Rinjani, Agung, and Senggigi

Gunung Rinjani: 3726m AMSL, active volcano
Geographic Location: Lombok, Indonesia
Date climbed: 07.09.2003 - 14.09.2003
Team members: Fiona, Venetia, and David
Guide & cook: Macih
Porters: Lahublair, Said

Day 1: Singapore - Mataram - Senaru

We arrived and met at Changi Airport near the check in row of SilkAir in Terminal 2 at around 1:30pm. After checking in and going through the custom, we rushed to McDonald's to grab our lunch before going to the gate. Our flight, MI 226Q, took off for a 2.5 hours journey to Lombok at about 3pm. By the time we arrived at Selaparang Airport and cleared custom, it was already 6:00pm. We were received by Ashuni from Rinjani Trek Centre, Suma the trek agent, and a driver. From Mataram to Senaru is another 2.5 hours drive, and the sky was already dark when we arrived at our homestay, Pondok Senaru (650m). We briefly met our guide, Macih, and had dinner before retiring to our room. The shower was cold as there was no hot water supply.

Day 2: Senaru - Sembalun Lawang - Plawangan II Base Camp

0600	We woke up to the beautiful morning view at Pondok Senaru to have breakfast and prepare for the trek. From Pondok Senaru we can see Gunung Rinjani and a waterfall not too far away.
0650	We took the Jeep for another 2 hours ride to Sembalun Lawang. The road was winding and Fiona developped motion sickness. At the middle of the journey we encountered a Jeep of a British couple gotten stuck in the dirt road and our porters and guide had to go down to help pushing the vehicle.
0800	Arrived at the Sembalun Trek Centre for the registration and park fee payment. There are signboards here describing the evolution of Gunung Rinjani, the 1994 erruption of Gunung Baru in the Rinjani Lake, and the estimated trekking hours from one post to the other.
0815	Finished registration at the Sembalun Trek Centre and arrived at the trail head. We started trekking from the trail head at a height of 1200m. We went through a vast grassland, with some of the grasses as tall as my shoulder level. It was quite obvious that it hasn't been raining for quite a while as the grasses were all brownish in color.
1005	We arrived at POS I at a height of 1450m and stopped for a short break to have some snacks and take some pictures. The next Post is 1 hour away, and Macih told us we still have 5 hours before we reach the base camp. The weather in the morning was hot and there wasn't any trees along the way to provide any shades, so the hut was a much welcomed relief. The British couple were resting here. We rested here for about half an hour.
1100	POS II was just beside a dried up stream and there was a hut here too. Macih decided to stop here for lunch. He said that the usual lunch point was at POS III but there was no water there. There was no water here as well, and our porters Lahublair and Said went further up stream to collect water before they started cooking lunch. Macih laid the ground sheet for us, and Fiona and Venetia decided to take a nap while waiting for the food. At this time clouds began to form in the sky but it was still hot. We left the place at about 1250.
1330	We arrived at POS III at an altitude of 1835m. The hut here was in better shape with its wooden base still intact. The British couple who didn't stop at POS II were resting here too. We stopped for some oranges and snacks. This would be the last hut before the steep climb to the crater rim.
1630	The trail up was tough and streneous as the ground was covered with loose pebbles and volcanic ashes, and was quite slippery. The pace set by Fiona was fast and by the time we reached the crater rim, I was feeling exhausted. After sitting down and took a banana and some water, the wind became stronger and I felt cold even under the hot sun, so much so that my arms began to feel numb. To keep myself warm I decided to move on while others were resting. I felt much better when I reached the Plawangan II junction. There is a path here going up leading to the summit base camp and another path down leading to the caldera and lake. From here we could have a clear view of the summit ridge. I stopped to take some pictures, and the others caught up with me at about 1645.
1700	We finally arrived at the base camp (2700m). There were already people camping here, and Macih chose a spot to setup our tents. We rested and took more pictures while waiting for our dinner. The view in the evening was beautiful looking down to the crater lake and the cloud formations. To the west we could see Gunung Agung, the highest mountain in Bali, at a distance. The dinner was surprisingly good. It was fried rice with 2 pieces of fried chicken and a fried egg, and they were very delicious. Later we learnt that Macih had actually worked as a chef before in a restaurant. We slept early at about 2030 to prepare for summit the next morning.

 

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