100+ Duffel Bag(s)
A durable duffel bag (100-120L) made of tough material with rugged zippers for gear transport and storage. Can be used as checked luggage and for organizing gear at base locations.
19
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Mountaineering
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27000.00
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$3,500
Deposit
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Advanced
A Seven Summits rock climb of Carstensz Pyramid (16,023'), Oceania's highpoint — a technical limestone ascent with fixed lines and helicopter access, deep in remote Papua, Indonesia.
Day-by-day program overview.
Fitness, experience, and preparation.
Gear requirements for this program.
Meals and nutrition on the mountain.
Getting there and local logistics.
Booking, cancellations, and requirements.
Common questions, direct answers.
What climbers are saying.
Stand on Carstensz Pyramid (16,023'), the highpoint of Oceania and the most exotic of the Seven Summits.
A technical rock and fixed-line ascent up to 5.6 on jagged equatorial limestone.
A helicopter links Timika to a Base Camp nestled among milky-blue alpine lakes at 13,900'.
Rising above the rainforests of New Guinea, Carstensz Pyramid (16,023') is the highpoint of Oceania and the most exotic of the Seven Summits. Unlike the glaciated giants elsewhere on the list, Carstensz is a technical rock climb on jagged equatorial limestone — an adventure that combines serious climbing with a journey deep into one of the most remote and culturally rich corners of the planet.
We begin in Bali, gathering as a team before flying to Timika on the south coast of New Guinea and on to a stunning Base Camp set among milky-blue alpine lakes beneath jagged limestone peaks. The climb itself is a single big day: an alpine start, rock scrambling and fixed-line travel with a few sections up to 5.6, a narrow summit ridge, a Tyrolean traverse, and multiple rappels on the descent — 14 to 18 hours round trip. A helicopter carries us back to Timika afterward.
Carstensz is notorious for its logistical, weather, and bureaucratic complexity, and success depends on flexibility. With more than 50 years of expedition experience and the connections to manage Papua's uncertainties, RMI builds extra contingency into the itinerary and handles the permits (the Surat Jalan), flights, and ground logistics so you can focus on the climb.
Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. was established in 1969 and is one of America's oldest and most-trusted guide services — the largest on Mt. Rainier and Denali and a leader in guiding climbs and treks around the globe. Decades of leading expeditions give us the experience to handle the details for you, from hotels and airport transfers to the special permits required to travel and climb in Papua, so you can focus on the climb instead of the logistics.
Our Carstensz Pyramid Expedition is led by RMI's top guides, who bring years of climbing experience not only on Carstensz but on mountains worldwide, from the Andes to the Alaska Range to the Himalayas — and who have previously reached this summit. The remoteness and complexity of Papua make that experience, and our local connections, especially valuable.
Safety is our highest priority. Our guides undergo formal avalanche and technical rescue training, hold remote-medicine certification (WFR or comparable), and pursue continuing education each year. Careful planning, ample contingency days, and diligent attention to logistics underpin the trip, and comprehensive medical kits and satellite communication equipment travel with the team throughout. We use RMI's own climbing equipment, brought from the U.S., to ensure our standards of safety and reliability are met. To learn more about RMI's guides and guiding philosophy, visit our About page.
The expedition begins and ends in Bali. After orientation we fly to Timika and on to Base Camp (13,900') by helicopter, acclimatize, and make a single big summit day on Carstensz Pyramid (16,023'). Contingency days are built in for weather and logistics before the helicopter returns us to Timika and Bali. Climbing in Papua requires flexibility — the schedule is designed to absorb weather and bureaucratic delays.
Denpasar, Bali
16,023' / 4,884 m
13,900' / 4,237 m
19 Days
Rock to 5.6
14–18 hours
Depart the U.S. Depending on flights and connections, travel to Denpasar, Bali typically takes 24 to 36 hours, usually with a stop in a hub such as Tokyo, Singapore, Taipei, or Bangkok. You will cross the International Date Line en route.
