Gear guide

As the trekking season approaches, Andrew Bain provides a rundown on the essential items needed on the trail.

Befitting its wartime origins, Papua New Guinea’s Kokoda Track is regarded as one of the world’s most challenging treks. For almost 100 kilometres, it journeys relentlessly up and down, ascending and descending more than 5000 metres as it crosses the Owen Stanley Ranges.

Along the way there are numerous river crossings, prolific rain and mud, temperatures hovering around 30 degrees Celsius and air so humid you can almost drink it. Suitable clothing and equipment when trekking in this environment is essential for safety and comfort.

Footwear

No decision will be more crucial than your choice of boots. Ankle support is vital on the Kokoda’s rough track surfaces, as is good tread on the soles of the boots – look for Vibram soles, preferably with wide spaces between the tread pattern to provide better grip in mud.

Boots typically come in two styles. Full-leather boots offer superior waterproofing, but on this trek it’s still almost inevitable that you’ll get wet feet. Leather boots get heavy when wet, so lighter synthetic boots lined with Gore-Tex may be the better option.

Feet are particularly susceptible to blisters in this damp, humid climate. To reduce the chance of blistering, buy a pair of boots that are half a size larger than your foot and tie the laces loosely, especially on climbs. This will allow heat to escape from around your foot. Wearing one pair of thin socks, rather than one or two thick pairs, will also reduce heat and moisture.

Quality manufacturers of boots include Scarpa (scarpa.com), Zamberlan (zamberlan.com) and Keen (keenfootwear.com).

Gaiters covering your lower leg are also a good option on the Kokoda Track. The type of gaiter

will depend on personal choice. Longer gaiters, reaching to just below your knees, will keep out most water and mud from your boots, but will get hot and sweaty. Shorter, builder-style gaiters will keep your legs cooler but are far less effective against water and mud (but will still keep stones from flicking into your boots).

Wet-weather gear

On the Kokoda Track you should be thinking less about cold and more about the breathability of your rain jacket – a heavy Gore Tex-style jacket will keep the rain out, but you could end up swimming in sweat instead.

A light, throwover rain poncho is ideal for this trek.As well as keeping you mostly dry, it will also cover your pack, offering some waterproofing for the items you’re carrying.

It’s paramount that you keep your camping items – spare clothes and sleeping bag – dry, so use a waterproof pack cover or line the inside of your pack with a garbage bag. As further insurance, stuff your sleeping bag into a second garbage bag or a dry bag such as those made by Sea to Summit (seatosummit.com.au).

These bags roll down and compress to keep out all water. Do the same with at least one set of camp clothes so you have something dry to change into at the end of each day.

Tent and sleeping bag

Look for a lightweight three-season tent with a mesh inner that can be pitched separately to the outer fly cover. On hot, dry nights you’ll then be able to put up just the mesh inner, allowing more airflow. If you’re sleeping in huts, you’ll also be able to use the inner as mosquito protection.

There’s a plethora of quality tent manufacturers. Mont’s (mont.com.au) Moondance 1 is a good single-person tent, while Macpac (macpac.co.nz) has a good range of twoperson tents.

Nights can get cold, with the track ascending to more than 2000 metres above sea level, so look for a sleeping bag rated to at least zero degrees. Carry a silk sleeping bag liner to preserve your sleeping bag, but also to use as a sheet on warmer nights when you may not want to get inside the bag.

Hydration

Dehydration can be a real issue in this hot, humid climate – it’s not unusual for trekkers to drink six litres of water a day – so you’ll need to pay careful attention to your water intake.

The best way to regulate it is to carry a water bladder, such as those made by Camelbak (camelbak.com). This will allow you to take regular sips of water as you walk, rather than having to stop and dig out a bottle each time you want a drink.

Many backpacks come with compartments designed to hold water bladders, or you can simply lay the bladder across the top of your pack – be sure that the bladder is sealed properly each time you fill it.

It’s a good idea also to carry a separate water bottle that you can fill with an electrolyte drink (such as Gastrolyte or Endura powder) if you’re flagging late in the day, or to assist with rehydration once you arrive in camp.