SUCCESS!!!

The team of Ricardo and David Liano, Rosa Fernandez Rubio and Clark Fyans has reached the summit of Carstensz Pyramid!

We received word that the team reached the summit a couple of days ago and is now safely back in Wamena. The satellite phone message was a bit garbled, but we know for certain that they did reach the top and apparently flew back to Wamena in the helicopter, thus avoiding the...exciting alternative exit from Base Camp.

Congratulations to all the team!!!

Acclimatizing and Waiting

The team is hanging out around the Lakes Base Camp, acclimatizing and waiting for a weather window. They hung ropes from a nearby crag in order to freshen up on their jumaring technique.

The weather has been typically wet, but spirits are high and all they need is a brief spell of better weather.

One nice thing about the sharp limestone that Carsytensz is comprised of, is that you can climb it when it is wet. The abrasive grey rock, that can shred gloves in one ascent lends itself to being very grippy even when it is running with water. We'll keep our fingers crossed that the team get's a dry spell and doesn't need to experience the rock when it is too wet!

The team is in Base Camp!

The weather finally broke and the team has flown to the Lakes Base camp, so named for the amazingly azure blue lakes that dot the otherwise rocky valley in which it is located. The flight to BC was crammed, but uneventful. The plan is to take a couple of days to acclimatize and then go for the summit!

Think dry thoughts for the crew, as this is one of the more rainy places on the planet!

Weather Hold

They are in Wamena, and were unable to make the helicopter flight to basecamp today due to weather. They hope to fly tommorow. We may know more this evening.

On the way to Wamena

They called yesterday from Jayapura, on the North side of the island of Papua, on the way to Wamena. They will fly to Wamena where they will finally get some rest before hopping on the helicopter for the flight into Carstenzs base camp. The team should get a chance to recover from their jetlag for a bit in Wamena, and maybe take in some of the amazing local culture.

The Crew is headed for Indonesia

Greetings to the expedition dispatch page for Mountain Trip's July 10th Expedition to Carstensz Pyramid (Puncak Jaya). The expedition members are en route to the hot and humid Mandao Airport where they will congregate and prepare for the next leg of their journey to the island of Papua.

One of the team, Rosa Fernandez Rubio, arrived a couple of days early and is acclimatizing in the Central Hotel in Manado. Acclimatizing to the heat and interesting dietary fare, that is! Manado is at sea level and is known more for it's access to great SCUBA diving than for helping a climber prepare for a 16,000 foot peak.

Ricardo and David Liano are flying in from Mexico City and our guide, Clark Fyans, is flying in from Alaska, having just descended from the summit of Denali.

We will keep you up to date on the team's progress, as we get information. Please keep in mind that Indonesia is many time zones away and we will often have delays in posting dispatches. Have patience and keep checking in. Good luck to everyone!

Los escaladores estan viajando a Indonesia para prepara por el ascento del Piramide de Carstensz. Rosa Fernanez Rubio ya esta en la ciudad de Manado, en Indonesia y dos otros, Ricardo y David Liano, estan viajando alli desde la Ciudad de Mexico. Nuestro guia, Clark Fyans, esta volando de Alaska, en donde el recien andaba en la cumbre de Denali.

Buena suerte a todos los escaladores. Que les vayan muy bien y llegen en la cumbre sin ningun problema!