Belum Bagged – ‘not yet bagged’

Since 2009, Gunung Bagging has been on a mission to get as much information as possible on all of Indonesia’s 226 Ribus (mountain or volcano peaks in Indonesia with a minimum of 1000 metres topographic prominence). We aren’t doing too badly but there’s a long way still to go – especially considering that some of Indonesia’s more remote mountains do not even have official names, let alone hiking trails!

That is why we need your help! We have compiled a list of 50 peaks for which we have very little information. Of all the obscure mountains remaining in Indonesia, they are – in our opinion – the 50 that will most likely be ‘uncovered’ next!

We are not suggesting the mountains on this list have never been climbed – but we are sure that some of them certainly have not! Please note that we have not included peaks where we already have lots of information, but have not quite reached the true highest point for whatever reason. This is an information gathering mission, the fruits of which will hopefully be of great use for decades to come for those who love exploring this magnificent archipelago.

How many of the 50 peaks below will still be ‘Belum Bagged’ by the end of 2012?

Java

  • Baluran – This small peak gives its name to the Baluran National Park on the eastern tip of Java. It’s a popular area to spot rare wildlife but, despite its proximity to Bali, very little is known about trekking up the mountain itself.

Sumatra

  • Tebak – Also known as ‘Tangkit Tebak’, this Lampung mountain looks like it is densely forested on the grainy Google Earth images. It’s the closest ‘Belum Bagged’ peak to Jakarta but we can find very little information on it.
  • Pesagi – This is Lampung’s highest peak and is close to the delightful Danau Ranau. Local students definitely do climb this one so it could be described as one of the easiest on the ‘Belum Bagged’ list.
  • Patah – A trail to the summit of Patah was recently created by Maman, a local guide from Pagaralam. It takes 3 or 4 days and there are supposed to be some excellent views of the coastline near Bengkulu.
  • Gumai – Also near Pagarlam. It is anticipated that finding local people who have heard of this one, let alone those who have set foot on it, will be very difficult.
  • Daun – This remote Bengkulu peak features a 600-metre wide crater lake at the summit. Go in a large group because this is tiger country.
  • Gedang – Very little is known about this remote peak which lies on the border of Bengkulu and Jambi provinces. Can you help?
  • Sumbing – Not to be confused with the peak of the same name in Central Java, this Jambi mountain has several craters at the top and hot springs lower down.
  • Masurai – At 2933 metres above sea level, this is Jambi’s highest peak. It can be climbed in one long day but it’s quite a journey from the closest airport!
  • Raya – Another of Jambi’s remote mountains! Gunung Raya towers above the beautiful Lake Kerinci.
  • Tujuh – Famous for the large Gunung Tujuh Lake, the highest peak of this mountain is very steep (perhaps even technical) and has apparently only been climbed a handful of times.
  • Pantaicermin – This mountain is pretty close to the city of Padang but you’ll definitely have to ask for help from local farmers as hiking here is unheard of!
  • Talakmau – A giant peak in West Sumatra, this is apparently one of the finest in Indonesia. It is not often climbed, and requires a 10 to 12 hour hike to the summit, but offers a truly amazing panorama.
  • Sorikmarapi – This volcano has a large crater but is not particularly active. It can be climbed in one long day but it’s a considerable distance from any major city.
  • Bandahara – One of Aceh’s giants. We have heard of a Leuser National Park tour guide offering trips up this peak but we don’t know how many days it requires.
  • Seulawah Agam – This little peak is not far from Banda Aceh. It can be climbed in one long day or a weekend. One of the easiest on this list!
  • Daik – This island peak in Kepulauan Riau province is crowned with a huge vertical rock pinnacle and has never been climbed. One for expert rock climbers!

Borneo

  • Bawang – ‘Onion Mountain’ is about a 5 hour drive from Pontianak. One of the easier ones on this list.
  • Niut – This mountain in West Kalimantan gives its name to the remote Gunung Niut Wildlife Reserve.
  • Berumput – Also known simply as ‘Gunung Rumput’ (Grassy Mountain), this long ridge is on the Indonesia-Malaysia border.
  • Kahung – This South Kalimantan peak may be only 1246 metres high but it took one group 12 days to make it to the peak and back!
  • Beratus – This peak is pretty close to Balikpapan but nobody seems to know much about it.
  • Lumut – Another peak within striking distance of Balikpapan. Unfortunately this area is a known Malaria zone and one researcher we know came back out with the nasty disease recently!
  • Bukit Raya – The tallest peak in Kalimantan. People speak very highly of the weeklong trek required to bag this mountain so if you have time and don’t mind leeches this could be the one for you! National Park staff are available to help you.
  • Cabang – This lovely island peak lies to the southwest of mainland Kalimantan. Does anyone have a boat?

