Went to Mount Rakutak

Mount Rakutak (Gunung Rakutak) is a small mountain in Majalaya, not far from Bandung, the capital of West Java province.
This trip was held on weekend, 14/15 Jan 2012. There were four of us from Jakarta, and when we arrived in Bandung, we accompanied by another four hikers from Bandung.
From Bandung, we took public vehicle (angkot) to Ciparay then continued to Cikitu. Here we got off then started hiking through Rumbia Village. Then we entered paddy fields area before starting climb up to Rakutak Peak.
We started from Rumbia around 11 AM and arrived at Peak 1 around 2 PM. From Peak 1 to Peak 2, we had to pass narrow track with deep ravines at right and left of the track. Quite scary.
Then from Peak 2 to Peak 3, there was another narrow track, narrower and longer than the first one! Thanks God at that time the weather was quite good with no wind, otherwise maybe we had to go down.
At 4 PM we decided to make camp not far from Peak 3 or the highest point of Rakutak. From here we could see to faraway villages. Many small hills and mountains surrounded Rakutak, like Mount Cikuray, Mount Kendeng etc.
In the morning we walked to Peak 3. Here we could see the Lake of Ciharus. At first we were planning to go to that lake then continued to Garut, but we had no time.
So we back to camp, broke the tents and hiking down, not to Rumbia again but to another village, which was Ciburial.
We reached that village around 4 PM after had to hike a very muddy track.

review Terra Nova Laser 35L backpack

I had bought and used Terra Nova Laser 35 backpack for hiking. This backpack is light so I could use it for lightweight hiking. Using a small vertical zipper, we open it and put stuffs inside. So it's quite simple to use.

At first I was little afraid that the zipper couldn't handle the bulging stuffs inside but it turned out that the zipper is OK.
But i was disappointed about the quality of the side part which used to tie the strings. I just used it and it was torn open. So I had to tie the strings to another side part. Also the side pockets were not deep and tall enough to hold 1 litre Platypus bottle.

While hiking, this backpack was quite comfortable to use. So if you search backpack for lightweight hiking, Terra Nova Laser 35L is one of the options.

review Black Diamond Distance trekking poles

I had bought and used Black Diamond Distance trekking pole and here is my review after using it while hiking.
For trekking poles, it has plus and minus. First, the bad ones. Now I couldn't open the lower part of this poles as it has been locked so tight. I am very disappointed with this. And as that lower part made without any rubber grip, it is very difficult to try to hold and pry it open.
I read the manual and try to open it as the manual instructed but with no result. Very frustrating.
But yes this poles is lighter compares to other trekking poles that I have like Leki.
I want to buy another BD Distance poles or something that like it such as Big Agnes Helinox Passport but I am afraid it will get locked tight again. The other choice is to buy pole with ordinary clip-lock style. Hmm I have to think it over again. I will let you know later.

review Osprey Hornet 24

osprey hornet 24 is part of the ultralight segment sack  of osprey. I had test drive this bag when hiking to Mount Pulosari couple weeks ago.
For 2 days trip this bag was still able to accommodate tents, stoves, fuel, food, drinks, sandals, change of clothes etc.
The color of red-black was quite cool. Weighing 560 grams, but then decreases because I dislodged foam on the back. Although the shoulder strap is quite thin but not making the shoulders sore.
the minuses (-)
- The foam on the back reduces the volume of the sack, because it's too thick so I dislodged it. Take them off was easy, because the foam placed in a special bag.
- Design of pockets on the waist strap does not good. The bag is set too far back, so it is quite difficult to open if we are carrying this sack. The solution, I attach an additional small pocket on the waist strap, to keep the camera, and other things.
- Less wide side pockets to accommodate the width of the water containers such as soft platypus bottle. I had to bring ordinary bottled water.
Good things (+)
- Light, especially after the foam was removed.
- There is a special pouch on the back to store the water bladders. Because I didn't use bladder, so I replace pouch function to store the flysheet and tent body.
- Size of 24 liters was still enough to bring equipment and supplies for such a short trip to mountains like Gede, Pangrango, etc.
- Sack material is quite strong and not easily torn
- The color is pretty cool
- There are extra pocket on the front to store items that need to be taken quickly

