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Indonesia: Merbabu – Mountain of Ash

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Merbabu – Mountain of Ash

July 2014

The vulcano Merbabu (meru=mountain, abu=ash) is the twin vulcano of Merapi, and just 10 km away. Unlike Merapi, Merbabu is not an active vulcano and not dangerous. Starting point for this adventure is again the village of Selo. But this tiem we want to hike down on the other side of the mountain, so we don´t go by motorbike. Instead we reach Selo by a mix of bus, hitchiking and walking.

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Transportation is slow in Indonesia and it is already dark when Shireen and I reach selo. In the dark we walk to the basecamp and pitch our tent.

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Great view the next morning. It could be in the european Alps.
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At the Basecamp we supply us with water, food and an emergency phonenumber. We have to call when we arrive on the other side.
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It starts with a thick forest. Here it is still warm and humid.

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The way to the “Puncak”,the “Peak” is well visible and signed.
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This vulcano is much greener than Merapi.

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Once above the clouds, there is a spectacular view of Merapi, the neighbouring vulcano.
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Just a few days before we have been at the top. From here it looks impossible.
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The ascent is strenous, but the view invites for some breaks.
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Other trekker going down, it is much easier than going up.
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Merbabu has not only one peak,but several.
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At noon we reach the top, above the clouds.
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I could spend hours to watch the clouds. How they move, dissolve and form again.
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But we start do descent so that we can spend the night at a lower elevation.
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The afternoon sun creates warm colours.
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It is getting cooler quickly, we pitch the tent and collect wood for a fire.
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It is warm at the fire, it´s a shame that you can´t take it into the tent.
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Sunset above the clouds.
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An awesome view next morning, at the horizon there are some more vulcanos.
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The descent is not always easy. It is better to concentrate.
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We get lower where people use the fertile soil to plant vegetables.
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Back in the civilisation, the village Kaliurang. From here we want to continue to the island Karimun Jawa.

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