AFF Kokoda Trek [3 - 17 September]

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Lisa and I are locked in and for reasons given above, we're also August.

(we did a 13.5km walk yesterday, so our training is underway)

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

So to edge this a millimetre closer to kick off, I see April and August are each tied in the poll, however we have no April confirmations but 4 for August (subject to planet alignment).

The poll runs for another few weeks, but without a big swing around to April, I'd suggest it looks like August is likely the month.

The next question, which will have a bearing on price, is whether a PNG led trek is preferred or an Australian led trek? There is about $1000 difference in price between the two (Australian led trek being the more expensive), but more "war facts" about the battle logistics is provided en-route. It possibly doesn't worry Lisa and I too much, however I must admit to always avoiding the guided walk talks at museums, art galleries and Port Arthur as they usually tend to bore us to tears......I'm thinking the extra cash may be better spent on personal porters!

Anyway, preferences? Any other participants? If it does turn out to be August, which week (I think a good point was raised earlier in the thread, about timing the fly in for a Saturday and the start of the trek on a Sunday so as to only interrupt one Sabbath for the predominantly 7th Day Adventist guides and porters)?

Fly in on 5/8, 12/8 ,19/8, or 26/8.....or some other time? It would appear the most poignant time in August '42 was the Battle of Isurava (26-30 Aug), which would mean a commemoration at the site on the most relevant date would see fly into POM being on Saturday 26/8 placing us at Isurava on the afternoon of the 29/8 for a dawn service on the 30th (based on a Kokoda to Owers Cnr trek direction).

Mind you, all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[tuapekastar]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

Thanks for you efforts so far swanning_it. They are appreciated.

I'm not 100% sure on any of the questions you raised, but here goes.

I suspect a PNG-led trek would be preferable to me. I don't mind hearing detailed history at all, but these days it seems to find a path in one ear then out the other more often than not, oops so it probably is something I can forego and put the 'extra' money to good use like a personal porter, as suggested. The info and dialogue with a Kokoda born and bred person would likely be very interesting in its own right, and harder to come by than military history...though there would be a certain poignancy hearing the history while standing in the spot it was made. I have made myself as clear as mud I suspect , but tend towards (fully competent) PNG trek leader if it is cheaper!

I'm not too fussed at this stage about exact dates or days of the week for commencement of the trek. I do imagine that if we do this via a professional and reputable company, they would be the ones worrying about local peoples' religious beliefs, and providing options based on that?

Being at a place like Isurava on an anniversary would be be interesting, and desirable, but not if not necessarily if it meant extra large crowds. Happy to meet other trekkers, but don't want to feel like I'm in Bourke/George/Queen St (pick your city).

Sorry if I'm not being too definitive. I guess (unless I develop some sort of obsession) it is likely to to be the only time I walk the trail (track!) so I would like it to be a good walk. No cutting corners on the really important bits - safety being chief among them - but obviously little things like you have already suggested re PNG leaders versus Oz ones are useful.

Edit: Have just read in another forum that QF flights from CNS-POM (apparently 2 x daily Q400s) are being replaced from Nov 1 by 1 x daily 737 BNE-POM - if that makes a difference to anyone.

 

[drron]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

In full agreement with tuapekastar.
I guess the start on 26/8 as you mentioned may be best especially if staying on for the Goroka show.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

I originally though I'd have to forego the Goroka Show, as I thought we were going to Vietnam in September, but I since been informed that I got the month wrong and it's actually October, so we just might be up for that as well. I haven't been to either Goroka or Hagen show and it's something that I'd love to do. I imagine either would be simply spectacular!

We're also not overly fussed about timings but I guess at some point, an actual date will need to be booked. As for the talking to the PNG guides, I couldn't agree more with tuapekastar. I find the PNG people are shy at first, but are friendly people by large and do open up when they become more comfortable with you. They are generally very polite, yet do have a sense of humour and are incredibly proud of their history and customs.

I'm home in a couple of weeks, so I'm going to see if my doc can organise a referral for a cardiologist to do a stress test.....just to make sure they don't laugh me out of the ball park!

 

[samh004]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

I believe I'm down to bronze for now, my haematologist says my latest blood tests show my neutrophil count is at the lowest it's been since they started checking, at 1.0, and I'm positive for 3 out of 4 tests for Lupus. Therefore, it's probably best I don't go on long hikes through the jungle!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

I believe I'm down to bronze for now, my haematologist says my latest blood tests show my neutrophil count is at the lowest it's been since they started checking, at 1.0, and I'm positive for 3 out of 4 tests for Lupus. Therefore, it's probably best I don't go on long hikes through the jungle!

Wow mate. I don't understand it a great deal, but from I know of Lupus, I'd say I agree with your decision 150%! I hope you get back on top of it sooner rather than later.

 

[tuapekastar]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

I believe I'm down to bronze for now, my haematologist says my latest blood tests show my neutrophil count is at the lowest it's been since they started checking, at 1.0, and I'm positive for 3 out of 4 tests for Lupus. Therefore, it's probably best I don't go on long hikes through the jungle!

