Scrambling to the Peak & down to the Lake + Hot Springs! (Mt Rinjani - Day 2)

8th June 2010

Brr... I heard the wind howling in the distance and a persistent nudging coaxing me out from the cocoon I have made myself into.

"Time to wake up already?" I stuck my head out from my sleeping bag and shrank a little at the sudden cool air on my face.

"Yup! Put on your jacket and we'll join the rest for hot drinks and biscuits before we head up!"

I glanced at my watch. Only 2.00am. Nice. This should leave us ample of time to reach the peak before sunrise! A shot of piping hot Lombok coffee and a couple of biscuits, we were off on our path up to the much-anticipated peak.

For the first time, I had a hiking stick with me. I've been advised to have one along. If it was to be useful at any point of the trip, it would be at this very part of the journey. Never underestimate the soil that you will potentitally face. And boy! Was I glad that I had the stick with me! The initial hour was a slow struggle with steep inclination but solid ground to tread on. Come the next hour, things began to turn into REAL challenges. The loose volcanic soil was growing more dense, the icy wind pierced more sharply with the open vast space and the air was getting thinner making it harder to breathe.

We made many stops. Each of us panting and puffing after merely 20 steps or so. Midway through...

"Pak! Is it okay if I wait for you all here?"

I heard Jian Wen asking. He wasn't feeling all too well. After being warned not to go anywhere but to wait at a slightly more shaded spot, the remaining 4 of us continued our struggle to the top. Cindy decided to stay back to accompany her fiance.

Norman and I were falling behind. I could sense that the Swiss guy was making too many courteous stops for us to be completely enjoying this particular hike. As the sky got a little brighter, Adi gave him the green light to shoot off himself. Our group has zeroed down to the 3 of us.

It was NOT easy. For every 2 steps forward, it was a 1 step slide back. Crawling. Scrambling. I did whatever I could to make effective distance but it was really difficult. I was drained out. My breath was laborious. Frustrating. And without realising it, I found tears started forming in my eyes... and I can't possibly imagine why!

I saw Adi resting in the distance, and joined him when I eventually got there.
Sigh..
"Adi. I think we shall take our own time there. No point rushing as we aren't going to make it up there before sunrise. See!! The sky is already brightening!"
"Yaa... tak apa! Go slow... take your own pace... asalkan selamat."



Taking a rest with Adi

whilst waiting for Norman to catch up

When Norman finally caught up with us, he wasted no time to rest. He placed his now-felt-like-10kg-backpack on the soil and wasted no time to take his camera out! There's always reserved energy in him when it comes to landscape photography.


Tha narrow path





Incredibly steep!

Trudging ahead

Sunrise was fast peaking

 After what felt like eternity, the loose gravel started to give way to even rocky surfaces. We were finally fast approaching the top. I turned to Adi who was close behind me all the time through this last leg of treacherous path.

"Pak, you can go up first. I'll wait here for Norman. Don't worry, I am okay."

I wanted to scale the very last few steps with this special one. He lagged behind for the many stops he took to snap pictures. We have come so far together, and without his support throughout, this would have been a near impossible nightmare. I smiled as he caught up once again.
"We are almost there, dear. Finally!"

His aloof grin was unmistakably visible. We both got up there together... with the sun shining its full glory.

*Hugs*

Appreciating the bird's eye view before our very eyes

Our team that made it

"Yay! Team Malaysia, you've made it!" Our Swiss friend hollered. He was prancing around with arms folded, clearly trying to keep himself warm.

"How long have you been up here?"

"Hehe.. about an hour now. You missed sun rise!"

An hour long?! Gosh.. we were that slow?:) Oh well, we made it in the end anyway. Although I felt somewhat bad that we had to make him wait for so long, we didn't feel bad enough to take some more time taking photos of the gorgeous natural wonders before us.


Anak Segara Lake below

As much as we would have liked to stay there longer, the chill was getting to me and we still have Jian Wen & Cindy waiting below. The climb down was a different experience altogether. Thankfully faster, it required skill and balance to 'ski' down steadily. It felt like skiing, literally.



