We’ve come so close to Mt.Semeru
We’ve been this close to Mt.Semeru…
We could feel its majesty and splendor…
Even when we were there, it felt like the peak of Mt.Semeru was too “high” for us to reach. Indeed, Semeru is currently the highest mountain on Java Island, with a height of 3,676 meters above sea level. Therefore, its peak seems to be a certain “achievement” for climbers. No wonder Semeru is one of the most popular destinations and seems to be a “mandatory” destination for altitude lovers.
As with many places in Java , there are many legends behind it…
The mountain, also known as Mahameru, is believed by the majority of Javanese to be the abode of the gods and the link between earth and heaven.. Balinese Hindus also think that Mount Semeru is the father of Mount Agung, which is the highest and most respected mountain in Bali.
Part of the peak of Mount Meru in India is now Mount Semeru, which is firmly in place in East Java. As a peg, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu brought a piece of Mount Meru to Java. When we visited Semeru last day, it felt like the “aura” of the peg had been felt from afar. On the way from base camp to Rani Pani, the graceful peak hypnotized us to come closer. Graceful but still looking mighty.
For long trips such as Semeru and Rinjani or other seven summits we will usually spend 2 nights on top… different from other mountains that only need 1 day to spend the night.
The location and itinerary for overnight stays can vary.Although most climbers will stay at Ranu Kumbolo and Kali Mati the following night in preparation for the summit.
Ranu Kumbolo is a lake on this mountain whose beauty is also very popular. It has become one of the “icons” and a popular destination for hikers who do not want to continue their journey to the summit.
It feels like being there is already a blessing for us…
Other icons of Semeru are of course the “Tanjakan cinta” . This is a fairly steep uphill road . There is a story about this track that you can choose to believe or not:-) . Hikers are told not to look back as they pass through it. It is said that if this is done, the love story will last forever,.. and visa verca.
And afterward, we were like drugged by the amazing scenery in front of our eyes. Suddenly a vast field was presented in front of us…Speechless it feels. No wonder it’s called “Oro-oro Ombo”…because it really is ombo! Ombo is Javanese for broad or wide…As far as the eye can see, only a sea of weeds is visible…so beautiful! It’s another famous icon and also very popular in this mountain.
And the beauty is even more because when we came, there were purple lavender flowers blooming…It feels like being in another ‘world’…Its splendor feels different from the peak of Mahameru…
After Oro-oro Ombo, is the place called Jambangan Post . From here, you could see both of “Wedhus Gembel” and the top of Semeru.Wedhus Gembel is a hot cloud and was seen coming and going at the time. It seemed that almost every 15–30 minutes you could see the eruption of wedhus gembel from the peak and then sometimes it actually disappeared.
At that moment we couldn’t help but be stunned and amazed by its charm.
Thankfully, we were given the opportunity to enjoy it all right in front of our eyes. So close, so immersive when in “Kalimati area“, the closeness was more pronounced.
We could already see the trail to the top that we were going to take. The trail was so sharp, vertical and seemed a long way to the top. According to some people, the summit at Semeru is one of the toughest even harder than Mt.Rinjani. It’s more vertical and the sand is deeper.
Unfortunately, I can’t feel and justify the fact. Semeru is the only mountain I didn’t go to the summit in my trips to several other mountains. So I can’t compare:-(
Why is that? During last day’s trip, my condition was less fit due to not being able to sleep at all for 2 consecutive nights because of the extreme cold. I didn’t want to force my will as this could jeopardize my safety and the team. There was still a long way to go home so it was better to save my stamina for this.
Do I regret it? Honestly, yes I do, but then the regret didn’t last long after learning that one of the other team members who went to summit was unable to continue the journey and returned to the tent.
I am grateful for my decision because I realized that if I had insisted on going, it would have been a different story. Maybe I would never have been able to write this story. Since, we have heard many stories of climbers who could not return home safely for whatever reason.
The hikers who made it to the top of Mahameru definitely deserve my respect. Two thumbs up, because peak trips are always the hardest ones for me. It’s hard to fight laziness because we have to get up early in the morning, and it’s hard to walk because our energy has been used up on the way from the base camp to the tent/camp post, which is the starting place to go to the summit. My failure to reach the top was one of the things that made me want to go back to there someday :-).
But even so, the Almighty did not let this happen since some while ago Mt Semeru was erupted and is still closed for climbing for safety reasons.
I couldn’t believe that I had actually been there. Then it seemed like the trip was happening all over again in my head.
A deep sense of honor and gratitude accompanies this writing.
Get well soon Semeru!
Thank you for letting us enjoy your beauty:-)
