How to get there:
The trailhead (note that the one described by earlier climbers are not in
use anymore) is located in the small village Nagalingga, at about 1470 meter of elevation,
location N2.91956, E98.49024. It takes about 5 hours (depending on traffic)
to drive there from the airport in Medan.
For help and support contact Froden Nagalingga, whatsapp: +6285333632525.
Route description:
The first 2.5 kilometer follows farm roads.
If available, one could get a motorbike ride.
(This would make the hike 5 kilometer shorter, given that a return ride could also be arranged.)
Next, the trail starts uphill
from near a water channel. It soon becomes very nice as it very gently climbs
among tall trees, however this will change higher up.
The route pretty much follows a ridge, west, then north to gain the east summit of the peak. There
are steepish passages with
roots to climb.
Fairly common in Indonesia, it does require the use of hands
here and there, I have given it a rating of (YDS) class 2+.
(Class "tree climbing".)
In October, after rain, the trail also gets increasingly more muddy, it is hard to avoid sinking
in and getting wet. From the east summit, the trail continues (still muddy)
about 0.7 kilometer across to the west summit<
that has a proper summit marker.
The route from Nagalingga village to the summit is 9.3 kilometer with
a total vertical gain slightly more than 1000 meter.
Note that another trail (that has been closed!) ascends the east ridge and merges
in on the east summit. Note how your
route enters in order to avoid descending the "wrong ridge".
A track can be found on Peakbagger.
Comments:
I came to Medan from Banda Aceh, my car came about 30 minutes late, but by 1800
we were on the road heading for Nagalingga. More traffic and a few delays, but
we did finally arrive shortly before 2300. With a start at 0500 the next morning,
it would be a short night. I stayed in Froden's house, accommodation on the floor
in a pretty big room'. There were more people sleeping there, with very noisy
trucks running by (all night) right outside. I was happy having my inflatable
air mattress, but sleep quality was definitely below average.
We started at 0500 as agreed. It turned out that Froden also
had Chika come along,
a friendly young woman, age 25. She has previously helped Froden with her
English when communicating with me.
We reached the trailhead after about 35 minutes, then soon walked on the very nice initial part
of this trail. Daylight arrived and the torchlight could go into the backpack. Soon, the trail
turned into what is often the case in this part of the world, a steepish muddy climb on tree roots.
We followed a ridge, at times quite well defined. A few local saddles were crossed and as the trail
turned more north, the final ascent on the south ridge of the east summit was "root-free". We passed
a concrete marker,
it was clearly not on the highest point.
The high point was among trees close
to an open clearing. The time was already 0930, 4:30 to here showing
that this was a "slow trail" for me.
I continued after a brief stop, to tackle the remaining
700 meter traversing to the west summit. This
section was again very muddy, if not wet already one would easily get wet here.
I arrived on the west summit at 0950, another break. I sat down
and inspected my shoes, not a pretty sight.
We waited for Chika, but she had decided to turn back about half way
across. Froden went to look for her, before he returned, I decided to start back, the time was
roughly 1020. I met him as he returned to the summit to retrieve his pack. I thought that we would
perhaps join for a common break at the east summit.
The weather was just great, not a drop of rain, rather sunshine. I reflected on my luck so far.
No rain on the peak 2 days ago. Continuous rain all of yesterday.
There were a few places while descending from the west summit, that had views. I could see north
to the nicely shaped Sinabung, only 7 meter lower. Also, more east to
the slightly lower east summit.
Finally, just right (south) of the east summit,
the impressive crater lake Toba. This lake, with a large
island in its middle is 3 times bigger than the largest lake in Norway.
Arriving at the East summit, no Chika. I therefore continued, but now managed
to pick the wrong exit trail. Thus, I begun
walking towards the east ridge.
I realized my mistake after about 300 meter and turned back. By now,
obviously, Froden would most likely have passed,
expecting to catch up with me. Instead, he would catch
Chika and likely be surprised. To help clearify matters, I sent him a text message explaining that
I was behind, while still having mobile service high on the south ridge.
Good views from here to Sinabung only 7 meter lower.
Also, across to the east summit
I continued descending, careful not to make any slip or other mistake. It was not clear to me when
Froden would have mobile service and see my message. This had indeed happened, they were waiting for me
below most of the steepish sections. We continued down the nicer part of the route and finally got
back to Nagalingga at 1520, total trip time 10:20.
Shortly after returning, Froden came back with
a cold Bintang! What a nice surprise, most
of Indonesia is muslim and alcohol is normally not available.
Nagalingga, however is a catholic
village, how lucky!
Three hours after returning, a very violent rain started. We (my driver, Chika aand FRoden) joined
for a nice local dinner at a nearby restaurant. Self serve style. After the meal you go to the
cashier and tell her all you have taken, she then computes the charge.
I appreciate that such schemes still exist in many locations, people trust each other and pay
what should be paid.
