Mt Wilhelm hike

Just wondering if it is possible to buy cheap warm clothing for the hike in Kegsugl and then essentially just give it back to either the store or to some villagers to keep... this would be the only cold climate stuff I will be doing on the trip and could save lots of room in my pack.

thanks

Kip

There are plenty of second hand clothes stores around the country (not is keglsugl mind) .. and they all to a certain degree sell the warm stuff (the highlands do get cold at night after all). The locals would think you are a saint if you give them clothes .. there is one thing that a PNGian really loves and that is free clothes.

pack some gloves though. as you could see from my pics, the first time i went up my hands were frozen and turning red. painful.

Buy the warm stuff in Kundiawa - that's what I did myself.
It will probably be very cheap, and you may not want to be seen in it after leaving PNG so giving it away is an excellent idea.
You will also need a sleeping bag and this would be best to take from home.
In Kegsegul, stay at the East Kege GH recommended in my PNG link, and see the guests' comment book there for my recommendation for a reliable/cheap porter/guide before comitting yourself to any other. There will be many offering their services. That comments book is an interesting read anyway!

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<hr>pack some gloves though. as you could see from my pics, the first time i went up my hands were frozen and turning red. painful. <hr></blockquote>

I saw that picture and put a pair of gloves in my "to pack" pile :)

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<hr>You will also need a sleeping bag and this would be best to take from home.<hr></blockquote>

is this for staying at the guest house? I was hoping i could get by with sleeping with some extra clothes on at the lakes, or is that being naieve... just really dont have room to pack a sleeping bag for the trip.

Kip

clothes in Kundiawa @ market or elsewhere. You don't need sleeping bag in hostel at Kegsegul but at lakes yes. There's nothing but mattresses. It will be very cold without one. I did it up to top at 30.12.06 + drawed small map in eastkege into guestbook.
I met my guide on truck he didn't ask for money but I gave him some anyway. He was great. [Ben lives behind school]

hmmm... looks like I may have to rethink my packing plan to include a sleeping bag, or I have some very warm but light blankets I could bring and lay my nylon hammock on the matress with the blankets on me for warmth.... would save the need for a sleeping bag.

it is tough packing for a tropical climate with a side trip heading 4500+ meters above sea level!

well, you can count with one not even all night to be sleeping there in hut at lakes. [if you dont wanna spend any more there] if you're comfortable with blankets go ahead. It's good to go sleep early you'll need to get up at 1-2am for climb! it took me 4 hours to the top but some say about 6-8 hours.