Carstensz Day 5: Camp 1 to Camp 3

The word EPIC is used in many instances but I’m not even sure it is synonymous enough to describe today’s trek. As we are trying to reach Base Camp in 5 days instead of 6, we knew today would be a long and tough one but no one expected it to be as hard as it was! We made the decision to cross the entire jungle and go from Camp 1 to Camp 3 all in one day. We started shortly before 7 AM and made it to Camp 3 around 8 PM, trekking the last two hours in the complete darkness of the jungle by only the light of our headlamps.

Raging Rivers and slippery bridges in the Papua Jungle.

It was a very hard and trying day, by far the hardest I had ever experienced. I was beyond exhausted both mentally and physically. We ventured continuously for 13 hours in a very hostile environment loaded with numerous dangerous obstacles.

Slogging through a Mud Pool.

We moved through deep mud pools where the mud was in many instances up to our waist; we crossed makeshift bridges on very slippery logs; we climbed and descended several hundred feet of hills & ridges, making for a roller-coaster like environment while negotiating sticks, roots and various branches in the way; all of which was endured under non-stop heavy rain for hours.

Steep narrow ridge. One missed step and you’re in the river.

We had to proceed very slowly and carefully due to the fact there were many wooden sharp sticks everywhere, you fall on one and you’re immediately impaled. So imagine continuing that trek in complete darkness at altitude for nearly two hours to reach our day’s destination.

Crossing one of many slippery log bridges.

I finally rolled into Camp 3 exhausted, beat-up and with absolutely no appetite for anything. I rolled straight into my tent, deployed my sleeping bag and crashed. It was my toughest and most frustrating day ever!

Mud in the Jungle.

We only took a handful of 5-minute breaks to hydrate and snack on some candy bars.

Taking a short rest break and making sure Machete is still sharp.

My trekking boot after washing them!