July 10, 2011
Larson Lake. (Photo by Jim Walkley)
Jason Edwards reports by sat phone that the team is doing well after surviving several very difficult and rugged days of traversing, river crossings, rock slabs, logs, and mud as they trekked through the forest.
Now, they have climbed to over 12,000 feet up onto the plateau, a welcome change! The plateau is like going to “Jurassic Parkâ€, complete with grassy moorlands, giant fern trees, highland marsh, and strange rock formations.
Last night the team camped near Larson Lake and tomorrow they climb up and over New Zealand Pass (nearly 15,000 ft), where they will hopefully get their first good views of Carstensz.
Eric Simonson