I climbed Galunggung shortly after the 1982 eruption. The approach was through a village in which some houses were almost completely covered with ash.
Actually, it’s an easy walk except for the last bit. We went down into the crater which was still active – probably not too sensible!

Some interesting news stories this week about the 1982 Galunggung eruption and how the ash plume brought down a British Airways flight…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/7593234/Airline-captain-recalls-flying-through-volcanic-ash.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8622099.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8623210.stm

I have now failed twice to reach Beuticanar, the highest point of the mountain area. Earlier in the year I had a look from Galunggung crater but there are no trails and it is unrelentingly steep and densely forested. Talaga Bodas in the north seemed liked a much better starting point but on Saturday we were unable to find a trail through the forest and thick foliage onto the high ridge between Talaga Bodas and Galunggung. Perhaps there is a third way………there does appear to be another track leading to the east of the lake on Google Earth – on the track up from Tasik a few hundred metres before the junction with the Garut track. Otherwise, perhaps it’s time to call in an army of machete-wielding locals!

there comes your army at your email, Dan :p

Many thanks to Adam and the Napak Rimba team for a successful expedition from Telaga Bodas to the summit of Gunung Beuticanar via Kawah Saat. A great weekend.

I’m glad you’ve been there, Dan. Congratulation