Top Teen Trek

This posting was prepared by Robert Baldwin, who lives in Pancawati.

This was a 2-day hike with high school kids from the British International School, their second venture with me into the foothills of Mt Pangrango.

We started from Cipare at 9:30 on Saturday 6 December. Good weather meant the views of Mt Salak on the walk to Pancawati village were terrific. The descent into Nangleng valley was slick, recent rains having created a few small landslides. We headed up the Pondokcatang ridge and breakfasted just before entering the forest at 10:30, the two streams below providing superb background music. This track is well-travelled, villages often using the trails to gather firewood. Small trails often lead out from the wood gathering stations. An hour into the forest and Will was struggling to keep up. Then he slipped, a sharp stick piercing the skin on his shin. First aid was applied, then we reached point B and turned right. The des­cent proved prickly, the rattan bordering this trail loved catching on backpacks, hats and clothes. The weather “gods” were extremely good to us and our descent into Luewisapi was bathed in sunshine. At 1:30 we lunched beside the Ci Mande then traversed Luewisapi village. A final rest in the valley the Ci Mande, before the hard slog out of the valley back to Pancawati by 3:30 pm.

All the teams pitched their tents. By 5 the tents were up, the rain had held off. Cameron fired up a bonfire. With darkness approaching all teams cooked themselves a “gourmet” meal. Ardy excelling in as chef and all seemed more than happy with their cooking results. Baldy’s barby of steaks and snags kept the leadership happy. By 8:00 cleanup was over and all teams were in their tents, a stiff breeze blowing. Tom was up barking orders at 05:15. The night had been cold, the sleeping fair, and the weather kind. Breaking camp took longer than anticipated. Backpack checks showed the trekkers had greatly improved their packing skills. Packs sat straighter and weight distribution was better.Some cooked breakfast, others ate snacks and pre-cooked food. By 7:15 the campsite was spick and span, tents packed away, trekkers full and ready for another day on the road. We walked back to Cipare to get buses to Pondokmentang. At Luewilarangan an aquaduct above the road threw a spanner into our “not-so-well-thought-out” plans. The 22 seater could not get under the duct, the air-con unit on top 10 cm too high. The smaller bus took the first group to Pondokmenteng and returned to pick the second group of hikers, who had meanwhile strolled on the LBC road. This was a bit like walking through the Jakarta Hamptons – lots of beautiful villas with manicured gardens. We left Pondokmenteng to follow the Ring Route to the northeast at 8:30.

The grand old daddy of Puncak trekking, Alex Korns, joined us at Pondokmenteng. Again the weather was great. The valley trails were still slick early in the morning, all trekkers spending time on their rumps, slipping and sliding on descents. With time lost early, new schedules were set and the hike’s tempo increased. We crossed the Ci Pondokmenteg, the Ci Bedug, the Ci Salada, and the Ci Ledug.With noon approaching we were ascending out of the last valley, the Ci Kereteg. The valley was magni­fi­cent, carpeted with Oz green padi fields, bordered by lush forests at the top. A truly beautiful view to cap off a great weekend. We arrived at Arca at twelve, had lunch and listened to Alex’s narrative about the history of the German military cemetery at Arca. From Arca we walked the final 2k back to Suka­resmi to get back on the buses for Jakarta. All trekkers reached the buses with plenty still in the tank.Many, many thanks to all involved, to Tom for organizing the trip and providing superb leadership, to the teens – it was a real pleasure sharing a couple of days with you. To Empad, Entab, Jeje and Chandra for carrying drinks in and garbage out, to Nina for managing the camp site.