Mount Semeru

Mount Semeru or Sumeru is the highest volcano in Java, with its peak Mahameru, 3676 meters above sea level (masl). The crater at the summit of Mount Semeru Saloko Jonggring known.
Semeru has Hill dipterocarp forest, dipterocarp forest Upper Montane Forest, and Forest Ericaceous or mountain forest.
The position of this mountain is located between the administrative area of ​​Malang Regency and Lumajang, with geographical position between 8 ° 06 'latitude and 120 ° 55' east longitude.
In 1913 and 1946 Crater Jonggring Saloka have dome with a height of 3744.8 M until end November 1973. On the south, the dome is broken edge of the crater caused lava flows towards the south side of the covering area and Candipuro Pronojiwo in Lumajang.

Travel

It takes approximately four days to climb the peak of Mount Semeru round-trip. To climb the mountain semeru can be reached via the town of Malang or Lumajang. From the city terminal unfortunate we ride public transportation to the village Tumpang. Connected again with a jeep or truck there is lots of vegetables in the back of the terminal market with cost per person Tumpang 20,000, - until the Postal Ranu Pani.
Previously, we stopped at Gubugklakah to obtain a license, with the details, the cost of license Rp.6.000, - to a maximum of 10 people, park entrance tickets Rp.2.000, - per person, per person Rp.2.000 Insurance, -
Using a vegetable truck or jeep journey starts from Tumpang to Ranu Pani, the last village at the foot semeru. Here there are checkpoints, there are also stalls and cottages. For climbers who bring tents are charged Rp 20,000, and if carrying a camera -/tenda also be charged Rp 5,000, -/buah. In this post we can also look for porters (local residents to help indicate the direction climbing, lifting goods and cooking). Climbers can also spend the night at the guard post. In Pos Ranu Pani also there are two lakes namely Lake Ranu Pani (1 ha) and Ranu Regulo lake (0.75 ha). Located at an altitude of 2200 masl.
Having arrived at the gate "welcome", note continues to the left toward the hill, do not follow the broad road toward the farm population. In addition to the usual route passed the climbers, there is also a shortcut that is usually used by local climbers, this path is very steep.
Initial lane ramps, down a hillside dominated by reed plants. There are no signs pointing toward the street, but there are signs at every 100m distance measure. There are many fallen trees and branches above the head.
After walking about 5 km down a hillside overgrown with Edelweiss, and will arrive at Watu Rejeng. Here there are steep stone is very beautiful. Very beautiful scenery to the valley and the hills, and is overgrown with fir and pine forest. Sometimes smoke can be seen from the top semeru. To reach Ranu Kumbolo still have to travel about 4.5 km. Ranu Kumbolo
In Ranu Kumbolo to set up a tent. There is also a hikers hut (shelter). There is a lake with water that is clean and has beautiful scenery, especially in the morning to watch the sunrise on the sidelines of hill. There are many fish, sometimes wild grouse. Ranu Kumbolo located at an altitude of 2400 m with an area of ​​14 ha.
From Ranu Kumbolo should prepare as much water as possible. Leaving Ranu Kumbolo then climb the steep hill, with beautiful views over the lake behind. In front of the hill lies a vast prairie called the oro-oro ombo. Oro-oro ombo surrounded by hills and mountains with beautiful views, wide meadows with pine-covered slopes of Europe. From behind the Mt. Kepolo looked peak Mt. Semeru wedus smoke spewing trash.
Further into the Pine forests where birds and deer sometimes encountered. This area is called Cemoro Cage.
Post Kalimati located at an altitude 2700 m, here to set up a tent to rest. Post this form of extensive grasslands on the edge of pine forest, so many available branches to build a fire.
There is a spring water source Mani, to the west (right) tracing Kalimati forest edges with a distance of 1 hour round trip. In Kalimati and in Arcopodo numerous mountain rats.
To go Arcopodo turn left (East), walk about 500 meters, then turn right (south) down the little meadow Kalimati. Arcopodo is 1 hour from Kalimati through pine forests which are very steep, with soils prone to landslides and dusty. Can we also camped at Arcopodo, but less stable soil conditions and frequent landslides. We recommend using goggles and cover your nose because a lot of fly ash. Arcopodo located at an altitude of 2.900m, Arcopodo is the last area of ​​vegetation on Mount Semeru, the rest will pass through the dunes.
From Arcopodo to the top of Semeru takes 3-4 hours, past the dunes are very steep and easily degenerate. As a guide trip, at this point there are also several small triangular red flag. All luggage should stay in Arcopodo or in Kalimati. Climbing to the summit made the early morning at around 2:00 am from Arcopodo.
At noon the wind cendurung north toward the peak carrying poisonous gas from the crater Jonggring Saloka.
The climb should be done during the dry season ie June, July, August, and September. Should not climb in the wet season because of frequent storms and landslides.

