Noel Hanna

Adventurer

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Cartensz Pyramid

Indonesia, Australasia

Puncak Jaya or Carstensz Pyramid is the highest summit of Mount Carstensz in the Sudirman Range of the western central highlands of Papua province, Indonesia. Other summits are East Carstensz Peak, Sumantri and Ngga Pulu. [Wikipedia]

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Date Updarte
26th Oct 2008 Arrive in jakarta and meet other team mates. Pat (Canadian) Kevin (S.African).
27th Oct 2008 31st Delayed in Jakarta due to problems in W.Papua.
01st Nov 2008 Arrive in Timika (W.Papua) at 0900hrs.Meet Steve (guide) and spend the next couple of days sorting out gear and logistics for trek in and out from Carstensz.
03rd Nov 2008 Fly from Timika to Ilaga. Stay at village chiefs house.
04th Nov 2008 0600hrs.meet and sort out porters for the trek in. 0900 leave village with porters on the start of our trek to C.P.
07th Nov 2008 Kevin has a change of plans and decides C.P. is not for him and treks back to Ilaga with 3 porters.
09th Nov 2008 Climb over New Zealand pass and down a rock face where Pat,Steve + myself arrive midday at C.P.base camp with the porters.Heavy rain/hail most of the day. I speak on Sat Fone with John Cutts (missionary contact in W.Papua ) about getting 3 new porters trek in to meet Pat + myself for outward trek towards sea-level. 3 new porters leave Sugapa at 1400 hrs to trek in 2/3 days to meet us at the camp area where the trails split – 1 goes to Ilaga the other trails goes towards Sugapa.
10th Nov 2008 0430 hrs leave base camp for final climb up 500mtr near vertical wall using fixed ropes.Travel along ridge and trolleen traverse to summit arriving at 0840 hrs. Zero visibility. Take a few pic`s and grab a bite to eat before leaving summit at 0900hrs for base camp. Arrive back at base camp around 12 ish in heavy rain and hail.
11th Nov 2008 Leave base camp and trek towards New Zealand pass. Arrive at our camp area 1500hrs. 1730 hrs I notice 3 people trekking towards our camp, yes it was the 3 new porters to meet Pat + myself. With taking this route it would save 5-7 days of my trek to sea-level.
12th Nov 2008 Leave with Lucas, Hermon and Justin our 3 new porters on the trek out. We trekked alot faster with these porters. After trekking for 10 hrs we set up camp beside a river. At 2330 hrs Pat + myself are awoken by alot of noise and shouting and bright coloured lights. I got out of the tent and noticed that the porters camp they were sleeping in had caught fire and they were trying to beat it out. Lucky we were closed to the river because they would fill up there wellington boots with water and put on the fire. Not much point calling “911” or “999” for fire service.
13th Nov 2008 0630 hrs leave camp for another long day trekking. At around 1400hrs we came accross some locals on a narrow trail close to the river.They were carrying guns and large machee`s . We could see smoke comming from the other side of the river which was there camp/home. As our porters were talking to the locals a couple of shots were fired from the direction of the camp. Justin (porter) shouted at Pat and myself to run. As we ran along the trail we could get a better look at the locals camp. There were about 15/20 people all running about, most of them with weapons. We kept running for about 30 mins to get away from them. At 1700hrs we arrived at a small village called Sugapa 1. We walked around what was a small playing field with 30/40 locals playing football.There was alot of unfriendly faces as we were passing through. Rather that set up tent that night we opted for sleeping in a smoke filled hut with our porters. Not much sleep had.
14th Nov 2008 We arrived in nearby village Sugapa 2 around 1300hrs. This is the village our porters were from. We visit the local market in the village and arrange for new porters for our next trekking section to Enarotali. It is hard trying to get the locals to understand as they don`t understand or speak English. They thought i was stupid wanting to pay porters $1200 to trek for 5 days instead of getting a very small plane for $50 and 30 minutes flight. At times i thought i was stupid. We checked in with the police and got our permit stamped. We stay in Hermons house at night.
