The Exotic One
Carstensz Pyramid, 4884 m - conquered 10.11.2000, 11.30 a.m
 
The Australia's highest summit can be found in Indonesia. Not only is its location interesting but also the fact this toothlike almost 5.000 m high limestone mountain is situated among glaciers and rainforest. The way to the foothill is time consuming and a strenuous one. It takes you through tropical country of legendary native tribes of the world's second largest island, New Guinea.
It was in 1623 when a Dutch sailor Jan Carstensz saw for the first time the snow covered peak of the mountain which is situated so close to the equator. As he spread this fantastic piece of news among the Dutch he was taken for fool - nowadays the mountain bears his name. Thick rainforest, as many as 8.000 mm rainfall annually, exotic tropical vegetation, high risk of malaria, mysterious uncivilised native tribes, unstable political situation and business concerns of big mining industries are some of the reasons for particular parts of this island to be closed to the public. Among these belonged Carstensz Pyramid in 1999 as well. Its limestone cliffs have been exposed to constant climatic erosion for thousands of years, which turned its edges into blades. Sudden spell of rain may take everything that is loose and leave only the air unpleasantly cooled down. Good organization, perfect physical condition, ability to deal with sudden climatic changes and good luck are matter of importance when trying to reach this summit.
 
Carstensz Pyramid (Puntjak Jaya), 4.884 m
Continent: Australia and Oceania
Country: New Guinea (Irian Jaya)
Mountain range: Sudirman
First ascent: 13.2.1962 Heinrich Harrer (Austria)
and Phil Temple (New Zealand)
Seven Summits: 10./11.2000 Peter Hámor