Tag Archive for: Indonesia

More good news from Carstensz Pyramid!

Garrett, Frank, and Fatima on the summit of Carstensz Pyramid!

More good news coming in from Carstensz Pyramid Base Camp… We’re happy to report that the rest of the Madison Mountaineering team successfully reached the summit today and are back in base camp safe and sound! That marks 100% summit success again for the team. While the celebration is already underway, the team looks forward to celebrating some more back in Bali!

This concludes the March, 2026 Carstensz Pyramid expedition. We’ll be back again this October… Reach out to our team to learn more and to join us on this exciting adventure!

Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this celebratory dispatch from the Yellow Valley Base Camp:

Hey! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) Expedition – first one of 2026.

I’m happy to report that we’re all back in base camp (4285m/14,050ft) after a successful summit, 100% success! All six climbers, plus myself, and two local Indonesian guides made the summit this trip. So we are very stoked, very happy.

Half of our team made it down by helicopter to Timika (31m/103ft), and the other half of us, including myself, are hoping to fly out tomorrow morning down to Timika!

It’s been a grand adventure up here! Crazy weather today. We got some snow, some rain, some sun, some good views. We’re looking forward to getting down and being reunited with our climbers, and heading back to Bali (0m/0ft) for some celebrating. Woohoo! 100% success.

Onwards and upwards.

Fatima ascending up fixed lines in wintery conditions

Fatima ascending up fixed lines in wintery conditions

Crossing the famous tyrolean traverse.

Crossing the famous tyrolean traverse.

Fatima on the summit!

Fatima on the summit!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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First team of climbers summits Carstensz Pyramid!

Summit photo atop Carstensz Pyramid!

It comes with great excitement to share that the first of our climbers have safely and successfully topped out on the highest peak in Oceania, Carstensz Pyramid! Meanwhile, the second half of our team was able to helicopter up to base camp and enjoyed technical skills review on the lower mountain while basking in the sunshine. With good weather ahead, the team plans to make their summit push soon! Congratulations to todays summiteers. Fingers crossed for more summits in the coming hours! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Carstensz Pyramid:

Hey! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) expedition – first one of 2026.

We made it up to base camp (4285m/14,050ft) today! Our team is together. And actually, first half of our team went for the summit today, and made it to the top and all the way back down. So congrats to Frank, John, and Mickey!

The second half of the team with myself, will be going up tonight! That’s Fatima, Denisa, and Pratyay. Fingers crossed for good weather, and some good views. We’ve done our training here on the wall and the climbing route, practicing ascending, descending fixed lines, and just enjoying the nice views up here in the Yellow Valley Base Camp on Carstensz Pyramid.

Wish us luck tonight on our climb! We’ll check in soon.

Crossing the famous tyrolean traverse

Crossing the famous tyrolean traverse

Climbing through the clouds towards the summit

Climbing through the clouds towards the summit

High up on Carstensz Pyramid

High up on Carstensz Pyramid

Carstensz Pyramid summiteers: John, Mickey, and Pratyay.

Carstensz Pyramid summiteers: John, Mickey, and Frank.

The team together in base camp!

The team together in base camp!

All smiles in the sunshine!

All smiles in the sunshine!

Technical skills review on lower sections of the climbing route.

Technical skills review on lower sections of the climbing route.

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

 

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Making moves to Yellow Valley Base Camp!

Landing in the Yellow Valley Base Camp

The Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid expedition team is making moves up to the Yellow Valley Base Camp at the foot of the peak! Those that were able to fly enjoyed a spectacular flight before touching down in camp, settling in, and then going out for some training. The rest of the team is awaiting their flight in Timika, with hopes that they’ll be able to fly and come together again tomorrow! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Timika:

Hey! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) expedition, first one of 2026.

Well, today was a good day! We got two helicopter loads of our climbers and gear into base camp (4285m/14,050ft). And doing some training and getting ready for the summit attempt. We’re going to acclimatize probably a day or so up here at base camp.

The rest of us are still down in Timika (31m/103ft), hoping to fly in tomorrow. Fingers crossed for good weather, and we’ll all be up there soon! Alright.

Beautiful flight up from Timika to base camp!

Beautiful flight up from Timika to base camp!

Getting systems dialed before going out onto the mountain for some technical skills review.

Getting systems dialed before going out onto the mountain for some technical skills review.

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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First Carstensz climb of 2026 has begun!

March, 2026 Carstensz Pyramid expedition team

Here we go! Another Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid expedition has gotten underway in Bali. Not a bad place to start a climbing expedition if you ask us! The team gathered together, conducted a gear check, orientation and welcome dinner before setting off as they continue their journey to the highest peak in Oceania, and one of the famed ‘seven summits‘. The team is en route to Timika where they’ll then wait for their helicopter flight up to the Yellow Valley Base Camp. More to come! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checked in with this dispatch from Indonesia:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) expedition – our first of 2026.

