Sungai Geringging – Week 3

Week 3 would end with my Birthday – 26 years old :(

the bottom

Volunteer Eddy organised for 14 volunteers to do an overnight volcano hiking trip in the near by town of Bukittinggi.  So on the 21st November at 8pm – 14 of us after an exhausting day of work set off from the crib in two mini buses.  Two hours later we arrived at the base of active volcano, Mount Marapi (2,891.3m).  Prior to the hike Will and I had not passed any thoughts on the hike itself – thoughts were more on the beers we would be having the following day.  So of course we were completely unprepared, in fact everyone was.  I’ve no idea what we had been thinking; I’d been picturing a cartoon image of a pleasant walk up a volcano to the top where there would be a bubbling pool of lava.  But NO, we stood at the base of the volcano starring miles up not even able to see the summit, and it was bloody freezing.  Will soon found that shorts and converse trainers were not suitable.  I had a miss-match of an outfit from the HODR free-box, including what I thought was a decent pair of hiking boots (US Aaron’s work boots), a paper thin bright yellow rain coat, and my piece de resistance – surfing rash vest.  The hike began.  An extremely quick pace and terrible conditions.  Rain, icy winds and slippery mud – more of a climb than a hike.  After five hours we reached the point where we could go no higher at night and so we stopped until sunrise.  There was no shelter other than a make-shift  tarp shelter which the guide had brought.  I’ve been in some extremely cold situations over the years but this night took the buscuit – at one point I thought we were all doomed, it was like something out of one of those ’999′ tv shows.

near death

We made it through till sunrise by huddleing together – Will and I weren’t really complaining picking Lucy and Elisa to keep us warm.  Note how happy Eddy the group organiser looks in the picture – it wasn’t a happy moment.

Sunrise was a bit dissapointing as we were in thick cloud and saw nothing – we were still alive so that was okay.

we made it through the night

After a little deliberation we headed to the summit. Not that we could see much, as the mist and clouds had us surrounded.  The summit was very cool, is was like a giant beach, and flat as a pancake.  It felt good to be at the top – a massive sense of achievement.  The way down was much easier but I was the most physically exhausted I have ever been.  Once at the bottom we collapsed and waited for our lift.

happy birthday

Having not drank in almost 4 weeks it was time to let my hair down.  Half of the team were staying over for the night to party.  We went straight from the volcano to the hotel and to bed at 13.00, Will and I booked a 17.00 wake-up call with the addition of a cold delivery of Bintang beer from reception.  It was a messy night and one of the most enjoyable.  A couple of events from the night; Will and I kicking the band off stage to play ‘Dust in the Wind’ in The Hills (5* Hotel) – and aussie Dave somehow loosing a tooth – a direct result of discovering the local whisky; ‘Seahorses’.

dust in the wind

the overnight gang

We arrived back to the crib as heroes having survived an epic adventure.  And there waiting for me was the best birthday present ever – the internet was working.  Bukittinggi was a cool town, a lot more relaxed without the strict muslim culture – geared up for the backpacker.  All in all an awesome Birthday and certainly memorable.