15th Nov 2008 We meet with new porters Martin,Phille,Moses,Lucas and set off at around 0730 hrs. We meet John Cutts sister Amy just outside of the village. She said we could have problems with some of the villages that we would have to go through.( wanting money from us or holding us captive). We set off again. After about 20minutes walking we meet up with a local travelling in the same direction and heading to a village close to Enarotali. He stood out from the rest of the locals as he was wearing a old long fur lined pink coat and the temp. was now probably in the high 80`s. His name was Agustia and he spoke and understood a little English. He travels along with us. At around 1400 we come across a large track digger pulling down trees and making trails. I started to film this but was soon told to stop by a armed guard. We arrived at our next village Bilalli at 1720 hrs. We meet with local priest and allowed to stay in parish hut/hall. Pat and myself sleep on top of wooden benchs to escape from the vermon and bugs on the floor.
16th Nov 2008 0530hrs 2 of the porters say they are tired and injured and will not go today. We speak with Agustia and he arranges yet again 3 new porters for us. Julian,Barto (lizard 1) and Otto (lizard 2). We set off around 0630 ish. At 1000hrs we arive in the village were John Cutts is. We chat for 10 minutes and continue on our journey. We arrive in Wandae village were we stay the night. Locals give us obe`s( sweet potato) and banana`s. Agustia arrange for us to sleep in a local school.
17th Nov 2008 At 0500 I walk around the village trying to but obe`s and banana`s from locals for our next part of the trek. 0700 we leave with our 3 porters and Agustia heads in a seperate direction. 1130 we arive in Gabriella and lizard 1 has a problem. He says that we stopping hear and not moving until tomorrow. He takes our bags and things are not looking good. I approach lizard 1 and try to explain we need to keep going. I grab the hold of our bags and lizard picks up a large stick. But this time locals have arrived, standing round with bow+arrows and guns. Pat and I talk and agree (no other choice) that we stay here tonight and move in the morning. We set up tent and things are very tense. In the tent we put all our essential gear into our rucsac in case we have to do a runner tomorrow. No food from locals.
18th Nov 2008 0545hrs leave for Enaotali. We walk with some locals who are also going to Enarotali. We do not speak with our porters and kept a very fast pace. Porters struggling to keep up with us but they know they have to for the money. Arrive in Enarotali at 2000hrs – what a relief. John had told us to go to the pasterant when we arrive in Enarotali. Met with the care taker( Jack) and got a room. Paid our porters in $`s and didn`t say any good bye`s. Enarotali is the first place we have seen a vehicle since leaving Timika.
19th Nov 2008 Tried to buy a bike but with little success. Spoke with Jack and arranged to meet with a local. Spoke with local and he made contact with Jimmy who owned a 4×4. I spoke with Jimmy and “Yes” he spoke good English. I arranged to hire Jimmy + his vehicle to support me on my final journey of 280km to sea-level at Nabire.Pat was happy with this because he could sit and relax in the vehicle and feed me along the way. There is only one road( what they called roads) from Enarotali to Nabire. While in a store / garage in the town i noticed a small bike in the corner and arranged to hire the bike from the owners son. It was the only thing i could get. Jimmy would return it.
20th Nov 2008 Jimmy meets us at 0545hrs and we get the bike. At 0645hrs I leave Enarotail on bike to seal-level at Nabire on the final leg of this trip. Road starts of good but soon get really bad. By 1400hrs my bike has only 1 gear working and no brakes, i have to brake by jamming my foot on top of the rear wheel. Next the rain starts and the roads/tracks become impossible and I continue on past queue`s of vehicles stuck on the road and river crossings. At 1900hrs I stopped at a truck stop (tarp over pieces of wood at the side of the road). They give me hot coffee and i wait to hear from my support vehicle that i had not seen for the last 4 hours. At 1925 hrs i hear Pats voice on the walkie talkie so i know they are close. We meet up and camp at the truck stop all night.
21st Nov 2008 At 0545 hrs i take of on my bike, Pat shouts that they will catch up with me in an hour or so. Bad roads and dozens of vehicles stuck on the roads (see the photo`s) means that my support vehicle only catches up with me 8 hours later. At 1805 hrs very tired/cold/hungry/thirsty and wet I arrive at sea-level at Nabire.

