Off-peak Season Options

[Fluppy]

You would think I would know this by now being a member of this forum family for 3 years, but...is it just me or is there a lack of posting or questions - be they out of preparation or idle curiosity - on this forum once the trekking season has finished?

Sorry - I only just remembered, Christmas is coming up and the last thing people are thinking about is Kokoda...

flups

[Goal2010]

Nah, I'm with you - it is a bit quiet at the moment. I don't say all that much, but on here reading once or twice a day just checking the developments.

Got to admit, it is almost an obsession at this point.

[Boss Meri]

It always happens this time of the year. I guess people are concentrating on Christmas and the last thing on their mind is Kokoda.

Would you believe a few years back the most visits of the whole year were on Christmas Day!

Hang in there everyone, 2010 is just around the corner, people will soon start to post - well lets hope so otherwise it will be a terrible year.

Who knows it could be that there have been so many questions over the time the forum has been running that all the answers are there already so no need to ask more questions.

[peterh13]

I check the forum every day at around 4am while Im having a coffee before driving to work,,and then at about 4 or 5 pm when I get home.Its a daily ritual.
I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Xmas as well as a great New year.

[Lorna]

Yep, I put my hand up ... this forum is a daily ritual for me too. I would never have thought before trekking Kokoda that the whole experience would have gotten into my system so badly.

In a few years I'd like to trek Shaggy Ridge and the Black Cat trail too. Gail, do KTL do this trip?? It would be the 'icing on the cake' in so far as following the second half of the Aussies campaign in PNG in '42 adn '43.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas. Stay safe... and have fun!!

[Mrs Moo]

My name is Mary, and I'm a KTL addict ... is that how it goes? I was so obsessed with the Track before I went, I expected that after I came home it would be "out of my system" No such luck.

Apart from checking this site everyday (and putting in my 2 cents worth), I'm already planning to return to the Track. I wonder if there's a cure?

Merry Christmas everyone, and have a safe and happy new year. Talk to you all in 2010

[peterh13]

I may return to PNG with my 2 sons,,,,maybe.

[kmann]

People to ease your boredom a few questions
I, and 3 others are planning to do the track early January, independently, my biggest worry is that the creeks are going to be too dangerous to cross, what is the deal? (a guide will be arranged in Port Moresby or Kokoda...)
I am taking a hennessy hammock, what do you think?
Are the mozzies out of control during this period?
Is there a currency exchange place at the airport and lockers at the airport?

Thanks peoples

[peterh13]

we only found mozzies at low altitude and they werent too bad,although we were there in July so I dont know what January would be like.
There is currency exchange at the airport but I dont know about lockers.
Hennesy hammocks are great as long as your can find somewhere to string it up.

[Rocky]

In terms of creeks there are a lot of crossings, but most of these are small and shouldn't bother you. The potentially deepest without a "bridge" is probably the goldie near owers and levels here fluctuate a lot depending on rains (it was belly button deep when I went across but I understand can flood). I'm not aware of any treks being turned around because of creeks but others may be able to help here. Your guide will certainly lead the way - personally I wouldn't worry about this.

In May mozzies weren't bad at all. Nothing like even sydney near the coast - though malaria isn't a concern in sydney of course. Just take your drugs and slap on the bushmans.

With lockers - if the airport has none and you are staying at a hotel before and/or after the trek they will likely hold onto stuff for you.

[Judith]

Unless of course the "bridge" gets washed away. We crossed Iora Creek in January...no bridge and lots of white water! Amazing guide and porters got us across, but it was a hair-raising, neck deep, legs washed out from under you experience. Listen carefully to your guides, and follow their instructions.

In January, prepare to be wet a lot of the time. The mozzies were not so bad until we got closer to Port Moresby. We found our self-inflating mats and sleeping bags to be just fine, and most of the time slept in the huts. We did use our tent twice though.