i assume the group u r talking abt is quite large. that can be a problem when organising a trip involving a large group of people. ever thought of just a small group of 3-5 people? or else, wait and wait, one can never make it; and another chance slipped u by again…

are u able to send me the plan u made for tahan previously?

bernard

I also want to go!! Actually last time a couple of us wanted to go for Gunung Tahan, and it seems like after all the planning and everything, it never fails that something will crop up for a majority of the group - and then we end up not going anymore.

Will keep you updated of my trekking plans!

i would like to trek on kilimanjaro too. however, my feel is that fitness level is not so critical as ams can hit anyone regardless of fitness level. in fact, a few of us have this theory that the fitter u r, the easier u succumb to ams.

what is more important is the determination, and time for acclimatisation to the altitude.

of your training plans, i would be interested to go to Gunung Tahan or Gunung Rinjani as i’ve hiked on Kinabalu & Mount Ophir. hope to see in your blog further plans and details of such trips!

bernard

Gunung (Mount) Rinjani on the island of Lombok stands at 3726m a.s.l. Its summit is considered by both Balinese and Sasaks as sacred, and the thermal hot pools that flow from its volcanic center are said to have immense healing properties. The mountain is surrounded by a National Park, with varying ecologies including savannah, rain forests and high altitude cloud forests. Because of these attractions, the Rinjani National Park attracts approximately 1000 foreign visitors plus thousands more Indonesians each year. Many of these visitors solicit the help of local porters to carry their backpacks and other luggage through the park.

These porters are all male, ranging in age from 15 to 55 years. As the treks into the park are seasonal, most work as porters on a part time basis, supplementing the money they earn being farmers and laborers. They are usually the main, if not, sole bread winner in the family with a great deal of responsibility placed on their shoulders.

Unfortunately, most porters are unable to afford warm clothing to protect themselves from the cold, wind and rain. While some are provided with warm clothing by their employers, many are not. The result of which is a high number return to their homes, their land and families too ill to contribute to what is already a difficult life.

In consultation with the park Board, we ( No Roads Expedition - Rinjani Trekking Club )are establishing Indonesia’s first Clothing Bank. The Bank will provide all porters with warm, wind proof and rain resistant jackets. The Bank will loan these jackets out to Porters who will be working in the Park and these jackets will be returned to the Bank at the completion of their trek. Returned jackets will be examined and cleaned before they are put back into service for the next Porter. The Porters will not pay for the jackets. They will simply provide their name and contact details and how long they will need the jackets for. The system is based on honesty and the belief in human nature.

There will be two Banks established; one in Senaru on the northern slopes of the Park and the second will be based in Lawang on the eastern side of the Park. The establishment of these outlets assures that Porters do not need to return the jacket to where they borrowed it. Lawang and Senaru represent the two major entry and exit points to the Park and are thus natural places to situate the Banks.

The administration of the Bank will be undertaken by the Gunung Rinjani National Park Board, which is headquartered in Mataram, Lombok’s capitol and with regional offices in Senaru and Lawang. The Board has worked in recent years with NZ Aid, to incorporate local communities into the tourism aspects of the Park. Their work has helped the Rinjani National Park win the recent National Geographic/ World Legacy Best Stewardship Award.

No Roads Expeditions along with the Rinjani Trekking Club take clients into the National Park. We work closely with local Porters and Guides as well as community groups and relevant Guest Houses. Through our network of contacts and exposure to an International Clientele, we are the vehicles through which people can donate jackets.

What can you do?
No Roads and the Rinjani Trekking Club are collecting jackets for the Bank. If you have a wind proof and warm jacket such as a polar fleece/ gortex wind breaker or anything equivalent that is in good order then you can donate that jacket to the Bank.

If you are in Lombok you can drop your jacket in at:
Rinjani Trekking Club office at:
Jl. Raya Senggigi Km 08 - Mataram - Lombok NTB - Indonesia.
Phone; 62 370 693202
mail : rtc.senggigi@gmail.com

For anywhere else, you can send the jacket to:
No Roads Expeditions
P.O Box 109 Southland Centre,
Cheltenham, VIC Australia 3192 ( peter@noroads.com.au )

We are looking for 100 jackets for the Bank, so if you have a jacket that you don’t use or you would like to buy a new one, rest assured it will be going to good use.

RINJANI TREKKING CLUB
c/o: Jl. Raya Senggigi Km. 08, senggigi 83355, Lombok - Indonesia
Phone: 62 370 693202 fax : 62 370 693860
E-Mail: rtc.senggigi@gmail.com / imronrosadi@hotmail.com

The Mount Rinjani offers the adventures( Rinjani Trekking ), awesome scenery, waterfall, rain forest, wildlife, hot spring, caves, demanding hiking, pristine lake, interesting culture and of course a volcano.

Gunung Rinjani is considered by all in Lombok and Bali as sacred. it is believed that the gods properties. it s for these reasons that the trek up Rinjani is far more important than just the climb itself; it is a pilgrimage to the god and all their powers.

The Rinjani Trekking Club (RTC) in conjunction with No Roads Expedition takes the groups through this wonderful National Park to the Summit, Lake and Rim of Mountain Rinjani. We are the most professionals trekking company on the Island of lombok which allow us to take you that much further to the summit of truly magnificent Mountain.