Cartensz Pyramid

Indonesia, Australasia

Puncak Jaya or Carstensz Pyramid is the highest summit of Mount Carstensz in the Sudirman Range of the western central highlands of Papua province, Indonesia. Other summits are East Carstensz Peak, Sumantri and Ngga Pulu. [Wikipedia]

Get Directions
Date Updarte
26th Oct 2008 Arrive in jakarta and meet other team mates. Pat (Canadian) Kevin (S.African).
27th Oct 2008 31st Delayed in Jakarta due to problems in W.Papua.
01st Nov 2008 Arrive in Timika (W.Papua) at 0900hrs.Meet Steve (guide) and spend the next couple of days sorting out gear and logistics for trek in and out from Carstensz.
03rd Nov 2008 Fly from Timika to Ilaga. Stay at village chiefs house.
04th Nov 2008 0600hrs.meet and sort out porters for the trek in. 0900 leave village with porters on the start of our trek to C.P.
07th Nov 2008 Kevin has a change of plans and decides C.P. is not for him and treks back to Ilaga with 3 porters.
09th Nov 2008 Climb over New Zealand pass and down a rock face where Pat,Steve + myself arrive midday at C.P.base camp with the porters.Heavy rain/hail most of the day. I speak on Sat Fone with John Cutts (missionary contact in W.Papua ) about getting 3 new porters trek in to meet Pat + myself for outward trek towards sea-level. 3 new porters leave Sugapa at 1400 hrs to trek in 2/3 days to meet us at the camp area where the trails split – 1 goes to Ilaga the other trails goes towards Sugapa.
10th Nov 2008 0430 hrs leave base camp for final climb up 500mtr near vertical wall using fixed ropes.Travel along ridge and trolleen traverse to summit arriving at 0840 hrs. Zero visibility. Take a few pic`s and grab a bite to eat before leaving summit at 0900hrs for base camp. Arrive back at base camp around 12 ish in heavy rain and hail.
11th Nov 2008 Leave base camp and trek towards New Zealand pass. Arrive at our camp area 1500hrs. 1730 hrs I notice 3 people trekking towards our camp, yes it was the 3 new porters to meet Pat + myself. With taking this route it would save 5-7 days of my trek to sea-level.
12th Nov 2008 Leave with Lucas, Hermon and Justin our 3 new porters on the trek out. We trekked alot faster with these porters. After trekking for 10 hrs we set up camp beside a river. At 2330 hrs Pat + myself are awoken by alot of noise and shouting and bright coloured lights. I got out of the tent and noticed that the porters camp they were sleeping in had caught fire and they were trying to beat it out. Lucky we were closed to the river because they would fill up there wellington boots with water and put on the fire. Not much point calling “911” or “999” for fire service.
13th Nov 2008 0630 hrs leave camp for another long day trekking. At around 1400hrs we came accross some locals on a narrow trail close to the river.They were carrying guns and large machee`s . We could see smoke comming from the other side of the river which was there camp/home. As our porters were talking to the locals a couple of shots were fired from the direction of the camp. Justin (porter) shouted at Pat and myself to run. As we ran along the trail we could get a better look at the locals camp. There were about 15/20 people all running about, most of them with weapons. We kept running for about 30 mins to get away from them. At 1700hrs we arrived at a small village called Sugapa 1. We walked around what was a small playing field with 30/40 locals playing football.There was alot of unfriendly faces as we were passing through. Rather that set up tent that night we opted for sleeping in a smoke filled hut with our porters. Not much sleep had.
14th Nov 2008 We arrived in nearby village Sugapa 2 around 1300hrs. This is the village our porters were from. We visit the local market in the village and arrange for new porters for our next trekking section to Enarotali. It is hard trying to get the locals to understand as they don`t understand or speak English. They thought i was stupid wanting to pay porters $1200 to trek for 5 days instead of getting a very small plane for $50 and 30 minutes flight. At times i thought i was stupid. We checked in with the police and got our permit stamped. We stay in Hermons house at night.
