On August 1, the Cypriots Roman Starikovich and Maxim Ryashchin successfully ascended to the top of the Karstensa pyramids (Jia) - the highest mountain of Australia and Oceania (height 4884 m). They became participants in an international expedition, which also included climbers from the USA and Canada, and accompanied the group of three experienced guides.
Jia is the highest point of oceania and one of the most inaccessible peaks in the climbing program “7 peaks of the world”. No more than 2,000 people ascended throughout history - this is ten times less than on Everest. The Starikovich and Ryashchina expedition became the whole second successful attempt at this top in 2025.
Dangerous for life
The ascent took place in the most difficult conditions: the mountain is located on the territory of Western Papua (Indonesia), where a civil conflict continues. The rebels in the region achieve independence, and near the lifting route there is one of the world's largest quarries in the production of gold, copper and silver, which makes the situation especially tense. For this reason, the movement of the group was accompanied by armed protection.
Preparation took five years
The path to this top took almost five years from the expedition participants. They received permission to fly to the base camp only after satellite intelligence confirmed: the rebels left the pass. The night transfer was supported by the police.
The rise began at 3:00 a.m. on August 1 and lasted six hours. According to the participants, the main difficulties were high -altitude disease, high humidity, sharp temperature changes and a technically complex route. Nevertheless, the Cyprus flag was at the top of one of the most inaccessible mountains of the planet.
Congratulations to the expedition participants!
