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New York City Headquarters Presidents' and Special Lectures First Encounter in Papua New Guinea
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Presidential Dinner Lecture - "First Encounter! Rainforest Dwellers and Westerners Meet in Papua New Guinea's Highlands" by Fritz Selby FE'88
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| Date: |
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 |
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| Time: |
6:00pm-9:30pm |
| Open to: | Members of The Explorers Club and their guests |
| Time Details: | 6 PM Cocktails
7 PM Dinner
8:15 PM Lecture |
| Location: | The Explorers Club
46 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021 |
| Detailed Description: | In September, 2007, after a lengthy trek over heights, through a dense rainforest, and down a steep trail of slippery red clay, a group of 14, accompanied by native guides, arrived at a small settlement in a forest region of Papua New Guinea's Highlands.
The village “elder” headman, through an interpreter, indicated it was the first meeting between the indigenous inhabitants and Westerners. Explorers Club members Dan Bennett MN'02, Will Harte MN'01, Garrett Bowden MR'76, Roland Puton MR'87, Mark Kassner MR'03 and Harvey Oyer MN'07 witnessed this extraordinary meeting with the tribal chief. Boar tusks protruded from his nostrils as he sat on the ground with Fritz Selby FE'88.
That the Highlands region was populated was not discovered until the 1930’s, for thick brush and leafy trees hid the bamboo and thatch dwellings. Then, as well as in the present, there was no need for the villagers to approach the outside world. The forest provided food, shelter, and protection from neighboring tribes.
The slide lecture portrays the indigenous people of several settlements on the path of the group’s trek, and the tribes’ ceremonial garb.
Also discussed is the Kokoda Track – scene of a high mountain conflict between the Japanese invaders, in 1942, and the young Australians who saved Papua New Guinea from the enemy. The expedition members’ visit to the resting place of the fallen Aussies is shown.
Ambassador Robert Aisi of Papua New Guinea will initiate the evening with a brief address and the Explorers Club flag will be returned to President Dan Bennett.
Fritz Selby’s lectures on Mongolia, Dolpo (Nepal), Bhutan, the Sherpas, Kilimanjaro and the Maasai, the Dolomites, the Haute Route over the Alps, and the History of Mountaineering were sellouts. Please assure your attendance by making your reservations early.
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| Reservation Notes: | Members may make reservations by emailing reservations@explorers.org or by calling 212-628-8383.
Payment must accompany reservation. |
| Reservation Deadline: | Monday, December 10 |
| Cancelation Deadline: | Monday, December 10 |
| Contact Email: | reservations@explorers.org |
| Member Ticket Price: | $60 |
| Guest Ticket Price: | $65 |
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