Mount Rinjani, Lombok

The crater lake from 2641m.

The day of the big climb. I was feeling pretty good, wounds look all dried up except the palm, but hopefully that won't cause a problem. Infection doesn't look present but what the hell, I'm going up anyways.

Opened my door to a stunning view of Mt. Rinjani majestically standing as the sun slowly blessed the mountain peaks with its rays. I sat and watched in awe at the beauty in front of me. I would be at the rim of the mountain tomorrow morning as I receive the same warmth of the sun. 

After breakfast was done, dry bag packed, off I went with Ditte and Pak Alam (our guide) to the start of the climb. It wasn't such a steep start but I could feel my knees starting to hurt, and mind you, it's just the start! 40 minutes in and we got to only the Senaru gate where the climb actually starts! What did I get myself into?

The gate is situated 700m above sea level. The point I'm climbing to is 2641m high and if you were to do the summit, it would be 3726m in height. Met a couple from Singapore and had a little chat before we left.

"We did the Sembalun route yesterday to the peak and we tried to climb this route today but it's really tough. Plus my dad found it hard to breath so we turned back"

   "Really? This one is tougher than the other route?"

"Yes. We climbed Mt. Kinabalu and this Senaru route is tougher than that. Also it's best if you can run down when you descend as it's less pressure on your legs. Other wise you won't be able to stand the next day"

Okay, now I'm starting to really get worried! Tougher than Mt. Kinabalu? Seriously? 

Just about to begin the climb up to the rim of the lake at Mt. Rinjani.

"We can turn back if you want. I'm happy to go back. I'm not looking forward to camping out"

Ditte said that a few times before I had to tell her to stop as she was really making me have second thoughts. I pushed it to Pos 1, which was an hours climb with a rather easy terrain. Took a quick 15 minute break before heading 1.3 km to the Pos Extra, which is a stop point between Pos 1 and Pos 2. Now the hike starts to get really challenging from this point onwards. There is not a defined step but rather tree roots used as steps. Some really high, some steep and in some places it's a steep 45 degree climb on slippery dirt track without any 'steps'. 

At this point I could really feel the pain from the fall and my wounds were now starting to open up again plus with the sweat, it was just disgusting and horrible. The porter plus Ditte went forward while Pak Alam kept me company as I ascended slowly. He kept reminding me to take my time as we wound be camping at Pos 3 and not the rim tonight. An hour and a half later, we were at Pos Extra. From here to Pos 2 was another hour and a half, and it just got worse. Ditte and I always went ahead without the porter or the guide as we took our time to climb while they preferred to play catch up. They are really fast climbers, they do this climb almost 3 times a week during peak season!

From Pos 1 to Pos 2, the vegetation is dense but beautiful. If you take your time to climb up, you'll enjoy the change in flora as you go up. It's really beautiful.

The route up through thick rainforest. Sweat glands are having a really good workout from this.

As we got higher The terrain was just a nightmare and the nightmare got worse when it started to rain. We got to Pos 2 just in time before the heavy rain fall. It was almost 1:30 pm when we got here and the huts we crammed with climbers going up and down due of the rain. We settled here for lunch. Sounds like everyone doing this climb is heading to the Gili's as soon at the climb is over. Looks like I'm going to see many familiar faces when I get to the islands.

As soon as the rain died down, one group carried on with the climb while we stayed back and tucked ourselves into lunch. These Porters and guides are amazing. The cook a simple but very delicious meal, packed with vegetables, protein and carbs for all our meals. Plus I noticed that the porters and guides from the company (Ahmed's expedition) I used are really conscious about the environment. They would pick up and rubbish left behind by others and make sure no rubbish was left behind. Some operators don't bother to clean up after themselves or event their climbers.

After lunch, we continued, what seemed to be a nightmare of a climb up to Pos 3. The path just got worse. It was slippery from the rain and the terrain was just, like I said, a nightmare gotten worse. Some way up the port and the guide caught up to us. At this point I asked them to help me look for a branch to use as a walking stick. Seen many climbers having one and I know it would come in handy when I climb up gravel. They did manage to find me one and boy was it a big help.

Mushrooms!

I manage to climb quicker with the stick and got to Pos 3 just 5 minutes behind Ditte. Soon the tents were pitched and a fire was put on for dinner. We were camping with 3 other climbers together with their porters and guides. One Australian did a 5 day 4 night trip up the mount and was on his way down. Said it's better taken slowly as you take in more of the view. Easy for him to say cause they had a toilet tent while the two if us had to park our bums in the bush and quite literally! 

Looking for a clearing to pee in it not such an easy task in the forest when you have bugs flying around. Plus having to pee in the dark is just scary. Looking for a clearing and minding the bugs while knowing full well the monkeys are watching you, is just not fun! 

We manage to have dinner before it got too dark, plus there were dogs around which kept the monkeys on the trees. Don't know where they came from but I was glad they were here. Ditte spotted mountain mice and there were so many of them too!. 

