Merbabu Volcano Via Wekas-Kedakan

Overview

Merbabu is one of Java old volcanoes, located in Central Java province, covers some regencies of Central Java: Magelang, Salatiga and Boyolali. Has many summits due to natural erosion effect, but the highest one is locally called Kenteng Songo, stands on altitude 3142 m. On summit of volcano Merbabu, "closed up view of Merapi volcano" can be viewed very well.There are more than 15 summit hiking routes available,some of them: Tekelan route,Selo route,Kedakan (dakan) route, Ngablak route,Genikan route,Ngagrong route,Pantaran route,Candisari route,and so on. most of them are actually used to be passed through by locals and farmer to collect grass.While hikers more often to hike through Tekelan,Selo, and Dakan.Till nowday, Merbabu is still considered as volcano possessing greatest number of hiking route in Indonesia. 

First recorded eruption was on year of 1797 (prev doubtful), till today still has several craters below summit, among them: Candradimuka (Consist of two part of Craters: Crater Lanang and Crater Wadon where bubbling water is visible),kumbang,Kendang, Rebab, and Sambernyawa.On hike, we still get smell of gas sulfur blow crux. So far... there is no well eruption documentation regarding the eruption of this volcano.

Getting There

To get at starting point of Dakan's trail, if you don't go by organized hiking trip, then going by public bus is the only option available. To go from Yogyakarta city, take city public bus heads for Bus Station Giwangan, then transfer by other bus heads for Magelang, and continue heads for Wekas, the entrance gate of hiking up summit of the volcano.

Upon arrival at entrance gate, there are two option: go heads for hiking Basecamp of Dakan by locals motor bike rider (locally called ojek), or go on foot through well trodden along the village and pine forest. The walk take normally 1 hour to reach Dakan Hiking Basecamp.

Route Description

It's take normally just 9 hours of actual ascent- descent to complete the route (Two summits and visit one crater). For 2 days hiking trip , the route can divided in to 3 section steps for more simple description of the route, as below:

SECTION I:Enterance gate 1300m-Basecamp 1700 m
ref to above Getting There

SECTION II : Basecamp - Campsite 2400 m;

From Dakan Basecamp on pass through trail of locals farms.After10 minutes of hike, you'll reach last building which is actually a local grave.From here,there are three different sub section route; straight one lead you through valley and up hill of Teyeng, left one lead you enter more forested slope, and right one lead you up the slope. All these sub section of route meet at the same point locally called Krego, and local hikers named it Pos II ( Second halt) Krego is more flat area on the slope of the volcano, there much space to accommodate more than 10 tents, and normally functioned as camp site by hikers.Water available on this campsite.

SECTION III : Campsite 2400 m- Summit 3142 m
From campsite, just follow the path lead you enter the forest heads for mountain Kukusan 2928 m, which is actual one of knolls of the volcano. The path getting more slippery and narrow, some part of trail also dominated by volcanic rock.

Before reaching mountain kukusan, you'll arrive on rocky flat area nearby craters Candradimuka.This area is also the meeting point of Dakan route with Tekelan route, more exposed and get more windy.

After 20 m of hike from mountain Kukusan, you then hike through crux of the trail on the slope,steeper up ward then down. The trail dominated more volcanic stone and locally called Jembatan Setan, located between between two craters: Crater Lanang and crater Wadon.This trail part will end at Simpang, the meeting point between two of trails; One trail on left side lead up head for second summit of the volcano, locally called Puncak Pregodalem, which is now more popular with name Puncak Syarif 3119 m.This summit also the meeting point of two other routes: Pantaran and Ngagrong (Boyolali regency)While other trail on right side lead up heads for highest summit locally called Puncak Kenteng Songo.

Before reaching the highest summit, you have to traversing the volcanic rock face of the volcano for a minute, then walk and sometime requires little big scrambling to keep balance on steeper upward part of the route called Ondho Rante for just few minutes heads for summit. Before reaching summit you pass through the false summit, locally called Pasar Dieng also some time called Pasar Bubra where you will discover archeological remains in form of stones.

Essential Gear

Hiking boot, warm jacket, headlamp, change of clothes, and hiking backpack

External Links

Related Link: www.hike-climb.com

Merbabu Orgenized Trip

 For 2 days hike, camp by tent options:on Kukusan zone ( on good weather)and Krego (on bad weather).Basecamp always be at Kedakan Basecamp.Make the summit always be in early morning for better views and weather up there, then descent heads for bascamp. Halt made below Jembatan Setan for 10 minutes, then take different route part leading down for crater's zone to have closer look of the crater.Follow the path that meet other route part from Krego.