Ascent
of Gunung Merapi, Central
Java, Indonesia (October 28, 2015)
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mountaineering/trekking/travel webpage
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Gunung (Mount) Merapi,
located about 30 km north of Yogyakarta in Central Java, is the most active
volcano in Indonesia. The most recent major eruptions happened in
October-November 2010 (photo above). They claimed 353 lives, displaced 350,000
people, caused major disruption of air traffic, and covered Candi Borobudur
(located 28km south-west of the volcano) with volcanic ash.
Nevertheless, Merapi
(2911m) is frequently climbed, especially during the dry July-September months.
The climb starts from the village of Selo located at
an elevation of about 1500m between two volcanos, Merapi
to the south and Merbabu (3142m) to north. The path
is a bit steep, but straightforward. The typical schedule is to climb during
the night to reach the rim of the crater before sunrise and descend in the
morning.
Merapi seen from the road upon reaching Selo coming from Yogyakarta.
Since I climbed at night, the following
photos begin at the top of Merapi.
Reaching the summit of Merapi just before sunrise, with Gunung
Merbabu in the background.
Successive views at the rim of the
crater during sunrise, with fumes coming up from vents inside the crater.
A look into the crater.
Start of the descent.
The upper cone of the volcano.
View of Merbabu,
with the village of Selo at the bottom. Here, the haze
is mostly due to fires started by local farmers.
Another view of Merbabu
with less haze, closer from Selo.
Nicely decorated house in Selo (the headquarter of the local
guide association?).
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