Journey To The Mount Ciremai

It started when I visited the Tower Manufacturer Warehouse at Tambun, Bekasi to inspect the guyed mast tower fabrication. Long story short, I get along with the Project Control of tower fabrication, Suchi. We had a chat and she told me that she is planing to hike Mount Ciremai with her friends from Mapala FT Unand. At the same time, in the desperately to hiking again, I asked her to join in their trip and gladly she accepted it. The journey began.

As like been planned before, we gathered at Terminal Kampung Rambutan as the meeting point. After the whole team crew came to the meeting point, right at 11 PM we took the bus and heading off to Kuningan, about 250 Km from Jakarta. About 7 AM we arrived at Cirendang and met with the other who also joined the trip. We did some preparation after that we rent an angkot and continued to the basecamp called Palutungan.

When we arrived at the base camp, we took a break and repacked our luggage. We started the hike right after Jummah prayer which is 2 PM, headed to Post 1 named Cigowong. The trail quite interesting. Dominated by vegetable farm and so the view changed to the Pine Forrest.

In this part of the trail, the route was dusty and full of gravel at least until we reach the first Post. After that, the trail became varied between uphill and flat trail. At some point, we encountered the rocky part and had to walk cautiously.

Upon our arrival at Cigowong, we met numerous hikers who set up tents. It likely because that day was right at the Independence Day of Indonesia so the track was a little bit crowded. The other reason why so many hikers chose to camp there because there\\\’s a fountain so the campers don\\\’t have to strictly save the water consumption. It was convenient, isn\\\’t it?

We took a break at Cigowong and continue to the second Post, Kuta. Heading to Kuta, the trail was dominated by tropical forest and the temperature a little bit chilly. Around 30 minutes of walking, we arrived at Post 2, Kuta. We continued our journey and headed to Post 3, Pangguyangan Badak.

When we reached the Post 3, the sun already set and we decided to build a camp there.

In the chilly night, we take some quality time with the others. The girls preparing for the dinner and the other having a chat with each other. What about me? I captured the moment in my sketchbook actually. It was a great feeling to sketch at the camp. Though, I still miss the atmosphere out there at the moment.

We played Uno until midnight and slept after that.

In the morning after we had breakfast, we\\\’re off to the peak. The journey to the peak is easier because we didn\\\’t bring all the load, yeah we left our luggage at the tent and only bring water and snacks.

The higher the altitude, the harder the trail had become. Now, the trail was dominated by thick dust and rocks. To make things harder, the trail was crowded by other hikers so it\\\’s hard for breathing but it\\\’s funny.

Finally, around the noon we touchdown at the peak. Enjoying the view, sketching and taking photographs.

Enough at the peak, we heading back to the camp and stayed one more night.

Let\\\’s say, in the middle of the daily routine, work and the other obligatory things. My mind sometimes plotting the escape plans like drawing, reading, playing games, learning stuff, but hiking is the most awesome way to escape for a while and get to know myself even further.

See you in the next journey…