Sulawesi

  • Tonggongkarambu – What a name! Just Google it to see how popular this one is! It’s very close to Makassar – but has anyone ever climbed to the top?
  • Gandangdewata – This mountain has many different spellings so let’s just say it is the highest in West Sulawesi. It’s a big mountain and supposedly requires a weeklong expedition.
  • Sidole – This mountain is very close to Palu and on a particularly narrow part of Sulawesi so it probably offers amazing views of both coastlines. Best ask for help from one of the Pecinta Alam student groups in Palu.
  • Mekongga – South-east Sulawesi’s peak is sometimes climbed by keen student hikers but it requires 5 days. The closest airport is Kolaka so this one could be done in a week in total.
  • Sambapolulu – the highest peak of Kabaena island off the coast of South-east Sulawesi. It’s probably a short hike – if you happen to be in this beautiful but very remote area.
  • Ambang – Perhaps the least famous of North Sulawesi’s many volcanic peaks.
  • Soputan – This volcano is very active at present so safety may be more of a concern than actually getting within striking distance as it is pretty close to Manado. We have a willing guide and know it’s a great volcano – but who will get there first to report back on it?

Nusa Tenggara

  • Olet Sangenges – We can find very little information on this West Sumbawa peak, which is also known as Puncak Ngenges.
  • Sangeang – A very active island volcano off the coast of Sumbawa. You can definitely climb it with the help of locals – it’s just getting there in the first place that may take some time.
  • Doro Maria and Doro Oromboha – two remote peaks in eastern Sumbawa that there is no information on whatsoever.
  • Curunumbeng – One of the highest mountains in West Flores this is probably a fairly straightforward day-hike through forest. You’ll need to enlist the services of some local farmers to guide you.
  • Ili Wukoh – One of the least-known peaks in Flores. Good luck finding anyone who has even heard of it!
  • Lewotobi – A fabulous volcano in East Flores with ‘laki laki’ and ‘perempuan’ summit vents. This is perhaps the most popular peak on this list but do take care and heed local advice about whether or not it is safe to climb.
  • Ili Mandiri – This beautiful pyramid mountain rises above the town of Larantuka. You would expect there to be a trail to the top but when we were there we couldn’t find anyone who had heard of one.
  • Lewotolo – Also know as Ile Api, this volcano on Lembata island is climbed a handful of times a year – mainly by Western tourists. Definitely a worthwhile outing but do take care as there could be a lot of gas around the summit itself.
  • Ili Ujolewung – Perhaps Lembata’s most remote peak. It may be faster to take a boat round the island rather than use the shockingly poor roads!
  • Sirung – A fabulous volcano on Pantar island. Locals know the way to the impressive crater but nobody has been to the true highest point yet.
  • Dola Koyakoya – The highest point of Alor island. Despite this area becoming more popular with surfers there is basically no information available on climbing to the remote highest point of the island.
  • Wanggameti – The highest peak of Sumba. This is bound to be a hot and sweaty one and there may not be much of a few from the top.

Maluku

  • Kie Besi – This volcano is on Makian island which is close to Ternate the provincial capital of North Maluku. It is, however, very active indeed.
  • Binaiya – At 3027 metres high this giant is the highest peak for many hundreds of kilometres. National Park staff are willing to guide you to the top and the views are wonderful. Only thing is it takes about 10 days to complete!

New Guinea

  • Cyclops – Gunung Bagging founder Dan Quinn flew all the way to Jayapura to try to climb this mountain in January 2011. Lying just a few miles from Sentani airport it must be Papua’s easiest. Unfortunately the guide never showed up and Quinn never even set foot on the mountain! Logistics can be difficult here.
  • Bonsupiori – This is the highest point of Supiori island near Biak which has an airport. A short – and therefore excruciatingly hot – little mountain for which you would need a vast amount of water!
  • Arfak – The highest peak of this mountain range is apparently called Umsini. It’s pretty close to Manokwari airport but last we heard there was a dispute between two local tribes living near the mountain. Are you brave enough?

2 thoughts on “Belum Bagged”

  1. Adrian Tejedor

    Just back from the top of Pantaicermin, Sumatera Barat, 2664 m in my GPS. It took 15 hours with very few and very short stops to get to the top and back to Koto Tinggi in a single day. Not steep but the trail to the very summit is a mess of mossy roots for the last 1.5 km. Hard. Local Koto Tinggi guide/farmer/hunter Tirdaus was amazing and relentless. We both lost and found again the upper trail, which often looks no different from a game trail, on maybe 8 occasions combined. Still, sometime back locals got gravel and cement to the very top to build a boundary pillar that is now destroyed; fragments are lying about. Some sections of the upper trail are wide and used often to hunt for Sumatran serow (Capricornis sumatrensis) and there were also remains of recent camp fires but all these were interspersed with sections of the less-often walked mess of mossy elfin forest. Unusual. The amount of pitcher plants along the last km or so was the highest I’ve seen in Indonesia so far. Definitely worth it!

    1. Excellent, well done! If you have a GPS track and/or phone number for your guide pleasesend to danpquinn AT gmail DOT com
      Cheers!

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