Gear List

Travel

  • Travel needs to be co-ordinated ex Port Moresby airport – please contact us for further information

Passport

  • To enter PNG, a passport valid for six months beyond the date of planned departure is required.
  • Take a photocopy of the photo page of your passport and keep it in a separate area in case of a lost passport.

Visa

  • All Australians are required to apply for a visa to enter PNG for your trek.
  • Visas need to be obtained well prior to travel from the PNG Consulate General in Canberra or Brisbane. The application form MUST include a Covid statement. Visa applications can be completed on line. Please contact us for further information.

Travel Insurance

  • You are required to organise your own travel insurance and provide proof of document prior to departure.
  • The policy should cover the following; change in airline reservations, medical expenses, lost baggage, lost passports, air tickets, personal papers, and lost money. You need to specifically state to your insurance company that you will be trekking across the Trail. It needs to be possible to claim while in PNG.

Cash

  • Bring a small amount of extra cash for purchasing of local foods and ornaments along the Trail. An amount of 300Kina is appropriate.
  • Carry some small denominations because the locals will not have change to give you.

Equipment

Back Pack

  • You will need a sturdy good quality backpack with around 75 litres capacity. Make sure it has a back pack cover.
  • We can supply a back pack upon request.
  • Dry bags are also a good method of storing wet, stinky or contaminated items that you want isolated from the rest of your equipment to prevent cross contamination such as dirty socks, undies and clothing.
  • Dry bags are a relatively cheap option for keeping your equipment dry and they can be reused over and over again.
  • If you are on a budget, a cheap option is to water proof food etc by using Ziploc bags and to water proof clothing and sleeping gear with garbage bags. Another cheaper option is to purchase one big dry bag, that fills the main compartment in your pack, and place all of your items inside (except drinking water).

Water

The Trail is in mountainous country in the tropics of PNG. You will be working very hard walking up and down hills and will be required to maintain hydration.

  • There are a lot of creeks crossing the track so there is plenty of fresh water for resupply. The fresh water is generally ok to drink however ask your porter. A general rule is to purify the water with Puri Tabs or Steri tabs prior to consumption for safety sake, as a stomach bug will see you off the track.

Sleeping Gear

Tent

  • Your own tent, make sure it is lightweight, around 2kg, and has room for you and your gear.
  • We can supply a suitable tent upon request.

Sleeping Bag

  • A good sleeping bag is important when walking the Trail. People assume because the Trail is in the tropics, it won’t get cold. During your climb, you will reach an altitude of 2200 metres which means you are going to be cold at night so you need to select a sleeping bag that will be appropriate.
  • A zero degrees rated sleeping bag is sufficient for you needs. Get one that unzips all the way so that when you are in the lower hotter areas, you can unzip it and use it as a blanket so you can ventilate and won’t get too hot. Alternately you can purchase a silk sleeping bag liner which is light weight and will be sufficient for the hotter areas. This will also lower the rating of your sleeping bag when used in combination.
  • Please ensure your sleeping bag is no larger than the size of a football if possible.

Sleeping mattress

  • A mattress of some form should be used while on the Trail. These are an item that will allow your body to rest in comfort during the night so that you are able to be fully charged in the morning to tackle the challenge that a walk on the Trail offers.
  • A mattress also provides insulation from the ground while sleeping so when you are in the higher areas of the track where it is colder, your body will not be in contact with the cold ground. A sleeping bag will not provide that insulation from the ground.
  • The best type of mattress is the self-inflating mattress which has compressed foam inside which expands when the inflation tube is opened. These provide insulation and cushiony comfort for the weary trekker.

Pillow

  • A pillow will provide you with comfort and a good night’s rest after a hard days trek. A pillow weighs just about nothing and compresses down to the size of a pair of socks. Alternatively you can use a dry bag stuffed with clothing.

