Sumatra's Highest Point (Mount Kerinci)

To close the day at the turn of 2019, Mount Kerinci is the right answer for this trip. Mount Kerinci is the highest mountain on the island of Sumatra, the highest volcano in Indonesia, and the highest peak in Indonesia outside Papua. Mount Kerinci is located in Jambi Province, in the Bukit Barisan Mountains, near the west coast, and is located about 130 km south of Padang, West Sumatra Province. The peak of Mount Kerinci is at an altitude of 3,805 meters above sea level, in Kerinci Regency, Jambi Province, here we can see in the distance the beautiful views of the cities of Jambi, Padang and Bengkulu. This mountain is surrounded by dense forest in the Kerinci Seblat National Park and is the habitat of sumatran tigers and sumatran rhinos.

Mount Kerinci (3805 masl)

There are several choices of hiking routes for hikers to the peak of Mount Kerinci, including the South Solok Route and the Kersik Tuo Route. The route chosen for this hike is the Kersik Tuo Route, Jambi. The Kersik Tuo route is a route that is much sought after by hikers who want to go to Mount Kerinci. Apart from being a faster route than the South Solok route, this route also offers beautiful views accompanied by a muddy and steep path that challenges the adrenaline of those who pass it.

This journey began when the tiring routine of studying on campus meant that most students needed an atmosphere that could calm their souls. There was enough holiday, an opportunity for me and my friend, Fajar, to visit one of Indonesia's Seven Summits on the island of Sumatra, namely Mount Kerinci. Starting on December 28 2019, we departed from Bogor City using the ALS (Antar Lintas Sumatra) bus to Bangko City, Jambi. Actually, you can travel by plane to Padang or Jambi, but we prefer to use the bus because we want to experience the journey more and save on our budget. When we arrived in Bangko City, we were immediately greeted by Sydik, whom I had previously agreed to hike together from the initial contact on Instagram. He deliberately went alone from Tangerang and we happened to have the same time to hike to Kerinci.

Arriving in Bangko at night, finding a vehicle to the hiking basecamp was quite difficult. Several times we were offered by people to use travel vehicles at quite expensive prices. At 01.30 am, we were finally picked up by Jambi travel acquaintance Syidik. Travel took the three of us through winding roads and dark nights. Apart from the three of us and the driver, the trip was also carried by several passengers who wanted to go to the same city. Suddenly we had to sit side by side with each other. Due to the unfriendly roads, some passengers had to empty their stomachs because their nausea was unbearable.

The morning was greeted brightly, we finally arrived at the information post R10 Kerinci Seblat National Park at 07.00 am to process the conservation area entry permit. The cool thing is that before hiking, every piece of rubbish brought by the hiker, whether in the form of plastic packaging or other things, is checked and recorded one by one so that it can be accounted for when coming down from the hike later. On that day, December 30 2019, the hike was temporarily suspended until 11.00 am, because there was an operation to build up rubbish by the National Park. Therefore, hikers who go up are required to bring rubbish back down which can later be exchanged for typical Kerinci coffee to attract the attention of hikers. Still feeling motion sick, we had to start our journey to Sumatra's Highest Point.

Take a group photo before starting the hike with other hikers from various regions

The journey starts from R10 to the Jungle Gate which is the hiking gate on foot with a distance of around 2 km with a travel time of 45 minutes. The terrain consists of plantations and people's fields, with good road conditions (asphalt) and rocks up to the forest boundary. The journey continued with drizzle coming down from the fog and a muddy path to Post 1. The path was still sloping and not very far, it only took 35 minutes to get to Post 1. Arriving at Post 1, we sat for a while and drank water and the snacks we brought and chatted with some of the hikers who were going up too. Once our bodies were strong enough, we immediately continued our journey to Post 2. The route was the same as to Post 1 and it took us 25 minutes until we arrived at Post 2. 

There were quite a lot of hikers going up because it was the year-end holiday season with the majority of hikers from several areas including Padang, Medan, Jambi and there are also hikers from outside Sumatra such as Garut, Jakarta and Yogyakarta. Then, we continued to post 3, the route this time was quite tiring because the route was starting to get steep uphill. After 40 minutes of walking we finally arrived at Post 3 which was already busy with hikers who were resting too. Not long after, we hurriedly walked back to Shelter 1 where we would later eat and brew coffee there. After passing a road that was more often uphill for approximately 1 hour, we arrived at Shelter 1, where there were many hiker tents. The plan is that we will build a tent in Shadow Shelter 2 because apart from the water source, the view at night is very beautiful.

Shelter 1 is filled with hiker tents

After our stomachs were filled, we immediately continued our journey. We had to feel the tiredness and soreness that had begun to be felt because we were faced with a very uphill route plus the burden on our shoulders. However, with the interlude of jokes from other hikers and humorous stories, the tiredness gradually disappeared by itself. Really, something you don't get in the city. Exactly at 18.30 WIB, we finally arrived at Shadow Shelter 2. We immediately rushed to set up tents, flysheets and prepare cooking utensils for us to cook food for tonight. Seeing the view of the city lights in the distance and the stars in the sky, while enjoying the Liong Coffee that we brought from Bogor, is truly second to none. We didn't chat for long, we had to go to sleep quickly because in the morning we would continue our journey to the top of Mount Kerinci.

It was hard to fight the drowsiness and the cold felt in the body, but the beautiful view outside the tent increased our enthusiasm to continue the journey. At 02.30 am we started the summit attack by bringing sufficient food and drink logistics to the summit. Even on steep paths, using your hands should help you hike up the ascending path. When we arrived at Shelter 3 at 04.00 am, the weather which had been friendly gradually changed. The rain of mist and volcanic ash that hurt our eyes suddenly fell so we had to take shelter in another hiker's flysheet in Shelter 3. For 2 hours, we and approximately 10 hikers endured the cold and waited outside for the rain and wind to stop. The sun began to come out of hiding, and we immediately rushed to continue our journey. The fog covered and the rain fell again. Ah, Fajar and i made a big mistake in not bringing the ponchos we left in the tent because we forgot. All the clothes we were wearing were soaked and we looked for shelter under a rock. Our enthusiasm finally faded after hearing thunder and we decided to return to the tent and return to the summit attack the next day. However, after we passed Shelter 3, i was able to see again the peak of Mount Kerinci which was no longer obscured by fog. My heart said, "I've come all this way, don't give up." After talking to Fajar, we finally decided to return to the top. It rained again, but our spirits were rising. After arriving at Yuda Monument, the peak of Mount Kerinci became increasingly visible. We asked the hikers who had descended several times whether the peak was still far away. We go step by step.

The peak of Mount Kerinci can be seen from the Yuda Monument

At 09.00 WIB am an altitude of 3805 meters above sea level, we stood on the Roof of Sumatra, Mount Kerinci. Feelings of emotion and pride to have come this far. The fog covering the crater and on the other side the sea of ​​clouds add to the beauty of this view. It didn't take long because we were cold and we rushed to take photos. I didn't forget to take out my proud Ivory Yellow Scarf to document this trip. After that, we descended from the peak, cold from being soaked.

Mount Kerinci peak

When I come down from the peak, sometimes I think "Why are you going up the mountain, I'm tired, I've wasted money, it's better to just stay at home comfortably." However, as time goes on, this cannot be explained using words. The desire that makes you want to come back again and hike mountains seems to be more than a hobby, but rather a human need that makes you more grateful for the gift of God who has created it and nature.

Thank you Kerinci. Let me go back. Later