Poison gas

At the peak of Mount Semeru (Peak Mahameru) climbers are advised not to crater Jonggring Saloko, was also banned from climbing from the south side, because of the poisonous gas and lava flows. This toxic gas known as Wedhus Gembel (Java language which means "goat dreadlocks", ie a hairy goat hair like dreadlocks) by local residents. Mahameru dipuncak temperature range 40-10 degrees Celsius, at the height of the dry season minus 0 degrees Celsius, and ice crystals found. The weather is often foggy, especially at lunch, afternoon and evening. The wind was blowing hard, the month of December to January is often a storm.
Gembel wedus eruption every 15-30 minutes at the peak of Mount Semeru is still active. In November 1997 eruption of Mount Semeru 2990 times. At noon the wind direction to the summit, to avoid it coming during the day at the peak, due to toxic gases and the eruption leads to the summit.
The eruption of white smoke, gray to black with a height of 300-800 meters eruption. Material that comes out at every eruption of ash, sand, gravel, stones and even hot fire that is very dangerous if the climber is too close. In early 1994 hot lava running down the southern slope of Mount Semeru and had taken some casualties, although the views of the river heat winding towards the sea has become a very interesting spectacle.
Soe Hok Gie, a prominent activist and student at the Faculty of Letters Indonesia University of Indonesia, died on Mount Semeru in 1969 from inhaling toxic fumes on Mount Semeru. He died along with his partner, Idhan Dhanvantari Lopez.

Climate

In general, the climate in the region of Mount Semeru, including climate type B (Schmidt and Ferguson) with 927 mm rainfall - 5498 mm per year with the number of rainy days 136 days / year and the rainy season falls in the month of November to April. Semeru dipuncak Temperatures ranged from 0-4 degrees celsius.
The average temperature ranges between 3 ° c - 8 ° c at night and early morning, whereas during the day ranged between 15 ° c - 21 ° c. Sometimes in some areas there is little snowfall occurs during the rainy season changes to dry season or vice versa. Cold temperatures along the route of this trip is not solely caused by the still air but are supported by the wind which blows into this area causes the air gets colder.

National Parks

The mountain is included in the area of ​​Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The park consists of mountains and valleys covering an area of ​​50273.3 hectares. There are several mountains inside the caldera Gn.Tengger among others; Gn.Bromo (2.392m), Mt. Batok (2.470m) Gn.Kursi (2.581 m) Gn.Watangan (2.662m) Gn.Widodaren (2.650m). There are four lakes (ranu): Ranu Pani, Ranu Regulo, Ranu Kumbolo, Ranu Darungan.
Flora in the Region of Mount Semeru, but many diverse types dominated by pine trees, acacia, pine, and the type Jamuju. As for the plants under dominated by Kirinyuh, reed, tembelekan, harendong and white Edelwiss, Edelwiss are numerous in the slopes toward the summit Semeru. And also found some orchid species endemic to living in the vicinity of South Semeru.
Many fauna that inhabit the mountain Sumeru, among others: Tiger beetles, leaf monkey, civet, Deer, Mouse Deer, etc.. While in there Kumbolo Ranu surviving wild grouse.

The first climber

Lithography based on the paintings of Abraham Salm with views of the village and the background of Mount Semeru (1865-1872)
The first person to climb this mountain is Clignet (1838), a Dutch geologist from the southwest through Widodaren, then Junhuhn (1945) a Dutch botanist from the north through the mountains Ayek-Ayek, mountain-Inder Inder and mountain Kepolo. In 1911 Van Gogh and Heim through northern slopes and after 1945 are generally carried out through the north slope ascent through Ranupane and Ranu Kumbolo today.

Legend of Mount Semeru

According to the Java community trust that was written in ancient books Tantu Exhibition from the 15th century, on the ancient island of Java floating in the ocean vast, constantly wavering and shaking. The gods decided to tack the island of Java in a way to move Mount Meru in India over the island of Java.
Lord Vishnu transformed into a giant tortoise carrying mountain dipunggungnya, while Lord Brahma was transformed into a long snake wrapping his body in the mountains and body of the turtle so that the mountain can be transported safely.
Gods of the mountain was put on top of the first island they encountered, namely in the western part of Java Island. But the weight of the mountain that lead to the eastern tip of the island rose to the top. Then they move into the eastern part of Java island. When taken to the east of Mount Meru, Mount Meru, which scattered debris creates mountain ranges on the island of Java, which extends from west to east. However, when the peak of Meru was moved to the east, the island of Java is still skewed, so the gods decided to cut off part of the mountain and place it in the northwest. This fragment formed Pawitra Mountain, now known by the name of Mount Pananggungan, and the major part of Mount Meru, where dwells the god Shiva, now known as Mount Sumeru. At the time of Sang Hyang Shiva came to the island of Java millet saw many trees, so the island is called Java.
Geographical environment of the island of Java and Bali are consistent with Hindu religious symbols. In Hinduism there is the belief of Mount Meru, Mount Meru is considered as the home where dwell the gods and as a means of liaison between the earth (man) and rating. Many people of Java and Bali today still regard the mountain as the abode of the Gods, Hyang, and being fine.
According to the Balinese Mount Mahameru believed to be the father of Mount Agung in Bali and respected by the people of Bali. Ceremonial offerings to the gods of Mount Mahameru performed by the Balinese. No matter how the ceremony is only done once every 8-12 years at the time people just accept the supernatural voice of the god of Mount Mahameru. In addition to offering ceremony that the Balinese often come to the area to get Tirta Cave Widodaren sacred.

Activity

June 12, 2006, the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) Maritim Tanjung Perak in Surabaya, recorded volcanic earthquake with a strength of 1.8 on the Richter Scale (SR) due to the activity of Mount Semeru (3676 masl) [1].