Sugapa

We began our trek in Sugapa. We were going to trek via Ilago but fighting over the election forced us to change our route. To get to Sugapa, we flew from Bali to Biak Island. From there we flew to Nabire, then Nabire to Sugapa. In Sugapa, we held a porter selection process. It seemed the entire town showed up. Those who were not selected were not happy and when we tried to ride motor cycles out of Sugapa to begin our trek to base camp, they stopped us with machetes in hand and demanded we pay to pass. The negotiations were lengthy and eventually we aborted our attempt to leave Sugapa that day. Instead, we left at 5am the next morning and sped out as fast as possible. The sound of our motorcycles woke up the extortionists and they raced to stop us. Fortunately, we were only blocked once before continuing on our way.

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