Facts about climbing the Carstensz Pyramid

Your expedition to Carstensz Pyramid starts from Zebra Wall (3,500m), these zebra names come from the unique motif like zebra skin on that rock wall. This motif was naturally created thousands of years ago.

From this point to Carstensz base camp, it will take 3.5 hours of slow walking in the middle of the valley surrounding the rock face. The trail is quiet and easy with mud and sharp rocks for a long way. Before entering the base camp area, you will pass 3 lakes, usually called lake 1, lake 2 and lake 3. This lake comes from rain and frost. The path here will be more difficult.

You must pass the “Pintu angin” or Puerta del Viento in English; this is the gate to enter the valley of the Base Camp Area. The wind blows very strong here and your steps here need a little difficulty. After passing through a flat area with many small lakes, you will arrive at the base camp “Lembah Danau-Danau” or Lakes Valley (4,200 m).

From BC you can see Carstensz Summit, Jaya Summit (Ngapulu) and East Carstensz. Stop here for a full day, rest up, and get ready for your pinnacle deal. The attack on the Summit usually begins between 02:00 and 03:00. It depends on the climbing conditions. The normal climbing duration for the summit (slow) takes 12 hours, from BC and back to BC.

Climbing the Carstensz Pyramid uses a fixed rope, aid climbing skills are very important here. Pay attention to the recommended climbing gear, be sure to bring everything on that list. These methods provide safe climbing and the best luck at the summit.

The first pitch for the first rope is 1.5 hours from the BC, walking to the top step. To climb the first rope, will you have to ascend to climb up to 55? wall about 60m high. You will make this climb through a rope until you reach the large terrace, this flat terrace gives you the advantage of resting before starting the summit pitch. To reach the summit it will take 15 minutes of walking on rock (basically the terrain is rocky, sharp and wet).

Climbing to the summit will be more difficult with up to 60? wall and 45-50m high, this will take you to the crest of the peaks. Lock in your power by moving slowly but surely or go at your optimal pace. From the summit ridge you can see the mining landscape below, the virgin Papuan rainforest and the Arafura Sea. However, you can do all this only on a clear, cloudless day below the summit ridge.

You are walking up the ridge to reach the top of the Carstensz pyramid, the path here is only 2-3m wide – walk carefully. From this point you need about 1.5 hours to the summit. Before reaching the summit the climb will be more difficult, you will have to pass 3 crecks. There are two options to pass these cracks, with a higher level of difficulty than the first climb. First you rappel down, walk past the bottom of this crack and ascend in a vertical ascent (about 8m). The other way is to cross it by a line bridge using a pulley and safety rope. This is a very interesting and challenging part.

After passing this most difficult part, you are at the summit pass.