Carstensz Pyramid is one of the very few places near the equator where snow and glaciers still exist. However, scientific data shows that this snow is thinning rapidly and may disappear completely within the next few years.
Based on historical records and satellite observations, the glaciers on Carstensz were once extensive. In the mid-19th century, the ice area in the Sudirman Range was estimated to cover more than 19 square kilometers. By the 1980s, this number had dropped significantly to around 7 square kilometers.
The decline continued at an even faster rate. Satellite data from the early 2000s showed that less than 3 square kilometers of ice remained. By 2015, the ice area had shrunk to around 1 square kilometer, and recent observations indicate that only small patches of permanent ice and seasonal snow are left today.
Studies by climate researchers and satellite imagery analysis suggest that more than 85 percent of Carstensz’s ice has already disappeared. If current warming trends continue, scientists estimate that the remaining snow and ice could vanish entirely within this decade.
Today, snowfall on Carstensz still occurs, but it is no longer stable. Snow appears briefly after certain weather conditions and melts quickly. What climbers see now is no longer a true glacier system, but the final remains of a natural phenomenon that has existed for thousands of years.
This makes Carstensz more than just a climbing destination. It is a real example of how climate change affects even the most remote and high-altitude environments on Earth.
At Adventure Carstensz, we believe this is a moment for awareness and responsibility. Visiting Carstensz should always be done with respect for nature, local communities, and minimal environmental impact.
While the snow is still here, let us protect it and witness it responsibly. Join us to see it firsthand and experience Carstensz together with Adventure Carstensz, before this rare sight becomes history.