“Gunung Bragging!” – The Hall of Fame List December 2013

Below is the third edition of the Hall of Fame (for end of 2013). A new edition of the list is published at the end of every year. Please contact us if you wish to be listed next year.
Links to previous years… Hall of Fame December 2012; Hall of Fame December 2011Hall of Fame December 2010

Ranking Name Nationality Year of Birth Number of Ribus Number of Spesials

1

Daniel Quinn

British 1981

62

29
Ribus Agung, Argopuro, Arjuno, Batukaru, Bawang, Besar (Halau Halau), Bukittunggul, Butak, Cikuray, Ciremai, Dempo, Ebulobo, Fatu Timau, Galunggung (Beuticanar), Gamalama, Gamkonora, Ili Boleng, Ili Labalekang, Ili Mandiri, Ili Ujolewung, Inerie, Jailolo, Karang, Keli Lepembusu, Kerinci, Kiematubu, Klabat, Lamongan (Tarub), Lawu, Liman, Marapi, Merapi, Merbabu, Moncong Lompobatang, Muria, Mutis, Pangrango, Penanggungan, Pesagi, Pesawaran (Ratai), Poco Ngandonalu, Rajabasa, Rantemario, Rinjani, Sago, Salak, Sawal, Semeru, Seulawah Agam, Sibuatan, Sinabung, Sindoro, Singgalang, Slamet, Sorikmarapi, Sumbing, Talakmau, Talang, Tambora, Tampomas, Tanggamus, Ungaran
Spesials Anak Krakatau, Batur, Bawakaraeng, Bongkok, Bromo (Pananjakan), Burangrang, Dieng (Prau), Guntur (Masigit), Iya, Jantan, Kelam, Kelimutu (Inspiration Point), Kerenceng, Kinabalu (Low’s Peak), Malabar (Puncak Besar), Manglayang, Manado Tua, Patuha, Poco Ranakah, Pulosari, Rakata, Raksa, Rakutak, Sangga Buana, Sebesi, Tangkuban Parahu, Telomoyo, Trusmadi, Wayang-Windu
Notes 2013 has been a year of not having quite enough time to properly explore mountains. On several occasions I have made trips to new gunungs only to find that an extra day or two would be necessary to reach the highest point. Nevertheless, some great memories include a first visit to Halmahera for Jailolo and the excellent Gamkonora, a trip in July across Nusa Tenggara Timur taking in Ili Ujolewung, Lewotolo (Ili Ape), Ili Mandiri, Lewotobi and others, a couple of shorter trips in Kalimantan Barat to hike Gunung Bawang and Gunung Kelam, spotting fresh Sumatran tiger prints on Gunung Pantaicermin, and three days of no rain whilst doing the classic traverse of Rinjani in November.Now lots of near misses and failed attempts to reach the highest point after over 4 years in Indonesia, including some hilarious anecdotes which didn’t seem quite as funny at the time! -…. no trail to Papandayan (Malang) (08/2011), no trail to true peak on Parang (05/2011), vegetation on Ijen-Merapi (07/2010) too dense, too scared to climb to highest point of Egon (08/2010), no trail to highest peak of Salahutu (12/2010), guide failed to turn up for an ascent of Cyclops (01/2011) so the hike was aborted, got to the summit cliffs of Kelud (02/2011) but had no ropes, got to within stone’s throw of the highest, densely forested top of Samosir (05/2011), Raung crater rim only (07/2011), Sibayak crater area (08/2011), Pangulubao trig point only (08/2011), failed to find correct trail on Seminung (10/2012), there is no route to the true summit of Ringgit (12/2012), Karangetang simply far too active to hike (02/2013), the trail to Awu leading up the wrong side of the rim (02/13), a smoking Soputan preventing a summit attempt (02/2013), not enough time to hack through the bushes on Ambang (02/2013), despite Pak Subandi’s help, lack of time and a trail hindered summit attempts on Tujuh (04/2013), lazy guides meant we ran out of time on Doro Oromboha (06/2013), lack of trail on Pura (07/2013), columns of sulphurous smoke on the summit cone of Lewotolo (07/2013), cloudy conditions and lack of time to reach the absolute highest point of Lewotobi (07/2013), a trail which avoids the summit on Curunumbeng (07/2013), overgrown distant high point of Kaba with no apparent trail to it (08/2013), insufficient time to get to true summit of Ranai (09/2013), no trail to real summit of Pantaicermin (10/2013), insufficient time to reach true summit of Tondongkarambu, vertical cliffs on Bukit Jempol (11/2013) and local people preventing access to Matebean Mane (12/2013) due to it being ‘a bit windy up there’.
Ranking Name Nationality Year of Birth Number of Ribus Number of Spesials

