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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A mountaineering tragedy at the peak of Carstensz claimed two lives. Two female climbers, Lilie Wijayati Poegiono and Elsa Laksono, died on their way down from the summit. One of the climbers in this group, Indira Alaika, recounts the moments of the tragic incident.
Indira narrated that on their way back from the summit, their group was hit by bad weather on February 28, 2025. Due to heavy snow, rainfall, and strong winds, half of the climbers, including Lilie and Elsa, suffered from hypothermia. Lilie and Elsa couldn't survive. "Two climbers, Lilie Wijayati Poegiono and Elsa Laksono passed away," Indira posted on her Instagram story on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Both climbers, who were close to 60 years old, were at the Terrace II location while descending.
Five climbers were affected by hypothermia. Lilie and Elsa couldn't be saved. Three others were rescued. "Three surviving climbers got stuck and had to spend the night in Summit Ridge near the peak," wrote Indira, who also suffered from hypothermia along with Alvin Reggy and Saroni.
Indira, along with Alvin and Saroni, were rescued the next day by a rescue team. It was rumored that the climbers descended from Puncak Jaya-another name for Carstensz peak-during the night. The decision to travel at night or around 2:00 in the early morning was not considered appropriate by some climbers.
In another statement, on February 27, 2025, a group of 20 climbers, including 5 guides, 7 Indonesian climbers, 6 foreign climbers, and 2 climbers from the Lorentz National Park, conducted acclimatization and ascending and descending activities. The next day, Friday, February 28, the group began their journey. At 10:51 WIT, the victims and the climbing team crossed the Tyrolean Bridge.
"At 14:00 WIT, the last climber reached the Carstenz peak. Due to low HT (handy talky) signals, there was no communication," quoted from written information received by Tempo from the General Chairman of the Indonesian Mountain Guides Association (APGI) Rahman Mukhlis, on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Lilie Wijayati and Elsa Laksono's final climb in Carstenzs, Papua. They both died in this climb on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Photo: Instagram @mamakpendaki.
Indira Alaika wrote the chronology of the Carstensz climbing journey. The team departed from Moses Kilangin Airport, Timika, heading to Base Camp Yellow Valley or Lembah Kuning by helicopter. "After arriving at Base Camp Yellow Valley Carstensz Pyramid, the group conducted acclimatization for two days," said Indira. Acclimatization is the process of an organism adapting to its environment.
According to Indira, in addition to acclimatization, they also did technical exercises, such as ascending and descending using ropes. The Carstensz peak terrain is narrow and steep. Carstensz is a cliff that rises about 600 meters.
Indira said the climbing group consisted of 20 people. They started their journey from Yellow Valley to the Carstensz peak at 04:00 AM Eastern Indonesian Time. The group comprised of 5 guides, 7 Indonesian climbers, 6 foreign climbers, and 2 climbers from the Lorentz National Park.
After learning about the five stranded climbers, the team at the base camp decided to provide assistance to the victims. This news was only known after Nurhuda-one of the guides-successfully descended and arrived at the base camp around 20:45 WIT. Nurhuda himself suffered from hypothermia. "He rested briefly and went back up to assist the climbers above," said Indira.
Local guide, Yustinus Sondegau, tried to ascend towards Indira, Alvin, and Saroni stranded at Summit Ridge. According to Indira, Yustinus walked carrying a sleeping bag, fly sheet, hot water, and a radio for assistance. "But the effort stopped at Terrace Besar because the weather worsened," Indira said.
When Yustinus failed to reach his three stranded companions, he descended again. He met Luddy. That's when he accompanied Luddy back to the base camp. "All the equipment brought was left at Terrace Besar," said Indira.
Lilie Wijayati climbing a cliff in Citatah 90, Cipatat, West Bandung Regency, September 2024. Personal Document
Rescue efforts were also made by a Nepalese guide from another team in the Carstensz climb-Dawa Gyalje Sherpa. However, Dawa's journey was stopped at Terrace II. Here, he found Lilie and Elsa, but both couldn't be saved. He found that they had already passed away.
Another local guide, Poxy and Damar (guide), tried to ascend to Terrace II to provide assistance to the victims. They contacted the team at the base camp and reported that they had already provided assistance to Lilie and Elsa. "But Lilie and Elsa were declared dead," Indira said.
One of the guides, Octries, who communicated with Poxy and Dawa, informed from the base camp that the two female climbers couldn't be saved at Terrace II. Next, Huda (guide) climbed towards the peak to help Indira, Alvin, and Saroni at Summit Ridge.
However, Huda reported that he couldn't continue the journey to the location of Indira, Alvin, and Saroni. In the end, Huda left the aid equipment for his companions below Summit Ridge.
According to Indira, the next step was to form two rescue teams. Team 1 comprised of three international guides, namely Garret Madison, Tashi Sherpa, and Ben Jones. This group attempted to climb back to rescue Indira, Alvin, and Saroni at Summit Ridge. Meanwhile, Team 2 consisted of doctors Adnan and Meidi and their goal was to retrieve Lilie and Elsa at Terrace II.
Team 1 successfully retrieved Indira, Alvin, and Saroni. The three foreign guides then informed the base camp that the three people were still alive but in critical condition. "The rescue team provided first aid and stabilized (the three climbers) by changing their clothes, providing isotonic drinks, food, and medication," said Indira.
After providing rescue aid, the rescue team and the three stranded climbers descended towards Lembah Kuning. "The rescue team and survivors from Summit Ridge arrived at Base Camp Yellow Valley," said Indira.
Editor's Choice: Four Lives Lost, Tight Regulation Needed for Carstensz Mountaineering
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