Mount Rinjani is a dream destination for mountaineers in Indonesia. With a peak of reaching 3,726 masl, this mountain is the second-highest active volcano in Indonesia and is part of the “Seven Summits of Indonesia”.
Rinjani holds a million stories in terms of its natural beauty and the personal reflections of its explorers. Rinjani has six official routes for climbers, each with its own unique charm, attractiveness, and difficulty, namely the Senaru, Torean, Timbanuh, Aik Berik, Tete Batu, and Sembalun routes. The last one is a favourite route for mountaineers.
One of the climbers reaching Rinjani via the Sembalun track was Galih Gusti. He began his journey from Sembalun Village, riding a motorcycle from Jakarta to Bali, then crossed the sea to Lombok. This is the main and quickest route to reach the summit of Rinjani directly, bypassing the lake. The sunrise view from Plawangan and the wide savannah accompanied climbers on their way to Rinjani’s summit.
He joined a group of climbers, including solo travellers and those climbing with their partners. He called Rinjani his most monumental climbing experience.
“Climbing Rinjani is not as simple as climbing a mountain. It’s deeply philosophical. We set out to return, rebounding from the lowest point (tiredness), and then arriving at the summit destination. That’s a self-reflection,” Galih said.
He was touched as he arrived at the summit. “I was alone at the summit. Without someone to chat with, cold and exhausted. But it was the most reflective moment of my life. I cried, grateful that my dream had come true,” he added.
The most challenging part of all is the summit attack. It is a term in climbing, referring to a final attempt to reach the mountain’s summit. This is usually undertaken early in the morning to reach the summit by sunrise. This part is the most challenging of the climbing due to the steep terrain, cold temperatures, darkness, and already drained physical condition.
Source: wonderfulimages.kemenpar.go.id
Based on his personal experience, Galih shares several preparation tips for beginner climbers who are interested in climbing Mount Rinjani:
- Completely follow the guide’s instructions, particularly in extreme terrain,
- Prepare mental and physical condition, not only stamina, but also emotional flexibility,
- Bring extra equipment, to be prepared for unexpected things, it is better to bring extra equipment,
- Focus on resting comfort, such as quality air mattresses and sleeping bags.
Climbing Mount Rinjani via Sembalun is not just a physical journey, but a spiritual expedition with stunning views and real challenges. “Climbing a mountain is similar to life: sometimes it’s slow, sometimes it’s steep, but you can still make it if you keep going forward,” Galih said.
Are you ready to accept this challenge? Before climbing Mount Rinjani, make sure you register yourself at: rinjaninationalpark.id.
Ministry of Tourism
Cover photos source: qwadru instagram @qwadru
