“Gunung Bragging!” – The Hall of Fame List 2020

Below is the eleventh edition of the Gunung Bagging Hall of Fame (for end of 2020).

A new edition of the list is published at the end of every year.

Please read the notes below the list and contact us if you wish to be listed next year.

Links to previous years… 2019; 2018; 2017; 2016; 2015; 2014; 2013; 2012; 2011; 2010

  • Ranking: 1
  • Name: Daniel Quinn
  • Nationality: British
  • Year of Birth: 1981
  • Number of Ribus: 84
  • Number of Spesials: 46
  • Worldwide Ribus: 5
  • Ribus: Agung, Argopuro, Arjuno, Batukaru, Bawang, Berumput (Kanyi), Besar (Halau Halau), Bintang, Bubu, Bujang Melaka, Bukit Raya, Bukittunggul, Bulu Nti, Bur ni Kelieten, Butak, Cikuray, Ciremai, Dempo, Doro Dindi, Ebulobo, Fatu Timau, Galunggung (Beuticanar), Gamalama, Gamkonora, Ili Boleng, Ili Labalekang, Ili Mandiri, Ili Uyelewun, Inerie, Jailolo, Kahung, Karang, Keli Lepembusu, Kerinci, Kiematubu, Kinabalu (Low’s Peak), Klabat, Lamongan (Tarub), Lawu, Liang, Liman, Marapi, Masurai, Mekongga, Merapi, Merbabu, Moncong Lompobatang, Mulu, Muria, Murud, Mutis, Ophir / Ledang, Pangrango, Papandayan (Malang), Penanggungan, Pesagi, Pesawaran (Ratai), Poco Ngandonalu, Rajabasa, Ramelau, Rantemario, Raung, Rinjani, Sago, Salak, Saran, Sawal, Semeru, Seulawah Agam, Sibuatan, Sinabung, Sindoro, Singgalang, Slamet, Sumbing, Talakmau, Talang, Tambora, Tampomas, Tanggamus, Tompotika, Trusmadi, Ungaran, Wanggameti
  • Spesials: Anak Krakatau, Anjasmoro, Banda Api, Batu Putih, Batur, Bawakaraeng, Bongkok, Bromo (Pananjakan), Burangrang, Dieng (Prau), Guntur (Masigit), Iya, Jantan, Kelam, Kelimutu (Inspiration Point), Kerenceng, Lokon, Malabar (Puncak Besar), Manglayang, Manado Tua, Mbeliling, Nokilalaki, Nuang, Parang, Patuha, Penrissen, Poco Ranakah, Pulau Bawean (Gunung Besar), Pulosari, Pusuk Buhit, Rakata, Raksa, Rakutak, Rembau, Samosir, Sangga Buana, Sebesi, Seminung, Sibayak (Pintau), Sidole, Sorikmarapi, Tajam, Tangkuban Parahu, Telomoyo, Wayang-Windu, Yong Belar
  • Worldwide Ribus: Ben Nevis (Scotland, UK), Carrauntoohil (Ireland), Doi Inthanon (Thailand), Pulag (Philippines), Snowdon (Wales, UK)
  • Notes: “2020 actually started brilliantly, with a non-bagging trip to the Pokekea megaliths in Central Sulawesi – one of the most beautiful and evocative places I have ever been – and then weekend trips to Malaysia’s Gunungs Bubu and Batu Putih. Much was planned for Malaysia and eastern Indonesia from March onwards, but our trip to Tolitoli to bag Gn Galang was cancelled last-minute when the local regent prohibited foreigners from entering due to fear of this mysterious new thing called coronavirus. After a quick revisit to Ungaran to firmly bag the highest peak Botak, things got worse with mountain after mountain closed down and after months of planning our remaining plans were all shelved! After however many weeks barely leaving the apartment, and thinking this would all be over soon, I began to get rapid tests on a regular basis and visit lesser-known routes on various Java mountains, travelling by train. The highlight was finally getting to the true summit of Gunung Anjasmoro. In terms of Ribu total, I gained Bubu but lost Sorikmarapi when it was discovered that there is a higher peak in the region, as part of a Worldwide Ribus identification project which is underway at present with numerous collaborators. The year ended poorly from a bagging perspective, with a Sulawesi trip including to Tana Toraja cancelled at the last minute due to ever-changing rules and utter chaos at the airport. That’s the second end of year Toraja trip I’ve cancelled in the space of just three years! Will choose a different month in 2021 if travel rules become easier to follow.” Now lots of near misses and failed attempts to reach the highest points, including some hilarious anecdotes which didn’t seem quite as funny at the time! -…. vegetation on Ijen-Merapi (07/2010) too dense and guide worried (08/2017), 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 point, Pangulubao trig point only (08/2011), 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 and again due to poor weather, 06/2017), despite Pak Subandi’s help, lack of time and a trail hindered summit attempts on Tujuh (04/2013), 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), local people preventing access to Matebean Mane (12/2013) due to it being ‘a bit windy up there’, the sheer vertical cliffs of Daik (03/2017) meaning a summit attempt was never on the cards, a visit only to the more-frequented second-highest peak of Gunung Maras (Bui) on Bangka island (05/2017), lack of time and knowledge for the summit cliffs of Ruang (06/2017), lack of time and knowledge for Gunung Beratus (08/2017), no knowledge of a trail to the true peak of Sebatung (10/2017) or the highest point of Colo on Pulau Una-una (12/2017), northern pillar peak only on Gunung Gawalise (01/2018), col below summit on Pulau Weh (Cot Kulam) (02/18), second highest peak on Santubong (06/18), Serapi viewpoint peak only (10/18), Gading peak only on Gading (Perigi) (10/18), Gunung Botol on Halimun (10/18), to edge of restricted areas on both Gunung Jerai and Western Hill (12/18), didn’t even set foot on Gandangdewata when after 3 months of planning, the guide decided to cancel the morning of departure! (12/18), blocked by bureaucracy and nasty ‘no entry’ signs on Malaysia’s Gunung Irau (01/19), Ulu Kali (02/19) and Raya Langkawi (02/19).”