2

John Hargreaves

British

30

10
Ribus Agung, Arjuno, Batukaru, Bukittunggul, Butak, Cikuray, Ciremai, Dempo, Fatu Timau, Gamalama, Gamkonora, Jailolo, Karang, Kiematubu, Lawu, Mutis, Pangrango, Penanggungan, Rajabasa, Rantemario, Rinjani, Salak, Sawal, Semeru, Sinabung, Singgalang, Slamet, Sorikmarapi, Talakmau, Tampomas
Spesials Anak Krakatau, Banda Api, Batur, Bongkok, Bromo (Pananjakan), Kaba, Kelimutu (Inspiration Point), Kinabalu (Low’s Peak), Lokon, Sangga Buana
Notes “The highlight of 2013 was Gamkonora, an interesting crater in a pleasantly remote area. I even summited ribus in France, Germany and Austria this year, with the help of the ribuliste webpage and Europe’s excellent transport  infrastructure. Are there any plans for a cable car up Mount Merapi?” Other notes : also climbed to Sibayak crater (December 2011).
Ranking Name Nationality Year of Birth Number of Ribus Number of Spesials

3

Heinz von Holzen

Swiss

30

5
Ribus Agung, Argopuro, Arjuno, Batukaru, Butak, Cikuray, Ciremai, Dempo, Ebulobo, Galunggung (Beuticanar), Ijen-Merapi, Ili Boleng, Inerie, Kerinci, Kiematubu, Lawu, Merapi, Merbabu, Moncong Lompobatang, Muria, Pangrango, Penanggungan, Rantemario, Rinjani, Salak, Semeru, Sindoro, Slamet, Sumbing, Ungaran
Spesials Batur, Bromo (Pananjakan), Dieng (Prau), Kaba, Kelimutu (Inspiration Point)
Notes
“2013 was exceptional busy for me with many special project, not allowing me to do as many volcanoes as I would have liked. I still hiked a few interesting hills…
Rantemario – We took a wrong turn right after the starting point and hiked up to the summit a different and very long and hard route. We where forced to camp right at the ridge and enjoyed a lot of rain during the night. This was perhaps one of the toughest once I ever did. No guide to help with our all our gear.
Ijen-Merapi – Actually easy to reach the highest point. All it takes is a bit of a large knife to cut your way to the top. Unfortunately the top is not exciting at all with very limited views.
Ili Boleng – Before the start of the hike we had to go through almost 5 hours of ceremonies and blessing before we where allowed to climb. This time we received special treatment as the village chief, a worrier and a guardian of the mountain joined us on this journey. An absolute beautiful experience.
Lewotobi – Perfect weather and stunning views from the Perempuan.
Egon – This volcano had an incredible surprise for us. The weather was not in our favor and the entire top covered in clouds. When we reached the rim of the volcano we could actually see nothing and have no idea where exactly we where. On the rim we where hit by torrential force winds. A very quick change of t-shirt, a sip from the water bottle, the jacket come on, sip up, and order from our guide to make an offering of Rp.2000, next I wanted to mark a waypoint into the GPS and then the rim exploded. It felt like lightening hit the mountain only meters from us. My hair still stands up when thinking about. The back pack come back on and we run. The three of us we where absolutely s… scared and run for our lives. This was without question the shortest I ever spend on the rim of a crater. Perhaps 2 minutes.
Agung –  a few times. I am up to #47 by now. Twice we climbed Agung from the North on very different but very beautiful routes.
Many more to come this year. I will also go back to Java and climb a few again which I have done previously and like a lot.”

Visited Kemiri, Raung, Tambora and Marapi but didn’t get to the true summits. Has climbed Agung  47 times! Got to within 300 metres of the summit of Papandayan (Malang) in October 2011. Also to Egon and Lewotobi rims in 2013 but “any step further and we would have been cooked.”

