Papandayan! Travel to Mountain for My Very First Time

It has been a long time I wish I could join my friend to climb the mount. Beside physical problem, get the permission from parents become my first problem at that time. Then, the invitation comes from one of my college friend asked me to join to climbing at august 15-17, 2014 as the independence day of Indonesia. At the first I doubt my parents would permit me but after the long explanation, I successfully convinced my parents that it is okay because there will be much people who climb at that time.

After long discussion, then our choice goes to mount Papandayan because almost all of us are newbie. The track to Papandayan is not really hard. Much people said that mount is good to the newbie.

August 15, 2014

There are 5 of us who’s decided to climb at the time. Me, Bude, Debie and Uya are from Jakarta and Rendi is from Cikarang. We started from Jakarta at 10pm and arrived at Cikarang at 11pm. After re-pack in Cikarang we continue the trip to Garut.

Arrived a t Garut and parked the car on the parking area (1^st post) at 4am and had a breakfast before start to climb at 5.30. It was a good start because we can see the sun rises in the horizon. It was outstanding; we stand above the cloud and show the golden line in the east sky.

Golden Sunrise Above the Cloud

Track in Papandayan is little bit unique, because to reach the top we through the crater first. From the parking area to the crater just needed about 10 minutes walking.

In the crater area, we can hear like the thunder from inside the mount because Papandayan is an active volcano and last explode at 2002. It was creep and we couldn’t stand for a long time at there because of the sulfur from the crater.

Crater

After short rest we continue tracking. The next track is not really bad. We through the road down the valley. At the base of the valley, there is a river that we can get the water down there. Then, we climb again to reach the second post of the mount. From the second post to the camping area needed about 30 minutes. The track is little bit hard because we have to climb up there.

On the Way to Camping Area

We reach at camping area at 9am.

Camping Area

It was not really good because there were too much people who gonna camp on that area. It was difficult to find a good place.

After we set the tend, take  a nap is a must because we haven’t got the chance to sleep yet. It was tiring and cold up there.

Taking picture with edelweiss

Loking for the dry wood

At the night it was the worst time for me. The weather is decrease so fast. I was scared because it is my weakness dealing with the cold weather. Beside of cold weather, the most incredible moment is to see the star on the sky, we could clearly see the milky way up there. I felt so blessing at that time, to be grateful because I really had a great chance to see the most beautiful night sky ever.

Night Sky

Picture Taken by Batara Surya

Sunday, august 17, 2014

Wake up in the morning and see another sunrise is our plan at that time. From the camping area we walk around to the death forest. It was named death forest because there are the deaths three as the remaining of volcano activity at 2002.

Before Sunrise

It was outstanding, standing again above the cloud and sees the golden sunrise.

Another golden sunrise

Selfie at Death Forest

Indonesia's Flag

Capturing the Capturer Who Capture Another Capturer

Death Forest

At 8am we decided to go down to the camping area. We didn’t done the summit because of we were tired. And the view on the highest level is not really good.

Actually, we planned to do the little ceremony to celebrate the Independence Day at the camping area. Because the camping area was full so the plan is just a plan.

Happy Independence Day Indonesia

Papandayam 2665 Above Sea Level

At 1 am we went down. It only needs about 2 hours to get down. It was one of incredible trip ever because it was my very first time. Hopefully could climb again to another mount.

On the Way Back

Landscape of Mt. Cikuray from Papandayan

Thanks to Bude, Debie, Uya and Rendi for the very nice trip to Papandayan.

Papandayam 2665 above sea level.

August 16-17, 2014