Exhausted but.. oh, what a view below!

Met up with Jian Wen & Cindy

Apart from Norman's broken hiking stick on the way down, we all got back to the campsite safely. But I was pretty much drained. The sudden onset of tiredness made my subsequent movements real sluggish. Take off shoes.. take off socks.. take off thermals.. put on dry clothes... pack up sleeping bag..

"Hey, why don't you come have something to eat first? Breakfast is ready."

"It's okay. You go ahead with the rest. I don't feel hungry. Will pack up first."

Not hungry?! Yeah, surprisingly I wasn't. Exhaustion was more than I could handle at that moment.

"I've never seen Reen this tired before." I heard Norm's voice as I approached our picnic mat. He waved me over and pulled up a chair. I sat staring at the plate of food he handed to me.

"Better try eat something, kay? We've still a long journey ahead of us."

Sigh. It was true. Now that the peak has been conquered, the motivation to push forth has subconsiously started to plunge.



Waiting to be fueled



Egg sandwich + Banana Pancake + Pineapple + Lombok Coffee!

What's left from the 'kitchen'



The train of monkeys ready to pounce on any leftovers


Upon finishing his meal, he took my left leg and gently placed it on his lap. As he started to massage those aching legs, the instant relief felt was immense. Dear, you couldn't possibly imagine how grateful I was then :-*

Before any of us could restore our energy, we had to pack up and make our way down to Anak Segara Lake 2000m above sea level. The plan was to trek down, have lunch, dip into hot springs, and trek up again to Plawangan 1- Senaru Crater Rim (2641m) to spend the night. But at the rate we were going, trekking up again was pretty far-fetched. Not only time was against us, we doubt our zapping energy would see us through.

The trek down to the lake was by far the craziest path I have ever imagined. Blardee steep with humongous "steps"! - Did nature think that giants trek its path?? Intermitent rain shower just added another obstacle to the less-than-pleasing experience - slippery! It took a lot of teamwork and a few near-falls before miraculously we arrived at Anak Segara Lake, thankfully without any major injuries.

But, it was p-o-u-r-i-n-g cats and dogs. The heavy downpour really dampened my spirit. Cold, wet, tired and hungry. Food was not ready yet as the rain was a hindrance to getting any cooking done.

"I guess we can hit the hot springs first! We will never make it up to the other campsite today. We might as well take our own time and rest here instead."

We all agreed unanimously. I was initially reluctant to head down to the hot springs (a good 1km through bushes and slopey terrains), but he vouched that it was going to be one helluva experience that I must not miss. Let your muslces heal with the sulfur-ed hot water at the highest hot springs in the world! I'm glad I listend to him.


Sharing a bath in the 'hot tub'

It was the only 'bath' we ever got. By the time we got back the campsite, it started to pour again. But food was ready - our porters managed to erect a temporary shade made from canvas (with holes!) and poles. Famished - we gobbled up our meals within seconds and spent the rest of the time in silence, each drowning in their own thoughts whilst watching the heavy rainfall. It truly was a day out of the ordinary.

When the rain subsided, we got up to set up our tents and got ourselves comfortable into dry warm clothes for the evening.

Our neighbours

Let to Dry

Tonight, we will spend the night next to a temperamental volcano at the opposite side of the lake. We gazed in awe when she rumbled and puffed. Such magnificent beauty she possed that I was truly humbled by her presence.

Rumbles...



Puffs!

We had a jolly good time that evening. Jian Wen's brilliant idea to bring wine up the mountains was a real treat! Sitting around the campfire with wine in hand made this a luxury camping experience.

Cheers!

 As we exchanged stories, our chatters and laughters resonate in the quiet night. The last thought that came to mind before succumbing to slumberland that night was that I do belong to a very small group of lucky people to be nestled in such a special place.

What made it even special was that I was sharing the special moment with the snoring guy next to me.