THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN INDONESIA IS IN PAPUA
Where is the highest mountain in Indonesia? The answer lies in the land of Papua. Towering as high as 4,884 meters above sea level (MDPL), this mountain is called the Carstenz Pyramid. Gathering from various sources, Tuesday (16/3/2021), Puncak Jaya Wijaya or also known as Mount Carstensz Pyramid is the highest mountain in Indonesia.
Puncak Jaya Wijaya is included in the Barisan Sudirman mountain area which has an altitude of 4,884 meters above sea level and is surrounded by a glacier called the Carstensz Glacier. This glacier is the only tropical glacier that Indonesia has because the number of other glaciers is starting to thin out due to increasingly severe global warming. Besides being included in the list of the 10 highest mountains in Indonesia, Puncak Jaya Wijaya is also included in the 7 highest peaks in the world.
This peak is the highest in Indonesia, precisely in the Oceania region. This peak in 1963 had changed its name to Puncak Soekarno, until finally it was named Puncak Jaya. That name is finally still popular today among mountain climbers besides the name Carstensz Pyramid.
Its peak is covered in eternal snow and ice making this mountain the target and dream of climbers. Conquering this mountain is like the highest achievement for climbers. Among mountain climbers, the peak of Carstensz is famous for its treacherous mountains. Not everyone can reach it.
Therefore, climbing the highest mountain in Indonesia, Puncak Jaya Wijaya, of course requires experience and extraordinary flying hours. It takes a number of preparations to be physically fit, as an asset, to climb this mountain.
What about its history? Puncak Jaya is located at an altitude of 4,884 meters above sea level. Puncak Jaya is the only mountain where glaciers can still be found in the tropics. Puncak Jaya is one of the highest peaks in the world, along with the Himalayan Peak and the Andes Peak. The glaciers that are still found in Puncak Jaya are relics of the Ice Age.
At that time, Puncak Jaya was a mountainous area that was almost entirely covered with snow. Until 1962, no one had been able to climb all the way up to Puncak Jaya.
Another name for this peak as listed on many world maps is Carstensz Peak or Carstensz Top. The name Puncak Jaya is an abbreviation of Puncak Jaya Kesuma.
That official name was given for the peak after Papua returned to Indonesia. The Amungme tribe, who has customary rights, named this snowy peak Nemangkawi Ninggok, which means the top of the white arrow.
In fact, the most appropriate name for one of the highest peaks in the world is Nemangkawi Ninggok because this name was given by the Amungme tribe.
The name Carstensz Peak originated in 1623. The Dutch sailor, Jan Carstensz, on his voyage across the southern coast of the Arafura Sea, saw the snow-covered peaks through his binoculars.
Reports of his travels became the subject of ridicule by Europeans. They find it difficult to accept the fact that somewhere in the tropics near the equator can the presence of snow be found. The peak seen by Carstensz was later given the name Carstensz Peak. Located in the Barisan Sudirman, the peak is now also known as Puncak Jaya.
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