July 14, 2011
Base Camp is situated by the turquoise lakes at the foot of the mountain. (Photo by Jim Walkley)
Jason Edwards reports that the team has successfully reached base camp, after seven days of trekking. This is one more than the planned six days, and was due to an adjustment made at the request of the porters, who wanted to pull up short on the next-to-last day, so they could make it to BC early the following day and be able to turn around and make it back to their camp (where they have wood and water).
The weather has been excellent for the team, with only occasional rain, and clear skies for much of the time. The sun was nice, because they got wet many times a day with all the stream crossings on the plateau. Jason says they wore their rubber boots for the entire trek, except for the last day of hiking to BC!
Now, they are preparing for the climb of Carstensz. The plan is to try tomorrow, with a departure about 3am, and about 12 hours projected for the round trip ascent/descent.
Eric Simonson