Indonesia

Ascent to the volcano Merapi

Ascent to the deadly volcano

Petr Liška
Wrote 2409 articles and follows him / her 241 travelers
Ascent to the volcano Merapi
Inserted: 22.04.2016
© gigaplaces.com
They been there:

Merapi Volcano, located practically in the middle of the most populous Indonesian island of Java, just 50 kilometers from the large city of Yogyakarta, is listed as one of the most active volcanoes in the country. Like any active volcano, Merapi changes its altitude relatively often. The altitude (2,961 m above sea level) has been reported for quite some time after the eruptions in 2010 to the current one (2,930 m above sea level). From its top, there are interesting views of the surrounding 3,000 volcanoes. However, if you also want to go to the ascent to this volcano, find out carefully the current conditions in advance, if you like life.

Sunrise on Merapi

Indonesian volcanoes are usually set off at night so that you are at the top best at sunrise. Then there is the greatest chance that the surroundings will not be shrouded in clouds. Your photo documentation thus begins at the top of the mountain. The ascent itself begins in the road pass between the volcanoes Merapi and Merbabu at an altitude (1,580 m above sea level), ie about 1,400 altitude meters below the top of the volcano. The ascent begins around one o'clock in the morning and from the beginning you still walk along the road to the next parking lot at an altitude of about 1,800 m above sea level. This is followed by a passage in the forest and then between the bushes before you reach the very vegetation of a simple cone. The only diversification of this night tour are the lights of the towns deep below you. After that, he will pass a place with memorials to the victims, which will certainly not add to your peace, and the final and worst part of the ascent follows after your own active cone full of rubble and gravel. This is the last about 300 meters of altitude. Vapors stare around you and it is clear to you that you are crawling on a barrel of gunpowder. Then you are finally on the rocks above the crater. You are at the top in about 4.5 hours and you can only wait in the unexpected winter for a sunrise that will warm the surroundings.

Sunrise on Merapi
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Alley of volcanoes

The landscape is finally beginning to be illuminated by the sun's rays and far to the west the peaks of a number of volcanoes – Sumbing (3,371 m), Sundoro (3,136 m) and Dieng (2,565 m)

Alley of volcanoes
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Atmosphere at the top of the volcano

The very top of the volcano is quite interesting – sharp rocks everywhere and clouds of gas escaping from cracks. since you know that a volcano explodes relatively often, you won't have a relaxing feeling here.

Atmosphere at the top of the volcano
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Infernal landscape

The top of the volcano and its surroundings do not really look idyllic at all. However, thanks to the clouds and gas clouds, it looks quite interesting here. You may gnash your teeth before the sun rises. The temperature is below 10 degrees Celsius and few people bring warm clothes to Indonesia.

Infernal landscape
Author: © gigaplaces.com

The top of Merapi volcano

Thanks to the jagged ridge above the crater of the volcano, it is not really clear which of the rocks is the highest – moreover, it changes almost every year.

The top of Merapi volcano
Author: © gigaplaces.com

The crater of Merapi volcano

Merapi crater lacks only a „lake“ with hot lava, otherwise it is a perfect entrance to hell – sulfur and black boulders. To this end, there is a ubiquitous smirk escaping from the walls.

The crater of Merapi volcano
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Almost like in a gold mine

The sun is finally starting to warm the landscape and the surroundings look almost like somewhere in a gold mine. However, it is only sulfur and warm light. Drowsiness from the night ascent logs on, so it's time to descend and see the path you took at night in the dark.

Almost like in a gold mine
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Descent to the volcanic plateau

The first stage is an unpleasant descent, about 200 meters above the „active“ cone in the rubble and with the surrounding fumes to a relatively flat plateau. These are the parts of the volcano that would be the first to fly into the air.

Descent to the volcanic plateau
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Looking back at a deadly cone

After running down from the cone and crossing the „straight“ you will get to the viewpoint from where there is a beautiful view of the region and back to the top of this deadly volcano. The first signs of greenery are starting around you.

Looking back at a deadly cone
Author: © gigaplaces.com

View of the volcano Merbabu

Directly opposite you is the impressive volcano Merbabu (3,145 m above sea level). Obviously ancient, because it is already covered with greenery and no longer smells. This is the view that will accompany you the whole descent into the saddle.

View of the volcano Merbabu
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Descent road

The descent path leading along the ridge is initially relatively wide. You can enjoy the clouds forming beneath you.

Descent road
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Descending cityscape

When descending, you can enjoy not only the nearest volcano Merbabu.

Descending cityscape
Author: © gigaplaces.com

On a rocky ridge

The path descends along a ridge with occasional rocks. Looking back, it is beautiful to see how the top of the mountain is significantly younger than the rest of the massif.

On a rocky ridge
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Green slopes of the volcano

This is followed by a beautiful green „floor“ of grass, flowers and shrubs

Green slopes of the volcano
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Les na Merapi

After running another hundreds of meters high, you will reach the forest vegetation zone. As with all similar night ascents, you will be wondering what height you actually climbed at night.

Les na Merapi
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Fertile fields on Merapi

The forest floor alternates with fields in a moment. The fertility of volcanic soil is well-known, so locals don't even mind the daily „tourist“ ascents for work. But the workplace is relatively dangerous.

Fertile fields on Merapi
Author: © gigaplaces.com

View from the saddle between the volcanoes

Finally you are alive and well back in civilization in the mountain saddle where this hike begins. All parts of this hike can be seen beautifully from here – an active, still smoldering cone, a rocky passage along the ridge, a part overgrown only with grass and bushes, remnants of the forest and a lot of fields. Finally, there is a narrow asphalt road to the villagers' houses.

View from the saddle between the volcanoes
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Volcanic fields

The local landscape of fields on the slopes of the local volcanoes really has something in it.

Volcanic fields
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Amazing views of Merapi

In nice weather, when the volcanoes are not completely shrouded in clouds even during the day, you can enjoy almost the entire return trip to Yogyakarta with the monumentality of the volcano, which you climbed a few hours ago.

Amazing views of Merapi
Author: © gigaplaces.com
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