Mount Bromo, An Exciting Volcano

Coordinates: 7°56′30″S 112°57′00″E / 7.94167°S 112.95°E / -7.94167; 112.95

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Bromo is the white-plumed, higest: Mt. Semeru, front: Mt. Batok

Mount Bromo is an active stratovolcano and has a height of 2.329 meters (7.848 ft) above sea level. It is located in four regions, namely Probolinggo, Pasuruan, Lumajang, and Malang (East Java, Indonesisa). It is included in Tengger massif (also included in Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park). From the Juanda International Airport, Mount Bromo was about 65.9 kilometers (40.95 miles) away.

Mount Bromo us the most well known one, but it's not the highest peak at Tengger. The highest peak at Tengger massif is Mount Batok. The Body shape of Mount Bromo is mesh between valleys and canyons with the caldera or the sea of sands covering some 10 square kilometers. Mount Bromo has a crater with a diameter of ± 800 feets (north-south) and ± 600 meters (east-west). The danger area is a circle with a radius of 4 km from the central crater of Bromo.

November, 26th 2010 eruption

The eruption of Mount Bromo is very often. According to it history, Mount Bromo have erupted at 2010, 2004, 2001, 1995, 1984, 1983, 1980, 1972, 1956, 1955, 1950, 1948, 1940, 1939, 1935, 1930, 1929, 1928, 1922, 1921, 1915, 1916, 1910, 1909, 1907, 1908, 1907, 1906, 1907. But the eruption characteristics of Mount Bromo is low volcanic (effusive), not like Merapi that is high volcanic (explosive). In the event of an eruption, Bromo vomited material in the form of sand and ash. Therefore, the sea of sands is formed.

January, 22nd 2011 eruption

The last eruption sequences start in 2010, on Friday 26 November 2010. The Bromo Caldera was still active in late January 2011, the activity being characterised by fluctuating ongoing eruptions. Since 19 December, 2010 volcanic ash and incandescent material had been thrown up by eruptive activity resulting in a heavy rain of materials that fell around the crater.

The 1974's eruption was the greatest in the history of Mount Bromo. However, the radius of it eruption is 'only' 6-10 kilometers. Local people only use the traditional cap to protect themselves from rain of ashes. The danger things from the eruption is yellowish smokes from sulfur. This smoke can harm the human breathing.

The building at the desert is a Hindus temple

Alike with Mount Agung, Mount Bromo is very strong with religious nuances. For the residents of Bromo, Tengger tribe, Mount Brahma (Bromo), believed to be a sacred mountain. At the sands sea of foothill, we can met the Hindus temple.

Once a year the Tengger community held a ceremony Yadnya Kasada or Kasodo. The ceremony was held at a temple that is located under the foothill of Mount Bromo. On the fourteenth day of this Hindus festival, the Tenggerese people travel up the mountain in order to make offerings of fruit, rice, vegetables, flowers and sacrifices of livestock to the mountain gods by throwing them into the caldera of the volcano. The origin of the ritual is a legend from the 15th century.

The sea ​​of ​​sands is the uniqueness of Mount Bromo, where in this section is not overgrown with plants. At this area, the tourists often ride horse to enjoy their journeys. Temperature of Bromo region is between 5-14 Celsius degrees. From the deserts of Bromo we can go up to Mount Batok, the Mountain Kursi, as well as Mount Pananjakan. In the region of Mount Bromo are often found the very amazing panoramic views.

To go to Mount Bromo from Juanda international airport, you have to find a bus majors to Probolinggo regency.

1. if you get down in Pasuruan, you must choose to cease down at Wonokitri village, district of Tosari, Pasuruan. From here you can continue the journey towards Mt. Penanjakan first, or go to the sea of sands and then to the summit of Mt. Bromo. Mt. Pananjakan is the best viewpoint to Mt. Bromo.
2. if your trip end at Probolinggo regency, you must ensure that you was ended at Ngadisari village, district of Sukapura. From Ngadisari village, the Cemoro Lawang town, gateway to the desert around Mount Bromo, is only 3 kilometers. This is the major access point.

The other way, you can go to Mt. Bromo through Malang regency. From this, you must select the transport majors to Tumpang.

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How to Prevent Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a condition when a person is so cold that the body temperature drops below normal, any body temperature then lower than 35.0 °C/95.0 °F (Wikipedia). He or she starts shivering and cannot stop, then becomes confused and acts strange. Their words don't make sense and soon becomes very tired.

If you going to climb the mountain, you must know exactly everything that could making hypothermia. Knowledge about how to prevents it happening, what needs to be done and also what action needs to be done if you start to feel cold is very important.