Arrive in Denpasar, Bali. We transfer to our hotel and rest before an evening reception and welcome dinner. Overnight in Bali.
A thorough team meeting, orientation, and equipment check. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Bali's beaches and cuisine. Around 11:30 p.m. we depart for the airport and an overnight flight to Timika, on the island of New Guinea.
Our flight reaches Timika in the early morning. After checking into our hotel we relax through the morning, then do a final equipment check and pick up any last-minute items in the afternoon.
Weather permitting, we fly to Base Camp today. We settle into our new home, beautifully set along the shore of a blue-water alpine lake at nearly 13,900'.
We spend the day adjusting to the altitude, with a short acclimatization hike around Base Camp.
Following an alpine start, we climb a series of 4th- and low-5th-class rock gullies, then traverse the narrow summit ridge over several notches to the top. The climbing is mostly scrambling with dramatic exposure and a few short sections of mid-5th-class rock; we use fixed lines and a Tyrolean traverse to bypass many of the difficulties. The descent involves multiple rappels on fixed lines. Total climbing time is roughly 14 to 18 hours.
An extra day built into the itinerary in case we encounter poor weather or need additional time for acclimatization.
An extra day built into the itinerary in case we encounter poor weather or need additional time for acclimatization.
An extra day built into the itinerary in case we encounter poor weather or need additional time for acclimatization.
An extra day built into the itinerary in case we encounter poor weather or need additional time for acclimatization.
Weather permitting, our helicopter and crew arrive to fly us back to Timika, where we enjoy a well-deserved hot shower, great food, and celebration. Overnight in Timika.
We leave the island of New Guinea and fly back to Denpasar, Bali. Overnight in Denpasar.
Return flights from Denpasar, Bali to the U.S.
Arrive in the U.S.
Prepare for long, exposed days of rock climbing and fixed-line travel, plus jungle approaches in hot, humid, often wet conditions.
A technical rock climb: prior rock-climbing experience (to 5.6) and proficiency ascending and rappelling fixed lines are required.
Base Camp sits near 13,900' and the summit reaches 16,023'; comfort being active at moderate altitude is needed, but no glacier travel is involved.
Carstensz Pyramid is a technical rock climb, and the climbing skills you bring matter as much as your fitness. The route is mostly rock scrambling and fixed-line travel, with a few sections up to 5.6. Proficiency with fixed ropes, ascenders, and rappelling, along with prior rock-climbing experience, is required. Summit day is long — roughly 14 to 18 hours — with dramatic exposure, a Tyrolean traverse, and multiple rappels on the descent.
While Carstensz is not as high as the glaciated Seven Summits, Base Camp sits near 13,900' and the summit reaches 16,023', so you should be comfortable being active at altitude. Just as important is a tolerance for uncertainty: equatorial weather, and the political and bureaucratic realities of Papua, demand flexibility, patience, and a genuine understanding of the nature of where we are going.
Physically, prepare for long, exposed days of rock climbing and movement on fixed lines, plus jungle and approach travel in a hot, humid, often wet environment. Training should emphasize aerobic endurance, climbing-specific strength, and comfort moving over technical rock with a pack.
Recommended climbing experiences include:
Your climbing resumé should include:
Prior rock-climbing experience, comfortable on terrain to 5.6*
Proficiency ascending and rappelling fixed lines*
Comfort with sustained exposure and long summit days*
Good aerobic fitness and general health*
Tolerance for the uncertainty and flexibility a Papua expedition requires
Items marked with an Asterix (*) are considered mandatory prerequisites for this program.
Mountaineering places sustained demands on your body and your ability to stay composed under effort. Even very fit people find that moving uphill with weight, for long hours, in variable weather is a different kind of challenge than most everyday training.
Preparation matters. Fitness directly affects how well you move, how much you learn, how the team functions, and how enjoyable the experience is overall.
