Despite being located in the tropics, the Puncak Jayawijaya or Jayawijaya mountains in Papua are distinctive attractions since they are coated in snow. According to a researcher from the Papua Archaeological Center, Hari Suroto, Puncak Jaya is the only one that still has a glacier and is in danger of disappearing due to global warming.
Hari explained why until now, the peak, which many world maps call Carstensz or Carstensz Top, still has a glacier. “Puncak Jaya is at the highest point in Papua and Papua New Guinea, the air temperature is very low and close to freezing point,” he told Tempo Friday, February 21, 2020.
The Cause of the Snow in the Jayawijaya Mountains Covering the Carstensz Pyramid
Snow at the peak of the Jayawijaya is unique. Because usually, snow is found in the region of four seasons: winter, autumn, summer, and spring.
Despite its equatorial location with two seasons, the Carstensz Pyramid is covered in snow. It happens because the peak of the Jayawijaya is relatively high, 4,884 masl.
The mountain peak’s height causes the peak’s temperature to be freezing. Air temperature will drop 1 degree for every 100 meters of altitude.
With a mountain height of 4,884, the temperature at Puncak Jayawijaya will drop by about 49 degrees Celsius from the temperature at sea level. For example, if the temperature on the beach is 30 degrees Celsius, then the temperature at Puncak Jayawijaya will be around -19 degrees Celsius.
Even Puncak Jayawijaya becomes covered with snow due to these temperatures.
Where to Climb at the Highest Price?
Jayawijaya mountains are the target of domestic and foreign climbers. However, climbing this mountain is expensive. Kompas.com (10/01/2020) reported that five climbers spent Rp 55 million per person.
The climbing fee is used for transportation to Papua and renting a plane from Nabire to Sugapa Village, Sugapa District, and Intan Jaya Regency. Climbing is expensive because climbers from Jakarta do not only take planes to Papua but also to Nabire.
Furthermore, the fees are allocated to pay porters, who usually charge between IDR 7 and 8 million per trip. One person needs two porters. Generally, climbing operators to Puncak Jaya offer travel packages to Mount Carstensz for IDR 55 million to IDR 65 million per person.
Carstensz Pyramid is Not the Only Mountain Range on the Equator Covered with Snow
It is common to find snow on mountains in other parts of the equatorial region.
These mountains are the Sierra Nevada in the Andes, Mount Kenya in Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro in northeastern Tanzania, and Ruwenzori in Africa.
Carstensz Pyramid is a karst mountain location that has essential meaning for Indonesia and the world. Data in 1992, snow in Puncak Jaya reached an area of 3,300 ha. The snow is in the karst mountains.
In general, the Papuan karst is located in the middle hills with an altitude of 3000 – 4,500 masl. This area also marks the extent of karst distribution in Indonesia. However, the amount of the Carstensz Pyramid Peak covered with snow is dwindling due to global warming.
The Jayawijaya Mountains have several peaks with different heights, namely Puncak Jaya (4,884 masl), Mandala Peak (4,760 masl), Trikora Peak (4,730 masl), Indeberg Peak (4,673 masl), Yamin Peak (4,535 masl), and East Carstensz Peak. (4,400 masl).
Causes Snow on the Jayawijaya Begins to Melt
Global warming is the initial and foremost factor in ice shrinkage in Papua. However, the continued impact of the Papua ice melt also accelerates the shrinkage rate, including temperature increases. Now that Jayawijaya Mountains’ snow falls as rainwater instead of snow on top of the ice.
Second, the rocks surrounding it gets broader and deeper in color when the ice melts further. The ice on the sides and bottom melts due to the rock’s surface absorbing more heat.
