July 11, 2011
Vernovage called in this afternoon from Talkeetna – a welcome sight after 3 weeks on Denali!
All is well – they’ll dry, sort and repair gear, inhale a burger or 3 and eventually make their way to Anchorage and on home. Mission accomplished.
Well done team!
Tye Chapman
July 11, 2011
Mt. Adams. (Photo by Matt Farmer)
IMG Guide Dan Zokaites called in this afternoon to report that the team has made it to their first camp at 6300ft. on the north side of Mt. Adams. They’ll make camp there then move up to 7500ft (or a touch higher) tomorrow. They’ll evaluate things over the next couple days and either head up the Adams Glacier or the North Ridge.
All is well.
Tye Chapman
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 The clear skies of the first few days have been replaced by “normal†weather (some rain).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
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
July 9, 2011
The approach. (Photo by Terry McClain)
IMG senior guide Jason Edwards called on the sat phone to report that the team was doing well, and had reached 10,000 feet. The weather has been excellent, with clear skies, but they were still glad that they brought rubber boots for the trek, since there has been plenty of sloppy footing.
When I asked him about the terrain they were dealing with, he said Machame X 3, meaning three times tougher than the trip to 10,000 feet on Kilimanjaro! So far they have waded across a river, scrambled across slabby rock, climbed over logs, and bushwhacked through the forest. He said that the Dani porters were tough as nails and totally at home in this environment.
So far so good!
Eric Simonson
July 8, 2011
Heading down around Washburn's Thumb with big loads. (Photo by Michael Bellamy)
The descent has begun. I spoke with Greg around 3 pm (Alaska time) today, July 8. Gang was all back together and ready to head down from 14,000 ft. Goal is to camp either at 11,000 ft. or even keep going and make it to the Northeast Fork of the Kahiltna tonight at 7,800 ft. Then, it’s a meal, rehydrate, get some sleep and an early morning start for the landing strip. It’s best to move at night, assuming there’s a hard freeze. It’s safer and it’s easier traveling on a firm surface. With a little luck, the team could be in position to fly to Talkeetna about mid-morning on the 9th. Stars need to align to make that happen but not impossible. We’ll know soon.
Phil Ershler
July 7, 2011
About 6 pm Alaska time on July 7, Greg Vernovage and team stood on top of North America. It was a fine day for a climb. Congratulations to all! Three members chose to stay at 14,000 ft. Everyone will reunite tomorrow for the climb back down the route.
Figure 2 days down to base camp, weather permitting. Flights off the mountain also need good weather but it’ll happen. An evening to celebrate in Talkeetna and then it’s flight home.
We’ll keep everyone posted as they head down.
Phil Ershler
July 7, 2011
Heading towards denali pass. (Photo by Michael Bellamy)
You’ll know when we know.
Phil Ershler
July 7, 2011
Carstensz Team On The Move
IMG senior guide Jason Edwards reports by sat phone that the team flew this morning from Timika in a Twin Otter for about 45 minutes to a small bush airstrip adjacent the Dani village of Ilaga. Then they hiked about an hour and a half to the guesthouse, where they are staying at for the night. Tomorrow the trek begins in earnest. Jason says everything is going well and the team is excited to finally be on the trail after all the travel. We’ll keep you posted!
Eric Simonson
July 6, 2011
Jason Edwards reports by sat phone that the Carstensz team arrived to Timika, on the south coast of Papua, after a long flight across Indonesia from Jakarta.  Today they have been working on checking in with the local authorities, getting their permits all squared away, and doing some further repacking of the gear before going to the airport for a weigh in. At the weigh in, each member with all their gear was individually weighed, and also all the group food and equipment, in preparation for the bush flight tomorrow to the small village of Ilaga. Most of the inhabitants of Ilaga are of the Dani tribe, and it is from here that the team will hire its porter crew.
Eric Simonson