Start early. Begin training well in advance of your program with the goal of arriving rested, resilient, and confident in your capacity for sustained effort.
Train intentionally. Emphasize aerobic endurance, uphill movement, and strength that supports long days on your feet. Core stability, balance, and mobility all play an important role in efficiency and injury prevention.
Train specifically. The closer you get to your program date, the more your training should resemble the demands of mountaineering: hiking uphill with weight, moving steadily for hours, and recovering well enough to do it again the next day.
Across RMI programs, strong preparation typically means being comfortable with long days of continuous movement, carrying a pack appropriate to the objective, and maintaining focus and decision-making when tired. Technical skills are taught or reviewed as appropriate to each program, but fitness is something you bring with you.
Nothing contributes more to a successful and rewarding experience than arriving well prepared. Plan to be in excellent physical condition and ready for a demanding day in the mountains.
A detailed daily distance and elevation table is not published for this expedition. Carstensz requires significant built-in flexibility — the day-to-day schedule depends on equatorial weather, helicopter access, the permitting process, and route conditions — and the climb centers on a single long summit day from Base Camp.
Our guides have decades of experience training for alpine objectives, and we've done our best to put together relevant resources to help you with your expedition preparation.
Acclimatization is the process by which your body adjusts to lower oxygen levels at altitude. How well this happens has a direct impact on how you feel, how you perform, and how much margin you have as the climb progresses.
Program length and structure matter. Longer expeditions are designed with ascent profiles that allow your body more time to adapt. Shorter programs often move through altitude faster than the body can fully adjust. In these cases, climbers typically experience mild but normal symptoms associated with early acclimatization rather than full adaptation. This is expected and accounted for in program design.
Physical conditioning plays a major role. Well-conditioned climbers generally have more energy available to support the acclimatization process over consecutive days. Fitness does not prevent altitude exposure, but it improves resilience, recovery, and the ability to function well while your body is adapting.
How you take care of yourself matters just as much as the itinerary. Arriving healthy and rested, staying well hydrated, eating consistently, and managing heat loss all support acclimatization and performance. These factors become increasingly important as altitude, duration, and cumulative fatigue increase.
RMI programs are structured to balance objective goals with appropriate acclimatization strategies for the terrain and timeframe involved. Individual responses to altitude vary, but strong preparation and good self-care remain the most reliable ways to support a positive experience at elevation.
Mountaineering is both an individual challenge and a team endeavor. Before any program begins, RMI works directly with prospective climbers to confirm that everyone joining a team is genuinely prepared for the demands ahead. Depending on the program, this may involve conversations with our office staff, a review of your climbing history, or feedback from guides and other climbers who know your abilities. The goal is straightforward: to ensure that every person on the rope belongs there. We ask that each climber hold themselves to the same standard:
The standards we set exist to protect everyone on the team. RMI holds all climbers accountable to them, and we take seriously our responsibility to build teams of people who are ready to be in the mountains together. RMI reserves the right to remove a participant from a program or send them to a lower altitude if our guide staff determines, in their sole discretion, that the participant is not physically, technically, or psychologically prepared or capable of participating, or for any other reason that may compromise the safety, health, or well-being of the participant or the group. In such cases, no refunds or credits will be issued, and the participant will be financially responsible for any additional costs associated with an early departure, including evacuation, transportation, lodging, and meals.
Carstensz Pyramid is a technical rock climb in a remote, wet, equatorial environment, reached by air and helicopter. This gear list reflects that unusual combination: a rock-climbing and fixed-line kit (harness, ascender, rappel device, helmet, carabiners), a robust rain and layering system for the jungle and the mountain, and durable footwear including rubber boots for muddy approaches. Notably, no crampons, ice axe, or glacier glasses are required. RMI provides the group climbing equipment, including fixed ropes and anchors.