    Has also climbed Tandikat (03/2018) and Bur ni Telong (04/2018) both of which would definitely be Spesials if only the col between them and neighbouring parent peaks were a bit lower.
  • Ranking: 2
  • Name: John Hargreaves
  • Nationality: British
  • Year of Birth:
  • Number of Ribus: 48
  • Number of Spesials: 11
  • Worldwide Ribus: 3
  • Ribus: Agung, Arjuno, Batukaru, Bukittunggul, Bulu Nti, Butak, Cikuray, Ciremai, Dempo, Fatu Timau, Gamalama, Gamkonora, Jailolo, Karang, Kerinci, Kiematubu, Kinabalu (Low’s Peak), Klabat, Lamongan (Tarub), Lawu, Masurai, Merbabu, Moncong Lompobatang, Muria, Mutis, Pangrango, Penanggungan, Rajabasa, Rantemario, Raung, Rinjani, Sago, Salak, Sawal, Semeru, Sibuatan, Sinabung, Sindoro, Singgalang, Slamet, Sumbing, Talakmau, Talang, Tambora, Tampomas, Tompotika, Ungaran, Wanggameti
  • Spesials: Anak Krakatau, Banda Api, Batur, Bongkok, Bromo (Pananjakan), Kaba, Kelimutu (Inspiration Point), Lokon, Sangga Buana, Sibayak (Pintau), Sorikmarapi
  • Worldwide Ribus: Ben Nevis (Scotland, UK), Carn Eige (Scotland, UK), Snowdon (Wales, UK)
  • Notes: “In last year’s Hall of Fame I expressed the hope of reaching a half century of ribus in the course of 2020. Instead, I actually slipped further away from that target, as the reclassification of Sorikmarapi from ribu to spesial brought my ribu total down to 48. A planned hike up Mount Korbu, the second highest peak in peninsular Malaysia, was cancelled at the last minute as the fever of sudden border closures swept across the world. Since then the thought of boarding a plane or train has held no appeal, confining me to jogging round the Jakarta area for exercise. June 2021 looks like the earliest feasible date for a return to ribu bagging, provided that the COVID-19 infection risk is reduced and that travel and accommodation regulations are not subject to sudden change.” Other notes : also climbed to East Peak of Binaiya. Reached crater areas of Marapi (W. Sumatra), Soputan, Ambang, Kie Besi, and Awu, but without summiting.
  • Ranking: 3
  • Name: Mykhailo Pavliuk
  • Nationality: Ukrainian
  • Year of Birth: 1980
  • Number of Ribus: 45
  • Number of Spesials: 14
  • Ribus: Arjuno, Batukaru, Benum, Berumput (Kanyi), Bintang, Bujang Melaka, Bukittunggul, Butak, Cikuray, Ciremai, Dempo, Ebulobo, Ijen (Merapi), Inerie, Karang, Kerinci, Kinabalu (Low’s Peak), Korbu, Lawu, Liman, Masurai, Merbabu, Pangrango, Penanggungan, Pesagi, Rajabasa, Rantemario, Raung, Rinjani, Sago, Salak, Semeru, Seulawah Agam, Sibuatan, Sinabung, Singgalang, Slamet, Soputan, Sumbing, Tahan, Talakmau, Talang, Tambora, Tanggamus, Ungaran
  • Spesials: Batur, Belumut, Bromo (Pananjakan), Guntur (Masigit), Kaba, Kelimutu (Inspiration Point), Manglayang, Nuang, Patuha, Poco Ranakah, Semangkok, Seminung, Sorikmarapi, Telomoyo
  • Notes: In 2020 Mykhailo has run over 4000 kilometres with a total elevation gain of over 270,000 metres! This includes 51 times on Doi Suthep near Chiang Mai, Thailand. Mykhailo is a keen and successful mountain marathon runner who won the 2018 Rinjani marathon in 6hrs 35min! He has to be one of the very few hikers to have ever hiked to Gn Loser alone. He has also climbed Santubong, Bandahara and to Laut Tinggal but did not reach the true summits.