Ranking Name Nationality Year of Birth Number of Ribus Number of Spesials

4

Hendri Agustin

Indonesian

27

10
Ribus Agung, Argopuro, Arjuno, Cikuray, Ciremai, Dempo, Kerinci, Klabat, Lawu, Merapi, Merbabu, Moncong Lompobattang, Pangrango, Rantemario, Rinjani, Salak, Semeru, Sinabung, Sindoro, Singgalang, Slamet, Sumbing, Talakmau, Talang, Tambora, Tampomas, Ungaran
Spesials Anak Krakatau, Bawakaraeng, Burangrang, Bromo (Pananjakan), Guntur (Masigit), Kinabalu (Low’s Peak), Manglayang, Patuha, Pulosari, Rakutak
Notes No news for 2013.
Ranking Name Nationality Year of Birth Number of Ribus Number of Spesials

5

Andy Dean

British 1977

27

3
Ribus Agung, Cikuray, Ciremai, Dempo, Ebulobo, Fatu Timau, Gamalama, Inerie, Karang, Keli Lepembusu, Kerinci, Kiematubu, Klabat, Lawu, Merbabu, Mutis, Palung (Ponti), Pangrango, Penanggungan, Rinjani, Sago, Salak, Semeru, Singgalang, Slamet, Tambora, Tampomas
Spesials Bromo (Pananjakan), Kelimutu (Inspiration Point), Lokon
Notes “Another year passes without a trip to Indonesia or a Ribu bagged. My highlight for 2013 was climbing Volcan Lazkar in Chile’s Atacama Desert region. At 5600m, it was my highest summit to date. Without acclimatization to the altitude, the low oxygen levels made it the hardest hike I have ever completed.”
Notable attempts: Pangulubao trig point (02/2010), Butak, Papandayan, Anak Krakatau, Raung rim (07/2011).
Ranking Name Nationality Year of Birth Number of Ribus Number of Spesials

6

Gill Dean

British 1977

25

3
Ribus Agung, Cikuray, Dempo, Ebulobo, Fatu Timau, Gamalama, Inerie, Keli Lepembusu, Kerinci, Kiematubu, Klabat, Lawu, Merbabu, Mutis, Palung (Ponti), Pangrango, Penanggungan, Rinjani, Sago, Salak, Semeru, Singgalang, Slamet, Tambora, Tampomas
Spesials Bromo (Pananjakan), Kelimutu (Inspiration Point), Lokon
Notes Notable attempts: Pangulubao trig point (02/2010), Butak, Papandayan, Anak Krakatau, Raung rim (07/2011). No news for 2013.
Ranking Name Nationality Year of Birth Number of Ribus Number of Spesials

7

Jan Smeenk

Dutch  1945

23

12
Ribus Agung, Argopuro, Arjuno, Batukaru, Bukittunggul, Butak, Cikuray, Ciremai, Klabat, Lamongan (Tarub), Lawu, Liman, Merapi, Merbabu, Pangrango, Penanggungan, Rajabasa, Rinjani, Semeru, Sindoro, Slamet, Sumbing, Ungaran
Spesials Anak Krakatau, Banda Api, Batur, Bromo (Pananjakan), Burangrang, Dieng (Prau), Guntur (Masigit), Halimun (North), Kelimutu, Kelud, Patuha, Tangkuban Parahu
Notes Have also visited Papandayan crater, Egon crater rim (2009), Puncak Trikora area (2008), Lokon crater (2010) and Angkasan in the Leuser range (2010).
Ranking Name Nationality Year of Birth Number of Ribus Number of Spesials

8

Roman Gerber

Swiss

23

4
Ribus Agung, Argopuro, Arjuno, Batukaru, Butak, Ciremai, Dempo, Ebulobo, Inerie, Kerinci, Lawu, Liman, Merapi, Merbabu, Moncong Lompobatang, Muria, Pangrango, Penanggungan, Rinjani, Semeru, Sindoro, Slamet, Sumbing
Spesials Batur, Bromo (Pananjakan), Kelimutu (Inspiration Point), Kinabalu (Low’s Peak)
Notes Visited Kemiri, Raung, Tambora, Ijen-Merapi and Marapi but didn’t get to the true summits. Has now climbed Agung 50 times!
Ranking Name Nationality Year of Birth Number of Ribus Number of Spesials

9

Taufan

Indonesian 1970

23

2
Ribus Agung, Argopuro, Arjuno, Binaiya, Cikuray, Ciremai, Dempo, Kerinci, Lawu, Merapi, Merbabu, Pangrango, Rajabasa, Raung, Rinjani, Salak, Semeru, Sindoro, Slamet, Sumbing, Talakmau, Tambora, Ungaran
Spesials Bawakaraeng, Pulosari
Notes Have also visited Marapi puncak Merpati (West Sumatra). Comments on his ascent to the true summit of Gunung Raung: “The true peak of Mount Raung is the special one, the trek is very challenging.  An extra effort and well planning is needed to reach the highest point, and climbers will meet all the expected challenges at that mountain. I must say this is the hardest trail in Java.” No news for 2013.
Ranking Name Nationality Year of Birth Number of Ribus Number of Spesials

10

Wolfgang Piecha

German

20

5
Ribus Agung, Argopuro, Arjuno, Ciremai, Dempo, Egon, Gamalama, Ijen-Merapi, Kerinci, Lawu, Liman, Merapi, Merbabu, Pangrango, Rinjani, Semeru, Sindoro, Slamet, Sumbing, Tambora
Spesials Anak Krakatau, Batur, Bromo (Pananjakan), Kelimutu (Inspiration Point), Sebesi
Notes Has also visited the craters of Papandayan and Kelud

Why Have a Hall of Fame?