Most required equipment is available for rent or purchase from our affiliate, Whittaker Mountaineering, and RMI climbers receive a 10% discount on new clothing and equipment ordered from them. Guides conduct a thorough gear check before we fly to Base Camp. If you have questions about specific items, contact the RMI office directly.
Each RMI program includes a required personal equipment list built around the specific terrain, conditions, and objectives of the climb. Every item serves a purpose and supports safety, efficiency, and comfort in the mountains.
Guide Picks™ are examples that meet our performance standards and illustrate the type of gear we recommend. Each year, our partners at Whittaker Mountaineering survey our staff of 70+ guides to get a consensus on the best gear for the job. You do not need to purchase the exact item shown, but any alternative must offer comparable function and durability.
All listed items are required for the gear check. Final adjustments may be recommended by your guide based on conditions and team needs once the expedition begins.
Most of the required equipment is available for rent or purchase from our affiliate Whittaker Mountaineering. RMI climbers receive a 10% discount on new clothing and equipment items ordered from Whittaker Mountaineering.
Bring as needed. Make sure these are TSA-compliant.
We recommend a bag rated between 20° and 0° F. Allow ample room for movement. We recommend down over synthetic for its light weight, warmth, and packability. If you know you sleep cold, consider a 0° F bag.
Glacier glasses are protective sunglasses that provide close to 100% frame coverage (wrap-around frames and side shields ensure no light can enter from the top, bottom, and sides of the glasses) and transmit less than 10% of visual light.
We recommend a minimum of five upper body layers, all of which can be used in conjunction with each other. Two of these should be insulating layers, one light, and one medium, that fit well together. Today there are many different layering systems to choose from, including fleece, softshell, down, and synthetic options.
A lightweight, breathable long-sleeve shirt in synthetic or merino wool for sun protection and moisture management during active climbing.
One step up in warmth and bulk from a baselayer. A technical fleece makes an ideal light weight insulating layer.
An insulated jacket or softshell for warmth during low-output activity and extended rest breaks. Should fit over baselayers and midlayers, and under a shell.
An expedition-style down parka that extends below the waist with an insulated hood, designed to fit over all other layers. Worn primarily in camp, during rest breaks, and on summit day. Down fill recommended over synthetic.
We recommend a system of four layers, all of which can be used in conjunction with each other. Products which combine several layers into one garment, such as traditional ski pants, don’t work well as they don’t offer the versatility of a layering system.
Lightweight synthetic or merino wool baselayer bottoms for moisture management and temperature regulation during active climbing.
Softshell climbing pants can be worn in combination with a base layer on colder days, or alone on warmer days.
Non-insulated, waterproof shell pants must be able to fit comfortable over your baselayer bottoms and softshell climbing pants. Full side zippers or 7/8 side zippers are required so that shell pants can be put on while wearing boots and crampons.
Great for traveling and wearing around town or camp. A pair of tennis shoes or light hikers works well.
A knee-length pair of gaiters, large enough to fit over your mountaineering boots. This will protect you from catching your crampon spikes on loose clothing. Not needed if using a boot with an integrated gaiter.
Either wool or synthetic. Whatever sock combination you are accustomed to wearing during your training or previous adventures (whether single medium weight socks, a medium weight with a liner sock, two medium weight socks together, etc.), should work just fine for this climb.
We recommend you speak with your physician about which medications you should have for high-altitude climbing. These medications are only used in emergency situations, and if someone is showing symptoms of HAPE or HACE, our standard protocol is for immediate descent. We do not take any of these medications prophylactically, and please talk with your guide before taking medications.
We require each climber to have the following medications:
Broad spectrum antibiotics for respiratory and gastrointestinal problems like Azithromycin (250mg tablets).
4mg tablets for the treatment of altitude illness. Recommend 12 tablets.
125mg tablets for the prevention or treatment of Acute Mountain Sickness. A normal prescription is 125mg tablets, twice a day. Recommend 15 - 20 tablets.
