Friday, October 29, 2010

Mount Semeru (Part III) - Kalimati to Semeru Peak to Ranupani


Mount Semeru (Part I) - Ranu Pane to Ranu Kumbulo
Mount Semeru (Part II) - Ranu Kumbulo to Kalimati post
Mount Semeru (Part III) - Kalimati post to Semeru Peak to Ranu Pane
Mount Semeru (Part IV) - Ranu Pane to Bromo


Compared with previous entry, this entry has the least picture in it. Which would self explain the difficulty in ascending this mountain peak.


Kalimati Basecamp at midnight
Kalimati Basecamp at midnight

We start from Kalimati post (2700m) around 1am. We reach Arcapada camp (2900m) 1.5 hour later. Arcapada is also sometimes spelled/pronounced as Arcopodo. Between Kalimati and Arcapada is a mildly dense pine forest. At some point the trekking path remind me of the path between Kem Pacat to Puncak Pengasih at Nuang Mount back in Malaysia although the Nuang trek is far more extreme.

The dangerous part is when you nearing Arcapada (upper) as there is several dangerous ravine on both side. There is a notorious 75m drop ravine not far from Arcapada camp (nickname Blank 75) which had claim several lives previously. But as long as you stay within the designated track you should be safe. You should keep a close distance with your trekking partner/group all the times here.

After reaching Arcapada, the next point is Cemara Tunggal which is about 45 minutes from Arcapada. Previously there is a lone Cemara tree here (which is why the place called Cemara Tunggal, Tunggal = single/lone) but the tree has fallen down few month ago as reported here.

From here the nightmare begin. High altitude compounded the difficulty. Because of the loose soil combined together with the steep slope, it is difficult to hike for a few step without sliding down back. Loosing 1 step for every two step taken is common. At one point i loose several metres sliding down. Such scenario will leave you fully exhausted by the time you reach summit. But the greater the effort the greater the victory feeling. Some of my friends even thought I wont make it as I take longer time to reach the peak compared to them.

View wise.. the landscape & panorama during the sunrise & early morning is the most amazing view i ever witnessed... It is far more magical and breathtaking compared to rinjani/sibayak/kawah ijen.. the feeling is inexplained.. (even though each of this location is special in their own way).. there were one instant i sit for several minutes just enjoying the breathtaking scenery.. badluck my camera bag is not with me as one of the helpful guide already took my camera bag due to my slowness in hiking up.. :|

I should credit my success to the ever helpful guide especially Mas Candra who patiently accompany me in my ascend (& descent) and also Mas Kaboel & Mas Danang who help in every possible way that they can. I am deeply indebted to them.

Semeru Peak @ 3676m
Semeru peak (3676m) with small eruption from Kawah Jonggring Saloko

After enjoying the peak for a while,and as thick cloud and fog already surrounded the mountain peak, we descent down. Rest for a while at Kalimati and then proceed going out from mountain area until we reach civilization back at Ranupani village.

My conclusion, it was a tough mountain, but not too hard to hike as long as you prepare yourself physically. Two weeks prior to this trip i went jogging for at least 10-15km/day  but for me it is still not enough as i was in leisure lifestyle for several month (fasting month followed by aidilfitri festival month).

I also realized later that my body suffer from AMS due to dehidration as dehidration deter your body from acclimitazing. I slowly get back to my normal hiking/trekking rhythm/speed when my body get adequate water. Always make sure that your body had enough water supply. Learn more about AMS before climbing any mountain more than 3000m height. Sleepless night, dizzyness,queasiness, inability to breath properly is among the AMS sympthoms.

Edelweiss, Bunga Langka nan Abadi
Edelweiss, Bunga Langka nan Abadi - a common flora within mountaineous area in Indonesia


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Mount Semeru (Part II) - Ranu Kumbulo to Kalimati


Mount Semeru (Part I) - Ranu Pane to Ranu Kumbulo
Mount Semeru (Part II) - Ranu Kumbulo to Kalimati post
Mount Semeru (Part III) - Kalimati post to Semeru Peak to Ranu Pane
Mount Semeru (Part IV) - Ranu Pane to Bromo


2nd day.. after few hours of photographing the tranquil Ranu Kumbulo, we start to trek toward Kalimati Post. Ranu Kumbulo to Kalimati just need around 3 hours of leisure trekking through a beautiful open savannah (45-60 minutes).. mythical pinus jungle  (1-1.5 hour) and edelweiss flower area (called jambangan edelweiss area) (45-60 minutes)

This trekking section is very mild and leisure as the kalimati post is only at 2700m and Ranu Kumbulo is already at around 2400m. Just an additional 300m of vertical height added through out 3 hours of trekking.

Tanjakan Cinta, en route to Kalimati (Mt Semeru)
In this picture hiker climbing Tanjakan Cinta, the starting point from Ranu Kumbulo towards Kalimati post. Maybe this is the only mildly streneous part en route to Kalimati from Ranu Kumbulo.

