​Let us introduce you to our Porter Medics crew 🚑 our local medics are on each of our Australian Led Kokoda tours and they use their first aid knowledge to look after any medical concerns for their fellow porters while they are trekking. They work closely with the Australian Guide and are constantly learning from them. You cannot miss them in their bright Medic Uniforms and we thank them for being such an important part of the No Roads family.

I love my hydration bladders (I have a few of them different sizes) but I hate cleaning them. My hydration bladders have the wide tops that open fully so getting inside them is pretty easy to begin cleaning, but then their are the hoses, bite valves and so. Is there an easy way to clean them?

​It turns out discipline in drying the bladder, and a quick clean straight after use are probably the best strategy. A lot of advice is available on the web including a wide range of views about the use of baking soda, white vinegar, and cool drying contraptions. Check some links and videos out in this article. Always check with your manufacturer for specific advice.

​What are your hints and tips, success stories? Comment below and share your advice.

The Australian Army History Unit focuses on a range of historically significant of events in the history of Australia's Army. These articles link directly to a range of blog entries relating to many of the key actions in Papua New Guinea along the Kokoda Track, or relevant to the campaign. The are well worth a read along with other history information we have provided on this website.

Training in stairwells provides for a great aerobic workout and helps build and strengthen those important leg muscles. Vary stride length (2 steps at a time), alternate your leading foot, and wear a light pack to increase the challenge. For the super keen, add push-ups, lunges and squats at each flat levelled area. Keep clear of doors opening suddenly, watch your step, no injuries please!
Short video: ​http://youtu.be/Ql3JE8RnzSE

These days there is a smartphone app for everything, and for us trekkers there are a number of great training apps for hiking. I've been using one for a number of years now called "Map My Hike GPS Hiking" by MapMyFitness Inc. It is just one of a range of apps all named MapMy.... with variants for running, cycling, dog walking, walking, and general fitness. Free and paid versions exist, for Android and Apple devices.

​I find this particular app helpful to help me track my progress by recording my workout time, distance, track by GPS, pace, elevation and other related information. This all helps me track my performance between different workouts to see if I am improving, and provide me with some benchmarks for later hikes. I can also see my routes and others nearby to try.

​I'm sure you have your favourite app that you use, let us know below in the comments.