CARSTENSZ PYRAMID

NEW GUINEA / 4884m

Edgy doesn’t really cut it with the Carstensz Pyramid: an ascent is of this Indonesian monster is no chalet-punctuated Alpine jaunt – it’s an adventure through the kind of dodgy environment that would make Indiana Jones wet himself. This is a big, bad dinosaur in the middle of terrain that fights you at every turn, through jungles where headhunter tribes not only still dabble in the practice but in all likelihood will be providing your accommodation. But don’t let that put you off!

Bridges are either tree trunks or have to be built as you go. The rain is almost as bad here as it is in Scotland – but with spiders and snakes thrown in. And just when you think it’s all over, there’s some rock climbing to be dealt with and an insane Tyrolean traverse between the spire-like peaks of the mountain itself to round everything off.

But from a technical point of view it’s not that bad. And if you go with a reputable operator who knows the local area and people, it’s possible to nail it with some measure of ease. If you’re a health and safety prude, better stay away. If the idea of single-prop planes bouncing along landing strips, cloud-mithered summits and trails that are barely trails heading for a gothic grey pyramid in the middle of the jungle populated by people who carry spears is your idea of a cracking day out, sign up. This is adventurous – but achievable – mountaineering at its best. And you get a Seven Summits tick in while you’re at it. You’ll love it. And you might even survive.