Ascent of Salak on 2020-03-21| Date: | Saturday, March 21, 2020 | | Ascent Type: | Successful Summit Attained | | Motorized Transport to Trailhead: | Car | | Peak: | Salak | | Location: | Indonesia | | Elevation: | 7254 ft / 2211 m |
Ascent Trip ReportAfter the previous day's Pangrango ascent.
From SE, Cimelati route, access situation unclear (American embassy land?) but seems OK at present, well defined trail, many slippery tree roots requiring care. 2h30 up, 4h50 round trip.
Bogor overnight, 1hr drive; heading up Jalan Alas Wangi we reached a manned barrier (S6.74684° E106.76063°), were advised to head down a little way and park at Portibi Farm (S6.75076° E106.76594°). From here I walked a trail which became a rough road, passing quite upmarket houses, leading to the barrier reached earlier! No problem on foot, I'm wished Good morning by the guard. Continuing up Jalan Alas Wangi I pass farm workers then more large houses, one with 2 unfriendly dogs which owner doesn't try too hard to restrain as they follow me barking; another place has a doberman which could easily jump its fence if it chose. Road ends at a kids adventure playground (S6.74202° E106.75676°), trail continues, bending slightly left, through an open gate into woodland. 2 barking dogs follow for a short while then it's just me and peaceful woodland. Higher up, trail becomes rough and rooty, occasional fairly strenuous scrambly moves required; some standing water from yesterday's rain but nice sunny morning. Birdsong gives way to the din of beetles. Summit (S6.71543° E106.73387°, 2220m, edge of scrub) has views of Salak 2 (30m lower) and Pangrango looking much clearer than when I climbed it yesterday.
No one else around; I suspect the more official routes are closed due to coronavirus restrictions, and today it's an ideal venue for social distancing. As such, a slip on one of the many tree roots would be serious and I tread carefully. At Pos 3 I briefly go astray, forking L towards the river. The Cimelati route keeps straight (slightly R) from the camping area. Nearing the adventure playground I meet another unfriendly dog, one of several but they are quickly controlled; group of people from the Embassy they say, presumably USA. There's a child on the play structure. Same dog as before has a go but is called off. Further down I manage to tread on a not quite set section of concrete road, to amusement of workmen. Security guard at vehicle barrier still friendly.
Back at Portibi Farm my driver Sabto is waiting in the shade and we're soon on our way to Jakarta, a quite easy journey, likely quieter due to the coronavirus situation. It's been a good week, I've completed the West Java ultras although we had to abandon our planned Peninsular Malaysia peaks which by now were already closed with the country in lockdown, and even free and easy Java is likely to lock down before too long (it didn't, but the UK did 2 days later). So it's time to head home while flights are still available.
Salak photos
Due to the uncertainties I'd hired a car and driver for six days, c. 700,000 IDR (37 GBP) per day including tolls and fuel (driver's food and accommodation extra; we roomed together). Courteous and reliable, worked well. 6 ultras plus 2 bonus P1000s and a P600 in a little under two weeks, quite satisfying under the circumstances. Certainly one of my more memorable trips, my last time abroad until July (Le Roignais, France), as it turns out. |
| Summary Total Data | | Total Elevation Gain: | 4957 ft / 1510 m | | Grade/Class: | YDS 1 | | Quality: | 5 (on a subjective 1-10 scale) | | Route Conditions: | Road Hike, Maintained Trail, Unmaintained Trail, Scramble | | Ascent Statistics | | Gain on way in: | 4957 ft / 1510 m | | Distance: | 8.7 mi / 14 km | | Start Trailhead: | 2297 ft / 700 m | | Descent Statistics | GPS Data for Ascent/Trip
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Peaks:  climbed and  unclimbed by Rob Woodall
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