July 11, 2011
The view of Carstensz across the Plateau. (Photo by Jim Walkley)
Jason Edwards reports that the team has been making good progress across the Plateau, which averages around 12,000 feet. The temps have dropped to below freezing at night, and the porters prefer to sleep in caves and build big fires when they can, rather than sleep in tents!
There is a lot of water on the limestone Karst plateau, with many stream crossings and marshy areas. The clear skies of the first few days have been replaced by “normal†weather (some rain).
So far everyone is hanging in there, and looking forward to reaching Base Camp!
Eric Simonson