Hotmin Mission Station, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

Hotmin is a Mission Station established by Missionaries back then and exist today which is located at the boarder of East and West Sepik Provinces in Papua New Guinea(PNG).

Hotmin is one of the remote villages in the East and West Sepik Provinces amongst other remote villages in other provinces of PNG. It lies along one of the Major Rivers in the Sepik Region known as May River. The main medium of transport is by river utilising the wooden dug-out canoes with 20-40 horsepower motors  attached at the end of the canoes. They also use wooden paddles to paddle the canoes to travel through the Rivers.

Travelling on rivers takes almost a week to reach Wewak Town which is the Capital City of East Sepik Province. They start at May River towards North-East direction to Waringai and Mowi where the May River Meets the Sepik River which is one of the Largest Rivers in PNG. Going with the current to Wewak is quite quick and easy but coming back to Hotmin is a bit of challenge for locals as they go againts the river current which needs more energy. They also have access to Vanimo if they travel upstream from Waringai along the Sepik River and exit at certain locations where they take PMVs to Vanimo Town which is the Capital City of West Sepik/Sandaun Province.

The other medium of transport to have access to Hotmin is of course by Air Transport. Fly into Hotmin by fixed wing airplanes or by choppers.  In the past the missionaries used fixed wing airplanes but this is no more in operation due to the rundown of the Hotmin Airstrip. However, choppers are flown into this village regularly by Mineral Exploration companies like Highlands Pacific, PanAust, Xrata,Niuminco, Minco and the list goes on. Flying in by chopper from Boram Airport in Wewak would take about 1 hour and 30 minutes on a good weather pattern. 

Fly  in from Kiunga or Tabubil in the Western Province which is the shortest route and would take roughly 30 to 50 minutes but this route is quite risky due to regular cloud cover and highrainfall over the Star Mountain ranges. Choppers also fly in from Mount Hagen at the Kagamuga International Airport which will take approximately  2 – 3 hours but this is not safe as it is a bit long journey.

Fly in from Frieda Airstrip of Frieda Base Camp for PanAust Limited would take about 10 to 15 minutes.

Areal Picture of Hotmin Village (Part of the Village) 

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Waghi River (Gumanch River)

The some of the headwaters that springs out from Mount Mul are: Yuu, Wuip, Rurulg,Kuma, Gumanch, Paiyer, Ambulg,Kintip,Petaka, Kumbula and few other tributaries to Baiyer River (Paiyer).

Kuma Creek starts at  the opposite and west of Paiyer River. Only one mountain range separates them. Futher to Kuma creek is Gumanch which further West of Kuma. Kuma and Gumanch meet together at Wekmulg near Kwip and thereafter the river is known as Gumanch until it meets Waghi River. The Waghi River then flows collectively with other tributaries along Western Highlands Province, Jiwaka Province, Simbu Province and Gulf Province that eventually known to be Rurari River that meets the sea at Gulf of Papua.

Google Map of Gumanch River Starts 

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Baiyer River (Paiyer River - Wara Paiyer) in Western Highlands Province, PNG

Baiyer River is one of the largest River in the province. It comes out from a cluster of boulders as a little spring located right at the top of Mount Mul (Mul Komonga). The spot is decorated with grasses and colourful flowers that spreads the top of the mountain. The starting name of the creek is known as Paiyer which eventually known along certain kilometres from Mul - Baiyer and then it is known as Baiyer River from Baiyer to Lumusa and extends further to Lai and Sepkik River.

On the other side of the same mountain range is a spring known as Kuma. Kuma is separated by another mountain range and there comes out the Gumanch River. Kuma and Gumanch meet together at Wekmulg near Kwip and thereafter the river is known as Gumanch until it meets Waghi River.

There are also several varied coloured pools that  naturally exist just at the side of the mountain top of Mul.

The Paiyer River flows along the thick forest of Mul until it reaches first village known as Marapana then followed by Tagla and Keiya Ralg. It then follows further down and meet tributaries known as Pup and Kela at Wara Village. It flows along the tribes of Mele and Nenga. The next known tributaries are Ramund, Kintip, Petaka, Kumbula, Kunim, Hurmil that extend to the tribe of Kumdi along Rugli and Nengil, Boor, Kombolopa.

As the tributaries increase in numbers along its gravitational flow, the size and current of the river increases. At the head waters, it is easy to cross over but at certain kilometres after Bukapena Village, it is quite a challenge to cross the Paiyer river easily.

The Paiyer River reaches  miles along the Mul Baiyer and Lumusa. The name Paiyer River changes to Baiyer River once it reaches Baiyer and Lumusa Districts.

The next tribes that the Baiyer River reaches are Enga Kumbu, Enga Maip, Ukuni, Kopi, K-Witi and several other tribes of Enga Baiyer along Kaldeta, Rupanda, Baiyer Zoo, Kumbris etc.

The Baiyer River further extends North East and meets Lai River, Muka River along  Koles, Wadji, Tamo in the East Sepik Province, Sipisipi, Bun, Biwat and eventually meets the Sepik River at Arangumam Moim and Kambrindo Villages near Angoram in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea.

Baiyer River starts at Mount Mul (Mt.Hagen), in the Mul District of Western Highlands Province, PNG. Likewise, Purari River starts from Mount Mul.

Map of Mount Mul

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Mount Mul (Hagen) Hosts Headwaters of two Major Rivers in PNG, The Purari River and the Sepik River.

Mount Mul seem to be the center of Papua New Guinea. Mount Mul hosts two headwaters that contribute to the two biggest rivers in PNG, namely: Purari River and Sepik River. The headwaters that contribute are: Gumanch and Nebilyer -(Trulg, Yu, Waip) contribute to Purari River and Paiyer with other tributaries contribute to Baiyer River that joins with Sepik River.

The next article will be in detail on which places the rivers (Purari River and Baiyer River) touches until it ends up in the sea.

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