30mg slow-release tablets for the prevention or treatment of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Recommend 8 - 10 tablets.
Medications prescribed by a travel medicine doctor to prevent malaria in regions where the disease is present. Consult your physician well in advance of your program to determine if prophylaxis is necessary for your destination.
Our guides carry comprehensive medical kits, so keep yours small and light. We recommend a selection of adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, Moleskin and blister care, medical tape and/or duct tape, basic pain reliever, and personal medications.
You are responsible for providing your own meals and snack food in town and while on your program. See the Food tab for suggestions and quantities.
Books, magazines, or a journal for downtime at camp; a Kindle or similar e-reader is a practical alternative for longer expeditions where weight and bulk matter. Choose based on program length and personal preference.
Disposable or reusable ear plugs for sleeping in shared tent or hut accommodations.
Spare prescription glasses if you wear contact lenses/eyeglasses.
Daily wash water provided. Towel is used to dry face and hands.
Many smartphones have excellent cameras. Action cameras, small point-and-shoots, and compact dSLRs are lightweight and work well at altitude.
A small power bank, enough to charge a phone or e-reader several times.
For charging personal electronics while traveling internationally.
Optical binoculars for viewing distant terrain, wildlife, or weather systems during rest periods or camp time. Lightweight compact models are practical for expeditions where weight matters.
We recommend bringing a selection of clothing to wear while traveling, sightseeing and dining.
If Glacier Glasses are not required, regular sunglasses will suffice on this program.
For, you know, swimming.
Valid for six months beyond your return date.
The first two pages of your passport.
A printed or digital copy of your complete flight itinerary, including confirmation numbers and times, for reference during travel and check-in. Keep this easily accessible throughout your journey.
Additional passport-sized photographs beyond those required for your visa application, useful for visa extensions, permits, or emergency document replacement during international travel. Bring 4-6 extra photos.
Documentation of your current vaccinations, required for entry into certain countries and useful for medical reference during international programs. Carry a physical copy or digital image in addition to any travel documents.
Purchase travel insurance.
Purchase airplane tickets.
Reserve rental equipment.
Be in the best shape of your life!
RMI provides the following equipment for your program: sleeping tents, dining tent, stoves, group cooking equipment, fuel, tables, chairs, and private biological toilet at each camp.
Every guide on your climb will carry rescue equipment and a first aid kit. Each climb has two-way radios and a satellite phone for emergency contact.
For clipping into anchors.
Waterproof climbing boots with rubber soles and a rubber rand that extends up the side and covers the toes.
These might be used in combination with other gloves, but should be heavy duty enough to be used alone. Consider an additional pair of lightweight rubber gloves to be used as liners with other gloves.
Lightweight shoe with covered toe for river crossings. Can also be used as a camp shoe.
On Carstensz Pyramid you will need mountain snacks for 4 days, totaling about 2 lb. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the mountain are included as indicated in the itinerary. Apart from hotel breakfasts, most restaurant meals while traveling are on your own, and you are responsible for your own bottled water and drinks. RMI does not provide additional meals in the event of a travel delay.
Mountain snacks are eaten during short breaks throughout the day. We continually snack to keep our energy levels up while we climb — snacking begins just after breakfast and ends just before dinner. Avoid packing any items that require preparation or hot water.
The importance of having foods you genuinely enjoy cannot be overstated. Eating properly is the key to maintaining strength in the mountains, and to combat the loss of appetite at altitude we aim for a variety of foods that stimulate the whole palate, from sweet to sour to salty.
Recommended snack items: dry salami, smoked salmon, jerky (turkey, beef, fish), small cans of tuna, individually wrapped cheeses (Laughing Cow, Babybel), crackers, bagels, candy bars, hard candies (Jolly Ranchers, toffees, Life Savers), gummy bears, sour candies, cookies, dried fruit, nuts, energy bars, GORP mixes, and drink mixes (Gatorade/Kool-Aid).
