Gunung Merbabu : Trekking Through Spectacular Landscapes

Join me on an exhilarating journey through the stunning landscapes of Mount Merbabu. Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and the bonds forged through unforgettable mountain adventures.

HIKING AND TREKKING

asxlm

6/30/20244 min read

Hi, Sal Here. I'm going to share my experience hiking Mount Merbabu, marking my fourth mountain hiking journey, with many more planned in the coming months. I chose the Selo route in Boyolali, Central Java, which took about 8 hours from Jakarta by travel. I hiked with Mr. Lee, along with my friends Wisnu and Iyan, whom I met during previous hiking trips.

We arrived at Andi Kempleng Basecamp, which is located around 500 meters from Simaksi Point. Actually, there are many other basecamps available that you could choose from. We reached the basecamp around 7 am and started hiking at 9 am. My tip is that you should optimize your rest during the road trip, considering you only have 2 hours to prepare and to minimize dizziness during the hike. Later, we arrived at Simaksi Point and began our preparations. At that time, there were some events organized by Pocari, mostly attended by trial runners.

During the Selo trek, there are 9 posts that you will encounter. The first one is Post 1 Dok Malang, located at approximately 2189 meters above sea level. It takes about 1.5 hours from the Basecamp to reach this point, with flat and densely vegetated terrain, similar to the forests of West Java. In this post, I think motorcycles could still pass through, similar to Ciremai or Gede. Then you will arrive at Simpang Macan. It will take around 1.5 hours from Post 1 to Simpang Macan, and in this particular spot, there are some spaces available to pitch your tent. However, I do recommend pitching it in Sabana 1, as it is only at 2270 mdpl.

The next post is Pos 2 Pandean, the next one after Post 1 Dok Malang, located at 2412 mdpl. In this post, you will find a shelter built for hikers to rest, and it normally takes around 45 minutes from Simpang Macan to reach this post. Here, the vegetation has opened up, and starting from here, you can find some edelweiss. We arrived at this post around 12 pm and rested for 10 minutes before starting our hike.

Next is Pos 3 Batu Tulis, located at 2593 mdpl. The vegetation here is mostly sabana, characterized by high grass and some acacia trees along the way. From Pos 2 Pandean to Batu Tulis, the journey becomes more intense, with large stones scattered throughout the area. The ascent also becomes steeper, and you need to watch your step as the trail narrows along a narrow valley. Some sections have webbing installed, which is helpful even in the dry season when the trail can be slippery and the terrain challenging. I recommend using webbing or holding onto ropes, especially if this is your first time hiking in such conditions.

The trek from Pos 3 Batu Tulis to Sabana 1 is even more challenging. As you may know, Mount Merbabu is known for its loose debris, so wearing a buff is advisable. It took us around 40 minutes to reach Sabana 1 from Batu Tulis, with webbing available in some parts to assist with the climb. Despite the difficulties, you'll come across a halfway Sabana where you can take a rest. There are also emergency shelters built here, similar in structure to those found on Mount Ciremai. The view from Sabana 1 is breathtaking, offering wide grassland expanses and stunning cloud formations overhead. This is just a taste of the amazing scenery you'll encounter as you proceed towards the summit.

We arrived at Sabana 1 around 2 pm, situated at 2778 mdpl, where we set up our tent. From this spot, you can enjoy clearer views of Merapi, and if lucky, also glimpse Sumbing or Sindoro. About 500 meters from our tent, there was another sabana, one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen. Iyan, Wisnu, and I decided to venture there, spending our evening watching the sunset and chatting. As the sun descended, the lush green landscape transformed into a golden hue, while cumulus clouds gathered, creating a whimsical and breathtaking scene reminiscent of a Ghibli movie.

At night, along with other hikers, we played Uno until 10 pm before settling in to sleep. The next morning, our guide woke us at 2:30 am to prepare for our summit ascent. We began our climb at 3 am and reached the summit at 4 am. The terrain was challenging, with steep inclines and narrow valleys alongside, compounded by the cold weather, prompting us to wear our buffs. The summit, known as Puncak Kleteng Songo, is located at 3142 mdpl. The clouds there were among the most beautiful I've ever seen, resembling ocean tides with their whimsical patterns. The scenery was truly stunning, making us reluctant to leave. From the summit, we had clear views of Merapi and, in the distance, Lawu.

Descending took about an hour to return to our tent at Sabana 1. Along the way, we passed Sabana 2, a 30-minute walk from Sabana 1, where the terrain widened and edelweiss adorned the grasslands. We arrived back at our tent around 7 am and began our descent at 9 am. Personally, I found descending more exhausting than ascending due to the slippery trails and the persistent dusty wind, despite the lack of rain. Fortunately, there were ropes available to assist with the descent.

We reached the basecamp around 12 pm and departed for Jakarta at 3:30 pm. Mount Merbabu left a lasting impression as one of the most enchanting mountains I've ever visited. The wonderful friends I made during this trip made it even more memorable. The breathtaking views we encountered, not only at the summit but throughout the journey, made every bit of fatigue worthwhile. I definitely plan to return, perhaps exploring the route via Suwanting next time. Until then, farewell, my Merbabu!