Climb Carstensz Pyramid with Adrian Ballinger

In 2026, we’re heading deep into the jungles of Papua New Guinea for one of the most distinctive objectives in high-altitude mountaineering: Carstensz Pyramid (16,024′ / 4,884m). It’s the tallest peak in Oceania, the only limestone summit on the Seven Summits list, and the only one that requires real rock climbing skills. But this season brings something even more unique — Adrian Ballinger will be guiding the expedition and taking on his final unclimbed summit of the Seven.

This is a rare chance to join an IFMGA guide with decades of expedition leadership as he completes a personal milestone, and to experience a summit that feels worlds away from crowded trailheads or alpine huts. Carstensz is steep, exposed, physical, and logistically complex — which is exactly why it’s so compelling.

A Summit Unlike Any Other of the Seven

Carstensz Pyramid rises unexpectedly from dense, humid rainforest into a razor-edged wall of gray limestone. The approach requires navigating remote terrain and working with local partners to access a region that few climbers ever see. Unlike the snow climbs found across the rest of the Seven Summits, Carstensz is rock from base to summit, with long pitches of 5th-class climbing, exposed traverses, and the famous Tyrolean that crosses a gaping notch in the ridgeline.

That mix of jungle, rock, and isolation makes it one of the most memorable — and misunderstood — climbs in the world. It’s not high enough to be an altitude challenge. It’s not technical enough to scare off seasoned rock climbers. Yet its combination of commitment, logistics, and pure adventure is exactly what makes it so special.

What Makes 2026 Special: Adrian’s Final 7th Summit

Adrian has guided Everest, Cho Oyu, K2, Makalu, Manaslu … countless peaks around the world. But he’s never climbed Carstensz Pyramid — and it’s the last summit he needs to complete the Seven Summits list himself.

If you’ve followed Adrian over the years, you know he doesn’t chase checkboxes. He chases impactful, thoughtful, and high-quality climbing experiences. Carstensz fits that ethos perfectly.

In 2026, he’ll be leading the team personally.

For climbers, this means:

• Direct expedition leadership from one of the most experienced high-altitude guides in the world
• A small, tight-knit team
• The chance to be part of a once-in-a-career moment as Adrian reaches his final seventh summit

It’s a rare alignment: one of the most remote mountains on Earth and a guide with the experience — and stoke — to make the climb meaningful for everyone involved.

The Climbing Experience

Carstensz is a hands-on mountain. Climbers should expect:

• Long stretches of fixed rope and steep 5th-class limestone
• Exposure along narrow ridgelines
• A memorable Tyrolean traverse
• A summit that feels sharply removed from the rest of the world

The climbing is fun, precise, and engaging — technical enough to keep you focused, but accessible to climbers with solid movement skills and good fitness. It’s an ideal next step for athletes who have already completed a few international expeditions or those working through the Seven Summits with intention, not speed.

Why Carstensz Belongs in an Experience-Driven Progression

We’ve always believed that strong climbers are built through time in real terrain, on real objectives. Carstensz reflects that philosophy as much as any other peak: it’s technical, unpredictable, and immersive from the moment you land in Papua New Guinea.

For many climbers, it becomes a defining expedition — not because of the summit height, but because of the environments, the communities, and the commitment required to reach it.

If you’re looking for a climb that expands your skillset, deepens your experience, and pushes you into terrain that few people ever touch, Carstensz is it.

Join Us in 2026

Adrian’s final summit of the Seven is a shared milestone — an opportunity to climb alongside a leader with deep experience and genuine passion for the craft. But more than that, it’s a chance to experience one of the most remote and distinct mountains on the planet.

Get in touch with our team today.