Trek in Irian Jaya (now Papua) - May 1994
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I started this one-month trek from Wamena in the Baliem Valley located in Central Irian Jaya (now called Papua). The trek took me to Anguruk and other villages near Anguruk. From Anguruk I then went north to Landikwa and Pass Valley, from where I returned to the Baliem Valley (see map sketch below). I had hired 4 porters in Wamena, but even with their help the trek was quite strenuous (difficult terrain, dense vegetation, frequent rains, steep changes of elevation). Unfortunately, I took a limited number of photos and I did not keep precise track of where I took most of them. Due to lack of prior information, I had not prepared this trek well enough. In retrospect, I think I should have used this first experience to return to Papua and do a longer, better prepared expedition. Perhaps I will do it in the future, but things have probably changed a lot since 1994.

 

Map of Papua, with trekking area framed in red.

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Map sketch of trekking area, with approximate itinerary in red dots.

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With Dani people near Anguruk.

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Scenery during the trek.

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Highland scenery (Papua has many mountains above 3000m).

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Muddy trail, climbing structure, bridge.

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The climbing structure viewed from the top.

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More bridges.

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Camp in the forest.

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Small villages.

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People.

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Market day in Anguruk.

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Near the airfield in Anguruk with a plane ready to take off.

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