2016 May Rinjani

Scaling Mt Rinjani stayed in the mind years ago, but the plan didn't been executed for many years. Thanks to the one who voiced out the same idea while we're catching up with each other.  

"I haven't plan for next year trip" - was the conversation carried out among old climbing buddies in the chat room during May 2015, which produced Mt Rinjani expedition on May 2016.

Making contacts with all possible attending buddies scattered around, the selected period to scale Rinjani is a good timing for the available 10 person and discussion has been carried out. 

As time passing through, 6 of us left and 360 days later, we are leaving for Rinjani.

The perfect date of 2016 May 23-29th selected and agreed by all and we had the finest weather ever without any single drop of rain, clear sky, full of stars during the 4 days hike. 

Trip ended and we still wondering how would it turned out to be, if rain dropped during the expedition with the steep and loose soil trail condition at most part. That would be another version of hiking story shared upon our return to home. 

Everything is ready for us by the tour operator which is included in the package. The night prior to depart, we have awkward moment seeing the group of porter packing and putting all the food, dome, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, kitchenware, chairs, fruits, waters into the two basket balanced by a bamboo stick. Used to be, we're the one who divided the items into group prior to trip started and pack everything into the backpack as others are starring at us. 

It ain't easy, even from the beginning ...... 

Perhaps with the higher altitude, wider landscape and no shade to hide, it is an immediately warm up and sweat all over even with just a tiny movement.
High temperature, direct sunlight and slope trail were the kick start of Day one first part. There is no way that we can hide away from the sun, except wrapping up our expose skin, applying sun cream protection.

The good thing about not having any shade was we get 360 degree' magnificent landscape view as well as the view of each hill we need to scale over as well as having a clearer direction and duration on how long we shall move our legs in order to reach the targeted point to catch the next breath.

Unforgettable scene.....  

Seeing the porter passing us one after another, wearing slipper and with at least 30kg load on their shoulder...... and proceed in smooth rhythm type of steps as seems like there is music melody in their nerve on each of the body movement.

Porter carrying the bamboo baskets was an unexpected scene and had motivated and inspired us to keep moving as well. Always feel thankful to them for bringing all the necessity and had given us as much comfort as they can provide on the 4 days expedition. Without them, perhaps we will have a miserable expedition rather than truly enjoyed everything without much worries.

Trail is getting tougher after lunch break, everyone is glad that we chew and stake up slowly the over provided food portion into our stomach. Somehow, everything has been digested on the last 2 hours before Plawangan Sembalun Crater Rim campsite. Raisin, nuts, biscuit, jokes from the guide and joke with each other had became the energy source that makes everyone keep moving.
In the mean time, there is always warm reminder to each other to be extra careful on the challenging trail which ease the struggling thought.  

After a full day climbing.....
Finally the scene which we only get to see from the internet is appear in front of us and it is a real.
Indescribable feeling, it is Magnificent !!!!!

It is definitely different feeling when seeing something which had taken all of our nerve, sweats, energy compare with something which can be seen easily through the advanced technology. That's explained too on the reason certain people enjoy the torture of the mountain, crazy but it is definitely worth it !!!!
Decision made that some of us will not scale the Rinjani Summit early in the morning with the concern of our pace is slowing down on other team members. They have waited for us and had make their days longer than their normal hike hour due to our constant stop over to catch up the breath.

After all, scaling the Summit was not our initial purpose for being at this mountain. The main reason we're here today was the familiar faces who we used to hike together and once again we spent a few good days together.

There is always a general thought that after the summit, everything will be easier. Rinjani did not fall into this category. The remaining trail to complete the whole loop ain't get any easier than before. There is many hours of descending in order to get close with Segara Anak Lake. Another magnificent sleep over campground which all the porters carry out their fishing activity whole night and hot spring for us to wash away all the dust collected on previous days hike.

We have a good 525 birthday celebration on this night, and there is actually a tiny cake brought along all the way from home, crossed the ocean for the birthday girl.

 

There is a wish to stay longer at Anak Segara Lake, as it is a perfect place which given full serenity. Can't imagine how was the situation when the volcano erupted just not long ago on 2015 and yet, we are having the total serenity and starring at the resting volcano.

It is another many hours of circling the mountain edge and ascending to reach Plawangan Senaru Crater, last view of Segara Anak Lake and Mt Rinjani Summit. Is going to be all the descending on this remaining 2 days. All the scene we're starring at, focusing on the past 2 days will be staying behind us now onward while we continue with our journey to complete this loop. 

 

Guide reminded everyone to be super extra careful on each step of descending. It is a trail which camera been kept well inside the carrier as all the dust flying all over during the descending. To ensure a safe and smooth descend, guard had became our stopper on every corner area to hold us from falling when we're unable to press on the shoes break on time. Sometimes the guard will loose his grip while stopping us from falling, and end up he is the one who fall the most. Best guard we had, who always put himself after everyone's to ensure we're doing fine. 

Lush jungle is finally surrounded us after 3 days being expose by direct sunlight, we are getting near to be home and will apart with everyone soon once again. Next gathering trip suggestion been brought up during the last 3 days unspeakable moment, everyone laughed about it, feel it is a crazy idea, something no possible.
Weeks after we have returned from Rinjani, the Rinjani group chat which suppose to be closed out after the trip remains activated. Perhaps, some of us started to think about the crazy idea and perhaps someday later in ODA's blog entry the crazy destination we're once laughed about during Rinjani expedition will pop up and some story about it will be told.

It is not about how far we have reached, how many summit we have set our foot print on;It is the efforts each had made, to once again hike together that count.
It is always an honor to hike with each of you.
See you all again, perhaps a more normal type of gathering rather than in the jungle.