Sorry to hear samh004, hope things do pan out OK.

 

[penegal]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

I believe I'm down to bronze for now, my haematologist says my latest blood tests show my neutrophil count is at the lowest it's been since they started checking, at 1.0, and I'm positive for 3 out of 4 tests for Lupus. Therefore, it's probably best I don't go on long hikes through the jungle!

I'm sorry to hear that Sam.

Thinking of you...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

OK, so the poll has closed with it proving to be a neck and neck battle between April and August for the preferred month of trek. August pipped April by one point and for those that have suggested themselves as being a trekking possibility, August was also the highest ranking as 1st preference and for those that have committed (as much as can be expected at this stage) August was also the preferred month, so I guess it's fair to state that August will be the month of trek.

To date we have hands up (pending final commitment):

drron
swanning_it
mrs swanning_it
swanning_it +1
tuapekastar

My sister heard we were planning this and she's jumped on board as she's been keen to do Kokoda for years but just never got around to it. Her husband and eldest son are also both pilots.......so I guess she fits in!

Any others? The aim currently is 7 to organise our own AFF trek.

In the spirit of PNG, I suggest if we get the 7, we call the group the AFF wantoks, which is pidgin English (tok pisin) for friends/neighbours/community.
(translated = one talk....ie 1 language which is used to traditionally describe members of one community, village or district. There are over 800 distinct and different languages in PNG).

 

[penegal]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

My hand is still half way up, but that bung shoulder is holding me back.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

My hand is still half way up, but that bung shoulder is holding me back.

How many handstands are you expecting to do?

What if bribe you with a bottle of that Dom you seem to enjoy so much?

 

[penegal]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

How many handstands are you expecting to do?

What if bribe you with a bottle of that Dom you seem to enjoy so much?

No hand stands. I will ask my doctor next time I see him if he thinks it is a good idea. I am keen, but would prefer it if I was alive at the end of it.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

would prefer it if I was alive at the end of it.

But that's how I planned to get out of buying you a bottle of Dom!

 

[Steady]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

This just arrived in my inbox from Luxuary Escapes

 

[pootle]

Have had a few clients do Kokoda feel free to ask any questions, can recommend some great tour groups too

Oh and just remember tha April is start of the season, so some places will be trickier to pass as they Have to cut the way through

 

[Deleted member 29185]

This just arrived in my inbox from Luxuary Escapes

Have had a few clients do Kokoda feel free to ask any questions, can recommend some great tour groups too

Oh and just remember tha April is start of the season, so some places will be trickier to pass as they Have to cut the way through

I just realised that although I read both of these posts, I must have been side tracked as I didn't respond.

I did have a look at that link Steady and I liked the look of it, except they didn't commit to a company and it read like they could change at will so I didn't pursue it.

pootle, feel free to make recommendations. Someone did so earlier, but were then unable or unwilling to answer a few questions about their recommendations, so personally, I guessed the lack of answers gave the answer!

I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm working toward a trek at the end of August with (hopefully) a tie in with the Goroka Show.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Since we are down to just a few "possible trekkies" may I ask those who are still considering this trek to comment.

I've been thinking more and more about the preferred date and the Goroka show. If anyone is still interested, would a trek starting on around Monday 4 September 2017 be an option?

I realise August was the preferred month, with the previously suggested date selected to coincide with the Isurava service, but given the comments about being there on the exact date is secondary to being there when slightly less crowded and with the idea of a Goroka show excursion, of starting sometime around 4th September, which would see us completing by about the 12th to 13th for a leisurely couple of days in POM to rest the weary bones (not to mention the blisters) before flying up to Goroka on Friday 15th in preparation of the weekend of 16th/17th at the Goraka show?

 

[pootle]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

So to edge this a millimetre closer to kick off, I see April and August are each tied in the poll, however we have no April confirmations but 4 for August (subject to planet alignment).

The poll runs for another few weeks, but without a big swing around to April, I'd suggest it looks like August is likely the month.

The next question, which will have a bearing on price, is whether a PNG led trek is preferred or an Australian led trek? There is about $1000 difference in price between the two (Australian led trek being the more expensive), but more "war facts" about the battle logistics is provided en-route. It possibly doesn't worry Lisa and I too much, however I must admit to always avoiding the guided walk talks at museums, art galleries and Port Arthur as they usually tend to bore us to tears......I'm thinking the extra cash may be better spent on personal porters!


Mind you, all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

just touching base on this, I would have love to have been involved but have had open heart surgery and not sure it's a good idea - I have however planned and sent a few groups on the trek and am happy to hell out with training guides, recommendations, bookings, how many guides etc etc feel free to pm me

 

[tuapekastar]

Re: Proposed AFF Kokoda trek

I'm still keen, and the Sep date to coincide with the Goroka show (which sounds cool) is fine by me. Booked into see Doc next month, I have this feeling things are not in perfect working order but hopefully nothing that cannot be relatively simply overcome. Will keep you apprised of any relevant info swanning_it.