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Nature, Biology And Mountain

Climbing is not an easy matter as I imagined. Understandably, I have beginners who like to see the vlogs of professional climbers on YouTube. Why am I interested in hiking? first, because I really like the cool fresh air in the mountains. Secondly, I really liked the beautiful scenery, especially looking at the sea of ​​clouds that seemed to be under our feet when it reached the top of the mountain. Third, because I am a biology teacher candidate, I feel I have to know a lot and explore the nature around me, so that when I teach in class, I can tell real things about us, not just from books. And for my first ascent, I chose Gunung Lawu, besides being close to my hometown, Lawu also has its own charm that I cannot reveal.

On Friday, December 29, 2017, me and my group of six people started the journey from the city of Madison to Cemoro Sewu. Before arriving at Cemoro sewu, we chose to stop at the Magetan mosque to do Friday prayers and midnight prayers because 3 people from my group were male. after completing Friday prayers and midday prayers, my group and I continued our journey to Cemoro Sewu.

After arriving at Cemoro sewu, we bought an entrance ticket and re-recorded the number of climbers and whatever items we brought up. After finishing buying tickets, we continued the journey to climb.

Luckily the sun was blocked by a thin fog so that the afternoon didn't get too hot. Even so, still my red shirt was wet with sweat which kept pouring from the pores. The beads of sweat are like pleasure: "Finally We Get Out Too Long After Being Trapped Inside!"

The trip we did was practically stopped, because from our members there were two beginners who were not used to walking far.

One hour after starting the climb, we arrived at Post 1. The atmosphere was deserted. There are no signs of human presence in several stalls in the first shelter. But instead there are many starlings. They are busy pecking food under or flying from branch to branch above.

  Starting from Pos 1 our climb was accompanied by a starling bird. Sometimes he jumped up and down, but not infrequently he flew when he found that the stone staircase was too high to jump over. One quarter of an hour later — the path between Pos 1 and Pos 2 climbing Mount Lawu via Cemoro Sewu was indeed long — we arrived at Post 2. Just like in the previous post, there were no people at Pos 2 when we arrived. Starlings accompanying us are busy chewing worms on one of the signposts.

             Although not too long, the tracks from Pos 2 to Pos 3 are quite steep. In order not to shrink, we tried not to look up. To the south there the sky seemed tempting. White clouds overwritten by orange light look like sheep hair that has just been shaved, or cotton candy

But the optical sensation must be paid for by declining temperatures. Among other mountains in Central Java, Lawu is indeed known as the coldest one. When the sun begins to disappear, the temperature will immediately fall.

Meanwhile in my head began to imagine the warmth of the tent and warm food and drinks waiting to be made. Initially my target for that day was Sendang Drajat. But the taste doesn't seem possible because when it's past 5 o'clock. Forcing the night road will only make it difficult. Too cold.

Faintly began to hear the voices of people chatting. Surely Pos 3 is not far away. I was even more enthusiastic about climbing the stone steps.

Finally, around 5.30pm my eyes caught the roof of the Post 3 building. On the narrow ground in front of the building a tent with a capacity of four people had stood. I stepped slightly upward to find a point that was somewhat hidden from the wind. Meet it! Less than five minutes my little tent stood on the north side of the Post 3 building.

The morning is bright. Green hills that guard Lawu Mountain in the south as if it were a playground where small clouds gather and mingle. After passing two groups of climbers, I finally arrived at Post 4. From there, Sendang Drajat was not far away. So, after resting there for about 10 minutes, I continued the climb and reached Sendang Drajat at 10:30 a.m. The only shop that opens at the end of the fasting month is Warung Mbok To, which is next to the Sendang Drajat spring, we briefly took a nap at the warung. If the night before I went to sleep with chicken, that afternoon I slept with native chickens, which were maintained by Mr. Warno, who at that time was assigned the task of guarding his family stall.

When the sun began to lean westward, I walked leisurely towards Hargo Dumilah, the highest point of Mount Lawu. I don't want to miss the same night as at Post 3 yesterday, I chose to sleep at Warung Mbok To. Pecel rice and the warmth of the fireplace — and chat with fellow humans — are too tempting to be bartered with spend the night alone in a tent.