Travel Guide Mount Wilhelm

Now that the Aérodrome airfield (pronounced Kegesuguel) is no longer in service, the only access to the highest peak in the country is the road that leaves Kundiawa. It takes between 4 and 6 hours of bad track for this journey, the discomfort of which is offset by the fantastic and spectacular landscapes offered by the road, sometimes stressful, on a large part of the gorge. Kegsugl, located at 2 500 m above sea level, is just a small station - although it hosts a pretty high school - and there is nothing. The few shops only sell cookies and powdered coffee. It is therefore necessary to supply to Kundiawa or Goroka. However, there are plenty of vegetables and fruit available, including strawberries!Ascension of Mount WilhelmAs Mount Wilhelm is of course a customary land, landowners have established a number of rules which cannot be derogated from. A trekking fee of 10 kinas is requested from each trekkeur, to be put back to the guide. Each tourist or group must be accompanied by a guide (minimum 100 kinas per day) and a holder (per person, preferably; 20 kinas per day). The guide accompanies customers to the top, while the carriers are waiting at the base camp. In the event of a group departure, it is preferable to provide at least 1 guide for 2 people, because the road leading to the summit is not secure and some passages are delicate. Individuals can ask their accommodation to find them a guide, which will make up their own team. It can do very cold, below zero at the base camp and even colder at the top. So provide hot clothing, like a big polar and a pretty thick wind jacket. A long underwear will also be appreciated. Mandatory lower down. The itinerary takes place in 2 or 3 days. It is essential to adapt to altitude gradually. The best thing is therefore to proceed as follows:On the first day, arrive quietly in Kegsugl, 2 500 m, and spend the day, with short walks.On the 2nd day, we climb, in 2 or 3 hours, to Pindaunde Lakes; there are shelters where you pass the night before the final ascent. It is important to get up early, so as to make maximum use of acclimatization at the altitude of lakes at nearly 3 500 m. Shelters - there are 2 equivalents - costs 50 kinas per person and are equipped with gas stoves and everything necessary for cooking, as well as mattresses and blankets. Guides and porters do not pay. It is necessary to take its provisions. The place is magnificent, as is the path that leads there. It goes first into forest, before arriving in a forest of tree ferns, then you arrive in grassy marshes, with, in face of oneself, large rocky façades. At this altitude, it is important to rest, but also to make a few small steps necessary for acclimatization.On the 3rd day, the final departure was in principle at 1 a. m. in the morning for the last 1 000 metres. The best walkers can leave at 2 p. m. but the best is to follow the advice of the guides. Normally, it takes 5 hours of ascent, but it depends on the shape of each. The final walk is difficult due to altitude and trail itself, often in slopes or rocky passages, which in France would be built. Since you're walking at night, you have to have a pretty powerful lamp, not forgetting to check in Kegsugl that the guide has one, with batteries! The arrival at the dawn of the day guarantees splendid views of all the surrounding mountains and sometimes to Madang… But the clouds arrive very fast and then you have to go down. You can then decide to take a night to the lakes or go down to Kegsugl, which is a nice step.