Overview
We were the first to reach the peak, and this was certified by Surnamise authorities. Others tried but were stopped by the difficult to traverse rivers and jungle.
The team consisted of Jim Healy (leader and inspiration, his third attempt to reach Juliana Top summit), Botty Sanches, Guido Robles, Kathleen Lieuw Kie Song, Danielle Buitenweg (also served as expedition cook), and Peter Spiller (only only one not from Suriname -- Saint Augustine, Florida).
We were assisted by four true jungle experts: Menno (Saramaccan Marron Tribe), Winter (Aucan Marron Tribe), Chairu and Daniel (both Trio Amerinndian Tribe)
The
Wilhelmina Gebergte (Wilhelmina Mountains) is a mountain range in central
Suriname that extends about 113 km (70 miles) from west to east. Its highest peak,
Juliana Top, with 1280 m (4200 ft) is also highest for Suriname. It is named after the Queen
Wilhelmina’s daughter.
Route Itenerary
Juliana Top - Suriname (GPS projected/observed coordinates below)
2 to 13 September 2006 - First Successful Expedition
Team Juliana Top:
Jim Healy – Leader
Kathleen Lieuw-Kie-Song, Guido Robles,
Botty Sanches, and Peter Spiller – Team Members
Danielle Buitenweg – Member and Cook
Menno – Saramaccan Marron Tribe
Winter – Aucan Marron Tribe
Chairu – Trio Amerindian Tribe
Daniel – Trio Amerindian Tribe
2 September 2006 (Saturday)
Zorg en Hoop Airstrip, Parimaribo
Kayser Airstrip (Sipaliwini District)
Zuidrivier (South River)
Kamp Temper Falls
3 September 2006 (Sunday)
Kamp Temper Falls
Zuidrivier
Lucierivier (Lucy River)
Kamp Lucie (Helikamp)
4 September 2006 (Monday)
Kamp Lucie
Lucierivier
Overland
Kamp Swamp
5 September 2006 (Tuesday)
Kamp Swamp
Overland
Kamp Hill
6 September 2006 (Wednesday)
Kamp Hill
Overland
Kamp Makka (Thorn Camp)
7 September 2006 (Thursday)
Kamp Makka
Overland
Kamp El Dorado
8 September 2006 (Friday)
Kamp El Dorado
Overland
Kamp Wilhelmina
(dry kamp)
9 September 2006 (Saturday)
Kamp Wilhelmina
Over (and up!) land
Juliana Top
Over (and down!) land
Kamp Wilhelmina
10 & 11 September 2006 (Sunday)
Kamp Wilhelmina
Overland
Kamp Makka
Kamp Makka
Overland
Lucierivier
Kamp Lucie
12 September 2006 (Tuesday)
Kamp Lucie
Lucierivier
Zuidrivier
Kayser Airstrip and Kamp
13 September 2006 (Wednesday)
Kayser Airstrip
Zorg en Hoop Airstrip, Parimaribo
Coordinates
Geprojecteerderoute (planned):
Kayser vliegveld N 03°05,808’
W 056°29,083’
Temper val N 03°19,170’
W 056°48,068’
Heli eiland N 03°28,064’
W 056°34,468’
Kreek N 03°31,820’
W 056°29,950’
JT1 N 03°33,742’
W 056°30,034’
JT2 N 03°36,875’
W 056°31,884’
JT3 N 03°38,520’
W 056°28,150’
JT4 N 03°39,508’
W056°28,575’
JT5 N03°39,925’
W056°29,150’
JulianaTop N 03°39,415’
W056°30,200’
GPSposities loop route: (observed)
14 N03°33,397’
W056°30,235’
17 N03° 34,955’
W056°29,509’
18 N03°35,959’
W056°29,072’
19 N03°37,481’
W056°28,804’
Botty(1130h) N 03°39,890’
W056°29,230’
20(Juliana T) N 03°39,207’
W056°30,017’
Trip Diary
Saturday 2 September 2006 - Private plane from Zorg en Hoop Airstrip, Parimariabo, about 1 1/4 hour flight, to Kayser Airstrip capitol city Paramaribo to primitive Kayser Airstrip. From there by two large dug out canoes down South River to overnight at Kleine Temper (Temper Falls). The canoes were partially emptied, contents portaged, and carefully guided using ropes part way through through the cascades. Very dangerous rapids.
Sunday 3 September 2006 - Portage around the bottom of Temper (about 40 minutes) to a place where it was safe again to have passengers aboard. More falls and rapids. By 10:00 AM we had passed the influx of the West River where we started climbing the Lucie River. Camped on a small island, clear enough not to need brush cutting. Next to it was a flat rock large enough for a helicopter, which we noted in case of need. This turned out to be the only spot during entire expedition where a helicopter could possibly have landed. Excess gear was cashed on the island.
Monday 4 September 2006 - More rapids but with decreasing intensity as we gained altitude. We were looking for a small inlet on the left that was barely visible on Google Earth and a narrow river. Passed it by, returned, and finally found it completely grown over. With some machete work we were in the stream. Within 200 meters the stream was blocked by a large fallen tree. Small sand beach allowed beaching the canoes and easy unloading. Here the overland journey began, and began cutting trail and walking at Noon. Objective was to find a place with water to camp. Camped by a swamp in the rain.
Tuesday 5 September 2006 - MORE TO COME....
External Links
LINK
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