Gunung Lawu

  • Gunung Lawu
  • 3265 m.
  • Primary factor: 3118 m
  • Java, Indonesia
  • Location: South 07.62734, East 111.19434 (GPS at the summit)
  • Difficulty: (YDS) class 1
  • Climbed July 22, 2015

Information:

How to get there:
This mountain is located on the border between East Java and Central Java. From Surakarta, drive east to the smaller village of Tawangmangu, this is the last town before the Hwy. climbs to about 1900 meter and the trailhead. There are actually two trailheads less than a kilometer apart. This report describes the hike from the east trailhead. This location is S07.66453, E111.19161, elevation about 1900 meter.
This is a quick summary and reference to climbs made in the summer 2015.
Route description.
Head up through the gate and follow the big, nice path through the forest. This path is nicely done, set with stones almost all the way. There are steps in the steeper sections and even handrails near the top. You will pass small shelters that are numbered 1 to 4. After position 4, only a short section remains before the trail becomes horizontal and contours around to your right. You will pass several shelters and even a few places that sell drink and other stuff? to the hikers. Finally, you move uphill (left) to gain the highest point. There are 2-3 alternative paths here, they all do lead to the summit. The summit has a tall marker and lots of visitors.
Comments:
I left the hotel (MesaStila) already at 0300, knowing that this was a long drive and that traffic had been pretty bad for a week now, because of the holidays at the end of Ramadan. Traffic was light at this early hour and we reached the trailhead at 0600. I little organizing and I could hike at 0610. The local office had not opened for registration yet.
The trail turned out to be a very well made path, set with stones almost all the way, steps where appropriaate. Higher up, even some sections with handrails. The "normal time" seemed to be 5 hours up, with a station for every hour. I quickly saw that my time was slightly faster than 30 minutes per station. After reaching the crater area, the trail turned flat and contoured along. At last, a small hill and I arrived at the summit by 0830, so 2:20 up.
Lots of people everywhere, but it seems the normal way to climb this peak is across 2 days with a tent camp somewhere along the route.

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