Carstenz Pyramid Closed?

I heard today that the government of Indonesia has closed Carstenz Pyramid and the surrounding area to foreign climbers. Has anyone else heard if this is true or only a rumor?

I'm not surprised if this were not true due to the Indigineous West Irians recent escalation of agitation for independance and the resultant tensions and violence. I've more or less been expecting to see an anouncement declaring the area closed for said reasons. It is not a pleasant part of the world to be in at the moment as is the whole of the Indonesian Archipelago, some places more so than others. Mind you when East Timor settles down there is apparently a magnificent virgin mountain range that begs for some first ascents.

This is only heresay by a simple minded Aussie so take absolutely no heed whatsoever of my comments. [self has taken heed of topo disclaimer by Brutus of Wide and absolved self of all liability for creating world war three by commenting on foreign affairs].

...Phil...

damn...now i'll never get my seventh summit.

anne in upwardly mobile nyc

Tell you what...when you get the other six I'll personally get you up that last one...

The Rockrat...

Well you could just saunter up the board walk to the top of Mt. Kosciusco which is technically the Australian continents highest mountain to be able to claim the seventh summit on the seven continents. ...Phil...

see www.whereisevan.com for an entertaining and slightly scary story of trying to climb the pyramid.

Dave.

great. another opportunity for the 'seven walkups' crew to be able to climb their 'seventh summit' with a mochachino in hand, only to have their lunch stolen from the summit by a dingo.

In other words, the claim that the 'seven summits' should pertain to any division of the world techtonically is BS. People have long been interpreting the definition of the seven summits to most conviniently accomplish their bragging goals. Those who don't want to go to Russia, and have to stand in line 10 hours to buy a potato, claim that Mt. Blanc is Europe's highest summit, those who don't consider Antarctica a continent because there isn't a Starbucks there skip that one, and most commonly, those who would rather hillwalk in Australia than climb the Carstenz Pyrimid rant about techtonic boundries, and the definitions of continents they learned in 4th grade. (or maybe they don't even know what country Irian Jaya lies in)

If you want to do the 'seven bragging rights summits' but can't safely (politically) climb the Carstenz Pyrimid then atleast go climb Mt. Cook, you pussies.

sorry Phil - and no intended insult to you Aussies or Russians out there, but much intended insult to you mochachino, cell phone toting posers looking to get babysat up climbs with minimal actual climbing but maximum bragging potential

'I'm as great as Reinhold Messner cuz I climbed Everest - even though I just jugged fixed ropes, never once took the lead or carried a load, and consumed dozens of bottles of 02 which I tossed to the side when empty'

oh yeah, that last one promoted me from the 'sarcastic asshole' group into the 'complete and total asshole' group. Cool!

Outstanding come back Ed, I like it [says to self, teehee, hooked another one]. No really, I do agree with your sentiments. ...Phil...

go to Mt Kosciusco - Australia, it is much easier.........

Wow! Great news Phil! Do you know of any local guides for Kosciusco? Needless to say, price is no object.

Anne in double skim vanilla latte NYC

which guides ? - there is a iron footpath to the 'summit'