official link

http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/superlight/hornet_24

Pulosari Trip

Saturday 10 des 2011.
At 7 am depart from Kalideres terminal, take bus Murni to Labuan. We will stop at the junction of Mengger (20k/person for bus fare). About 3 hours later the three of us arrived at Mengger, eat at the Padang restaurant next to the shop of Alfamart.
We then chartered a public transportation (black color car) to the starting point for the ascent in the Village of Ciletung. Rents are 60K and the journey took about about 30 minutes. We arrived at the the entrance to the waterfall of Curug Putri. On the left side there is a gate and we paid registration here. Pay entry fee 5k/person.
Continue through the path that has been given pavingblock, then dirt track and the stone. About 1 hour later we saw the waterfall, but just because of drought, the water is almost dry.
Next to the crater of Pulosari. We had to scramble up the right side of the track. Approximately 1.5 hours later we arrived at the crater area. Its location perhaps similar to the same crater in Salak.
We continued hiking but because we never been to Pulosari, we didnt know the right track to the top.
We select a path which through the crater, and then follow a dry river. The longer we hike, the track became more steeper, almost vertical. During that time, I was thinking 'I will never be able to come down using this track again. Its so steep!'.
Slowly crept up the cliffs. At the end of the path, its more difficult because the footing more and more minimal. Luckily, it didnt rain at that time, so it wasnt so slippery. Using roots of trees I finally could climb to the top.
Edge of the cliff is a clump of bamboo trees which were quite dense. Here the weather began worsening and it started raining. We started to climb again, but then lost track due to a dense bamboo forest.

We decided to go down again to find the path, and finally see it on the left side of the
bamboo forest. Apparently we were choosing the wrong track since hiking up the crater! because
there was a circular path that up to the ridges and we didnt have to climb the cliffs. Finally, after starting from the registration post at 11:50, we arrived at the peak of Pulosari at 15:50.
These peaks form a narrow flat land. Before us was an open space, we could see far below to the crater. In the distance appears Mount Karang, Mount Aseupan and villages. Far there appears Sunda Strait which blanketed by the cloud, only the tops of Mount Anak Rakata sticking out from behind the clouds.
Then the rain came again, so we had to cancel our plans to watch the lunar eclipse at that night.

Sunday
Woke up in the morning. Apparently two of our friends had came at 2 am and made shelter near our tents.
Around 8 o'clock we hiked down. Now follow the circular path which were more secure. Arrived at the crater, we took a rest. 
Now we didnt go down to Ciletung but instead choose another track to Pamengker Village.
The track was slippery and i fell four times. Finally at 10 am we arrived at the village and had a big rest at the house of one villager. 

back to Pangrango

two weeks after I went to Pangrango with my old college friends, I am back to Pangrango, now with my Kaskus friends. The main differences are the weather and the time needed to reach the peak. The weather is clear with no rain, except when I am hiking down and already safe back in Cibodas. Also I hike faster and in 3.30 PM I had already built the tent in Pangrango.

Everything is going smooth here, from Jakarta untill back home. We also have good times.

Hiking to Mount Pangrango

Mount Pangrango (3019 asl) is located in West Java, Indonesia. On 12-13 November 2011, I climbed the mountain with 6 friends and 1 porter.
On Friday, November 11, I stay in Mang Idi's food stall in Cibodas. Then on Saturday, November 12th, we started our climb at 7 am. At 8 o'clock we arrived at Panyangcangan and had breakfast. At 9 began hiking again and arrived at the waterfall near Kandang Batu at 11 am. Here we had lunch and little nap until 1 pm. Then we hiked again and arrived at Kandang Badak around 2.30 pm.
At 3 pm we started to climb to Pangrango. During the hike, around 5 pm, we got heavy rain. In the midst of pouring rain and thick fog, I and three others from the advance team arrived at the top of Pangrango.
We set up tents in Mandalawangi valley, about 5 minutes below the peak, while the rain continued to fall until 8 pm. From the information which we got later, others only arived at the peak around 10 pm.
Sunday, November 13th, we began our descent from Pangrango around 8 am and arrived at Kandang Badak around 11am. Continued to Kandang Batu and had lunch there until 1 pm. Further rain fell after we passed the area of Panyangcangan. Finally, around 5 pm we arrived at Cibodas.

the track before Cibeureum waterfall

watch out your step

so many fallen trees

our camp on Mandalawangi valley