On the 13th September 2008, three of us boarded an Air Niugini flight from Port Moresby to Kundiawa in the Highlands of PNG. We were then picked up and driven to Betty’s Lodge for an overnight stay and some time to assist us with acclimatising to altitude. I had never experienced the effects of altitude before and even walking around at Betty’s Lodge was an effort.

Next morning, we were up early and completed a 3 hour hike up to the Mt Wilhelm base camp. This was a slow hike, as the effects of altitude became apparent. At the base camp we had some food and sleep and were then up at 2.00am to make an attempt at the summit. Luckily we had no rain, but after varying degrees of the effects of altitude, we all made it to the summit at about 9.00am. Views were amazing and well worth the effort to climb the highest mountain in PNG and indeed Oceania at 4509 metres.

After summiting, we headed down to the base camp and after a short rest and food, back to Betty’s Lodge for a well earned shower, meal and sleep! We arrived at Betty’s Lodge at about 5.00pm so it certainly was a long day. 

PNG is often described as the “Land of the Unexpected” and this journey into the Highlands of PNG, certainly opens ones eyes to its beauty, culture and wildness.