The vast Suridiman Mountains across West Papua have their uniqueness. Most of it is not climbable as it is very remote and remote from the mountains. In addition, the route is also challenging to achieve. However, several direct paths around the mountain can be reached at Puncak Jaya. How to get there and the track that must be passed? Find out the answers here.
How To Get There
Puncak Jaya is located at the tip of Papua, close to the border of neighboring countries. Many airlines fly to various destinations to reach the surrounding mountains if you want to visit this location. But in a nutshell, there are three different ways to get to Puncak Jaya safely and quickly.
First, you can go through the Jakarta, Denpassar, Timika-Ilaga, and Sugapa routes. Furthermore, there is an alternative route with the Enarotali helicopter route, namely Jakarta – Manado – Nabire – Enaratoli, and the final destination is Puncak Jaya. Lastly, there is the Jakarta – Denpassar – Timika – Jayapura – Wamena – Sugapa route. However, this path is rarely used because it is tortuous.
There are tips if you want to get to Puncak Jaya Wijaya, West Papua, quickly via Wamena. If possible, you can catch an early flight both ways as Wamena is in a valley. For this reason, the area is quite often foggy in the afternoon, and flights will be stopped. Therefore, you need to make sure to choose the best flight for you to get there.
European Inventions and the History of Ascent
Puncak Jaya was discovered by the Dutch explorer Jan Carstenszoon who saw a glacier on a mountaintop on a clear day in 1623. It was not verified for more than two centuries near the equator. Then, in early 1909 the Dutch explorer Hendrik Albert Lorentz reached the summit and had a report of this expedition.
Although rediscovered by Hendrik Albert Lorentz, the name of this peak was given another character like the first discoverer from the Netherlands, John Carstensz. He became the first person to bring news to mainland Europe if there was a peak in a tropical country on the equator of Papua. The public did not respond to the report results at that time.
But over time, the Dutch expedition that was making maps there confirmed what was reported by John Carstensz. As a result, his name is immortalized as the mountain’s name in West Papua. When Indonesia took over the existing province of Papua in 1963, the peak was renamed ‘Poentja Soekarno’ or Puncak Sukarno.
After that, the name was changed back to Puncak Jaya, or the great mountain’s meaning. Even so, the Carstensz Pyramid is still used among mountain climbers and is a snow-roofed mountain in Indonesia. Not only is it unique, but Puncak Jaya Wijaya is the top peak in Papua. Hikers will find different sensations from all the mountain characters in Indonesia.
Fascinating Things in Puncak Jaya Wijaya
1. Geology
Puncak Jaya Wijaya is the highest point in the Central Mountains in Papua. This peak was formed in the Late Miocene Melanesian orogeny caused by an oblique collision. Due to the clash between the Australian and Pacific plates made of Middle Miocene limestone, it occurred. From these events, these mountains were formed significantly.
2. Access
Puncak Jaya Wijaya has a very steep location and extreme altitude. For these reasons, access to the summit requires government permission for specific reasons. However, the mountain had to be closed to tourists between 1995 and 2005 due to an incident. Subsequently, in 2006, access was made possible through various adventure tourism agencies in West Papua.
3. Glacier
Puncak Jaya Wijaya has several glaciers on its slopes, including Carstensz Glacier, West Northwall Firn, East Northwall Firn, and Meren Glacier. All of these things have interest for local and international tourists. In addition, there is a slight variation in the average temperature around the mountain throughout the year, which is around 0.5 °C.
Meanwhile, glaciers fluctuate seasonally and not very often. However, analysis of this rare glacier expansion shows a significant decline since the 1850s, affecting the Northern Hemisphere. It indicates substantial regional warming of about 0.6 °C per century between 1850 and 1972. The temperature has been increasing year by year until the 21st century.
4. Climbing
The peak of the JayaWijaya mountains is at the end of the middle rib, which makes the journey quite extreme. As a result, this makes one of the most challenging ascents in a version of the Seven Peaks in Papua. It is considered to have the highest technical rating for significant ascent for a hiking trail that exists in West Papua.
Overall, Puncak Jaya Wijaya has its uniqueness as the highest mountain in Indonesia. In addition to the extreme and challenging path, it turns out that this mountain has glaciers or snow that does not melt. To visit this peak, then you must prepare for the trip in advance. It is due to the extreme and tortuous journey for a mountain.
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