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SKINDIWAI/BLACK CAT TRACK EQUIPMENT LIST
Extreme Trekking
CLOTHING: During the day it can be quite hot and humid. The nights can get quite cold. It is recommended that you wear long sleeve shirts. You should also bring a bandana to wear around your neck, a hat or peak cap, thick socks, walking boots and gaiters. For protecting yourself against possible chafing it is a good idea to wear a pair of lycra gym shorts instead of ordinary shorts.
Each night we either stay in villages or camp beside a creek with plenty of fast flowing, crystal clear mountain water. We always have the opportunity to have a good refreshing bath. After this you will want to change into a spare set of dry clothing.
You must be prepared for rain, it is a good idea to bring plastic bags to store spare clothing within your pack. This will ensure you always have something dry to put on.
EQUIPMENT: Back packing equipment for camping can be purchased, hired from outdoor shops or borrowed. If you are carrying your own pack and not taking a Personal Porter one of the most important items is a good backpack. One that can be adjusted so approximately two-thirds of the weight will sit on your hips and one-third on your shoulders. Ensure the belt is well padded to avoid chafing.
You will need a medium weight sleeping bag for although it is quite hot and humid during the day it can be very chilly at night. If you have a good set of thermal underwear, a self-inflating sleeping mat, and a sleeping bag you will enjoy a deep, comfortable sleep each night.
There is the opportunity to stay at village guesthouse accommodation at Alolo, Myola, Kagi, Menari and Naoro. For the other locations we will sleep in tents. You will also need a plate, canteen/cup and eating utensils. We will provide all cooking pots.
Very important that all your clothes are put into zip lock bags to help keep them dry. Also please line your pack with a large garbage bag.
| Equipment |  | Equipment | |
| One rimmed Hat or Peak Cap (protection against rain and/or sun) | | One pair of gaiters (gaiters keep socks and tops of your boots clean. Helps keeps leeches off and avoids grass cuts) | |
| One long/short sleeve quick dry shirt | | One bandana (optional) | |
| Two pair of quick dry shorts (some people may prefer to walk in long trekking pants) | |
| One polypro top (evening) | | Four /six pair of thick socks (recommend woolen) | |
| One polypro long johns (evening) | |
| One track suit pants or similar (evening) | | Two pair of thin sock liners - optional
(Nylon socks which go under woolen socks) | |
| One long sleeved warm top (evening) | | (Nylon socks which go under woolen socks) | |
| One pair of bush walking boots (with good grip, ankle support and preferably clean dry set for evenings
Waterproof. Must be broken in.) | | Two/three sets of underwear. | |
| One pair of sneakers/sandals (for day’s end) | | One poncho style rain jacket. The really cheap plastic ones are okay.
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| One towel (the quick drying sports towel you can buy from camping stores are ideal) | | One pair of lycra gym shorts. (optional) | |
| One 60-70 litre large backpack | | One day pack (15-20 litre) Must be good quality and have chest and hip straps. | |
| One medium weight sleeping bag (plus 10 celcius) | | One thermarest (self inflating mattress) | |
| Small pillow | | One rubber sleeping mat (optional) | |
| Pack Cover for when it rains | |
| Whistle | | Sunglasses | |
| Trekking poles (highly recommended) | | Head torch or small torch & spare batteries | |
Camel pack (at least 2 litre capacity for water)
(This is a bladder which enables you to drink via A tube from your daypack) | | Spoon/cup/bowl/utensils | |
| Swimmers | | Sarong (for the ladies) | |
| Personal: Camera (spare battery)/film (extra memory card), note book, toothbrush/paste, toilet paper, soap, shampoo etc. | |
Please put clothes and sleeping bag into zip lock bags and a large garbage bag in your pack to keep your gear dry.
Extra bag for leaving gear in Port Moresby while on the trek.
HEALTH & MEDICAL
MEDICAL: You must have a medical check up prior to departure. Check with your local doctor to see which vaccinations are recommended. You should ensure your tetanus booster is current. Malaria poses the most serious health risk. Advise you Doctor you are going to PNG for 11 days or so and will be spending 6-9 of those on the Kokoda Track or the Skindiwai/Black Cat Track. Your Doctor will brief you on the requirements for malarial precautions, which include.
Avoiding mosquito bites by using ‘Rid’ repellant and by wearing suitable clothing.
Taking anti-malarial drugs as prescribed
Sleeping under a mosquito net.
FIRST AID: We carry a basic first aid kit for the group however there are items which you should bring to treat minor ailments or irritations.
The major area of concern is your feet. Ensure you have a comfortable pair of walking boots and good thick socks (bring a couple of pair of thin socks as they can be worn with the thick ones to prevent blisters). Each night you will have the opportunity to thoroughly wash and dry your feet. It is then a good idea to give them a liberal covering of tinea or anti fungal powder to dry them out during the night. Next morning it is advisable to give them a liberal coating of vaseline.
We recommend tea tree antiseptic oil or cream to treat any minor scratches or bites you might have.
Blisters should not be a problem if you have good boots and have broken them in properly. Even so it is a wise precaution to have a blister kit with you. The Spenko blister kit contains a soothing ‘second skin’ and is highly recommended.
We recommend you bring the following in your personal first-aid kit.
- Anti malarial tablets (as prescribed by your doctor)
- Antihistamine (such as Benadryl)-useful as a decongestant for colds, allergies, or ease the itch from insect bites or stings.
- Antiseptic – mercurochrome and antibiotic powder/tea tree antiseptic cream/oil – for cuts and scratches
- Calamine lotion – to ease irritation from bites or stings.
- Kailin preparation (Pepto Bismol), imodium or Lomotil – for stomach upsets
- Rehydration mixture – for dehydration, especially that caused by sever diarrhea
- Vaseline – Please put vaseline on your feet to help prevent blisters. Also used to prevent chaffing.
- Tropical Strength Aeroguard or Rid Mosquito repellent (no aerosol cans please)
- Two Senko Blister Packs. Two rolls of broad elastic bandage and six safety pins.
- Band aids
- Neurofen plus or Panadol
- Sunblock/Lip balm
- Glucose tablets
- One jar of staminade (put in zip lock bag)
- Antifungal foot powder
- Ethanol hand gel
- WATER PURIFICATION TABLES (ENOUGH FOR 6-8 DAYS)
Be aware of the following problems:
Wear your boots on the plane just in case your luggage is lost. We can always kit you out if this was to happen.
Do not drink the water in Port Moresby, it is different to Australia and may cause some individuals problems.
SAFETY: Please remember these common sense rules during the trek
If you need to stop for any reason, do not lose sight of the last person in your group. Blow your whistle if necessary to alert the group of your delay.
If you lose sight of the group you should use your whistle to attract attention. One blast means ‘where are you’ or ‘I am here’. If you hear a whistle always reply to it. Three long blasts are the universal signal for an emergency and should be used only of you are in trouble.
If in trouble sit down where you are, blow your whistle now and then and wait. As soon as your absence is noticed, the group will stop while someone returns for you.
If you must move, leave a note under a stone in the middle of the track. Write down the direction in which you have gone, the time and whether you are ill or hurt.
It you are ill at any time during the trek, it is important to advise the trip leader. Treat all cuts and scratches immediately. Use tea tree oil/cream (calamine) on any bites and stings and avoid scratching them.
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