No Roads Expeditions - Kokoda Trekking Portal

Hydration bladder water packs are essential. Water bottles are hard to carry in your hand whilst trekking so they end up stored in pockets on your backpack. We have noticed that trekkers tend to forget to drink when they cannot easily get their water. Hydration bladders with a sipper tube solve this problem as it is easier to sip on water as you walk whilst your hands are busy.

When trekking you tend to use both your hands for walking poles and cannot afford to carry a bottle of water. Trekkers don't like stopping to get their water bottles out from their packs and therefore don't drink enough water. Water bladders with a sipper tube solve this problem making it easy to keep drinking!

The water bladder is used to carry the water safely in your pack. A water tube hangs over your shoulder with a bite‐valve at the end. Biting on the end gently and sucking gives you water. Don't buy a sipper tube with taps that turn on and off - they just break and cause you grief in the long run.

In the drier months August to October, small creeks disappear so we suggest 2 or 3 litre water bladder packs so that you will have plenty of water on you. They usually come in 1, 2, and 3 litre capacity bladders.

We recommend you obtain a water bladder with a wide opening for pouring water in from a bottle, a bite‐valve with a dirt‐cover to keep nasties out, and a good quality known brand as we have seen many cheap ones leak, or the bite‐valve breaking.

In addition to the hydration bladder you will need to bring a water bottle or two. The water bottle is useful for collecting water from streams. Hydration bladders are not as suitable for the electrolyte replacement mixtures as they may clog at the bite‐valve. 

Most trekkers use the bottle as a refill bottle for the bladder and then carry some mixed electrolyte replacement so at all times you have water and a electrolyte mix ready to drink.

Bottles come in many sizes and materials. We recommend a one litre bottle made from a lightweight plastic. Bottles with a wide opening will make it easier to fill from streams or pipes.

Remember - 1 litre of water equals 1 kg of weight

Water purification is recommended at all times. Refer to the section on Water Quality for more information on this topic. There are many brands and types of tablets to treat reasonably clear water. One brand that is cheap, quick and has minimal after‐taste is Aquatabs.

Aquatabs are effervescent tablets which kill micro‐organisms in water to prevent cholera, typhoid, dysentery and other water borne diseases. Water treated with Aquatabs is ready to drink within 30 minutes. They are sold in packs of 50 tablets. Each table treats 1 litre of water. Take two packs to ensure you have enough.

Taste Test
It is important to taste test the water purification tablets before you trek to ascertain if you can handle the after taste. Try several different brands and use the one that best suits you.

Steripen
An advantage of the Steripen is that you only have to wait a few minutes for the water to be sterilised. With Aquatabs you have to wait half an hour. However, providing you don’t let yourself completely run out (always have a sterilised bottle spare) popping a tablet into a bottle of water is quicker and more convenient, during quick or awkward water stops, than stirring with the Steripen for 90 secs. Aquatabs are inexpensive, don’t add any discernible taste to the water and have been used safely for many years in areas with unsafe drinking supplies.

Trekking poles are simply walking sticks, and though historically used to aid formal hiking rather than everyday walking the principle is just the same. They take many forms, ranging from single staves made from found wood to pairs of sophisticated height‐adjustable poles made from lightweight composite materials. 

What are the Benefits?
Studies have proved that use of "ski poles" while walking reduces the pressure strain on the opposite leg by approximately 20%. Furthermore, while walking on level ground, poles reduce the body weight carried by the legs by approximately 5 kg every step. Move to an incline, and that reduction increases to 8kg. Think about this in the context of walking up and down the long hills along the Kokoda Track.

A study conducted at the University of Massachussetts at Amherst in 2001, showed that using poles lets hikers lengthen their strides, put less strain on their knees, and generally feel more comfortable. The hikers studied did not expend less energy, but the increase in stability made long treks easier.

Effectively using two trekking poles reduces fatigue, increases speed (level, uphill and downhill), provides excellent stability, increases the distance that can be comfortably travelled in a day, and reduces accumulated stress on the feet, legs, knees and back.

How to Use Your Poles
One of the legitimate complaints about trekking poles is that many people simply do not know how to use them correctly. As a result, these people get little or no benefit from them and the poles can simply get in the way. Fortunately, the proper technique is easy to pick up and can be mastered with a little practice.

Pole Length?
Even though it is often stated that you can adjust the pole to suit the terrain, you will find that generally they can be set at the beginning of a journey and left for the duration. Adjust the length of your poles as follows:

1. "Unlock" the upper and lower sections of both poles.
2. Extend the lower section of both poles to just less than the maximum limit and "lock" the lower sections. Don't pull out too hard as they may come apart.
3. Stand up straight with shoulders relaxed.
4. Place one pole under an armpit and adjust the length so that the top of the pole is 5 to 8cm (2 to 3in) below the armpit.
5. "Lock" the upper section of that pole in place.
6. Use the fully locked pole as a "ruler" to adjust the length of your second pole.
7. Completing this procedure should result in a pole length that is a good compromise for both ascending and descending.

Note: Adjustments to pole length should be made within the limits of the manufacturer's recommendations and it might also help you in choosing which model, as it is imperative to get one that is long enough for you.

Wrist Straps
The wrist straps are critical to getting maximum efficiency from your poles. They should be adjusted so that when the hand is inserted through the loop, the wrist can comfortably apply pressure to the pole. If you turn the loop over your hand like a ski pole grip it should not be necessary to grip the pole tightly with your hand in order to apply the pressure. 

Your thumb and fingers should merely form a "U" or an "O" around the grip. The area between the thumb and index finger becomes a point of articulation. While walking, the poles should act and feel as though the arms extend to the ground creating a second pair of legs. The poles should swing forward for the next step just as though they were legs.

The grips can be used as necessary, but for the most part the poles should be loaded using mostly the wrist straps.

Terrain
Level ground to slight uphill:
Poles are used the same as in cross‐country skiing. Tips of the poles are behind the body. Left foot is forward while left pole is back and similarly with the right. Forcefully load the poles to aid in forward movement.

On steep uphills:
Left pole is planted at the same time as the left foot and similarly with the right. Load the pole to reduce the weight that the leg has to lift. Poles are even with the body for moderate upgrades and can be moved in front of the body for steeper inclines.

Slight to moderate downhills:
Descending moderate declines you can use the exact opposite of level to slight uphill technique. The poles are in front of the body. Left foot is back while left pole is forward and similarly with the right. Load the poles to control forward movement.

Steep downhills:
For these the configuration is nearly the opposite of when climbing steep terrain. Left pole is planted just before the left foot and then the right. Load the pole to help control placement of the foot. On slippery surfaces lean forward (the natural tendency is backward) and trust your poles. The poles will help maintain downward force on the feet to prevent them from slipping. On extremely steep slopes or rock steps you might place both poles in front and lower your weight down.

NB: Practice the various techniques carefully to make sure that you are comfortable and safe using them and that you can learn the limits of the poles on different surfaces.

One Pole or Two?
All the above comments are assuming you are using a pair of poles. One pole will do some of the above but not all. One is better than none but two will provide more than twice the benefit.

If you have knee or back problems, intend to use the poles all the time or are carrying a load, I would recommend two poles. You could always try one and add a second later.

Source: Paddy Pallin website.

Discuss these topics on our Kokoda Trekking Community Forums