Have you ever climb a mountain, so difficult that it makes you re-think your priorities in life? Or it gives you a deeper realization of your inner self and made a connection within you, so deep that it makes you know more about yourself, your limitation and capabilities? Well, I do and I just did! cool right?!
Gunung Rinjanni is an infamous mountain and an active volcano in Lombok island, Indonesia. It rises to 3,726 meters above sea level, making it the second highest volcano in the country.
April 29, 2016 when our group, composed of 11 high spirited individuals fly from Singapore to Jakarta. Its 1 hour flight to the capital city of Indonesia and another 2 hours domestic flight from Jakarta to Lombok. Everybody is full of positive energy and excitement, good vibes were all over the place. We crack jokes to each other every now and then, full of enthusiasm. All of us prepare for this climb, both physically and psychologically or at least I made some research over the internet, read blogs or watch youtube videos to condition myself on what type of terrain we will be facing.
It was already 11pm in the evening when we reach the hotel of Awenk (our organizer), after the whole day of flying. And upon unloading our backpacks, he made a quick briefing and run thru our climb itinerary while enjoying the juicy mangosteen. Awenk is a local of Lombok, he is our main contact person and organizer for this climb. He operates a hotel family business and a tour guiding agency for groups like us, who want to trek in Gunung Rinjani. His english is good and understandable, very professional and he seems to know what he is talking about. After the briefing we go to our respective rooms, unpack our things and hit the sack to re-charge.
It is almost 10am in the morning of April 30, 2016, when we started the trek. After we were delayed by the truck when it run out of gas along the way. What a better day to start the climb, right! But it didn't brought our hopes down, we're still positive about it, despite the unfortunate circumstances. Shit happens sometime, you know?! We just have to deal with it and move on. And move on we did.
There were 3 POS before reaching the campsite. From jump off point to POS1 and POS2 is an easy to moderate ascent; passing thru vegetable plantation, an open field and grassland, though I almost used up all my trail water because the trail is openly exposed and no shades, its very hot! POS2 to POS3 is moderate to medium but from POS3 to the campsite which is located at the caldera of Rinjani is a steep ascent. The terrain is much alike the Akiki trail of mount Pulag in Kabayan Benguet. There's a tree line of pine trees and from that elevation, you can already see the summit of Rinjani. I was personally amazed by the flora and fauna that surrounded the mountain. Very rich in biodiversity, I even encountered those big birds which I normally saw inside cages and zoo. Monkeys were leaving freely in this mountain, they were protected despite the tourist and hikers flooded the mountain.
I reached the campsite at 7pm in the evening, I was the sweeper and it took me 8hours trekking from the trail head to the campsite. And were not alone, there were other groups as well. A lot actually, that it looks like a tent village at 2500 meters above sea level.
The following day we woke up at 3am for the summit push. Their is only one route to the summit, and as early as that, there was already a very long line of people going up. The terrain to the peak is a sandy and loose rock trail. Every step up, it will slide you half a step down, that's how challenging it was. Plus the high altitude and thin air which make every effort, takes a lot of our energy. Its very difficult to find the rhythm due to this moving terrain along the ridge of the caldera. And drowsiness kicks in, due to cold temperature and high elevation. I almost fall asleep while trekking, good thing the guide walks along with me. I was the sweeper and the rest of the team is ahead, almost at the summit.
Around 8am in the morning, I can visibly see the Philippine flag is waved at the peak. Finally the first group from our team made it to the summit. It boost my morale somehow, and I can visibly see who's waving it. The feeling of excitement and enthusiasm gives me a push to continue. I double my effort, as a look above, full of hope that I could also reach the peak in no time. I am already at 3,500 masl but as I get higher and higher, the terrain gets very loose as well, making it very difficult to manage. I almost lost my patience and consider the idea of going down. But at the back of my head, there was a silent whisper telling me that I've gone this far why not push it a little further to reach the summit. I also come to a point of realizing my priorities, why I get stuck to this hobby. Why I climb mountain, why I spend 700 SGD to suffer this much, why I spend too much on camping equipment. why I do this and why do that and so on. I almost ask all the "why" but deep within me, there was another emotion fighting back, trying to fill in the answer to all this questions in my head. It continuously motivates me to move on. It was like my Ying and Yang coming to life and having a debate with each other, while my reflexes continuously moving up, slowly moving forward and without me realizing it, I was already 10 feet from the marker which reads; TOP MT RINJANI 3726 MDPL, RAUNG CALDERA.
I haven't take breakfast ever since I woke up, no one does because we thought that, we would be back by 9am. We only had cup of tea and 3 pieces of biscuit and a basket of will power, a bag inspiration and a sack motivation within us. All the questions were answered as I reach the highest point of Mt Rinjani at 11am in the morning. And from the peak, I saw the trail, I saw all my hardship, all the efforts I put into. Then I ask myself; was it worth all the energy and calories burned? Everything for just a piece of rocky plateau at the top; no flying confetti or no medal or even buffet to feast for this accomplishment. Was it worth it? Hell yeah!!! I could never ask for more, reaching the summit above the sea of clouds. Peace, contentment and solemnity envelopes the entire surroundings. The stillness of the clouds, so white and so pure, brings tranquility and relaxation. It was more than what I paid for.
There is an old saying in mountaineering that, "Going to the summit is optional, but going down is mandatory. So after taking pictures, we go down using the same route. But this time, its faster and easier using the law of gravity. We slide down thru the sandy trail and loose rocks, and balance ourselves all the way to the campsite. We arrive there almost 2pm in the afternoon.
We go down on the same day to POS3 and camp for the night there. We were blessed by a clear moonless night, with only stars above us shines like christmas lights twinkling in the night. And the next morning we go down to Sembalun village and ended our adventure to this beautiful mountain.
- for foriegn climbers, it will be more convenient to hire a guide and porters. It makes a lot easier if someone will carry your water supply and prepare your meals. You need to conserve energy and save it for the summit push.
- Small backpack or assault pack is a necessity for the summit push and you will need to bring water and trail foods
- Sun block and arm warmers is a must, at 3000 masl the sun is very hot, you may not notice it but it can burn your skin.
- Trekking pole, it will make your life easier blazing thru the sandy trail and loose rocks.
- Jacket and warm clothing for layering is a must. at 3000 masl temperature may drop for as low as single digit and cold temperature is the main ingredient for hypothermia.
- There were monkeys roaming freely on the camp site, always keep your personal belongings inside your tent
- Bring a lot of will power, motivation and your fully charge self.
- Bring lots and lots of patience with you, you're life depends on it. Believe me!
- Enjoy the view, you don't see it everyday. Have fun!!!
Photo contributors: Mam Tere, Ser Arnel, Ser Kid at Manong Guide
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