Sir Edmund Hillary said, "It's not the Mountain we have to conquer, but ourselves." Yelp! really bener the word of this mountain climbing mbahnya. He was the first man to set foot on the highest peak of the world's highest mountain, the Everest peak in the Himalayas on May 29, 1953. This quote is most famous among climbers around the world. The very meaning of this short sentence. It is not the mountain we must conquer, but ourselves. I am now, if you remember this sentence is getting more excited. It's about climbing, if we can conquer the ego ourselves and keep trying, the optimistic will always accompany my climb.
One of the mountains that I have climbed is Mount Marapi in West Sumatra. Ordinary people either misunderstand if I know this mountain, play like Marapi same with Merapi. No! It's so different !! Mount Marapi is an active volcano and is located in West Sumatra Province, while Merapi is in Central Java Province. It's a glimpse, the peak looks quite similar, so I call Marapi and Merapi the twins are separate. : D
The climb to Mount Marapi is one of the best and will never be forgotten. Mount Marapi is the first mountain that I climbed on the island of Sumatra. Apparently, climbing activities in Sumatra have not been as busy as in Java Island. Hopefully the mountains in Sumatra are still deserted climbing, especially on a non-weekend day. I happen to climb to Mount Marapi on weekdays, it's the purpose so as not to be crowded and the climb becomes more calm.
My journey started from Jakarta, flying the plane to the city of Padang, traveling about one and a half hours. Arriving at the airport town of padang, I immediately approached some people who offer travel services. Based on my friends experience the Padang people, I was told to ride Damri because the driver of the trip at Padang Airport likes to raise the price if we do not book the trip to the agent. After finding the attraction to the city of Padang, I went up and paid a ticket of Rp 22,000. My goal is actually the city of Padang, keep Payakumbuh, not far from Bukittinggi. In Payakumbuh, I've been waiting for an old friend who will accompany me to Mount Marapi.
From the city of my field to Payakumbuh City with a minibus type car. The fare is quite cheap, about Rp. 25.000 with 4 hours travel time. Up in Payakumbuh, I immediately picked up a friend, his name Ucup and immediately invited me to his house for dinner and rest.
The next morning, exactly at 6 am my journey begins, using an old CB motor that has been in the modif, Saya and ucup glided toward the city of Bukittinggi, where climbing post Mount Marapi begins. Trips taken for approximately 1 hour. Arriving at the climbing post, we immediately put ourselves and pay a simulation of Rp. 10,000 per person and Rp. 20,000 for motorcycles. Because it was Monday, so not too many climbers did the climb.
The journey begins, beginning with the rocky track path to the jungle door, about 30 minutes journey over various vegetables, we finally enter the jungle door. The initial track is not too heavy, just a few hikes with the roots of large wooden roots. The typical jungle of Sumatran forest is immediately felt here, moist and full of big trees. The climb path is relatively clear and there are not many intersections.
After about 6 hours drive, we finally arrived at a post before the rock. Our plan will stay here and summit at around 5 am. Because the air duty is low, I decided to take the air at a water source not far from the rocks. Since it was summer, there was not much air left in the water source, just a few puddles on the sidelines of the canyon valley. After standing up the tent and cooking dinner, I finally fell asleep.
Preliminary plan going to summit at 5 am Apparently not done, none of us who woke up that morning. I woke up around 9 am while Ucup woke up one hour faster than me, yasudah, could not sunrise was okay, we decided to summit at 10 o'clock. After cooking and up peak, I and Ucup started walking towards the Peak Mount Marapi, there are only a few climbers who kemi encounter because it was enough afternoon. Travel about 2 hours to the summit. The weather is very sunny, but still be careful because the weather at the top of the mountain sometimes uncertain.
At 12 noon I finally set foot in Marapi Peak. Extraordinary! That was the first thing that came to my mind, a very wide and incredibly beautiful mountain top. The huge crater gaping right in front of my eyes, right behind me, stretches the Ocean over a dazzling cloud.
The expanse of rocks from the volcanic activity of Marapi volcano that is still active until now stretches very captivately in this vast uncak of mountains.
Once satisfied enjoy the highest peak of Mount Marapi at an altitude of 2930 masl. We continue our journey to the Edelweiss Park which lies on the other side of the peak of Merpati, or the highest peak of Marapi mountain. The journey takes about half an hour to get to Edelweis Park with a song that is quite extreme.
The park is full of thousands of legendary edelweiss flowers of eternity. But remember, this flower can not be picked for climbers who want to succeed Marapi. If found to pick this flower by BKSDA officers, will be subject to strict sanctions.
Traveling with the volcano Marapi in West Sumatra made me many things, grateful to have seen the greatness of the Creator, the magnificent universe he created. By continuing to enjoy every inch of the beauty of the universe, I became constantly learning to always be grateful for any circumstances, life is really beautiful when grateful, my friend.