Our team has assembled in Bali, Indonesia (0m/0ft); beautiful paradise to begin the climbing expedition. And we are now en route to Papua, in Timika (31m/103ft), where we will meet up with our local outfitter and spend a day or two before hopefully, helicoptering up to the Yellow Valley Base Camp (4285m/14,050ft)!

All six climbers, plus myself, arrived with all of our gear. We’re happy to be here and looking forward to the experience. Hopefully we’ll have some good weather and conditions ahead! We’ll check in soon.

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Carstensz climb comes to a close!

Our Carstensz Pyramid expedition has come to a close! That marks the second successful climb in 2025, with two more climbs scheduled later this year. Today, the team flew back to Bali where they’ll spend one last night before saying their goodbye’s and heading back home, with good memories from their time on the highest peak in Oceania. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this closing dispatch for this Carstensz climb:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) private climb – today is March 12th!

Yesterday morning we woke up to starry skies a little bit before dawn in Yellow Valley Base Camp (4285m/14,050ft) up at Carstensz Pyramid. By a little after 6:00 helicopters were landing in base camp, so we caught a really scenic flight over the mine and down across the forests of West Papua and back to Timika (31m/103ft)! When we arrived here, it was a bit too late for flights back to Bali (4m/13ft), so we spent one last night in our really pleasant hotel here in Timika and this morning we’re getting ready to catch out flight back to Denpasar and the beaches of Bali.

So, all in all it’s been a really great trip and successful summit. I’m looking forward to coming back again! So, this will be the last dispatch of this trip.

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Waiting out the weather

Final steps to the summit! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid expedition team spent the day relaxing in base camp and recounting good memories from the day prior up on the mountain. While the team hoped that they’d be able to fly back to Timika today, some clouds prevented helicopters from flying. But, that didn’t stop them from soaking in the sunshine and making the most of their time as the expedition nears its end. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Carstensz Pyramid:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) private climb – today is March 10th.

Today we hoped to fly by helicopter back to Timika (31m/103ft). But, although the morning was sunny, a few clouds lower in the valley prevented helicopters from getting through. So instead,  we spent a peaceful day here in base camp (4285m/14,050ft) and we will try again tomorrow.

So all is well and we’ll be in touch!

Flying to base camp (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Flying to base camp (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Scott, climbing the systems of ledges that leads to Carstensz’ summit ridge (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Scott, climbing the systems of ledges that leads to Carstensz’ summit ridge (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Gaining the summit ridge at about 15,500’ (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Gaining the summit ridge at about 15,500’ (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The famous cable crossing (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The famous cable crossing (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Negotiating the ridge (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Negotiating the ridge (photo by Terray Sylvester)

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Another successful climb on Carstensz Pyramid!

Summit photo atop Carstensz Pyramid!

It comes with great excitement to share that another Madison Mountaineering team has successfully reached the summit of Carstensz Pyramid! This marks the last of the ‘seven summits‘ for our climber, Scott, and the last of our climbs on the highest peak in Oceania for the current season. A huge congratulations goes out to our team who enjoyed excellent weather for the their time on the mountain, making great time up the route as they navigated engaging terrain on their way to the summit. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this celebratory dispatch following their summit on Carstensz Pyramid:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) private climb – today is March 9.

Today we summited Carstensz Pyramid, the highest point in Oceania and one of the ‘seven summits‘, depending on how you count. It was a fantastic climb! We left camp a little after 3:30 and stood on the summit around 7:00. It was a quick climb and excellent conditions! There was a high overcast which kept things cool as we came down, but the rock was dry and the route was in great shape. It was really spectacular moving up the fun and varied terrain that takes you up the series of ledges and steep sections up to the summit ridge, and then across the famous cable crossing, and then along the ridge winding around towers with a few crack step overs, and onto the summit!

We dropped back down in time for lunch and just had a nice meal of potato-beef soup, fresh greens, curried chicken, and rice! So, now we’re heading to bed and we’re looking forward to hopefully, hopefully flying out tomorrow depending on the weather.

Okay, yeah! Great news and the last element of this is that this was the final one of the ‘seven summits‘ for our guest, Scott! So, it was great to be able to join him for that milestone.

All is well here in West Papua and we’ll be in touch!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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From the Yellow Valley Base Camp on Carstensz Pyramid!

Our team's heli arriving in Timika.

The second of the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid expedition teams arrived in their base camp, filled with energy and excitement after a short delay in Timika while awaiting their flight to the mountain.  Once settled into their tents, the team laced up their shoes and took to the route, making a trip up the lower section of the mountain which they plan to repeat again in the near future, only this time on the way to the summit. The weather for our arrival on the mountain was magnificent, offering unobstructed views from the air and once we touched down on the helipad in our temporary home. With more good weather in the forecast, the team looks forward to making their summit push! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Carstensz Pyramid:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) private climb – today is March 8.