  • Ranking: 4
  • Name: Heinz von Holzen
  • Nationality: Swiss
  • Year of Birth:
  • Number of Ribus: 35
  • Number of Spesials: 5
  • Ribus: Agung, Argopuro, Arjuno, Batukaru, Butak, Cikuray, Ciremai, Dempo, Ebulobo, Galunggung (Beuticanar), Gamalama, Ijen-Merapi, Ili Boleng, Inerie, Kerinci, Kiematubu, Kinabalu, Lawu, Merapi, Merbabu, Moncong Lompobatang, Muria, Pangrango, Penanggungan, Ramelau, Rantemario, Rinjani, Salak, Semeru, Sindoro, Singgalang, Slamet, Sumbing, Talang, Ungaran
  • Spesials: Batur, Bromo (Pananjakan), Dieng (Prau), Kaba, Kelimutu (Inspiration Point)
  • Notes: “We climbed Agung 4 times this year which brings my total to 59 hikes up this great volcano.” Visited Kemiri, Raung, Tambora and Marapi but didn’t get to the true summits. 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: 5
  • Name: Hendri Agustin
  • Nationality: Indonesian
  • Year of Birth:
  • Number of Ribus: 32
  • Number of Spesials: 9
  • Worldwide Ribus: 6
  • Ribus: Agung, Argopuro, Arjuno, Binaiya, Bukit Raya, Cikuray, Ciremai, Dempo, Kerinci, Kinabalu (Low’s Peak), Klabat, Lawu, Masurai, Merapi, Merbabu, Moncong Lompobattang, Pangrango, Puncak Jaya (Carstenzs Pyramid), Rantemario, Rinjani, Salak, Semeru, Sinabung, Sindoro, Singgalang, Slamet, Sumbing, Talakmau, Talang, Tambora, Tampomas, Ungaran
  • Spesials: Anak Krakatau, Bawakaraeng, Burangrang, Bromo (Pananjakan), Guntur (Masigit), Manglayang, Patuha, Pulosari, Rakutak
  • Worldwide Ribus: Elbrus (Russia), Fuji (Japan), Hotaka-dake (Japan), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Kita-dake (Japan), Mera Peak (Nepal)
  • Notes: No news for 2020. Pak Hendri is the creator of the Seven Summits of Indonesia concept.
  • Ranking: 6
  • Name: Nicholas Hughes
  • Nationality: Australian
  • Year of Birth: 1947
  • Number of Ribus: 29
  • Number of Spesials: 4
  • Ribus: Tambora (2009/2015), Klabat (2010), Argopura (2010), Kie Matubu (2010, 2011), Merbabu (2010), Galunggung (Beuticanar, 2010), Gamalama (2010, 2011, 2015), Gamkonora (2011, 2015), Jailolo (2011, 2015), Semeru (2011), Butak (2013), Ciremai (2013), Ili Uyelewun (2013), Lawu (2010), Salak (2012), Kerinci (2013), Penanggungan (2013), Leuser ‘Tanpa Nama’ (2014), Ebulobo (2014), Inerie (2014), Mutis (2014), Fatu Timau (2014, 2015), Keli Lepembusu (2014), Sindoro (2015), Arjuno (2015), Muria (2016), Ramelau and Matebean Mane (2018), Karang
  • Spesials: Banda Api (2007), Bromo (1985), Dieng (Prau, 2014), Kelimutu (Inspiration Point, 1975/2009)
  • Notes: No notes for 2020. Reasons for not reaching summits:
    Prior to ‘bagging’ summits: Cyclops (1975), Agung (1976), Pangrango (1975), Slamet (2011), Dempo (2011). Dangerous/too difficult: Merapi (1975, 2013), Raung (2011), Lewotolo (2013), Lokon (2010), Anak Krakatau (2011), Karangetang (2013), Dukono (2015). Possible but time limited: Manuk (2007), Ijen-Merapi (2013), Baluran (2012), Ibu (2011); Arfak (Umsini, 2012), Sirung (2013), Pulosari (2013), Lewotobi-Perempuan (climbed Lewotobi-Laki2 by mistake, 2014), Pura (2013), Awu (2013), Pura (2013), Sumbing (2015), Papandayan, Mundo Perdido (2018). Others: crossed Jayawijaya Range east of Baliem valley at 3,700 ms (X-Chain?, 2009), Rantemario (reached Pos 5 – sick; 2009), Batu Tara (oceanic volcano, eruption observed from boat, 2010), Curunumbeng (forbidden due local beliefs, 2013)
  • Ranking: 7