At this point of the journey, we were both really filthy. But as I have learned before wet wipes are a great way for a substitute shower. So wet wipes it was for the two of us before bed. I was glad I took a long sleeved hoody top as it was pretty cold up there'd during the night.

At Plawangan Senaru, the rim, you can see the Gili's and you can almost make out Bali and the mountain it's island.

We had wool lined sleeping bags and matts and by 7:30 pm we were sent to bed! It was crazy but I knew it was too cold to be outside and we had to be up by 4 am to get to the rim to see the lake. Both of us couldn't sleep as it was cold. We could feel the cold seeping into the tent. I just about managed a nap for 2-3 hours before I was up again. 

Soon I heard the porter calling for us and serving us tea and cookies before our last leigh of the climb. When I got out of my tent, I was just amazed at the night sky. It was filled with twinkling stars and the clouds stayed clear long enough for me to admire their beauty. Soon we were off.
With torches and my trusty walking stick, we started the climb up. Think it was really challenging as the track turned to gravel. I could really feel it now but I still pushed forward. So many times during the climb I thought to myself that I might stop at Pos 3 and not get to the rim. Even half way up to the rim I wanted to turn back but I knew I didn't come this far to back down. I don't care if I miss the sunrise but I'm still getting up there no matter what. Plus Pak Alam kept reminding me to take my time and not give up as I'm almost there.

You can see the peak of Mt. Rinjani as well as the Segara Anak lake.

And I made it! The view is spectacular!! A bit cloudy but it was just breath taking. The lake within the mountain is beautiful from up here and it's an active volcano too. I could see the Gili's from here and even Bali with its own mountain too. It's just so peaceful up here. A few campers were just up having breakfast but what a view to wake up too. It's windy, cold but I loved it. The climb was worth it.

The descend however is another story all together. Pak Alam had to help me get down as the gravel was just a pain. I managed to part run, jog all the way to Pos 4. It was steep and it was just crazy to run but I had too if not I knew for certain my legs would give away at mid point. As I ran down the gravel, I took in the warmth of the sun and the view. As you climb up and down, the flora changes and it's just amazing how high up I've climbed. The views are breath taking, you need to get up here to understand what I mean.

Woohoo! I made it to the rim of the lake! All that blood and sweat was worth it.

Within an hour, we were back and Pos 3. Breakfast was ready by the time we got in and 30 minutes later, everything was packed and we were off. The descend from Pos 3 to Pos 2 was fairly easy as my legs still didn't feel the strain from the climb. I was almost jogging down the tracks with Ditte. But after Pos 3 I felt the strain in my legs. My knees bucked half way through my run, nearly fell but did a butt slide instead. It rained the night before down these parts hence the path was slippery. But we did a slowly descend and there were so many 'steps' which was not great for me. While I manoeuvred my steps I watched porters run down at almost lightening speed with baskets full of things. One even told me to run as it's quicker and you are less likely to fall. I'm not used to the terrain like them so I stuck to my walk-jog descend. 

Stopped at Pos Extra for early lunch. We were making really good time as we got there about 11 am. I could feel all the muscles in my legs, they were screaming in pain. Perhaps the stop wasn't such a good idea. Think it was better to just keep going than to take the break as trying to make the descend after is far more painful as you have to make up the momentum again. 

On the way down.

We managed to get to the Senaru gate by 1pm and by 2pm we were where started the day before. The way down from Pos 1 to the gate and from there to the drop off point may seem easy but if it rains, it's one hell of a walk down. Both the porter and guide told us to hurry before the rain as they were sure of it. Yet again they route was slippery and Ditte slipped and I silently wished it rained as then I would have enough water to mudslide all the way down. With the price of a sore bum, I was willing to do it as my legs were killing me.

My companions on the climb.

I'm really proud of myself! With two busted knees, bruised up feet, legs and hands I climbed up to the rim of the lake. 2641m above sea level, I made it! Another Australian I met told me that he has climbed Mt. Kinabalu twice and this mountain is the tougher than that. Wow! And I did it! I'm pretty much over the moon right now, despite the pain in my legs and back. It's safe to say I'm taking an early retirement in climbing and Mt. Kinabalu can forget me setting my foot on it. Perhaps I would change my mind but I doubt it. Personally this is a challenge for me and never have I been so filthy in my life nor be in this much pain. But it was an experience which I don't want to ever repeat! I'm happy to spent my time as a beach bum!

On the plus side, if you're looking to loose those extra pounds in 3 days, do this climb. I can guarantee you'll loose weight! Everything I packed on from my Sydney trip, I lost it on this climb! Talk about instant weight lost. 

Now for a night of relaxation, and waiting for the guys to get here before the islands!

Next up: Gili's! Dive, dive, dive!

Talk about a toilet with a view!