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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Carstensz Pyramid, or Puncak Jaya, in the Jayawijaya Mountains, Papua, is one of Indonesia's Seven Summits, referring to the seven highest mountains in the country.
Standing at 4,884 meters above sea level, this summit is among the most sought-after by climbers.
Carstensz Pyramid is one of three major summits in the Jayawijaya Mountains. In addition to Carstensz Pyramid, the range also includes Puncak Mandala at 4,760 meters and Puncak Trikora at 4,751 meters above sea level.
Here are five interesting facts about the Carstensz Pyramid in Papua.
1. Peak covered in perpetual snow
This summit is a natural wonder in Papua. Despite the region's tropical climate, its highest mountain remains covered in perpetual snow. However, this ice has been steadily shrinking over the years.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has been monitoring this phenomenon for several years, warning that the continuous melting of the snow is increasingly alarming.
According to Antara, a BMKG climatology expert leading the Climate Change Impact Study on Glaciers at Carstensz Pyramid, Donaldi Sukma Permana, reported that between 2016 and 2022, the ice has been receding at a rate of approximately 2.5 meters per year. By 2022, the remaining ice coverage was about 0.23 square kilometers and continues to decline.
2. The name was taken from the Dutch mountaineer
The name Carstensz comes from Dutch mountaineer Jan Carstenszoon, who was the first to climb the mountain and later named it after himself.
When he reported seeing snow at the peak, many doubted him, as Papua was known for its tropical climate.
In 1963, the same year Papua was annexed by Indonesia, the peak was renamed Puncak Soekarno before later becoming Puncak Jaya. However, among climbers, the name Carstensz remains widely used.
3. Recognized as one of the Seven Summits
Besides being the highest mountain in Indonesia, Carstensz Pyramid is also recognized as one of the Seven Summits, the tallest mountains representing each continent.
As reported by Britannica, the World Seven Summits consist of Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Elbrus in Europe, Denali in North America, Mount Aconcagua in South America, Everest in Asia, Vinson Massif in Antarctica, Kosciuszko in Australia, and Puncak Jaya (Mount Carstensz) in Oceania.
4. The first ascent of Carstensz Pyramid
Dutch explorer Hendrik A. Lorentz was the first to reach the snow on Mount Jayawijaya. However, it wasn't until 1962 that Puncak Jaya was officially climbed by an expedition led by Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer.
The team included three other members: Robert Philip Temple, Russell Kippax, and Albertus Huizenga.
Philip Temple, an experienced climber from New Zealand, had previously led an expedition to the region, pioneering access routes to the mountains. He explored various alternative paths to the snowy peak and mapped the travel routes.
However, financial and logistical constraints prevented Temple from reaching the summit of the Carstensz Pyramid. He later joined Harrer’s expedition as a guide and successfully led the team to the peak. Despite his crucial contribution, it was Harrer’s name that was recorded in history as the first to conquer the Carstensz Pyramid.
5. Four routes to reach Carstensz Pyramid
To reach the Carstenz Pyramid, climbers must have excellent rock climbing skills, including basic skills such as rappelling, climbing with fixed ropes, basic knots, and be comfortable moving on rocky terrain.
As reported by Indonesia Travel, hiking to Carstensz is available through four walking routes. First, via Timika-Kampung Dolinokogo (Tsinga)-South Carstensz; second via Nabire, Ilaga (Puncak District)-North Carstensz; third via Nabire-Sugapa (Intan Jaya District)-Kp. Ugimba-North/East Carstensz; and fourth via Nabire-Sugapa (Intan Jaya District)-Kp. Zakumba-Endasiga-North/East Carstensz.
Editor's Choice: Carstensz Pyramid: One of the World Seven Summits
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