Mount
Semeru is the highest volcano in Java Island. The altitude is around 3,676
meters above sea level and become an active volcano. The position of the
mountain is between Lumajang and Malang Regency and the crater of the mountain
consists of two craters, i.e. inactive crater and active crater in Jonggring
Seloka which is located at the southeast of the peak of the mountain.
Permission before Climbing
When
you intent to climb Mount Semeru, you will need permission letter at the office
of Bromo Tengger Semeru. This permission is needed to monitor and supervise the
traffic of the climbing and anticipation to contact the family or organization
if something happen.
Thus,
you need to prepare some documents, such as identity, filling the form,
statement that you are healthy from the doctor or hospital, ticket, filling
guest book, and filling the form of the stuffs you bring to climb Mount Semeru.
Transportation to Climb Mount Semeru
The
transportation to Mount Semeru is through Tumpang Office STPN II in Malang. The
climbers can ride the train from Kota Baru Station in Malang City. Or, you can
take minibus ADL and AMG and get down in Arjosari Terminal in Malang for about
15 minutes.
From
Arjosari Terminal, you can ride white transportation to Tumpang – Arjosari for
about 45 minutes and get down in Tumpang Market Terminal. Then, you can
continue the journey by a jeep or a truck to Ranu Pane for about two hours by
paying IDR30,000 or US$3. Or, if you want easy way, you can rent a car by
paying IDR450,000 or US$45.
Route to Mount Semeru
Ranupane – Ranukumbolo
Ranupane
Village that has altitude 2,100 meters is the last village and becomes checking
post to report all of climbers when they plan to climb Mount Semeru. The
village is also become the shelter for climbers to stay overnight and rest. Besides
that, Ranupane is also kind of small villages that become part of Tengger tribe
village. Most of them are farmers. Actually, there are two common routes that
are used, i.e.
The
common shortcuts that are used by local climbers are quite cliffs because it
through Gunung Ayek-ayek. The initial route is sloping and climbers will go
along the slope which is dominated by grasses and shrubs. There is no signpost
but the climber can follow the sign. Along the route, you will find fallen
trees and branches so that you have to bow your body. Finally, the route will
be ended at Ranukumbolo.
The
other track that often to be passed by climbers is Watu Rejeng. The route can
be taken for about 4 – 5 hours. Actually, Watu Rejeng was developed for tourism
to make it friendly to amateur climbers. As you climb Mount Semeru, you can
find the shelters that can be used to rest for a while. After the trip takes
about five km, you have to go along the slope of the hills that are fulfilled
by edelweis flower.
After
that, the climbers will arrive at Watu Rejeng. This is kind of a steep cliff
with incredible scenery that faces to the valley and hills. This area is also
has stretches of pines and casuarina trees. In some occasion, you will see the
smoke from the peak of Semeru. Then, you can climb up again to see a wide lake
named as Ranukumbolo. The lake has wide 12 hectares at the height of 2,400
meters above sea surface.
Ranukumbolo – Kalimati
Leaving
Ranukumbolo is started by climbing the steep cliffs that is known as ‘Love
Steep Grade’. According to the myth, if climbers able to climb up the hill
without resting, their love will be eternal. The track to Ranukumbolo to
Kalimati is five km and can be reached for about 2 – 3 hours.
After
passing the hills, you will find the stretches of vast pasture that called as ‘Oro-oro
Ombo’. The Oro-oro Ombo is surrounded by hills and mountains with beautiful
scenery, pines trees and grasses. The shape of the pasture is just like a bowl
with golden brown of grasses. Behind Mount Kepolo, you can see the peak of
Mount Semeru that throw out the smokes. At the south of Oro-oro Ombo pasture,
there is Cemoro Kandang Forest that include to the cluster of the mountain.
Actually
Mount Kepolo that exist at 3,095 meters above sea surface is a forest with
casuarina trees and local plants. After you pass Cemoro Kandang Forest, you
will enter to the next pasture that called as Jambangan at 3,200 meter above
sea surface. In this pasture, you can find edelweis flower, casuarina trees,
and mentigi. Not too long from this spot, you will find Kalimati Post.
The
post is known as Kalimati because in this place there is a river that hasn’t
water. The current of water is only appears at the rainy season from the
current of lava at Mount Semeru. This area is kind of pasture with brushes and
stretches of edelweis flower around 20 hectares that is surrounded by cluster
of natural forest and low hills.
Kalimati
itself is also a place for climbers to build a tent before continuing to climb
Mount Semeru. There are facilities for climbers, such as shelter. The source of
water can be taken from Sumbermani. The climbers must walk to the west
direction or to the right at the edge of forest. It needs around an hour
round-trip. In this place, there is drop of water from the gap of stone.
Kalimati – Arcopodo – Mahameru
Usually,
from Kalimati the climbers will start to climb to the peak early morning around
2 a.m. through casuarina trees and dune for about 5 – 6 hours with steep route.
From Kalimati, you will arrive at Arcopodo. Arcopodo itself is the last camp
that is used by climber to stay overnight.
The
peak of Mount Semeru is well-known as Mahameru Peak. In this peak, you can see
the crater of Jonggring Saloko. This crater is so unique because during 10 – 15
minutes, it will throw out volcanic stones that are preceded by smokes. On the
peak of Mahameru, climbers aren’t allowed to go to Jonggring Saloka Crater or
climb to the south of crater because there is poison gas and lava current. At
the peak of Mahameru, the temperature is around 40 Celcius – 100
Celcius.
As
you are standing on the peak of Mahameru, that is mean you just already conquer
the highest peak in Java Island, i.e. 3m676 meters above sea surface.
Source
: www.pecintaalam.net
Pictures
taken from www.bocahpetualang.com
