Volcanoes in Java
Java doesn't have wilderness areas to compete with the Indonesian
Outer Islands (with a population of 100+ million on an island only
700km long and about 100km across it's a bit hard), but it has lots
of attractive volcanoes. None of them need equipment to climb, and
some have well maintained tracks to the summit. After a warm up on
Tangkuban Prahu (near Bandung), I climbed six big volcanoes in all.
Merapi |
Lawu |
Liman |
Arjuna & Welirang |
Semeru |
Raung & Ijien
Merapi
From Kaliurang this is a full 2000m climb over about 5 km (it's much
easier climbing from the North, from Selo), and a real leg-killer.
(The last 600m climb is all rock-scrambling.) Christian Awuy (at
the Vogel Homestay) gives talks every night at 7pm on the climb, and
hands out good quality sketch maps, so you don't need maps. Don't
try this solo, but 5-15
people climb every night (starting at 1am) so that's not a problem.
I did the climb with a young British couple, and it took us 13 hours
walking altogether. Merapi is *VERY* active, so
it may not be safe to climb right to the summit. Good views.
About two months after I climbed Merapi, it exploded!
Volcano World has details (and photos).
Lawu
The easiest of them all. It's about 1500m up from the pass, and
there are apparently two tracks up, one 8km long and the other 12km.
The 8km track is really well maintained, and lots of people do the
climb, so it would be quite safe to do this one solo, and you
certainly don't need a guide (as I found out too late!).
It took me just 3 hours going up and two coming down. Nothing really
scenic at the top (piles of garbage left by climbers).
Liman
This is the lowest of the big seven peaks from Merapi eastwards, but I found it
tough going. I was carrying all my gear (I planned to go over the
range to Kediri, starting from Sawahan - over 25km)
and the climb was hot and
exposed. My guide ended up piking, so I had to turn back. This was
more like walking in Australia than anything else I did in Indonesia.
There's a nice waterfall (Sedudo) near Sawahan. No real views.
Arjuna and Welirang
Scenically probably the nicest of the peaks, with rainforest on the west
slopes and open forest on the east and a chain of four peaks (with the
big ones at the ends) to provide interesting views.
I did this with full equipment and
camped out at the sulphur gatherers' shelter at Welirangan (where there
are huge piles of yellow sulphur everywhere). I climbed from Sumberbrantas
(only about 1500m ascent)
and descended to Lawang (at 2500m and 20km rather painfull on the legs).
You can also climb from Tretes or from the Southwest. Welirang has an
active smokehole. Great views.
Semeru
This is the highest peak in Java and the second highest peak in Indonesia
outside Irian (almost 3700m). I based myself at Rano Pani, and took two
days to climb Semeru (with a guide). The walk goes past a lovely
lake at Rano Kumbolo, and would have been really nice except that bushfires
had devasted the forest. Great views of the top in all directions.
Volcano World (with photos)
Argopuro
I didn't have time to climb Argopuro, but apparently it can be climbed
from North, the West or from Jember.
Raung & Ijien
Due to bushfires I couldn't climb Raung, but Ijien is probably more scenic
anyway, with a beautiful crater lake. The plateau is heavily cultivated
but has quite a few lakes and mountains I didn't have time to see.
It can be reached directly by bus and truck
from the west (from Bondowoso), but you have to walk down/up 8km or so to
th east (Banyuwangi).
There are several National Park (PHPA) guesthouses on the plateau.
Volcano World (photos, information).
If you want more information (on getting hold of maps, where to
find water, etc.) send me email and I'll happily help you out.
Danny Yee
([email protected])