This morning we woke up at 4:45, caught a ride from our hotel in Timika (31m/103ft) at 5:30, and a couple hours later we were on a helicopter en route to Carstensz Pyramid Base Camp (4285m/14,050ft)! It was a beautiful day for the flight, clear skies as we flew with excellent views of the rainforest and the canyons, the spectacular canyons beneath Carstensz Pyramid with towering waterfalls and amazing cliffs. Anyway, we came in over the mine and then landed here at base camp in the Yellow Valley.

We got settled into our tents and then we went for a foray up the beginning of the climbing route. We went as high as the second terrace. The route follows a system of ledges up to the summit ridge, and we went up to the second one of those ledges. It was really fun climbing, very textured limestone, lots of handholds and footholds. Since the weather has stayed good, we had great views of the surrounding ridge lines and peaks.

So now we’ve had lunch! It was really nice – some sautéed vegetables, rice, and prawns. And, we’re relaxing until this evening! We are trying to decide weather or not we will go for the summit this evening. But, so far all is well. We’re both feeling great! So most likely, we will make our summit attempt tomorrow morning. So, we will be in touch tomorrow and all is well here in West Papua in Indonesia!

Our climber, Scott, in the air over the rainforest.

Our climber, Scott, in the air over the rainforest.

Follow the Oromana River toward the highest peak in Oceania.

Follow the Oromana River toward the highest peak in Oceania.

Our climber, Scott, getting a taste of the limestone climbing on Carstensz Pyramid.

Our climber, Scott, getting a taste of the limestone climbing on Carstensz Pyramid.

Our climber, Scott, soaking up some Papuan sunshine and good vibes with guide Terray Sylvester.

Our climber, Scott, soaking up some Papuan sunshine and good vibes with guide Terray Sylvester.

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Standing by in Timika

Madison Mountaineering guide, Terray Sylvester with our climber, Scott at the hotel in Timika after their flight from Bali!

The Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid expedition team has arrived in Timika and is awaiting their flight to the mountain! There, they’ll settle into the Yellow Valley Base Camp, do some acclimatization, and technical skills review before making their summit push. In the meantime, the team is enjoying lots of oxygen down low, and the luxuries of what feels more like a vacation than a mountaineering expedition at our hotel! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Timika:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the next Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid  (4884m/16,024ft) expedition – today is March 3rd.

Last night we headed to the airport in Bali and this morning, we arrived in West Papua! Our flights were uneventful, smooth all the way around. We just got settled in at the Ossa de Villa Hotel which is very pleasant here in downtown Timika (31m/103ft). We’re surrounded by tropical plants and the sound of birdsong. So, we’ll get sorted out here and be prepared to fly to the mountain as soon as possible!

All is well here in Indonesia and we’ll be in touch!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Expedition wrap-up!

The Madison Mountaineering team on the summit of Carstensz Pyramid on February 27, 2025!

The first of our Carstensz Pyramid expeditions in 2025 has come to a close. Despite a delay getting to the mountain, our team remained patient and were treated with a glorious summit day climbing through the night and emerging above the clouds as they topped out on the highest peak in Oceania! The team is now making their way back to Bali and then onto their homes, with good memories and new friends from the expedition. Congratulations to everyone on the team, and a special shoutout goes out to our climbers, Jeff and Bjarni who successfully completed their ‘seven summits‘ journey! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this celebratory dispatch from Carstensz Pyramid:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) expedition team.

We had a great climb of Carstensz Pyramid! Everybody who stuck with the expedition and made it up to base camp made it to the summit! Congratulations to our team, Robin and Lauren, Daniel, Bjarni and Jeff. Awesome climb, very winter-like conditions up there, and was the last of the ‘seven summits‘ for Bjarni and Robin. Big congrats finishing the ‘seven summits!’

We’ve been delayed a little bit on the flight out of here due to weather and some situation on the mountain. But fortunately, three of our team got off a few days ago and myself, Jeff, and Bjarni are waiting to fly out, hopefully tomorrow. Fingers crossed, hopefully good weather in the forecast!

We’re looking forward to our next Carstensz Pyramid team with Terray starting up here shortly!

The team en route to the summit!

The team en route to the summit!

Crossing an airy traverse on the way to the summit.

Crossing an airy traverse on the way to the summit.

All smiles amongst the clouds!

All smiles amongst the clouds!

Above the clouds and clear visibility of the route to the summit.

Above the clouds and clear visibility of the route to the summit.

Another airy traverse that must be crossed to get to the summit.

Another airy traverse that must be crossed to get to the summit.

Climbers nearing the top!

Climbers nearing the top!

Climbers, Lauren and Robin celebrating the completion of Robin's 'seven summits' journey on top of Carstensz Pyramid! Nice job, Robin.

Climbers, Lauren and Robin celebrating the completion of Robin’s ‘seven summits’ journey on top of Carstensz Pyramid! Nice job, Robin.

Summit!

Summit!

More summit photos.

More summit photos.

A climber crossing one of the traverses en route to the summit.

A climber crossing one of the traverses en route to the summit.

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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