Mt. Wilhelm

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Nestled at the foot of Mt. Wilhelm, on the forested slope that closes the Kegsugl-Gembogl Gorge, lies a cool and friendly property with a name so difficult to prounounce that everybody calls it by the name of the hostess - Betty's.

Most travellers who face the two-hour drive up the steep and narrow gorge, have only one idea in mind - they come all the way to Kegsugl to spend a night at the lodge before starting the strenuous and breathtaking climb to the highest summit in Papua New Guinea.

Mt. Wilhelm, which hides itself in a thick blanket of clouds most of the time.

Mount Wilhelm is the highest mountain of Papua New Guinea. It is a rugged mountain with an excellent trail leading to its summit.

The ascent crosses diverse and beautiful terrain, with open grasslands on the slopes between 10,000 and 12,000 feet, and glaciers and granite predominant in the higher elevations.



Elevation (feet) 14,793

Elevation (meters) 4,509

Location Papua New Guinea
Pacific Basin

Latitude 5° 48' S

Longitude 145° 02' E

Best Climbing Months May, June, July, August, September, October, November (dry season)

Convenient Center(s) Goroka,
Papua New Guinea

Nearest Major Airport Nadzab, Lae,
Papua New Guinea

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Lake Pindi Yaundo, a site on the walk to Mt. Wilhelm, feeds the rainbow trout farm with cold clean water:

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Rainbow trout fish poinds look more like natural pools:

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Staff and friends who work on the trout farm:

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Trout Farm:

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Trout Fish Farm near Mt. Wilhelm:

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Reservoir and earth pond for angling:

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Locals buying fresh trout at the farm:

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Millennium atop Mt. Wilhem

Story by Precilla Merimba and Photographs by Nancii Merimba:

Waking up to see another Sunday in Goroka had never been so exciting as I threw aside my blanket and rushed to awake the others. To my surprise it was only 5am and I realised that we weren't going anywhere to 8am. I was so excited I was the first to get packed along with my best friend Belinda Iarume.

Soon it was 7am, and everyone was rushing here and there trying not to forget a thing. Meanwhile my friend and I wee packed ready to go sitting comfortablyin the car listening to 96 Nau FM and discussing how Mt. Wilhem was going to be a piece of cake!

(Now I take it all back for I had no idea what I was about to face). Finally, we girls were all ready and set, we quietly snuck into the shop for a bit to bite for we did not have breakfast.

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Millennium atop Mt. Wilhem

The drive form Kol Town Goroka to my home place Gembogl took about 3 to 4 hours, usually it's a 4-5 hour drive, but of course when dad's driving, we always get to wherever we're going an hour or so early! On the way there, Daulo pass was still looking ever so green with it's luxurious surroundings of habited but untouched forestry, one of natures gifts. We stopped at Kundiaws for we had all unexpectedly forgotten our torches!

We were once again on our way. The road to Betty's Camp/Keglsugo was pretty rough but I'm used to that, besides it's my village. Arriving at beautiful Kelsugo; a name many can't pronounce thus calling it Betty's Camp after Betty Higgins was based there.

The beautiful scenery was a truly divine mixture of nature. The lush green trees, the soft humming of crickets an theloud calls of birds with the cool breezes. Truly magnificent sight.

When we arrived at Betty's Camp unpacking never felt so exciting and adventuruous! Out of the 4 cars that we took, the luggage for the 15 kids all added up to 6 bags.

We lined them up as Betty insisted to cook us some trout before the big adventure. Betty had ssituated herself in some very beaufiful surroundings. Her lodge overlooking the trout fish ponds, the old Keglsugo airstrip, Mt. Wilhem High School against the background green and blue mountains with distance.

After the delicious secret spiced fish (as Betty calls them)m, it was time to go leaving Mum, Dad and the others behind.

Again the girls were the first to trot off. We started the climb! Oh man, walking through the wild and untamed rough forest of Mt. Wilhem was exhausting! I had never in my life climbed a hill so high and seemingly ever going.

Mt. Wilhem is the highest mountain in PNG standing at 4509 metres above sea leavel. There are 3 designated resting places leading to the lake. Before we ever reached the first resting place my sister Nancii and friends Lavina Iarume and Stephanie Andrias insisted that we should rest and so our 6 guides (that dad hired) just looked and laughed and said "OK". Meanwhile, the boys plodded on to the first resting place to await us.