Mount Rinjani 2013 D04 - Lake Sagara Anak & Sembalun Crater Rim

It was a rainy night which I don't expect and do not want to encounter but it was not that bad because the amount of drop wasn't that huge. Last night set the alarm on my mobile phone to ring at 5.30am when awaken by it outside was raining thus nothing much I can do especially the sunrise won't be good when you have whole night of rain. Went back to sleep which I enjoy whole night with nice cooling temperature.

Without notice it was so bright then I quickly jump out from the sleeping bag and leave my tent. It was a clear sky thus I ran to the top of them rim hoping a chance of nice photo shot on the lake with the mild sunlight in the morning. Taken numerous shots but it turn out not so good when I finally see it on my computer. Had chat with three Malaysian whom I met yesterday when arrived here. I do recognized one of them whom travel on same flight with us on Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur to Lombok. Then I try to walk further finding a better angle to snap few more photo but something make me decide not to go further. Saw many poo on the ground and I am very sure it was from human, these owner were so irresponsible!!!

Had our breakfast then we are excited to move to next POI (Point Of Interest), Lake Anak Segara. In fact night before we had a discussion about the trekking plan for the next 3 days. We are thinking of skipping the lake then had our second night at Sembalun Crater Rim. But this was not confirm because we would like to see our progress today then decide. The reason we will skip the lake is because hot spring near the lake was not promising at this time and we have no plan to swim in the lake too.

Going down to the lake was indeed challenging and I still remember last accident at this place was a girl fall because she was playing hide and seek with her boyfriend on the way down. Although it was hard but we are eager to see what we can get from the lake as well as hot spring thus going with faster pace. We arrived about 11am and it was early to have lunch, moreover our cook need to setup kitchen for the cooking. Some of us decided to go looking for waterfall and hot spring. It was 20 minutes walk from the lake and the hot spring was just a small pond. Had a dip in the pond because i need to freshen up myself. A good rest in the small pond of hot spring for 30 minutes then we return to the lake side for lunch.
After lunch we conclude that we shall go on to next campsite because we did well in the morning and everyone is fit to go on. Walking on the side of the lake on the slippery stone for 15 minutes then we are starting to ascent. This stretch of trail was as tough as day before. Luckily the ending stretch was almost flat and we could actually run on. Setting up tent and kitchen then our cook is going to look for drinking water for cooking. Myself and another friend follow them to get some cleaning on our tiring body. Then I had a short nap in the tent since we had plenty of time, arriving this campsite about 3:00 pm.

We had early dinner today so we could get rest earlier for tomorrow. Waking up as early as 2:00 am to trek up to summit thus earlier rest is good for us.

After rain stop I decided to leave my tent for a fresh air.

Most of them still having good rest thus better not disturb.

The other 2 tents which is a little far from mine.

Other camper from other tour group, some of them will go down return home this day.

The lake and the island with active volcano.

Last year I was here with other group and the setup of out tent are almost similar with different name we called it.

The view of the peak from Senaru crater rim.

Good morning!

Breakfast that we never have chance to finish because it was too much.

We can see few other great mountain on different island,

Rest stop before reaching lake side.

While resting we can see the porter aka cook were approaching, we left them early and it was so easy for them to reach us in such short time.

I like this view just few meters before the lake.

The active volcano, Mount Baru.

While waiting for lunch.

This shot was for someone on the rock, can you notice him?

The waterfall.

Little pond of hot spring, the "orange" color on the surface of rocks are the source of hot water.

Some of the locals will come here few days to fish.

This river is discharging the water from the lake, and now is not the raining season thus not much of water flowing out. That is also part of the reason we do not get much hot spring pond.

Tent setup for second night, an unforgettable night for some of us.

Cook busy in the kitchen preparing dinner.

As usual, coffee and fries before meal.

Tomorrow we will walk on that edge to go up.

A short nap.

Sun set.

Dinner while enjoying sunset.

Good night....

Mount Rinjani 2013 D03 - Senaru Crater Rim

Woke up as early as 5am get suit up and check the bag packing was all in place. Waited at hotel lobby for the pickup by Adventure Lombok tour company Operation Manager Mr. Budi. Then found out the van will be slightly late and Mr. Budi will not be leading this trip. Later the van arrived with Mr. Haris, Guide Chief for this trekking trip. Last year when I trek up to Senaru Crater Rim with my co-worker Mr. Haris was our Chief Guide too. He did very well in managing a big group of us (21pax) and none of us were left behind though some difficulties arises.

