Difference between revisions of "Mount Merapi"

Revision as of 03:05, 26 November 2012

WARNING Mount Merapi is an active volcano. In late October and throughout November 2010 a series of volcanic eruptions occured at Mount Merapi. In excess of 353 deaths were reported with many injured from severe burns and respiratory damage. In excess of 350,000 people living in the danger zone were evacuated and local authorities struggled under the burden of caring for the injured and displaced. Toward the end of November, with the eruptive activity stabilising and the likelihood of further explosive eruption diminishing many of those displaced by the eruptions began to return to their villages and homes. Previously, during the November eruptions Indonesian authorities declared a 20 kilometre exclusion zone around Mount Merapi. By early December the eruptive activity of Merapi had subsided considerably and on 3 December the warning level was reduced from level 4 to level 3. A reduced exclusion zone radius of 2.5 km was announced at that time. Further volcanic activity in the area including explosive eruptions, lava flows, lahars, hot ash, pyroclastic heat clouds and molten debris remains possible.

Mount Merapi

Mount Merapi (Gunung Merapi, 2911m) is a volcano in Central Java, looming over the cities of Yogyakarta and Solo (Surakarta).

Understand

Literally "Mountain of Fire", Mount Merapi is the most active volcano in all Indonesia — no mean feat — and it has erupted at least 68 times since 1548. The volcano is though to be largely responsible for the downfall of the Hindu Mataram kingdom in 1006 and the desertion of the huge temple complex at nearby Prambanan. Recent eruptions include 1994 (64 killed), 2006 (no immediate deaths, but a prelude to an earthquake that killed over 5000) and 2010 (30 dead).

Anyone thinking of climbing the mountain must first check if it is safe to do so. While climbing the mountain with a qualified guide is recommended it is not necessary or mandatory (locals will tell you otherwise in the interest of a quick buck) as the track to the summit is wide and clearly marked.

Get in

Selo is the last village on your way to Merapi. A taxi from Yogyakarta airport to Selo and back will cost you around Rp 1,000,000. Most of the drivers will happily to wait for you while you climb Merapi and will take you back to your hotel.

Selo has local guides who will take you to Merapi.

• Korindo Network Tours and Travel, JL. Wahid Hasyim 582 A – Ngampilan. Notoprajan – Yogyakarta, ☎ +62 82146148114 (info@korindo-network.com), [1]. Discover the hidden treasure of Indonesia with personal touch. They offers variety of tour packages in Indonesia includes providing Mount Merapi trekking and Jogjakarta trip.

• Guide Association, (Magic"), Merapi Guide Club. ☎ +62 878 36325955.

• Grandum, local guide in Selo, can arrange sunrise trekking ☎ +62 082 134430945.

• Kartika Trekking, Jl Sosrowijayan 8, Yogyakarta, ☎ +62 85742357666, +62 274 8087474, +62 274 562016. Transport and climb for Rp 250,000 per person for groups of three people or more.For Merapi Camping Trips you can arrange with kartika trekking for $200 per person with facility transportation from hotel/airport yogyakarta, equipment gear tents, sleping bag, matras, water and meal, head lamp, profesional guide and porter

Alternatively you can hire a scooter in Yogyakarta and ride out to the summit. Ride north out of Yojya on Jl. Magelang for 45 min. When you reach Mungkid turn right onto Jalan Bololali - Mungkad and head towards Ketep. At Ketep turn right and continue following the Jalan Bololali - Mungkad into Selo. From Selo ride up the steep road (on the right as you come into Selo) to the trail entrance where you can leave your scooter.

Get around

There are a few ojeks (motorcycle taxis) offering informal transport around the area.

In the villages around the base of Merapi, almost any vehicle you see on the road is a potential lift (for cash), so don't be shy!

See & Do

Climbing Merapi

Trekking on and around Merapi is a popular activity (at least when the volcano isn't spewing out hot gas and ash). From Selo, the nearest village on the north slope, it is 3 hr hike to the summit for the fit and healthy. For others it will take 4+ hr to climb, and nearly the same time to get back down again.

Carry a small pack with some food, a good flash light, with spare batteries (available for purchase in Selo village), and at least 2 litres of water per person.

The track to the top is a reasonable grade and is clearly defined and easy to follow. Once through the tree line the track is less defined and the final climb to the summit (after the memorial plaque) is a very steep scramble over loose and broken rock. While not in itself dangerous, do take your time on the last section.

Most climbers start at about 1AM to be sure of reaching the summit by sunrise at 5.30AM. Night climbing is wise in any case, as the upper reaches of the mountain are completely treeless and the sun can fry you to a crisp. The sunrise views across East Java are quite stunning.

view from Gunung Merapi

Other

The less active should not feel left out as there are far less strenuous treks around the base of the mountain. Ask around in Selo.

Depending on the state of volcanic activity you may be able to witness molten lava flows way down the slopes of the mountain. Take local advice.

Buy

A signboard at the entrance of the Merapi Plateau reads: "Leave nothing but tracks, carry nothing but photographs"

Eat

Not many options to eat exist in or around Selo. Local food stalls offer basic tea and local food items. Plenty of such stalls can be found in Selo.

Drink

Nothing except the local stuff. Carry your own bottles.

Sleep

Camping

There are no explicit rules which prohibit camping on and around the mountain. You will need to bring in all your own equipment and you must keep yourself fully briefed with the latest safety reports. Also make sure you bring in enough water, as the springs and streams on the mountain are very sulphurous.

Pyroclastic flows on Merapi in 2007

• Ratri Homestay, the only room close to the starting point. With clean rooms, Rp 75,000 including breakfast. Sony is the owner and is also the leader of guide at Selo. Phone number +62 813 29287256, +62 815 67792923, +62 878 36325955. Can organise volcano and camping trips.

Stay safe

It is hard to think of many more dangerous volcanoes anywhere in the world. Always heed local advice from a guide, and it pays to check the bulletins at the Smithsonian Global Vulcansim Program [2]and the Indonesian Geological Survey (in Indonesian) [3].

Get out

• Borobudur and Prambanan are two hours drive away.
• Yogyakarta is also about two hours by car.
• For more adventure, plan a climb to Mount Bromo for more active volcanoes.