Climbing Semeru/Mahameru

Semeru mountain is the highest volcano in java island, Indonesia. Peak Mahameru, peak of Semeru mountain is about 3.676 meters from sea level.The crater on peak of Semeru is popular with "jonggring Saloko".

In the summit Semeru (peak Mahameru), climbers are recommended to do not climbing towards Jonggring Saloko crater, not only that but also they are forbidden to climb from south side of Semeru, because of poisonous gas and lava flows.This poisonous gas is popular with "wedhus gembel" , it means wild goat by local society.

Temperature of summit Semeru is about 4-10 degrees celcius, and there are some ice crystals.The weather is often foggy at noon, afternoon and night.The wind was blowing hard, in the month of December to January and often a storm.

It happened wedhus gembel eruption every 15-30 minutes on Mahameru. In November 1997, amount of Semeru erupted 2990 times. At noon the win is move to summit, therefore, don't do something fool like towards summit at noon, because the poisonous gas and eruptions are towards summit.

The eruption was white smoke, gray to black with a height of 300-800 meters eruption. Material that comes out at every eruption is ash, sand, gravel, stones and even hot fire stones that is very dangerous if the climber is too close.

In early 1994, it was hot lava at the south slopes of semeru and cause an accident and victim, although in real, this hot lava river became a very interesting spectacle.

Journey to Summit Semeru

You need four days to climb summit semeru re-turn. Climbing summit semeru san reached trouhg Malang city or Lumajang city, east java. from Malang station we can use public transport towards tumpang village. Then, continue with jip motors or trucks vegetables that was in numerous in the back of the terminal Tumpang market with cost per person 20,000, - until the Postal Ranu Pani.

Before in Ranu pani, we need to Gubuglakah to get admission, with cost Rp.6000,for a maximum of 10 persons. For park entrance fees Rp.2000 per person, insurance Rp.2000 per person.

The journey is started from Tumpang to Ranu Pani, the last village at the foot semeru. In ranu pani, for check, and there are also stall or small restaurant and some motels. For the climbers whoes bring a tent, it fees Rp.20.000 per tent, and for camera is Rp.5000 per camera. In this postal, we can search a porter (local residents to guiding, cooking, and lifting). The climbers also can spend their night in custody pos.In Ranu Pani pos, there are two lake, it was Ranu pani lake (1 ha) and Ranu Regulo lake (0,75 ha), in 2.200 heigh from sea level.

The route climbing of semeru was Ranupani- Waturejeng - Ranu Kumbolo - Oro-oro ombo - cemoro kandang - jambangan - Sumbermani - kalimati - Arcopodo - Cemoro Tunggal - Mahameru (summit semeru), but the climbins is only recommended towards Kalimati pos, in order to anticipate the things that are not desirable.Such as the climber's stray into the path of a cliff climber who has a depth of 75 meters or so called "point blank 75". because it was happened a tourism who got stray because he reckless to climb summit semeru, fortunatly, SAR teams is found him savely and succesfully.

After reach "welcome", look out to the hill in left side, don't follow the road towards population's gardens. There alternative route beside the normal route, this alternative route is usual be local climber's route. This route is more steep than normal. The first line is sloping down the slopes of hill which dominated by reeds. There is no sign direction, but distance in everyy 100 meters. There are some trees that collapse, and some twis above head.

After climb about 5 km down the hill slope which there are some edelweis, and will arrive at Watu Rejeng. Here, at watu rejeng is steep stone is very beautiful. A beutifull panorama towards valleys and hills, where is pine trees are lifes. Sometimes we can see smoke on summit semeru.

Next is Ranu Kumbolo, it is about 4,5 km.In Ranu Kumbolo we can stand the tent. There is also hut for climbers.There is a lake with a clear water and it has a beautiful panorama at morning, it is a sunrise between the hills. the lake is full of fish variety, sometimes there seen wild grouse. Ranu Kumbolo is located on 2400 height with 14 ha in area.

From ranu Kumbolo, is better to prepare the water as much as possible. Then leave Ranu Kumbolo to climb the steep hills, with a beauty panorama in back of lake. In front of hills are savanna were calledas Oro-Oro Ombo. Oro-oro ombo is surrounded by mountains and hills, broad meadow with pine-covered slopes of Europe. From behind the Mt. Kepolo looked peak Mt. Semeru smoke spewing trash of "Wedhus Gembel".

Next is enter the pine forest where sometimes can seen the birds and deers. This area is called Cemoro

Next is west, ther is spring Sumber Mani, trough Kalimati forest edges with a distance of 1 hour return. In Kalimati and Arcopodo, there are many mountain rat.

Kalimati pos is located on 2.700 meter height, in here we can stand a tent to rest. This pos is like a savanna in the edge of pine forest, so many twig to make a bonfire or camp fire.

Then towards Arcopodo. To reach Arcopodo must turn to left (east), its needed to walk about 500 meters, then turn right (south) more down kalimati savanna. Arcopodo is located in 2.900 meter height, it is the last vegetation area in semeru mountain, and more will through the sand hill. Arcopodo is about 1 hour from kalimati through pine forest, with landslide and dust.We also can camp in Arcopodo, but the land is not stabil and often landslide. It is better to use a glass and masker because of the dust is so much.

From Arcopodo to peak Semeru need 3-4 hours, through the sand hills where is so steep and easily degenerate. As the trip guide, in this line there was some ittle red triangle flag. All of luggage are better
leaved in Arcopodo or Kalimati. Then, climbing at morning at 02.00 a.m from Arcopodo.

These are sand area, with the steep stones, and slope 60-70 degrees, that was great challenge for climbers.These are road to Cemoro Tunggal.

Cemoro tunggal is a pine which life there, it just one or two pine,its way it is called cemoro tunggal, its mean one pine.

At noon the wind is more north toward the peak carrying poisonous gas from the crater Jonggring Saloka.

The climb should be done during the dry season ie June, July, August, and September. Should not climb in the wet season because of frequent storms and landslides.