She was more experienced in mountains than both Anthony and I and had actually almost summited Everest a couple of years previously but her Sherpa got hill and they had to turn back. Timika is also the launching point for people who come to climb Puncak Jaya, however since the long trek through the jungle to reach Puncak Jaya has long been shut down, the only way for climbers in recent times to be able to access the mountain is via a small helicopter. In Indonesian it is called Puncak Jaya, meaning "victory peak". It’s fixed ropes the whole way, hence the rappelling and jumar skills required. Kosciusko was chosen as the peak for this region since it was the highest in mainland Australia at 7,310 feet or 2,228 meters. Hike back to Sugapa via the same route. To give an idea, a flight from New York to Bali is typically in the region of a further $1800. Many years before his feats on Puncak Jaya in 1938, Harrer, together with friend Fritz Kasparek and fellow German mountaineers Ludwig Vörg and Anderl Heckmair, became the first to summit the North Face of the Eiger in the Bernese Alps located in western Switzerland. Just. Click here for information on what the best brand options for various equipment are. The trek is relatively strenuous, and requires that you are able to walk continuously with a 40-lb backpack for 6-7 hours per day for days in a row. Its relative inaccessibility, government restrictions and political instability as well as local tribal wars have meant that very few tourists have climbed it since this initial ascent. You’ll then descend to the Base Camp at the foot of the Carstensz Pyramid. All figures are in USD display: none !important; Day 4 is the most strenuous trekking day. And then we were there. SummitClimb Puncak Jaya - Carstensz Pyramid Carstensz Pyramid (4884m) is the highest peak in Oceania, named after the Dutch navigator Jan Carstens, who first described it in 1623. We rented a car and drove 3 hours to Mount Kosciuszko and had a crack at that instead, but that’s another blog post here. This is the most exposed and difficult route – the most challenging section being the Carstensz headwall. Here we met the 3rd member of our group, an amazing woman called Merethe, and a grandmother no less! You’ll continue onto a ridge, which marks the edge of another valley. None of it matters know, we did it! Adventure for 2021? A little. Recently, two expeditions had people murdered for not paying ransoms. Carstensz Pyramid belongs to the famous Seven Summits, the highest mountains of the respective continents. So they proposed something a little crazy. Puncak Jaya expedition providers. As you approach the base of the mountain, the likelihood of afternoon snow increases, temperatures drop below freezing, and strong winds are a possibility. Climbing Puncak Jaya; My Personal Experience. However, I’ve done the leg work for you guys, and found the operator directly at the source – Summit Carstensz. For the Normal Route, the climb is rated with an average difficulty of 3-4 UIIA, with most of the difficulty incurred just below the summit. Notes. The ascent to the summit of the Carstensz Pyramid is possible only using experienced climbing … Interesting to see how different the approach and climb of the mountain is now. In 1623, Dutch explorer Jan Carstenszoon was the first foreigner to see the mountain. The tropical beast, also known as “Carstenz Pyramid,” is one of the most isolated mountains in the world, with only around 500 people ever having climbed it. Most of the tour companies plan their itineraries to start in Bali. First climbed by Heinrich Harrer with three other expedition members, he was the first mountaineer to reach the peak in 1962. When it is compared with Kosciuszko, which is has no challenge for climbers (it is actually a mere short trek with zero difficulty), Puncak Jaya climb is more technical. There’s not much going on in the town, so you’ll stay there for 2 nights, check your gear, and then hopefully on Day 3, weather depending, you’ll go back tot he airport early in the morning and hop into the helicopter to base camp, about a 30-minute ride. Check my link in the, Goodbye my love Summit Carstensz is a local tour company in Timika, Papua and Surabaya East Java – Indonesia. Ouch. Puncak Jaya is also the highest mountain in Continental Australia, it’s located on Papua island, Indonesia. #NowClimbing Carstensz Pyramid aka Puncak Jaya.This is one of the most crazy adventures I have ever experienced. It also excludes the cost of a rescue mission from the region, should this become necessary. Close to Carstensz Pyramid is another peak that is called Ngga Pulu/Poeloe or Jaya Peak/Puncak Jaya. The weather wasn’t great, and the guides were worried that moving forward it could take a turn for the worse. Despite having the lowest elevation among the “Seven Summits,” the Puncak Jaya climb has one of the highest technical rating. Before long, we touched down at base camp, and it was spectacular. The first people to reach the top were Heinrich Harrer, Philip Temple, Russell Kippax, and Albertus Huizenga, in 1962. Puncak Jaya is