15th Nov 2008 We meet with new porters Martin,Phille,Moses,Lucas and set off at around 0730 hrs. We meet John Cutts sister Amy just outside of the village. She said we could have problems with some of the villages that we would have to go through.( wanting money from us or holding us captive). We set off again. After about 20minutes walking we meet up with a local travelling in the same direction and heading to a village close to Enarotali. He stood out from the rest of the locals as he was wearing a old long fur lined pink coat and the temp. was now probably in the high 80`s. His name was Agustia and he spoke and understood a little English. He travels along with us. At around 1400 we come across a large track digger pulling down trees and making trails. I started to film this but was soon told to stop by a armed guard. We arrived at our next village Bilalli at 1720 hrs. We meet with local priest and allowed to stay in parish hut/hall. Pat and myself sleep on top of wooden benchs to escape from the vermon and bugs on the floor.
16th Nov 2008 0530hrs 2 of the porters say they are tired and injured and will not go today. We speak with Agustia and he arranges yet again 3 new porters for us. Julian,Barto (lizard 1) and Otto (lizard 2). We set off around 0630 ish. At 1000hrs we arive in the village were John Cutts is. We chat for 10 minutes and continue on our journey. We arrive in Wandae village were we stay the night. Locals give us obe`s( sweet potato) and banana`s. Agustia arrange for us to sleep in a local school.
17th Nov 2008 At 0500 I walk around the village trying to but obe`s and banana`s from locals for our next part of the trek. 0700 we leave with our 3 porters and Agustia heads in a seperate direction. 1130 we arive in Gabriella and lizard 1 has a problem. He says that we stopping hear and not moving until tomorrow. He takes our bags and things are not looking good. I approach lizard 1 and try to explain we need to keep going. I grab the hold of our bags and lizard picks up a large stick. But this time locals have arrived, standing round with bow+arrows and guns. Pat and I talk and agree (no other choice) that we stay here tonight and move in the morning. We set up tent and things are very tense. In the tent we put all our essential gear into our rucsac in case we have to do a runner tomorrow. No food from locals.
18th Nov 2008 0545hrs leave for Enaotali. We walk with some locals who are also going to Enarotali. We do not speak with our porters and kept a very fast pace. Porters struggling to keep up with us but they know they have to for the money. Arrive in Enarotali at 2000hrs – what a relief. John had told us to go to the pasterant when we arrive in Enarotali. Met with the care taker( Jack) and got a room. Paid our porters in $`s and didn`t say any good bye`s. Enarotali is the first place we have seen a vehicle since leaving Timika.
19th Nov 2008 Tried to buy a bike but with little success. Spoke with Jack and arranged to meet with a local. Spoke with local and he made contact with Jimmy who owned a 4×4. I spoke with Jimmy and “Yes” he spoke good English. I arranged to hire Jimmy + his vehicle to support me on my final journey of 280km to sea-level at Nabire.Pat was happy with this because he could sit and relax in the vehicle and feed me along the way. There is only one road( what they called roads) from Enarotali to Nabire. While in a store / garage in the town i noticed a small bike in the corner and arranged to hire the bike from the owners son. It was the only thing i could get. Jimmy would return it.
20th Nov 2008 Jimmy meets us at 0545hrs and we get the bike. At 0645hrs I leave Enarotail on bike to seal-level at Nabire on the final leg of this trip. Road starts of good but soon get really bad. By 1400hrs my bike has only 1 gear working and no brakes, i have to brake by jamming my foot on top of the rear wheel. Next the rain starts and the roads/tracks become impossible and I continue on past queue`s of vehicles stuck on the road and river crossings. At 1900hrs I stopped at a truck stop (tarp over pieces of wood at the side of the road). They give me hot coffee and i wait to hear from my support vehicle that i had not seen for the last 4 hours. At 1925 hrs i hear Pats voice on the walkie talkie so i know they are close. We meet up and camp at the truck stop all night.
21st Nov 2008 At 0545 hrs i take of on my bike, Pat shouts that they will catch up with me in an hour or so. Bad roads and dozens of vehicles stuck on the roads (see the photo`s) means that my support vehicle only catches up with me 8 hours later. At 1805 hrs very tired/cold/hungry/thirsty and wet I arrive at sea-level at Nabire.