Although looking at lists of mountains like the Ribus is always secondary to the actual experience of being out there in the mountains – enjoying the fresh air, the scenery and the exercise – there is an undoubted pleasure in keeping track of the peaks you’ve visited. Unlike in several other countries where mountain climbing is equally – or more – popular, there has not to our knowledge been any attempt to create a record of people’s hiking achievements in Indonesia. The Ribus are based on objective criteria (i.e 1,000 metre prominence) and so we hope to utilise this to keep a record of people’s hiking achievements – if they want to be included. Given the immensity of the challenge of climbing all the Ribus (and the fact that nobody knew where they all were until now) it is pretty much impossible that anyone will have climbed all 226 of them! Indeed, we think that at present no single person has reached the top of more than about 50 Ribus, although it is probable that at least 100 peaks on the list are relatively accessible and have been climbed on at least several occasions. Perhaps 50 Ribus or more are visited by hikers on at least a weekly basis during the dry season.

Hall of Fame Criteria

If you have climbed 20 or more Ribus (excluding Spesial peaks) you can join the Gunung Bagging Hall of Fame. If you would like to be added, please contact us with a list of your bagged Ribus and Spesials, and including any “significant attempts” when you came close but failed to reach the absolute summit for some reason. There can be many reasons for failing to reach the summit:

  • Volcanic activity (or the weather) can make it too dangerous to reach the highest point. The trek to Merapi (Central Java) is an example of a relatively straightforward hike to the summit area of a volcano, but not to the summit itself (which was completely altered, in 2006 and most recently in the 2010 eruption). Hikers who visited the highest point prior to 2006 (Garuda’s Wing) can reasonably claim to have reached the summit if they managed to get their head above the highest point of the huge piece of rock. Between 2006 and 2010 however, the highest point was part of a new lava dome which was simply too dangerous and utterly irresponsible to visit. However, since the 2010 eruptions, the summit area is vastly different once again – with a new 400m wide crater.
  • Technical climbing skills are required. Gunung Raung (East Java), Puncak Trikora (Papua) and Egon (East Nusa Tenggara) require climbing ropes and/or intermediate rock-climbing skills in order to reach the highest point.
  • Dense vegetation / jungle / no trail. Some peaks are covered in dense vegetation. Occasionally, finding a route to the top can be very difficult, if not impossible. Trails become overgrown quickly and if tops are not visited for a number of years the vegetation can become so dense that there is no visible trail and/or the vegetation is just too dense to walk through. Papandayan and Galunggung (Beuticanar), both in West Java, are notable examples of overgrown trails. Marapi in West Sumatra is not baggable by any conventional route, although a handful of hikers have opened up a new trail which does reach the true summit. We hope this site will help encourage new hiking routes and the regeneration of old, forgotten trails.
  • Mystifying legal reasons. There are a number of peaks in Java (and elsewhere) officially closed to the general public. This a fairly recent problem – peaks which were often climbed in the past have been closed by Forestry or National Park authorities, mainly because they do not have sufficient resources to maintain a network of trails in the short-term even though in the long-term the amount of tourism revenue would probably be high if people knew of their existence. Annoyingly, waivers stating you are entirely responsible for your safety and behaviour (which you would be normally, anyway) are rarely granted except to scientists conducting research. It’s a lose-lose situation but in general Indonesian hikers don’t seem to mind and the media have bigger fish to fry. You can either enter the lengthy and expensive process of negotiation with authorities or just get on with it and try to climb them anyway.
  • Not knowing where the summit actually is. A less common and more humorous reason for not reaching the highest point will be simply that you didn’t know where the very top was, perhaps due to excessive vegetation or a very flat mountain top with several peaks of seemingly similar elevation. Even a guide might not actually know where the true summit is and they can even get you lost. Liman, Palung (Ponti) and Rajabasa fall into this category but we have tried to provide information on this site which specifies the likely highest point.

