Waterfall hunting.
As early as 8am we set off to Senaru from Mataram, which is the base camp for climbing Mt. Rinjani. We stayed at Sagara Anak in Senaru where our operate is Ahmed's Expedition. There are many operator or guides to choose from. Our package included a one night stay here, it's nothing fancy but it would do for a night. It's a very basic room and cold bloody showers, which I hate!
There isn't much to do here other than going to the waterfalls and visiting rice terraces. As soon as we got into our rooms we headed off to the waterfalls that we've heard so much about from people in Mataram. Just a short walk up the road you'll see a sign saying waterfalls. Before you can take that path, you'll need to pay an entrance fee of 10,000 rupiah per person.
There isn't much to do here other than going to the waterfalls and visiting rice terraces. As soon as we got into our rooms we headed off to the waterfalls that we've heard so much about from people in Mataram. Just a short walk up the road you'll see a sign saying waterfalls. Before you can take that path, you'll need to pay an entrance fee of 10,000 rupiah per person.
The waterfalls are easy to get too and the first one you'll come across is Sindang Gile. It's really powerful as the water is from a very high drop and there isn't much of a pool at the bottom to swim in either. But we got into the water regardless and honestly, it was really cold. I could feel the water pressure from the drop pushing me back but I still manage to get close enough to feel the pressure of the drop and it was strong.
The Tyu Kelep waterfalls is just another 30 minutes away from Sindang Gile. There is a path on your right as you walk up from Sindang Gile waterfall that you have to take up to the second waterfall. You'll have to manoeuvre through a rocky stream and then a little hike up to Tyu Kelep. It's a beautiful waterfall. It has little falls that pour in a form or a semi circle, almost like Niagra Falls but even more beautiful with all the foliage in the background and another main waterfall pouring from above. Amazing view!
The Tyu Kelep waterfalls is just another 30 minutes away from Sindang Gile. There is a path on your right as you walk up from Sindang Gile waterfall that you have to take up to the second waterfall. You'll have to manoeuvre through a rocky stream and then a little hike up to Tyu Kelep. It's a beautiful waterfall. It has little falls that pour in a form or a semi circle, almost like Niagra Falls but even more beautiful with all the foliage in the background and another main waterfall pouring from above. Amazing view!
At Sindang Gile Waterfall.
As we manoeuvred down, I was right by a stream where I slip and had a graceful fall, bumped my head, grazed both my hands and hurt both my knees and I think I also tore the meniscus on my left knee. Brilliant! Just what I needed before my climb tomorrow! The rocks here are so slippery that one wrong step and that's it.
I quickly cleaned my wound in the cold water from the waterfall and hoped that it wouldn't get infected. The guys carried on into the pool below the waterfall. You can most likely swim in it but the pressure from the waterfall is really strong plus you might want a waterproof camera and a dry bag as all your things are sure to be wet. As you walk close towards the waterfall you can feel the sprays of the water, like a permanent drizzle, even before you actually see the waterfall.
I quickly cleaned my wound in the cold water from the waterfall and hoped that it wouldn't get infected. The guys carried on into the pool below the waterfall. You can most likely swim in it but the pressure from the waterfall is really strong plus you might want a waterproof camera and a dry bag as all your things are sure to be wet. As you walk close towards the waterfall you can feel the sprays of the water, like a permanent drizzle, even before you actually see the waterfall.
Tyu Kelep Waterfall. Simply beautiful!
Even with the nasty fall I still stayed on with the guys at Tyu Kelep waterfall and managed to get back to clean my wounds with alcohol swabs. Not sure how much it would help but I'm hoping it will dry up by tomorrow. Only the wound on the palm was deep, which was a bit of a concern but I was going to do the climb anyways. Perhaps not all the way.
In the evening Ahmed came to give us a briefing on the climb. Gave me almost an ear full for getting myself hurt at the waterfall, as if I wasn't pissed enough with myself for falling, he added on to it. I know he meant well as he asked me several times if I wanted to see a doctor for my wounds.
Anyways there are two ways of going up to the peak. One way is via Plawangan Sembalun and the other from Plawangan Senaru. Now the hike starting from Sembalun, which is the best, especially if you plan to get to the summit like the guys (Fabien & Jean-Sebatien). You will start walking on a flat terrain for 2 hours before a 3.5 hours step climb. You'll camp at Plawangan Sembalun (or where ever to can mange to climb to before night fall) and get up and 2:30 am to climb to the peak. At the peak, it's said you can see Bali and Java.
In the evening Ahmed came to give us a briefing on the climb. Gave me almost an ear full for getting myself hurt at the waterfall, as if I wasn't pissed enough with myself for falling, he added on to it. I know he meant well as he asked me several times if I wanted to see a doctor for my wounds.
Anyways there are two ways of going up to the peak. One way is via Plawangan Sembalun and the other from Plawangan Senaru. Now the hike starting from Sembalun, which is the best, especially if you plan to get to the summit like the guys (Fabien & Jean-Sebatien). You will start walking on a flat terrain for 2 hours before a 3.5 hours step climb. You'll camp at Plawangan Sembalun (or where ever to can mange to climb to before night fall) and get up and 2:30 am to climb to the peak. At the peak, it's said you can see Bali and Java.
On the way down from Tyu Kelep waterfall.
Once you get down to camp from the peak, you'll continue to climb down to the hot springs which is about another 2-3 hours. Here you'll enjoy the hot spring and chill out for lunch before you begin a treacherous hike up to Plawangan Senaru. At Plawangan Senaru, you'll camp a night and get to see the sunrise over the lake the next morning before you start to descend down to the bottom. It's a 3 day 2 night climb either way.
If one chooses to do the other way around which is to go up to Plawangan Senaru and then to the Plawangan Sembalun before the peak climb, you'll have a very long decent down, which can be very tiring as climb up is very hard cause it's gravel all the way. For every step you take, you slip half a step down so it is a treacherous climb and descend.
I on the other hand just wanted to get to the rim of the lake so I split from the guys and went on to take the Plawangan Senaru route. Luck was on my side as I wasn't climbing alone, another Danish lady, Ditte, was doing the same climb as me.
If one chooses to do the other way around which is to go up to Plawangan Senaru and then to the Plawangan Sembalun before the peak climb, you'll have a very long decent down, which can be very tiring as climb up is very hard cause it's gravel all the way. For every step you take, you slip half a step down so it is a treacherous climb and descend.
I on the other hand just wanted to get to the rim of the lake so I split from the guys and went on to take the Plawangan Senaru route. Luck was on my side as I wasn't climbing alone, another Danish lady, Ditte, was doing the same climb as me.
The view of Mt. Rinjani from my room. Now the real adventure begins!
With my sore legs and wounds I still had second thoughts. Ahmed asked me again if I wanted to see a doctor but I said no, hoping I would be okay. But we shall see... Ahmed said that if I choose too I can do the hike to the Plawangan Senaru rim and get back which is only 2 days and 1 night, plus I can stay at the accommodation for an extra night without any extra charge. It was really nice of him. Plus I got boots, a rain coat and a jacket for the hike so it was really good. Still... I'm not too confident climbing with an already bad right knee, a freshly batter left knee (it slammed into a rock) and with all the fresh wounds.
We'll see when I wake up tomorrow.
Next up: The big climb!
We'll see when I wake up tomorrow.
Next up: The big climb!