Mount Karangetang is an superior Jurassic Park-looking volcano that dominates the distant island of Siau in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
You’ll be able to’t go anyplace on tiny Siau island with out seeing this majestic volcano and its twin smoking craters. Should you’re fortunate, you could even get to see it spouting molten lava and rock bombs at night time, which it does fairly usually.
On this information, I’ll share my expertise mountain climbing the Karangetang volcano in 2021, and I’ll give some ideas in case you intend to climb it your self.
Drone image of Mount Karangetang volcano
Is It Protected?
Initially, let’s discuss security. Karangetang is a extremely energetic volcano — in all probability probably the most energetic volcanoes on the earth.
The native guides are educated and any seismic exercise is monitored by the Indonesian authorities, however there’s nonetheless loads of danger concerned in climbing this mountain. It might erupt at any time.
You’ll be able to climb to the highest of Karangetang when you’re feeling additional loopy, however to be secure most individuals solely hike partway up this mountain and peep on the smoking craters from a distance (and even that could be a bit dangerous).
Climbing any energetic volcano carries some hazard clearly, however this one is unusually energetic, so proceed at your individual danger.
Smoking twin vents at Gunung Karangetang
My Native Information: Dominik
I’d extremely suggest going with an area information for this hike, as a result of the path is difficult to navigate in any other case.
I did this hike with Dominik, an area information in Siau island with a few years of expertise climbing Karangetang. His brother additionally joined us for the hike and helped clear vegetation with a machete, and their canine got here alongside too.
You’ll be able to contact Dominik by WhatsApp at ☎ +62 853-9866-6999. I paid 600k Rupiah for this hike, though that was throughout Covid and the costs are greater now.
He may also assist prepare different excursions and actions within the space, though we set these up via the Kalea Seaside Resort, the place we stayed in Siau.
Climbing the volcano with my guides
Summit view from the previous lava discipline
Mount Karangetang: What To Count on
• Beginning The Hike
My guides and I began this hike very early as a result of I wished to you’ll want to get clear views of the volcano.
That turned out to be a great determination, as a result of after we exited the treeline some thick clouds started to roll in, slowly obscuring the summit.
There was a 30 minute scooter trip to the trailhead on the south facet of the volcano, after which we began mountain climbing at 3:15 AM.
We might see many of the island as soon as we received out of the jungle
• In The Jungle
Our progress was gradual due to the loopy terrain. It was darkish and the trail was strong jungle!
There was extraordinarily dense foliage for the reason that path had mainly been deserted throughout Covid, which meant my guides needed to hack via it with a machete. Each step required one other swing with the machete.
Alongside the way in which, we noticed plenty of large inexperienced millipedes, which had been innocent, however we additionally bumped into a large centipede, which was extra threatening since they’ll chunk. He raised up in an assault place, and the guides advised me their chunk actually hurts.
Navigating the path was difficult by the truth that it was so steep, muddy, and slippery. We fell lots.
It was by no means harmful by way of drop-offs, though I used to be a bit anxious about one among us falling on my information’s machete or one thing like that.
Out of the jungle and into the lava rocks
Bought some scrapes from falling within the jungle
• Previous Lava Discipline
After about 2.5 hours of mountain climbing, we reached an previous lava discipline beneath the summit, simply in time for dawn.
Climbing these lava rocks wasn’t significantly better than going via the jungle. A few of them had been mossy and intensely slippery, and I bloodied my shins from falling on the rocks a number of instances, although I used to be carrying good grippy footwear.
For security causes, we stopped within the lava discipline. We had been about two-thirds of the way in which to the summit and didn’t imply to go any farther for the reason that volcano is notoriously energetic.
Views from the previous lava discipline. That is the place I finished and flew my drone.
From right here, I spent about an hour flying my drone and testing the summit. This volcano is admittedly attention-grabbing as a result of it has twin smoking cones on the summit. So cool!
By the point we began our descent at 7:25 AM, the summit was already principally lined in clouds. Happening was simpler for the reason that path was already cleared, nevertheless it nonetheless took about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
If I had 9 lives, I’d like to climb all the way in which to the summit and see the craters up shut. Despite the fact that we stopped earlier than the summit, Karangetang was an amazing hike and we received some nice views!
What a spot!
When To Do The Hike
Siau island has a tropical rainforest local weather just like Manado and the remainder of North Sulawesi.
The driest months are July to October, and people are the very best months to hike Karangetang.
We visited Siau in June and the climate was good throughout our journey.
My Journey Information For Siau Island
Thanks for trying! I hope you loved this weblog put up about climbing the Mount Karangetang volcano in Indonesia.
Don’t neglect to take a look at my complete guide for Siau island earlier than you go! This place has some superb seashores, tarsiers, and different issues to see.