Of course, reaching the highest point is not the most important part of going for a hike and considering the dangers you may face it is occasionally unwise to attempt at all. However, we want to keep this list as stringent and professional as other mountain lists worldwide. For Gunung Bagging purposes, (and despite probable accusations of pedantry!) this means that if you haven’t reached the highest point then you can’t claim to have ‘bagged’ it. However, be sure to mention such attempts in your email to us so that other hikers know what to expect on tricky or particularly active peaks.

Known Difficult Peaks

Many of the Ribus and Spesials are very hard to conquer! This is due to a number of reasons. The highest point may be in dense vegetation with no path whatsoever, part of an active lava dome, on a knife-edged crater rim or ridge, in a tribal conflict area or require moderate rock climbing skills or a hike of two weeks or more! Here is an initial list of some of the trickier summits that we know about so far – please see individual mountain pages for more details. N.B. Most peaks in Kalimantan and Papua are likely to be very difficult. We hope to make updates as and when we have new information. We also hope to conduct expeditions to these summits if/when it is safe to do so.

Java:

  • Papandayan (Malang) – The true summit is in dense vegetation and there would appear to be no trail there at present.
  • Galunggung (Beuticanar) – The summit is rarely-visited and so the trail is vague and overgrown. In June 2010, Gunung Bagging conducted an expedition along with Napak Rimba hiking club from Tasikmalaya to re-open the trail. It is currently marked from Telaga Bodas with yellow and blue string but is likely to become overgrown again soon.
  • Parang – The summit is in dense vegetation.
  • Kelud – The summit rocks require rock climbing skills – ropes are probably needed.
  • Liman – this remote mountain is difficult to reach given the terrain (rarely-used) and lack of local knowledge about what is a very complex range of peaks.
  • Lamongan (Tarub) – The summit is rarely visited and overgrown. In October 2008, local hiking enthusiast Pak Iwan Erfanto led what was one of only a handful of recent expeditions to the summit of Tarub from Klakah via Lamongan, taking 4 days there and back. Gunung Bagging went to Tarub in January 2011 from Ranu Gedang.
  • Ijen (Merapi) – Whilst Ijen crater is very popular with visitors, the top of the massif, Gunung Merapi, is hardly ever visited. It is a great place – there are several sandy craters to explore. The highest point is covered in dense vegetation. Java Lava either reached the summit or got very close indeed in 2006 but since then most attempts have been thwarted by the density of the vegetation. However, two hikers reached the trig point which marks the true peak in 2013.
  • Baluran – This mountain peak is very rarely visited and there is only a vague trail through the dense forest. You need to contact National Park staff well in advance to try to arrange local help.
  • Sumbing – The highest point of the crater rim is mildly difficult to reach. Confident scramblers should have no difficulty.
  • Raung – The highest point of the crater rim is difficult to reach. It requires a very long hike in and ropes for rock climbing.

Sulawesi:

  • Karangetang – The volcano is incredibly active and dangerous.
  • Tondongkarambu – Reaching the ridge of this mountain is easy enough from local villages. But the summit is about 4km away!

Sumatra:

  • Bukit Jempol – Only roped rock climbers dare attempt ascend the vertical summit cliffs.
  • Kaba – There is a great trail around the active double-crater. But the highest point of the massif appears to be in dense vegetation to the west.
  • Pangulubao – The trig pillar is visited at least once a year but the true highpoint likes 1.8km along a densely forested ridge from there.
  • Pantaicermin – A hunter’s trail snakes through the forest but misses out the true summit. You’d need several days to cut a fresh trail along to it.
  • Sibayak (Pintau) – The true summit of Pintau has apparently only been climbed once or twice.
  • Tujuh – The climb to the summit is very steep and has apparently only been climbed once or twice.

Maluku:

  • Salahutu – Although local hikers climb to a lesser nearby top, the highest peak of the range is rarely visited and if there is a trail it is likely to be very vague.

Nusa Tenggara Timur:

  • Curunumbeng – There appears to be no trail to the summit, at least not from the eastern side of the mountain.
  • Egon – The highest point of the crater rim is difficult to reach. It requires good scrambling skills over very exposed and slippery terrain. Rob Woodall made a complete circuit of the rim in August 2010 and Wolfgang Piecha reached the summit on a Java Lava trip in April 2009.

Kepulauan Riau

  • Daik – At present, nobody has reached the top of the mountain. Apparently it is a very difficult rock climb.

Papua:

  • Puncak Trikora – Ropes are needed for a rock climb at the very top.
  • Arfak (Umsini) – There is a current conflict between two neighbouring tribes which makes access to the peak rather difficult.
  • Puncak Jaya (Carstensz Pyramid) – Indonesia’s highest mountain is very expensive – especially for foreigners – and rock climbing skills are needed.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top