Savannah area (en route to Mount Semeru)
Immediately after Tanjakan Cinta, you will be presented by an open beautiful savannah. You will also able to see Mount Semeru at the backdrop. Seem near but require another 3 hours of leisure trekking.

Savannah area (en route to Mount Semeru)
Savannah

Savannah (enroute to Mount Semeru)
Savannah

Foggy Kalimati Post (en route to Mount Semeru)
Kalimati post which is often foggy. But when its clear you can see Mount Semeru peak clearly from post.

Kalimati  (2700m) is the common basecamp for people summitting to Mount Semeru. There is another alternatif higher camp called Arcapada (2900m) (sometime spelled/pronounced as Arcopodo) which is a basecamp within the final part of pinus jungle before the Peak but rarely the local porter would like to go there as there is no water point available there.  Within Kalimati there is a nearby waterpoint called sumbermani is is 20 minutes away from the post. Observing the porter (either from our team or other team, immediately after arriving at this post 2/3 would go to cut some firewood while another 1/3 would go fetch some water.





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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Mount Semeru (Part I) - Ranupani to Ranu Kumbulo


Mount Semeru (Part I) - Ranu Pane to Ranu Kumbulo
Mount Semeru (Part II) - Ranu Kumbulo to Kalimati post
Mount Semeru (Part III) - Kalimati post to Semeru Peak to Ranu Pane
Mount Semeru (Part IV) - Ranu Pane to Bromo


This is unplanned hiking expedition in 2010. What i mean by unplanned is the decision taken to hike is less than 3 month. The original plan by the original team is actually to go to Bromo and Kawah Idjen. But due to some poison.. they 'upgraded' their plan to hike semeru and later i join their expedition team..   What a wonderful experience.. For this expedition, Mas Huda aka Mas Kaboel is our guide assisted by his friend, Mas Candra and Mas Danang.

The first part of the expedition to Semeru is a 12km jungle trekking from Ranupani to Ranu Kumbulo. The path goes along the zigzag hill slope where the steepness is minor to moderate.  There is four hut erected along the way. The trekking duration is around 3-5 hours depending on your speed and resting time. (first hut is about 4km from the entrance.. 2nd hut is a mere 2km from the first hut..  the next is located at about 3km.. and the last hut is facing ranu kumbulo lake - this is only estimation)

Ranu kumbulo is a beautiful place with a medium large lake.  The place is surrounded by other high hill with a V shape at the east side. Located at a relatively high altitude of around 2390m, this area feature alpine like fauna. It is far more picturesque and beautiful if compared with the small lake of Ranu Pane and Ranu Regulo (blogged here during previous trip) at Ranupani Village.

Ranu Kumbulo is the common first camp site for hiker going to Mount Semeru. There is two small house available here which can be used by camper. We camped here. During the night, if the sky is clear.. you can enjoy seing the star.. if you want you can try to do startrail too here (which we did at around 1am until early morning.. :D)

Landscape of Ranu Kumbulo
The view of Ranu Kumbulo from the V shape entry point

Ranu Kumbulo
Side view of our camp site

Ranu Kumbulo, en route to Mount Semeru
Another side view of our campsite

Startrail @ Ranu Kumbulo (en route to Mount Semeru)
Startrail during the night.. taken for about an hour duration

Next day.. while preparing to go for the next destination (kalimati).. found a memorial for Andika Listyono Putra just before tanjakan cinta.. you can read more about him in the news link.. Every mountaineering expedition would involve some risk. What we can do is to minimize the risk. Saying that, after successfully scaled Semeru to the peak.. i would say that Mount Semeru is not an ordinary weekend mountain. You need to prepare yourself physically and be careful not to stray off the safe/correct path. Must always stay in a group especially between kalimati-peak area where you can easily get lost and might be fatally stranded in deep ravine.

In memory of Andika Listyono Putra
In memory of Andika Listyono Putra, may him rest in peace
News 1 | News 2 | News 3 | News 4

Ranu Kumbulo, en route to Mount Semeru
Another scenery of Ranu Kumbulo just before Tanjakan Cinta.. you can see the V shape clearly from here.. that is the entrance from ranupani direction


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Sunday, October 10, 2010

Khai Nui Island (Phuket Part III)

Phuket | Khai Nui Island
Rocky structure at one part of the Khai Nui island

Khai Nui island is the final  island we visit in the island hopping package.. An interesting pristine small island with white sandy beaches... with the colourful fishes follow until the edge of the sea... scrambling to get a bite of our bread ..

Phuket | Khai Nui Island
Crystal clear water along white sandy beaches


Phuket | Relaxing @ Khai Nui Island
You need to pay the rent for each seat... didnt remember the price though..


Phuket | Feeding fish @ Khai Nui Island
My family feeding the fish with bread.. my son became scared abit after awhile.. hehe


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