This page covers the practical details you’ll want to review before your trip, including travel logistics, entry requirements, local considerations, and required policies. Taking time to understand these details ahead of departure helps ensure a smoother experience once you’re on the ground and focused on the climb.
The expedition begins and ends in Bali, Indonesia. Flights from the U.S. take roughly 24 to 36 hours to reach Denpasar (DPS) and cross the International Date Line, usually with a stop in a hub such as Tokyo, Singapore, Taipei, or Bangkok. Flights generally arrive in Denpasar in the afternoon on Day 2; departing flights may be booked for Day 13 of the itinerary.
A standard tourist visa is required for Indonesia; we recommend obtaining a Visa on Arrival ($35) in Denpasar. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your return date and have two entirely blank pages — carry a copy of the first two pages separately and leave one with your emergency contact. The special permits for traveling and climbing in Papua (the Surat Jalan) are obtained by RMI.
For current inoculation requirements and recommendations, consult the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Anti-malarial medication is recommended for this program. Confirm current travel advisories and entry requirements with the U.S. Department of State.
Your travel insurance policy should include trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delay, baggage loss or delay, medical expenses, and evacuation.
Navigating through the different options for travel insurance can be challenging. When purchasing Travel Insurance, here are a few items to consider:
In today’s changing travel environment, it’s important to protect your travel investment. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we offer Travelex Insurance protection plans to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected.
For more information on the available plans visit Travelex Insurance Services or contact Travelex Insurance (800) 228-9792 and reference location number 47-0370.
The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC #16535, state of domicile: New York). RETWEB
Due to the remote nature of this program, travel insurance is required and must include a medical evacuation policy with minimum coverage of $500,000.
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance is travel insurance designed for adventurers, including the best evacuation and rescue services available.
Benefits are tailored for adventurers and include:
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance is powered by Redpoint Resolutions. We also encourage climbers to consider Global Rescue for medical and security advisory and evacuation services. Travel Guard and Travelex also provide travel insurance.
RMI has partnered with Erin Rountree to provide travel planning support. Erin is an independent agent with extensive experience booking travel for adventure programs worldwide and understands the specific needs of RMI expeditions.
Phone: (208) 788-2870
Email: [email protected]
It is your responsibility to ensure that your travel insurance policy provides appropriate coverage for your specific program and activities. Review policy details carefully before purchasing, and confirm coverage well in advance of your departure.
Because of the region's remoteness, a medical evacuation policy with at least $500,000 of coverage is required. We strongly encourage climbers to consider Global Rescue for medical and security advisory and evacuation services; RMI carries this coverage for its guides on this program.
Lying on the equator, Indonesia has a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons; rain is part of the jungle and can fall any day, with high humidity. Temperatures in the lowlands average 79–86°F, while the mountain is cold. Build flexibility into your plans, as helicopter and bush flights are weather-dependent.
Dress modestly and comfortably. Ask permission before photographing individuals, especially indigenous people, and never photograph government or military property or personnel, including the airport. "Amakane" is the traditional Moni greeting — a warm welcome meaning, roughly, "I offer to nurture you."
Indonesian outlets are 220V/230V, 50 Hz. Bring a universal plug adaptor and a step-down (220-to-110V) converter. Voltage in Papua is unstable, so a personal solar charger can be the most reliable way to charge electronics.
The currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). We suggest bringing about $600 for personal spending, including meals, drinks, and the Support Staff Tip Pool (suggested $50 per climber). Local service staff are typically tipped 10–15%. Guide gratuities are at your discretion and typically average 10–15% of the program cost.
The following policies are applicable for this expedition.
Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. reserves the right to modify the land cost of a trip at any time before departure.
Accommodations are based on double occupancy. A Single Supplement Fee applies to those occupying single accommodations by choice or circumstance; single accommodations are not available in huts, tents, or all hotels.
