The sun emits its light from the bed as farmers begin to carry the hoe to the plantation. When you want to climb the peak, early June, through the path of Mount Putri, the foot of Mount Gede offers beautiful scenery. Nothing wrong with this month many climbers who want to spend the weekend with an adventure exploring Mount Gede Pangrango.
Mount Gede Pangrango is one of the five oldest national parks owned by Indonesia. Inaugurated since 1980 based on the Decree of the Minister of Agriculture, Mount Gede Pangrango National Park (TNGP) has a land area of more than 22,000 hectares. In general, TNGP is covered by tropical rain forests that are always wet. Even in the dry season, forest vegetation is able to keep moisture to stay wet.
Climbing Mount Gede Pangrango is one way to enjoy the richness of Indonesia's tropical rain forest. There are two alternative path options to get to the top of Mount Gede, namely throughMount Putri and through Cibodas. If through the path of Mount Putri, many climbers who choose to stay overnight in Surya Kencana square before then return to climb to the top.
The peak of Mount Gede is at an altitude of about 2,900 meters above sea level (mdpl). In the first 1000 meters, climbers will feel the air temperature is not too cold. In this area, the climb path is dominated by big trees, like rasamala trees. In the medio before reaching the peak, the big trees are getting smaller. In this area, the trees that grow look different than in the previous height. The tree at an altitude of 2,000 mdpl has a long stem up to 20 meters, the size of the leaves is smaller, but has a very large and strong roots. While at an altitude of nearly 3,000 meters above sea level, Mount Gede is adorned with vegetation plants of smaller size and brightly colored leaves, such as edelweis and cantigi that are widely seen along the Surya Kencana square.
Surya Kencana square is the most popular area of climbers to open tents and stay overnight. It is not without cause. In addition to having beautiful scenery because there are edelweis and flanked by two mountains, in this place also flows water sources that are needed by the climbers.
Time taken from the square Surya Kencana to get to the top about 30 minutes. Along the path, will find many trees cantigi leaves are bright red. Cantin named latin Vaccinium varingiaefolium is a plant that can survive on land that is lacking nutrients or in extreme weather conditions. Arriving at the peak of Mount Gede, climbers will be greeted by nature's extraordinary beautiful paintings. Fatigue will be paid off when you see the beautiful circle of crater with bursts of sulfur vapor is still active. From the peak of Mount Gede, will be seen arrogant Mount Pangrango on the other side. But if the weather is not friendly, Mount Pangrango can not be seen because it is covered in fog.
The journey is then continued to get to the last post at Cibodas. To get to the last post, it takes about 7 hours trip for beginner climber, it may be faster for climbers who are accustomed to the downhill path. Similarly, when climbing, the scenery trip down is still dominated by tropical rain forest vegetation.
In addition to being rich in various flora, TNGP is also rich in fauna. If lucky, the pandaki will see a flock of Javanese gibbons, deer, and various birds, such as hawks and owls. The TNGP forest is also a native habitat for a herd of monkeys and a variety of insects that may not even have been named scientifically.
Before reaching the intersection between the path to Mount Pangrango and Cibodas, climbers will find a waterfall in the middle of the forest with very clear water. It is said that this unnamed waterfall is Soe Hok Gie's favorite place to rest for a while while washing before proceeding. Judging from its position at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters above sea level, the waterfall can be regarded as the highest waterfall in West Java. After the waterfall, the climbers will pass the source of hot water containing sulfur. Need to be extra careful to pass the path. In addition to full of slippery rocks, in addition to the path there is also a steep ravine. For this reason, many climbers are chasing time to get through this path before dark.
There are three points before arriving at the last post, namely the Rhino Cage, Stone Cage, and Cibeureum Waterfall. The Rhino Stables and the Stables are the most visited points of climbers. In this place, usually the climbers break or eat and drink while chatting each other before continuing the journey back to the last post in Cibodas.
Stepping on Mount Gede in TNGP is a fun activity to fill vacation time. In addition to witnessing the natural wealth of Indonesia's tropical rain forest, nature tourism activity is believed to be able to train someone to have an independent, courageous, and love of his homeland and culture. However, it takes special physical and mental preparation to stay fit and always preserve the forest by not littering.
