Editing Seven Summits (section)

=== Safety and climbing preference ===
In terms of safety and preference for climbers, Western countries' reactions to the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] has affected Western climbers' ability to travel to Russia, making [[Mount Elbrus|Elbrus]] less attractive. Similarly, Puncak Jaya in New Guinea has been closed due to security concerns and the risks posed by ongoing tribal conflicts and mining operations. These challenges have prevented climbers from accessing the area, further complicated by a security lockdown since August 2019. The situation escalated in February 2023 when Papuan rebels of [[Free Papua Movement]] took New Zealand pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens hostage, an event known as [[Nduga hostage crisis]], signaling a new level of risk for foreigners in New Guinea highlands.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Miss you both': New Zealand pilot held hostage in Papua for over a year speaks to family in new video |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2024/02/14/philip-mark-mehrtens-west-papua-liberation-army-new-video/72590135007/ |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref> The rebels' declaration of ''"all foreigners are now target"'' marked an intensification of the conflict, making travel to New Guinea highly advised against. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayberry |first=Kate |title=New Zealand pilot kidnapping exposes Indonesia's Papua 'hotspot' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/5/new-zealand-pilot-kidnapping-exposes-indonesias-papua-hotspot |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> Consequently, many climbers postponed their expedition to climb Carstensz Pyramid until the regional conflict subsides.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Corlett |first=Eva |date=2024-02-07 |title=New Zealand pilot kidnapped a year ago in West Papua will be freed, rebel group says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/07/kidnapped-nz-pilot-phillip-mehrtens-release-west-papua |access-date=2024-04-14 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In summary, the [[Mount Wilhelm]] version of the Seven Summits currently presents the safest option for climbers, avoiding travel to Russia and New Guinea. [[Papua New Guinea]] remains a relatively safer option for mountaineers, and Mount Wilhelm offers an excellent high mountain expedition experience as the highest peak in [[Oceania]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 April 2024 |title=Climbing the Seven Summits: Which mountaineering challenge variation is the safest? |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/climbing-the-seven-summits-which-mountaineering-challenge-variation-is-the-safest |access-date=14 April 2024 |website=The Himalayan Times}}</ref>