What was the first thing you do
in 2017? Mine was hike a mountain. Crazy, I know.
I’m not a fit person or
whatsoever for my whole life. Yet when my friends planning to hike a mountain
for New Year holiday, somehow I agreed. I wasn’t sure I could make it at first,
but seeing those beautiful pictures of Gunung Ijen on the internet make me go
‘nah! It won’t be that hard’. And turns out I was wrong.
Disclaimer : most of the pictures on this post is belong to a dear friend of mine, Khalista D. Irmaputri.
Kindly check her instagram @khalistas for more pictures from her.
It was hard, it was freaking
hard. The track was just probably about 3 km, but the mountain’s slope was
insane. From what I read in Wikipedia, Gunung Ijen has around 25 to 35 slope
degree. Seems small? That was what I thought. Believe me, it wasn’t as easy as
it looks. Other than the insane slope, the track was covered with dirt (probably
because of the rain) and sand in some area, which made it even more slippery.
The ticket entrance to the Gunung
Ijen is IDR 7.500. This price is not included a guide. You can hike without a
guide since the track is a single lane track and you just need to follow the
track until the top. However, if you are planning to catch the blue fire near
the main crater, I recommend you to hire one. Since the track from the top part
to the bottom part (vice versa) is a bit tricky.
My friends and I started the hike
around 1 AM in the morning. We walk together for the first 300 meters. After
that, I cried and whine like a baby who
lost her candy walk slower than the rest of the group. They finish their
track around 3.50 AM while I (and another friend who decided to join me much
later) finish around 4.40 AM. Sadly I didn’t catch the blue fire, but still I
felt very happy about it. I was so surprise that I somehow managed to climb to
the very top even though I need to rest every 5 minutes or so. Yay me!
Funny thing about this mountain.
Some of the nearby residents, make a living out of renting a small carriage to
take the lazy unfit hiker to the top of the mountain. I’m not judging you if
you took this but please beware since most of them try to charge you as high as
possible.
I think I came at the wrong
season. It was windy and cold on the top of the mountain. Also it was very hazy
because of the sulfur gas. You can borrow a gas mask from the tour guide with
around IDR 25.000. He will collect it once you get down the mountain. I couldn’t
see anything at the top of the mountain. But my friends who finished their
track earlier, got the chance to see the blue fire down near the crater. They show
me the pictures of the crater, and it was amazing!
My friends also met some of the
sulfur miners. They were kind to show them the new fresh from the mine sulfur. Sometimes
they carved it into other shape such as airplane, statue, etc. You can buy them
if you want but I don’t think they allowed it on the airplane. Because I had a
friend who bought this sulfur as a souvenir, and the airport officer took it
away.
Getting down from the mountain is
much easier. However since it was raining hard the day before, the track become
very slippery. Please be careful. Take time as much as you needed and enjoy the
beautiful morning sun and view.
I kinda sad, about missing the
blue fire and not getting closer to the crater. I was thinking to come again
anytime soon. Well not very soon though. I still can imagine how hard it was
and I think some parts of my feet still hurts (making excuses lol).
***
Top tips for Gunung Ijen:
- Wear a thick clothing. It was windy and cold at the top of the crater. I remember, my fingers barely can move when the wind hits me. Bring some hat and gloves along if you have.
- Use a proper gas mask. If you are planning to get closer to the crater, use a proper gas mask since the smell and gas can make you hard to breathe. You can rent the mask for IDR 25.000 each on the spot.
- Don’t bring too much things. It will make you move a lot easier. And since you’re not going to stay the night up there, just bring the important things such as mask, wallet, camera, medicine, phone (not getting any signals though) and some water if you want.
- Do your business before you hike the mountain. Toilets, I mean. There is no toilet along the way to the top. You do not want to end up peeing in the middle of the dark jungle do you?
- Take it easy. If you are a first timer like me, you really should take this hiking easily. Take a good rest every time you feel tired. I remember I took a rest every 10 meter or so. Don’t worry about your friend and everyone who is passing you. The aim is to get to the top and enjoy the view. If you are too tired, you will not enjoy what you have achieved.
***
Gunung Ijen
Banyuwangi
East Java, Indonesia
Opening hours: 11 PM – 4 PM
