Life is adventure

On the Peak of Mirapi "Mountain of Fire"

Understanding:

Mount Merapi is the most active volcano in Indonesia with 2968 meters high and it has erupted at least 68 times since 1548. Recent eruptions include 1994 (64 killed), 2006 (no immediate deaths, but a prelude to an earthquake that killed over 5000) and 2010 (30 dead) (source Wikipedia).

Climbing Mirapi:

The trip took one day long (May 04-05, 2013). There were 11 people included 6 from Cambodia, 2 from Laos and 3 from Vietnam. From Cambodia: Mr. Chhuon Kong, Mr. Hin Chandara, Mr. Chan Dara, Mr. Duok Khemera, Miss Loun Sokim, and Miss Yang Virinrath. The group had lunch near the foot of Mirapi in Selo sub-district (7° 30' 5'' S, 110° 27' 33'' E) before start climbing from motor parking house on the upper foot of Mirapi at 7:00pm. It took almost 7 hours to reach place where other climbers installed the camps. We tried to look for the place for installing our camp where there was bulk rock as the barrier of quite strong wind flow. Unfortunately, we could not find such as better place because the other climbers who reached that place earlier occupied all better places. Although, we stay in side the camp, we were almost flown along with the cold wind. We stay-stilled like cool wet rats that night with temperature around 10 degree Celsius. I remembered that a girl from Veit Nam was unconscious and her body was getting harden almost die due to the exhaustion and extreme cold wind. Luckily, her friend brought a warmer sleeping pillow and used it to warm her up and massage then she can survive. What really interesting in that night was that we could watch many meteorites fall with the cooling stars sparking over our head. Looking to the far cities, we saw the light reflecting as the sky was below us. Meanwhile, my friends and I took out one for each bottle of Heineken from our bag. It was very cold like keeping in refrigerator and the water was almost frozen. We drank and awaited for a new sun rise. In the early morning we started to look around the magnificent view and took some pictures before pursuing our goal to the hump peak of volcanic crater. Night climbing is wise in any case, as the upper reaches of the mountain are completely treeless and the sun can fry to a crisp.

Photos:

Group starts climbing

Camping site

Did you sleep well last night? with temperature around 10 Degree Celsius and quite strong wind.

Sun rise view on Mirapi

Standing in the sky

The peak of volcanic crater (Behind)

Not yet reach the peak of volcanic crater, then it took around 2 hours more for achieving this goal after the sun rise up over the cloud. The difficulties will be increased when the goal is being closer...!