Below are guide to prevent hypothermia in the mountains:

1. Do not forget to brings the mountain climbing equipments, such as the type of compass, shoes, costumes, and others that are recommended.
2. Do not wear cotton shirts. When it wet, cotton will be hard to dry. This often causes shivering despite wearing a thick jacket. We recommends that you use synthetic materials, such as polyester,nylon, which absorbs sweat and it must long-sleeved.
3. Bring enough stock to go climbs the mountain. Practical foodstuffs such as muesli bars, dairy products (chocolate bars, milk and yogurt), oatmeal or energy booster is very useful as a mild food reserves to carry and produce decent energies
4. Keep your body to stays dry and warm. Bring a poncho, however its condition. If possible, use the waterproof shirt and jacket. Do not forget to also carrying gloves and socks and its backup.
5. Bring emergency communications tools, not a mobile phone. There is often no signal for mobile phones. Carry the emergency signal equipments such as a whistle or mirror.
6. Do not force yourself to continue to run if you are tired and exhausted. Take a break and put the tent. Create a food or beverages that is fast to be served.
7. Carry an emergency blanket or space blanket. Maybe this equipment has not been a lot. It shaped like a thin layer of aluminum foil and used to wrap the body. It function is to make the body keep warm, reflected sunlight and to avoid the rain. This space blanket reflects back the body heat.
8. Do not forget to carries the temporary body warmer. It's a kind of body tape used when you was chilled. It usually used to doing extreme sports on snow.

And the last but not least, always pay attention to the any clues when you will climb the mountain.

Mount Agung at Bali Island

Coordinates: 8°20′31.2″S 115°30′28.8″E / 8.342°S 115.508°E / -8.342; 115.508

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Mount Agung is the highest mountain on the island of Bali. The mountain is located in the district of Rendang, Karangasem regency and Bali province (Indonesia). It was about 58.59 kilometers (36.41 miles) from Ngurah Rai airport.

This mountain had erupted in 1963. As a result of the eruption, the height of the mountain which was originally 3.142 meters, reduced to 2.920 - 3.014 meters (approximately). It is the highest point at the Bali island and is classified as stratovolcano.

Mount Agung is sacred by the local peoples. The Balinese believe that Mount Agung is a replica of Mount Meru, a mythical place that supposed as the central axis of the universe. A legend holds that it mountain is a fragment of Mount Meru that was brought to Bali by the first Hindus. Bali's most sacred temple, Besakih actually sits on its slope.

The adventurous traveler can attempt to climb the volcano between July and October. For beginner and intermediate climbers, they must be sure to hire a guide, as the route is long, difficult and dangerous.

There are three routes up the mountain, ie:

1. From the southeast through the village of Nangka can be reached from after the village of Budakeling. In Budakeling that is office for aide supervision of Mount Agung and can be reached by vehicles from Karangasem.
2. From Besakih which proceeds to a higher peak and starts at approximately 1,100 m (3,610 ft), it's the common and easiest route used by climbers. Through this path, you would be treated with memorable view of Mount Agung from along the journey. You will also witness the local people who did worship regularly on Pura Besakih.
3. The other one which commences higher is from Pura Pasar Agung, on the southern slope of the mountain, near Selat village (Pasar Agung) and which is reputed to take four hours. Typically the climbers stay overnight at Sangkan Kuasa.

There is no path between the routes at the top.

Guides are available in Besakih and for the experienced climbers, the mountain can also be climbed without a guide. Although the pass way over Besakih temple is the easiest, it still quite tough. It is sometimes tackled as a single climb generally starting about 10.00pm for a dawn arrival at the peak and sometimes with an overnight camp about three quarters of the way up. It is far harder than the more popular Balinese climb up Gunung Batur. It is not a mountain that needs ropes and not quite high enough for altitude sickness (especially for professional climbers) but adverse weather conditions develop quickly and warm waterproof clothing is required and should be carried. Also, there is no water available along the route.

As a place that is considered sacred by the Hindus on Bali, the following are Things to Look For In Climbing Mount Agung

1. In Bali, it is very strong traditional element in the spiritual life of religion. No attempt was made to climbs when there is any religious ceremony activity on Pura Besakih Temple or Pasar Agung. It is possible to maintain the sanctity of Mount Agung and Besakih or Pasar Agung that is be placed lower than the ascent.
2. Weather should be a top priority in climbing safety. When it's rainy season or seasons that are not allowed to climb, better be undone to keep things that are not desired. Climbing fields consists of stones that would be more slippery than usual.
3. For women who are menstruating, obligated to not climb. Remember that the Balinese very respect and uphold the sanctity of the Mount Agung and the surrounding area. We know about the myth that women who are menstruating are considered more dirty and of course if enforced to climb would result in less good for a climber. (Please do not believe this).
4. It is recommended to not to bring food or drink that comes from beef. Cows are considered to be sacred animals by the Hindus.
5. There is a myth to climb together in the number of evens.

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