The night before our attempt to ascend Mt Merapi there was widespread rain and lightning. At 1am 30/4 we start our ascent to Mt Merapi from our village at about 1500m AMSL. Me, Phil from England, Damien + Naomi (French couple who live in Singapore) + two guides. We walk for 2 km and I am left behind by the group because I could not continue due mainly to my fitness. My guide Zoko stay with me all the time to make sure of my safety.
It is very dark and I could not see my steps. It is very steep and the ground is slippery due to the rain . I am tired. I stop many times to catch my breadth, often after only 20 steps or so. After conferring with Zoko I decide to descend because there is another 7km to track up to the punchak (at about 2930m AMSL) and there is no point to prolong my struggle up the mountain and then later, down the mountain; even if I can make it up.
Impending sunrise at about 5.40am. Following photos are when the sun has risen above the horizon. What beautiful colors. The experience is very vivid and I am thankful I can live through this experience. It is, quite a moving experience for me to see a simple sunrise in a rural environment; away frm everybody I know .....
The village scenes:
Looking at the Mt Merapi peak from the lossmen.
Another view of the peak.
A typical home cottage.
This is where we started the ascent.
The village main street view.
This is about 1.5km from where we started the ascent.
Typical vegetable plantations.
The warung next to the losmen
It is very dark and I could not see my steps. It is very steep and the ground is slippery due to the rain . I am tired. I stop many times to catch my breadth, often after only 20 steps or so. After conferring with Zoko I decide to descend because there is another 7km to track up to the punchak (at about 2930m AMSL) and there is no point to prolong my struggle up the mountain and then later, down the mountain; even if I can make it up.
View of the village from where I started the descent. I know I can't see it at all but I want something I can remember of the moment of my descent at 2.40am.
Instead, Zoko takes me to the east side of Mt Merapi to view the sunrise. I am glad I have the chance to experience the moment.
Impending sunrise at about 5.40am. Following photos are when the sun has risen above the horizon. What beautiful colors. The experience is very vivid and I am thankful I can live through this experience. It is, quite a moving experience for me to see a simple sunrise in a rural environment; away frm everybody I know .....
The village scenes:
The village main street view.
View of the steeped ascent from New Selo which is about 1.5km from the losmen. The mountain ahead is not Mt Merapi but Mt Merbabu opposite Mt Merapi. Please note Mt Merbabu is not an active volcano. Zoko calls it "dia tidur".