Deposit Payments: A non-refundable deposit payment of $3,500 per person secures your reservation.
Balance Payments: The balance payment is due 120 days before the start of your program.
*There is a 3% surcharge on all credit/debit card transactions.
The $3,500 per person deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Due to the time-sensitive nature of these programs, and the amount of preparation time required for this program, we strictly adhere to our policy and cannot make exceptions for any reason.
We require that everyone purchase travel insurance. Please see our Travel Tab for details.
Please clearly understand that mountaineering is inherently hazardous. Managing risk is RMI’s number one priority. Our guides manage significant hazards inherent in mountaineering, but they cannot eliminate them. Objective hazards include rockfall, icefall, avalanches, slides or falls by individuals and rope teams on steeper slopes, weather-related problems including cold, heat, high winds, and other unnamed dangers that can occur while climbing.
You are choosing to engage in an activity in which guided and non-guided climbers have been injured or killed. While those accidents are indeed infrequent, they may occur at any time and be out of our control. We ask that participants acknowledge the risks and hazards of mountaineering and make their own choices about whether or not to engage in this activity.
Mountaineering is both an individual challenge and a team endeavor. Each Participant is required to share in the responsibility of the safety and success of the team. For this reason, we ask that each Participant:
RMI reserves the right to dismiss the Participant from a program or to send the Participant to a lower altitude at any time if the RMI Guide Staff determines, in its sole discretion, that the Participant is not physically, technically, or psychologically prepared for or capable of participating in the program or for any other reason that may compromise the safety, health or well-being of the Participant or the entire group. If this decision is made, the Participant will not receive any refunds or credits and will be financially responsible for any additional costs associated with an early departure, including but not limited to, evacuation, transportation, hotels, meals, etc.
Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI) does not tolerate harassment or mistreatment of our participants or employees. Inappropriate conduct under this policy may include conduct that creates a disrespectful, intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for a participant or employee. Engaging in such conduct is a violation of this policy.
RMI may consider conduct to violate the policy even if it falls short of unlawful harassment under applicable law. When determining whether conduct violates this policy, we will consider whether a reasonable person could conclude that the conduct created an intimidating, hostile, degrading, or demeaning environment.
Violation of this policy may result in removal from a program, as well as refusal to provide services indefinitely. We place the utmost value on the safety of our participants and employees. Please report any incidents to RMI management.
All participants must be 18 years old at the time of registration.
RMI’s Photo Release outlines the terms and conditions for using your likeness in photographs, videos, or other digital media.
I hereby grant Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI) or its affiliates permission to use my likeness in a photograph, video, or other digital media (“photo”) in any and all of its publications, including web-based publications. By granting permission, you allow RMI to utilize these media for lawful purposes.
Here are the key points:
RMI cannot guarantee that you will reach the summit. Weather, route conditions, your own abilities, or the abilities of other climbers may create circumstances that make an ascent unsafe, and you or your entire group may have to turnaround without reaching the summit.
Failure to reach the summit due to a person’s own lack of fitness or to any of the events associated with mountaineering (such as weather, route conditions, avalanche hazard, team dynamics, etc.), are not Rainier Mountaineering, Inc.’s responsibility and will not result in a refund, credit, or reschedule.
RMI’s program schedule and itineraries are subject to change or adjustment based on a number of factors. These include, but are not limited to, route conditions, weather, group strength, terrain, or other environmental factors, and many other factors. RMI has complete discretion to change plans to accommodate any of these or other factors, including but not limited to, increases in program fees, changes to program schedule or itinerary, and changes to guides or staff, as necessary for the proper and safe conduct of the program. Once the program has started, the Lead Guide will decide on any changes to the itinerary, including ending the program early if the continuation of the program may compromise the safety, health, or well-being of the group.