Get on to the van taking us to the starting point which is also the office to register and pay for the entrance to Mt. Rinjani National Park. The journey took about 2 hours and when reach the destination we see a group of porter with another guide Mr. Sako were there to greet us. Every porter will get their portion of stuff to carry and that includes our stuff which is not needed during trekking. We decided to leave ahead of porter because usually they are way faster than us though with the over-weight stuff they carry. Mr. Haris will stay back to organise with the porter and Mr. Sako will lead us to move on. 

With this group of experience trekker our pace were quicker compare to what I did last year. We arrived first rest point ahead of time and had rest as well as fluid replenishment. Move on after a short break while the sun still not so blazing hot. Nest stop we were there too early thus have to wait a while for the porter because they are carrying the food supply. We will have a simple breakfast which is fruit to replenish the energy used. 

After taking the fruit everyone was so energetic and move on much quicker. The mist getting thick when we are at higher altitude. By the time we reach another rest stop the visibility was greatly reduce due to mist. We are ahead of scheduled arrival at this rest stop for lunch. While waiting for our porter cum cook, we start to "dry" our shirt due to high humidity and get warmer clothing on. 

Porter quickly setup kitchen and starting to cook our lunch while we get our rest under a cozy tent setup by them. Not too long of wait we can smell someone brewing coffee. We have a selection of instant coffee (3-in-1 premix coffee), tea or Lombok coffee (local coffee which is actually for the porter). But this local coffee taste much better than other and everyone of us like it very much. So sorry to the porter for taking most of their coffee. We are having Mi Goreng (local fried noodles) with fried chicken and egg then fruits as desert.

This time I am trying to reach the crater rim before dark so I could enjoy the view of dawn on crater rim. The pace is getting slower than earlier today because physically we are weak. Along the way met few Malaysian and Singaporean whom will compare this trek to Mt. Kinabalu where the later was too easy. Arrived Senaru Crater Rim before sunset and managed to capture few shots of the Lake Segara Anak from crater rim at this hour. And looks like we are late to the campsite thus can't setup tent at best spot on the crater rim. Our guide finally found a place for us which is not far from the top where we can see the lake.

Picked out our tent for the night then I do some clean up with wet tissue and change. Lay down on the floor mat prepare by the guide enjoying starry sky. Later coffee, again we asked for Lombok coffee, and fries was served. Out of sudden felt several rain drop and it started to rain, not heavy though. When dinner is ready we squeezed into the kitchen tent to enjoy the meal then call it a day.

Back to my tent I started to re-pack my stuff to backpack for tomorrow trekking. Check my phone battery level before making call home to update my status. Seems like not need a charge but my Garmin Edge800 left only 14% of battery. Shit!!! Forgotten my charging cable which I left in hotel with my other bag. For few hours I was not able to sleep because I made such a silly mistake which I told myself I should not when do packing. Last year when trek to the crater rim I forgotten to charge my GPS logger before heading back and this round was worst. 

Our transport from hotel to starting point.

Passing by fishing village along the way to starting point.

Break time to replenish lost fluid in our body.

Stefan arriving to the lunch stop, this was too easy for him.

The rest of the team, Thomas, Angela and Peter are following up together with Mr. Haris.

Happy look, must be enjoying the fun.

Many other trekking group was already here for lunch break.

Two of my fellow trekker (Darren and Stefan) who were much stronger than me, looks like I need to have more training.

Thomas arrive minutes later and mist getting thicker.

Follow behind Thomas was Angela and Peter.

Our temporary resting tent, also can be dining area.

The kitchen...and the cook lead by Mr. Haris in red top.

While waiting for lunch...

Let's have a cuppa.

Lunch, Mi Goreng with fried chicken.

Darren was fascinated by the scenery when we are at 3/4 of the journey for today.

A shot at Lake Segara Anak at dawn.

Approaching campsite where our tent was setup.

That's out tent, Darren on the left and Peter on the right while mine was in the center.