Mount Karangetang is an superior Jurassic Park-looking volcano that dominates the distant island of Siau in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
You may’t go anyplace on tiny Siau island with out seeing this majestic volcano and its twin smoking craters. For those who’re fortunate, chances are you’ll even get to see it spouting molten lava and rock bombs at night time, which it does fairly typically.
On this information, I’ll share my expertise mountain climbing the Karangetang volcano in 2021, and I’ll give some ideas in case you intend to climb it your self.
Drone pic of Mount Karangetang volcano
Is It Protected?
Initially, let’s speak about security. Karangetang is a extremely lively volcano — in all probability some of the lively volcanoes on the planet.
The native guides are educated and any seismic exercise is monitored by the Indonesian authorities, however there’s nonetheless loads of danger concerned in climbing this mountain. It might erupt at any time.
You may climb to the highest of Karangetang should you’re feeling additional loopy, however to be secure most individuals solely hike partway up the mountain and peep on the smoking craters from a distance (and even that could be a bit dangerous).
Climbing any lively volcano in Indonesia carries some hazard clearly, however this one is unusually lively, so proceed at your individual danger.
Smoking twin vents at Gunung Karangetang
My Native Information: Dominik
I’d extremely advocate going with a neighborhood information for this hike, as a result of the path is tough to navigate in any other case.
I did this hike with Dominik, a neighborhood information in Siau island with a few years of expertise climbing Karangetang. His brother additionally joined us for the hike and helped clear vegetation with a machete.
Dominik was an enormous assist throughout our keep in Siau and he can assist prepare excursions and actions within the space. You may contact him by WhatsApp at ☎ +62 853-9866-6999.
Climbing the volcano with my guides
Summit view from the outdated lava subject
Mount Karangetang: What To Anticipate
• Beginning The Hike
My guides and I began this hike very early as a result of I needed to you should definitely get clear views of the volcano. That turned out to be choice, as a result of after we exited the treeline some thick clouds started to roll in, slowly obscuring the summit.
There was a 30 minute scooter trip to the trailhead on the south facet of the volcano, after which we began mountain climbing at 3:15 AM, taking 2.5 hours to succeed in an outdated lava subject under the summit.
For security causes, we stopped on the lava subject. We have been about two-thirds of the way in which to the summit and didn’t imply to go any farther because the volcano is notoriously lively.
We might see most of Siau island as soon as we acquired out of the jungle
• In The Jungle
Our progress was sluggish due to the loopy terrain. It was darkish and the trail was stable jungle!
There was extraordinarily dense foliage because the path had principally been deserted throughout Covid, which meant my guides needed to hack by way of it with a machete. Every step required one other swing with the machete.
Alongside the way in which, we noticed numerous large inexperienced millipedes, which have been innocent, however we additionally bumped into an enormous centipede, which was extra threatening since they will chunk. He was raised up in an assault place, and the guides advised me their chunk actually hurts.
Navigating the path was difficult by the truth that it was so steep, muddy, and slippery. We fell so much. It was by no means harmful by way of drop-offs, though I used to be just a little frightened about one among us falling on my information’s machete or one thing like that.
Climbing throughout the lava rocks wasn’t significantly better. A few of them have been mossy and intensely slippery, and I’ve to say I bloodied each of my knees from falling on the rocks a number of instances, though I used to be sporting good grippy sneakers.
Out of the jungle and into the lava rocks
Acquired some scrapes from falling within the jungle
• Outdated Lava Discipline
We acquired to the lava subject simply in time for dawn, after which I spent about an hour flying my drone and testing the summit. This volcano is de facto attention-grabbing as a result of it has twin smoking cones on the summit. So cool!
By the point we began our descent at 7:25 AM, the summit was already principally coated in clouds. Taking place was simpler because the path was already cleared, but it surely nonetheless took about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
If I had 9 lives, I’d like to climb all the way in which to the summit and see the craters up shut.
Regardless that we stopped earlier than the summit, Karangetang was an awesome hike and we acquired some nice views!
Views from the outdated lava subject. That is the place I finished and flew my drone.
When To Do The Hike
Siau island has a tropical rainforest local weather just like Manado and the remainder of North Sulawesi.
The driest months are July to October, and people are the very best months to hike Karangetang.
We visited Siau in June and the climate was good throughout our journey.
My Journey Information For Siau Island
Thanks for trying! I hope you loved this weblog publish about climbing the Mount Karangetang volcano in Indonesia.
Don’t neglect to take a look at my full information for Siau island earlier than you go! This place has some superb seashores, tarsiers, and different issues to see.
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