We reserve the right to cancel any program due to inadequate signups, weather, route conditions, or for any other reason. In such a case, we will make every effort to reschedule the Participant on a different program date. If rescheduling is not possible, we will issue the Participant a refund for all program fees paid to RMI, less any non-refundable payments made on behalf of the Participant to secure any of the included land costs provided for this program, including but not limited to, hotel accommodations, transportation, transfers, tours, group equipment and food, permits, and local outfitter services, prior to the cancellation of the program. Additionally, RMI cannot be responsible for any non-refundable expenses the Participant incurred in preparation for the program (i.e., airline tickets, hotel reservations, rental cars, equipment purchases or rentals, etc.).
Once a program begins, there are no refunds or credits for weather-related cancellations or for a program that may end early due to weather, route conditions, or any other circumstances that may compromise the health, safety, or well-being of the group. Furthermore, if the Participant decides for any reason not to begin a program or discontinue a program at any time, no refunds or credits will be issued. The Participant will be responsible for all additional costs associated with an early departure, including but not limited to evacuation, transportation, hotel reservations, meals, etc.
Land Costs are provided as a package, and refunds or credits will not be issued for any unused meals, accommodations, group transportation, or other unused costs. Accommodations are based on double occupancy. A Single Supplement Fee will be charged to those Participants occupying single accommodations either by choice or circumstance. If you are willing to share a room, we will make every effort to pair you with another same-gender team member. We will match willing same-gender team members based on the order of registration date. If we are unable to match you with another same- gender team member, a single supplement fee will be charged. The availability of single accommodations is limited in most of the hotels where we stay, and single accommodations are not available while in the mountains.
The Participant understands and agrees that RMI assumes no responsibility or liability in connection with any travel and hospitality services provided to the Participant by other companies in connection with the program, including but not limited to, the services provided by airlines, hotels, rental cars, and transportation companies. In addition, RMI is not responsible for any act, error, omission, or any injury, loss, accident, delay, irregularity, or danger by a supplier of travel or hospitality services to the Participant in connection with the RMI program. The Participant will be responsible for all costs associated with any travel delays, missed connections, or missing baggage that requires additional arrangements (separate transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, etc.) to be made on your behalf for you or your baggage to rejoin the program.
The Carstensz Pyramid Expedition raises questions specific to a technical rock climb in remote Papua. The answers below cover the climbing, the logistics and flexibility the region demands, and how to prepare.
It is a genuine rock climb — mostly 4th- and low-5th-class scrambling with a few sections up to 5.6, plus fixed-line travel, a Tyrolean traverse, and multiple rappels on descent. Proficiency with fixed ropes, ascenders, and rappelling and prior rock-climbing experience are required.
Summit day is a single big push of roughly 14 to 18 hours round trip, beginning with an alpine start to avoid the afternoon equatorial precipitation.
From Timika we fly by helicopter to Base Camp at nearly 13,900', set among blue-water alpine lakes. Flights are weather-dependent, which is one reason we build contingency days into the itinerary.
Climbing in Papua involves real uncertainty — equatorial weather, plus political and bureaucratic factors that can affect permitting and travel. We build flexibility into the schedule so logistical surprises don't force a rushed decision on the mountain.
Consult the CDC for current recommendations; anti-malarial medication is recommended for this program. A medical evacuation policy with at least $500,000 of coverage is required.
None are needed. Carstensz is a rock climb — no crampons, ice axe, or glacier glasses are required. Your kit centers on a rock-climbing and fixed-line system plus a robust rain and layering setup for the jungle and the mountain.
Climbers rated RMI with an average of 5 stars across 0 ratings
Climber reviews of RMI's Carstensz Pyramid Expedition reflect just how singular this Seven Summit is — a technical rock climb wrapped in a remote cultural journey through Bali and Papua. Participants consistently credit RMI's logistical mastery in a notoriously complex region, the expertise of guides who have summited Carstensz before, and the flexibility and care that turn an uncertain expedition into a successful one.
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