October 19, 2013
Puncak Mandala in Papua (Indonesia) and international border with nearby Papua New Guinea (courtesy Google Earth)
Dan Zokaites reports that the team was able to spot a landing zone at about 11,500 feet and set down there in the Bell 212 helicopter. They took a recon hike after that to get the lay of the land, and then today they have pushed up a thousand feet higher. Dan reports it was thick brush and they really had to fight their way up the flanks of Puncak Mandala until they reached the timberline where they are putting their high camp. Above here it is mainly slabby rock and the route looks like it will go. We’ll be waiting to hear how they do on their summit bid. Hopefully the mountain says yes!
Eric Simonson
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