Footwear

Trek shoes

  • The most important item that you must select is footwear. Your feet are the form of transport to get you across the Owen Stanley Range.
  • Incorrectly fitting boots will cause friction and rubbing which will result in blisters.
  • Do not wear heavy leather mountaineering boots as they become water logged and even heavier which will make your legs feel like lead, walking up some of the steep terrain on the Trail.
  • Wear lightweight synthetic or gortex boots with ankle support and a vibram sole that has an aggressive tread pattern to help you get a good positive grip while trekking.
  • Your feet will get wet from time to time, either through sweat or rain. Purchase boots with composite materials such as gortex and mesh for their quick drying capabilities.
  • Gortex lined boots are a personal choice. They will keep your feet dry from dew and mud, however the heavy rain and creeks that are experienced on the Trail will find their way inside your boots. I prefer the boots that are not lined as they tend to breath and dry better in the tropical environment.
  • Go to a reputable adventure store and let them know that you intend to do the trail. Let them know that you will require a little extra toe room in your boots for the down hill sections otherwise you will get an impact injury from your toes smashing into the ends of your boots.
  • The most important aspect is to train with the boots that you will wear on. This training should be over varied terrain and varied environmental conditions to see how they treat your feet.

Sandals / Wet shoes

  • There are several areas along the hike which are suitable to wear sandals rather than shoes such as creeks and wet areas. This will allow the feet to air out and prevent blisters due to wet shoes and socks.
  • Sandals are also good to wear in camp to air the feet out.

Clothing

Trekking Clothing

  • The Trail can be cold, very wet and insect ridden so your selection of clothing such as trekking gear, sleeping clothing and cold and wet weather clothing is important for your comfort and safety.
  • A lightweight moisture wicking t-shirt and shorts combination are ideal for trekking across the Trail due to their quick drying capability. It is also advisable to purchase shorts with lots of pockets to carry maps, GPS, camera, lollies etc. Make sure the shorts come with a belt (not leather) as you will lose a few kilos on the track and you don’t want any embarrassing situations.

Camp Clothing

  • Lightweight change of clothes, including a light weight jumper/jacket.

Socks

  • Socks are the individual’s preference. There are a lot of different brands of hiking socks claiming dryness and blister free trekking. Ensure you select the correct thickness so your boots don’t become too tight or too loose. We recommend at least 5 pairs of socks.

Rain Jacket

  • A light weight rain jacket can be utilised around camp to get you to and from your tent etc.

Gaiters

  • Gaiters are a comfort and safety item which I don’t leave home without, as they are light and cheap. They are used primarily to prevent water, mud and small rocks from entering into your boots causing discomfort, prune feet and blisters due to wet socks. They are also used to protect your shins against scratches from sticks and rocks smashing into your shins. Small scratches can fester if not treated correctly in a tropical

Miscellaneous

Head Torch

  • A good head torch is a requirement for a trek along the Trail. At night time in the jungle where there is a full canopy covering any moon light, you will not be able to see your hand in front of your face.
  • We will not be walking at night; however, a head torch is a safety requirement and is useful when trying to find your way to the camp toilet in the middle of the night or for general use at night, whether it is for eating, reading or playing cards.

Gifts

  • Carry some small gifts for the children which you will meet in the villages along the track. Some simple and cheap options are items such as tennis balls, colour pencils, and Frisbees.

Photography

  • Please bring a small camera with you to document your adventure. If it is not the waterproof type, ensure that you have an appropriate dry bag to keep it dry. Also ensure that you bring extra batteries.

Toiletries

  • A small toiletry kit should be taken and contain a bar of soap, toilet paper, deodorant, tooth paste and tooth brush, small micro fibre towel, and face wipes all in a water proofed container
  • There will only be washing facilities in the villages which is sometimes just a creek or a shower arrangement. Please use soap which is suitable for the environment because the runoff drains to the creeks in most areas.

Eating Utensils

  • Bowl, plate, cup, knife, fork, spoon and teaspoon

Medical

All trek leaders have a satellite phone available for emergency casualty evacuation.

It is essential that you look after yourself in training and while on the track so that you enjoy the trek and come home fit and healthy.

In some cases a medical certificate will have to be obtained to ensure that you are fit and healthy to undertake the tour prior to embarkation.

We carry a group medical kit which will be used in case of emergency and for the local guides.

Personal Medical Kit

  • The Trail is a malaria area so please see your local GP for an appropriate anti malaria medication.
  • You will require water sterilisation tablets for the duration of the trek. All the local water is clean however should be treated as suspect and sterilised prior to consumption.
  • Foot care is paramount, and should include blister packs, bandaids, foot powder is needed, and even strapping tape.