brought to account for their actions. The PNG government and the PNG people are very aware of looking after their fledgling tourism industry and personal safety for the tourists is regarded as being critical and they do protect the trekers to the utmost. The Black Cat trail episode was somewhat different and unfortunately involved a tribal stouch that was witnessed by a party of trekers. Importantly, no trekers were injured and in fact, they saved the lives of some of their porters. Tribal warfare is not uncommon in PNG, but it is very uncommon for it to include people from outside the warring tribes. There were reasons for the Black Cat fight and neither parties would harm a treker.

Experience: This suggestion will not appeal to everyone, however PNG is our closest neighbour and many have never even though to visit. This could be the gloden opportunity. There are other side trips that could be added as a "recovery" bonus, like lounging in over water bures in New Island or canoeing the fjords of Tufi (I'm keen for that one especially) or even just lazing back at Loloata Island before the flight home.

What, no Hiltons along the track? Not even Holiday Inn Express? Ibis Budget anyone? :p

Seriously, thanks for your (as usual) excellent summary. I hadn't even considered a post-trek relaxation stint, but sounds very nice. I reckon I could muster up the requisite fitness for it, then it becomes a matter of timing and cost etc (though I imagine cost won't be anything insurmountable). You have reassured me somewhat on the safety aspect, which is something I think that looms large in every potential PNG visitor's mind.

At this early stage I suspect the first half of 2017 will involve some other travel for me (especially between Easter and June), though nothing locked in at this stage. But the trip is about everyone who may want to go, so plan away as you see fit.
 
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