part of the Seven Summits challenge in mountaineering. That doesn’t normally stop me signing up for things though, like running the North Pole marathon having never run a marathon before, or the Marathon Des Sables Ultra Marathon – 6 marathons in 6 days in the Sahara, having never run an ultramarathon before, and I managed to squeeze through those. Previously, climbing Puncak Jaya was super dangerous. But it’s certainly doable for people with a decent level of fitness and even a little mountain experience. This is what has made Puncak Jaya so expensive, and so dangerous. Back to bed for another night, and you just hope that the weather will allow the helicopter to fly the following morning. It lies in the Snow Mountains of the Indonesian province Papua (former Irian Jaya). It lies in the Snow Mountains of the Indonesian province Papua (former Irian Jaya). At times I felt as though I was in Jurassic times. It competes for the rank of the Seventh Summit with Australia 's highest peak—Mount Kosciuszko. It competes for the rank of the Seventh Summit with Australia's highest peak—Mount Kosciuszko. How Much Does it  Cost to Climb Puncak Jaya? Carstensz Pyramid belongs to the famous Seven Summits, the highest mountains of the respective continents. All expeditions we organized successfully reached the summit. Good question. All figures are in USD Puncak Jaya is over twice as high as the Australian one, namely 4,892 m. Also, (if you're like me, and awful with tech-stuff) email me and my team can get a blog up and running for you, designed and everything, for $300 - email johnny@onestep4ward.com to get started. The fear, the fatigue. The area that the mountain is located in is unreal too, so beautiful and completely untouched by tourism. For example, traditional garb is still worn by men and women. Thanks for your more recent post of your Carstensz Pyramid experience. Carstensz Pyramid is also known as Puncak Jaya by Indonesians. Previous climbers have also expressed anxiety about the state of the fixed ropes on the mountain, which are notoriously shabby. Professional guided climbing expeditions on Carstensz Pyramid, or Puncak Jaya as it is known locally, is located on the island of Papua. Climbing Puncak Jaya, another Seven Summit, was an amazing experience. And the climb itself, while only taking 2 days  (one of which is acclimatization), is short, it’s hugely steep. Located in Mimika Region, West Papua, Pucak Jaya Mountain is part of Lorentz National Park and Sudirman Range. The cost of a reliable tour company seems to be above about $26 000. How to Climb Mount Elbrus, Europe’s Highest Mountain. Carstensz Pyramid (Puncak Jaya) 4884 m (16023 ft) We have been operating on Carstensz Pyramid since 2005. Summit Carstensz, our operator, had already sent the 2 guides to Base Camp the day before. I had all my mountain gear from the climbs I’d been doing over the last 18 months, so aside from actual rock-climbing stuff, I was pretty set. Be careful not to rush this process, as this may lead to injury or insufficient preparation. Do it. The infamous rope bridge. The mountain consist of a large limestone with very rough texture of hard rock. There are, of course, scores of professional guiding companies around the world that I have omitted and it may well be possible to arrive at a lower price. Yet that was the day I became the oldest woman in the world to summit all 8 of the Seven Summits. The difficulty of this climb lies between the normal and direct routes, with a long ascent and a lot of scrambling. Your request cannot be processed. One of the most significant dangers of the expedition is not, in fact, the climb itself but that of navigating the surrounding region. There will be a huge mark up to facilitate this and sadly a lot of climbers fall for the ridiculous fees being charged for Puncak Jaya. Strengthening exercises: for lower body and core. We offer both options of reaching the summit of Carstensz Pyramid – trekking trips and helicopter trips. Political instability in the region and unpredictable weather mean that it is likely that you will have to accept a last-minute itinerary-change. Quick, hour-long flight over the Papuan rainforest, landing in Sugapa. We organize International Expedition group, it is also possible to arrange your Private Expedition. Timika is a small town, but there are actually a couple of mountaineering stores there, so if you need a headtorch or any other last-minute gear you forgot, you may be lucky! Also, it has great digital nomad insurance for people who are constantly travelling too! Carstensz Pyramid (Puncak Jaya) – Climbing Carstensz Pyramid climbing routes Photo©Koleksi Agustaman – Mapala UI It is still most difficult to get a climbing permit for the Carstensz Pyramid. Last week I flew to Indonesia, all pumped up and ready to take on the Man Vs Clock Puncak Jaya challenge. Treks around Puncak Jaya When you have arrived in the Puncak Jaya region you have the option of setting up a base camp to explore Puncak Jaya, nearby Ngala Pulu and the other 4 glaciers surrounding Puncak Jaya. 30 hours of travel. I did it for well