Mt. Rinjani in Lombok, Indonesia – 5. Summit Push & Crater Lake

Journey Day 3 (Summit Push & Crater Lake)

After yesterday’s long workout, 2 of us decided not to go for the summit.  Visiting Rinjani does not mean that you really have to reach the summit as the most magnificent views are actually appreciated from the lower trails and crater rims.  In fact, we met many travelers who were happy to give the summit a miss.

So the rest of us woke up at 145am for some final packing.  Essential items were head torch, warm clothes from head to toe, gloves, hiking boots, hiking sticks, snacks, drinks and camera.

After a quick meal of toast and hot chocolate, we moved off at 230am.

It’s a tough 3.5 hour climb to the summit where one would be more concerned on not slipping on the volcano scree and adjusting one’s scarf to better protect the face against the cold wind, than taking photos in the dark.  I took only one blurred shot.

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Mt. Rinjani in Lombok, Indonesia – 4. Ascent to Crater Rim 1

Journey Day 2 (Ascent to Crater Rim 1)

I woke up at 630am and prepared 3 packs:

(1) Backpack for my clothes, camera and things for the climb which I will be carrying

(2) Folding gym bag for my extra walking shoes, chargers and other stuffs not necessary for the climb which would be passed to the tour agency who would deliver them to Senaru at the end of our climb.

(3) Pack of things I would like the porters to help me carry.  I passed them 3 x 600ml bottles of isotonic drinks. 😀

As it’s still early and the others hadn’t appear yet, I roamed the area.

View of Mt Rinjani from Lembah Rinjani. Do not be fooled by the rather gentle looking mountain.

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