Somebody said, “When you want to travel with others, start by looking for congenial companions, not for desirable destinations.” In my case it was relatively simple. I have been traveling with this group of mature, congenial friends of different backgrounds for years. Two common threads holds us together. One is a shared interest in trekking. The second is the pleasant memories of past trekking trips dating as far back as a decade. I like this bunch. They are wonderful people and I feel relaxed with them, even though a few new “trekkies” joined in recent years.
Zoe and Linda (the group leader)Vincent and JudithNellieYu Ting and JudithEric and VincentMichael and JaneKenny and Jenny
These folks typically plan for 4-5 trekking trips a year. This year they have plans to go to the Everest Base Camp and to climb the Pinnacles near the Mulu Caves. I usually join them for at least one trip a year. This Rinjani trek was the big one for me this year. I have missed out on quite a few interesting ones in recent years because the planned dates clashed with church priorities. Hopefully next year I can make it for at least one of the big trips.
Mt Rinjani (3,726m) is second highest active volcano in Indonesia
Loose volcanic gravel coupled with frustration is the big challenge of summiting Gunung Rinjani, the second tallest active volcano in Indonesia. At 3,726 m, not a frightening height, it is the fifth tallest mountain in Indonesia. The three tallest mountains are all in Papua province.
We have made what we thought was adequate preparation but the mental challenge was what was most crucial. We had been training weekly at Bukit Timah Hill, and did a few endurance treks, in addition to two treks to Gunung Belumut and Gunung Lambak in Kluang, Johor. We did staircases during the weekdays too. At least I tried. This physical training was all necessary but the desire, the determination to summit was the crucial piece that was the crown of all preparations.
Easy walk in grasslands at the beginningThen the hills get steep and mistyDrizzles and mist and constant change of apparel
The trek began with pleasant grasslands and rolling hills, cloudy and misty weather and some drizzles. The hills gradually became three steep uphill climbs to reach the Sembalun crater rim where we set up camp, ate, rested and prepared for the final ascent to the summit at 2am the next morning. This was outside my comfort zone – living in tents. Most of us used wet wipes to clean ourselves, changed our clothes and used a miner’s torch to pack ready for the ascent. I slept soundly to my pleasant surprise.
Thank God for porters who got everything ready before you reach Sembalun crater rim.Tuna lemak with white rice tasted like lontong.
We woke at 2am but preparations, breakfast and getting all geared up caused a delay and we started at 4am. It would be too late to catch the sunrise. I did not mind. I planned to trek at a pace I am comfortable with. I do not mind reaching the summit after sunrise. And so it was that I reached the summit with my wife and three other friends at about 12 noon.
Trekking up at 5 am with head torchGlorious sunrise came before we could reach the peakRinjani sunrise arrests your attentionSengara Anak crater lake is beautiful and so is the newly formed mountain in its foregroundShort breaks to re-energize and re-hydrate
What was supposed to have taken us 3 hours took some of us 8 hours. Of course along the way we took in the sights, the sunrise, and the scenery and took numerous photographs. The journey was to be enjoyed and there was no prize for the fastest. The toughest stretch was a 1 km slope of loose gravel to the peak. This took us several hours. It looked so near but it took so long and so much out of you. It was one long, frustrating plod. Three steps forward, two steps back. The incline was about 60-80 degrees. The ground was soft, and the gravel was loose, and our feet kept sinking backwards. It was frustrating till the very end. However, you see others ahead of you, and some at the top, and talk to some on the way down, and that encourages you to keep going.
The last 1 km was tedious, frustrating and morale sappingThere is always that “a bit more” before we reach the summit.
Lord, strengthen my legs and my hands. Guide my feet to solid ground. Bring me to the summit. Help me to get up there. With patience and endurance, my wife and I got there and were filled with relief that the worst was over, and we made it to the summit. We were the last group to be there – we took our photos peacefully and quietly. Setting your heart to reach the top was vital. The rest was God’s grace and moving step by step in the right direction.
Kenny, Ye Ping, Jenny, Eric, Judith – the last ones at the summit.The day after – having breakfast.Makeshift $10 toilet with a million dollar viewLovely spectacular views of the volcanic crater lake.
We started on 28 April (Monday) and ended on 1 May (Thursday). We stayed three nights in tents in the mountains. The first and second night we stayed at the crater rim: Plawangan Sembalun. It overlooked the beautiful Segara Anak crater lake. On the third night, we clawed our way to Pos III along the Senaru route and camped there. There we spent the last night and looked forward to the short trek back through the equatorial forest back to civilization and the Villa Ombak Hotel Resort on Gili Trawangan.
I am still packing. Packing is always a chore that has to be done. A list of items. Searching for some rarely used items in the storage. Buying some stuff. Organizing which goes into the bag that the porters will carry and which goes into the bag in the hotel and which goes into the bag you are carrying. From miners torch, to woolen gloves, to camera and energy bars – you want to be sure everything you need will be inside.
Tomorrow at dawn the MaxiCab will take me and four others to the Changi Airport Terminal 2. From there we fly to the island of Lombok, east of island of Bali, in Indonesia. There is a challenging climb up the volcano called Gunung Rinjani (literally mount princess). I will get to admire my Father’s world. Marred by sin, His world is still beautiful and wonderful and awesome. Imagine the new earth and the new heavens!
As usual the ascent of the peak is a challenge. And so is the overnight camping in tents for three nights. However when I look at some of the photos and videos of the crater lake and the volcano, the pleasure and delight ahead outweigh the hardship of weeks of training, and of the trek itself.
So here I go for a whole week. I hide under the shadow of the Almighty – and that is a very big shadow, like a huge mother ship in the sky, watching and backing us up. Praise God.
