Indonesia maybe is not popular for a place to play a ski, that’s why I feel confused why people always search for “Indonesian Ski” on Google Search. However believe or not this country would surprise you with what they have that even the locals yet to know. In eastern part of Indonesia, there is place called Puncak Jaya. This place is located in Sudirman Range, on the island of Papua ,right in the above of Australia continent.
The Puncak Jaya is covered with glaciers, this is the one and only tropical glaciers in Indonesia (and South East Asia in this matter), which most likely will soon disappear due to global warming in 10 years from now (which I hope not). However, The Locals called this glacier as “the eternal show” which indicated that the glacier has been exist since so long.
According to history, the existence of glaciers in Papua Island was first recorded by Jan Carstensz, the Dutch navigator in 1623 , who first saw them from the coast over 50 miles (80 km) to the south. At the time Papua New Guinea is still part of the Dutch Kingdom. The name change after Indonesia took control in the 1960’s, and it was renamed to Puncak Jaya which mean”Victory Peak”). Cartensz itself now named after the mountain.
The Puncak Jaya massif has four surviving glaciers and is probably the only skiable peak in Papua right now, although two small hanging glaciers still exist on Ngga Pilimsit about 8 miles (12 km) west and a small summit icecap crowns Puncak Mandala , located in the Star Mountains about 200 miles (300 km) to the east.
These glaciers are all receding due to the effects of the warming climate, and the small ice cap previously found on a fourth summit in Papua, Puncak Trikora, had disappeared by about 1960.
The highest skiable point in the Puncak Jaya massif is Ngga Pulu, located at the head of the Meren Glacier at 15950 ft (4862 m), while the summit block of Carstensz Pyramid is bare rock for over 1000 ft (300 m) above the toe of the Carstensz Glacier. Access to the area is very difficult, requiring an extended expedition with porters and usually air support. Since Puncak Jaya is one of the “Seven Summits”, numerous guide services offer such climbing expeditions.
If you still want to play ski or just want to visit Puncak Jaya and experiencing tropical glaciers just book a expedition package. Little of travel company in Indonesia offered this , one of them is Central Surya Indonesia, Ltd which is offered a expedition package to Carstensz Pyramid. Even tough according their official website they succeed to engaged many expedition to Carstensz Pyramid, there something fishy about this Company. Why? because they introduced their company as Central Surya Indonesia, LTD. LTD extension maybe indicate a company name, but in here Indonesia that’s extension name does not exist, we are using PT, CV, or UD to indicate that they are a Company. So becareful before making any appointment, make sure all you need is provided.
Check the location in Google Map below:
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keren 😀