under $10k. Gradually we won the respect of the local tribes men, women and children. I have wanted to climb Puncak Jaya since committing to climbing all seven summits, the highest mountain on each continent (if you’re wondering what are the seven summits, you can check those out here). The Dani tribesman of the Beliem Valley first made contact with westerners only in the 1960s, and many of the Stone Age Dani customs have been preserved. Eventually, I flew to Bali, met one of the Summit Carstensz staff and we were on, a week later I was perched on top of the highest point on the continent. In 2012, I climbed Punchak Jaya the old-fashioned way with the five-day jungle trek to Base Camp. __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"f3080":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1},"f2bba":{"name":"Main Light 10","parent":"f3080"},"trewq":{"name":"Main Light 30","parent":"f3080"},"poiuy":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"f83d7":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"frty6":{"name":"Main Light 45","parent":"f3080"},"flktr":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default","value":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgb(23, 23, 22)","hsl":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09}},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.5}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.7}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.35}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.4}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.2}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.8}}},"gradients":[]},"original":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgb(23, 23, 22)","hsl":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09}},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.5}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.7}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.35}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.4}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.2}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.8}}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, Puncak Jaya – Climb One Of The Most Exotic Mountains In The World (Complete Guide), Climbing conditioning: walking or hiking up hills or stairs carrying packs up to bout 40 lbs. All Western mountaineering sites offering Puncak Jaya will subcontract all preparations to local Indonesian expedition operators. Puncak Jaya is also the highest mountain in Continental Australia, it’s located on Papua island, Indonesia. In May 2019, I finally managed to climb Puncak Jaya and for a fraction of the cost of the normal prices, which are often quoted at $13k to $20k USD. The Best Travel Insurance (That I Legitimately Personally Use), Leap of Faith; How I Experienced Libya Tourism, Motivational Monday; 21 Day Challenge Body Transformation, Taking My Mum to Afghanistan for a Holiday. The entire Base Camp to Summit is an almost sheer cliff. I talk about how I did it, and how you can do it too, in my COMPLETELY FREE Ebook, all 20,000 words or so. So what’s next? Wow. Arriving back to base camp is a treat indeed. 7 flights in 48 hours, followed by a hike. I had to send a $2k deposit, which I was a little wary about, but after travelling so much I’ve discovered it’s better to trust people than not so I proceeded, and it worked out great. After checking your gear etc, the next day you’d start a week-long hike through the jungle to get to Puncak Jaya Base Camp. This is especially important if you have opted to fly via helicopter into Base Camp instead of doing the 6-day trek, Descend if you’re not feeling well: consult your tour guide to decide what the best way to deal with your symptoms is. ), The Best Digital Nomad Insurance (now covering COVID-19 too! In the meantime though, here’s the pic fro the top of Kosciuszko. Oh, that I lived to see that day! The Seven Summit challenge is a challenge where mountaineers climb the tallest mountain on every continent. Email me on johnny@onestep4ward.com. If bad weather came in, we’d be stuck at Base Camp, on rations, until the weather clears. The actual climb, is it dangerous? Puncak Jaya is named after Dutch explorer Jan Carstensz who first sighted the glaciers on the peak of the mountain in 1963. In total, the ascent and descent take 12 to 15 hours. 2020 you’ve been tough. The way back should be quicker. It was measured during the first expeditions to the mountain ranges: 5130m (see also the maps section of the Carstensz pages). From Bali, I flew directly to Timika, a 4.5-hour flight, where I spent 2 nights in a hotel there. I had planned to fly back to Bangkok. The first decision you must make before your climb is how to get to the mountain. Tourism has not significantly influenced the lifestyles of these people, so it is imperative that visitors are extremely sensitive to the importance of minimising their impact. After crossing the infamous wire bridge on Puncak Jaya, we finally made it to the Summit around 10.30 am. 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