Team members are now actively scouting by foot on Puncak Jaya, looking for the best drill spots, travel routes and campsites. The man in red is Broxton Bird of Ohio State University. In brown, the appropriately named alpine veteran Keith Mountain of the University of Louisville. At bottom: team leaders Dwi Susanto and Lonnie Thompson give a presentation on the project, while preparing to ascend themselves.
To view a short video of the scouting expedition, click here.
All images are from Ario Samudro, David Christenson and Greg Chmura, provided courtesy of Scott Hanna of the Freeport McMoRan company.