  • Name: Andy Dean
  • Nationality: British / Canadian
  • Year of Birth: 1977
  • Number of Ribus: 28
  • Number of Spesials: 3
  • Worldwide Ribus: 3
  • Ribus: Agung, Cikuray, Ciremai, Dempo, Ebulobo, Fatu Timau, Gamalama, Inerie, Karang, Keli Lepembusu, Kerinci, Kiematubu, Klabat, Lawu, Merbabu, Muria, Mutis, Palung (Ponti), Pangrango, Penanggungan, Rinjani, Sago, Salak, Semeru, Singgalang, Slamet, Tambora, Tampomas
  • Spesials: Bromo (Pananjakan), Kelimutu (Inspiration Point), Lokon
  • Worldwide Ribus: Kosciuszko (Australia), Pico Turquino (Cuba), Snowdon (Wales, UK)
  • Notes: “2020 was not the year for travel, but we managed a fantastic camping and hiking trip to the West Kootenays in the southeastern part of British Columbia, just west of the famous Rockies.  Prominent summits in Canada typically require mountaineering, but we had a spectacular day hike to the summit of the snow capped Mount Brennan (2900 m, prominence 683 m).  At the summit, someone had planted a huge “Black Lives Matter” flag – see https://photos.app.goo.gl/RwyeBRv2f2TFnmiV7.” Notable attempts: Pangulubao trig point (02/2010), Butak, Papandayan, Anak Krakatau, Raung rim (07/2011).
  • Ranking: 8
  • Name: Gill Dean
  • Nationality: British / Canadian
  • Year of Birth: 1977
  • Number of Ribus: 25
  • Number of Spesials: 3
  • Worldwide Ribus: 2
  • 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
  • Worldwide Ribus: Kosciuszko (Australia), Pico Turquino (Cuba)
  • Notes: (See joint notes with Andy Dean, above). Notable attempts: Notable attempts: Pangulubao trig point (02/2010), Butak, Papandayan, Anak Krakatau, Raung rim (07/2011).
  • Ranking: 9
  • Name: Taufan
  • Nationality: Indonesian
  • Year of Birth: 1970
  • Number of Ribus: 24
  • Number of Spesials: 5
  • Ribus: Agung, Argopuro, Arjuno, Binaiya, Bukittunggul, Cikuray, Ciremai, Dempo, Kerinci, Lawu, Merapi, Merbabu, Pangrango, Rajabasa, Raung, Rinjani, Salak, Semeru, Sindoro, Slamet, Sumbing, Talakmau, Tambora, Ungaran
  • Spesials: Bawakaraeng, Burangrang, Malabar, Pulosari, Tangkuban Perahu
  • Notes: No news for 2020.
  • Ranking: 10
  • Name: Roman Gerber
  • Nationality: Swiss
  • Year of Birth:
  • Number of Ribus: 24
  • Number of Spesials: 3
  • Ribus: Agung, Argopuro, Arjuno, Batukaru, Butak, Ciremai, Dempo, Ebulobo, Inerie, Kerinci, Kinabalu (Low’s Peak), Lawu, Liman, Merapi, Merbabu, Moncong Lompobatang, Muria, Pangrango, Penanggungan, Rinjani, Semeru, Sindoro, Slamet, Sumbing
  • Spesials: Batur, Bromo (Pananjakan), Kelimutu (Inspiration Point)
  • Notes: Did not hike anything this year. Visited Kemiri, Raung, Tambora, Ijen-Merapi and Marapi but didn’t get to the true summits. Has now climbed Agung 52 times!
  • Ranking: 11
  • Name: Jan Smeenk
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Year of Birth: 1945
  • Number of Ribus: 23
  • Number of Spesials: 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: No news for 2020. Has also visited Papandayan crater, Egon crater rim (2009), Puncak Trikora area (2008), Lokon crater (2010) and Angkasan in the Leuser range (2010).
  • Ranking: 12
  • Name: Wolfgang Piecha
  • Nationality: German
  • Year of Birth:
  • Number of Ribus: 22
  • Number of Spesials: 5
  • Worldwide Ribus: 8
  • Ribus: Agung, Argopuro, Arjuno, Ciremai, Dempo, Egon, Gamalama, Gamkonora, Ijen-Merapi, Jailolo, Kerinci, Lawu, Liman, Merapi, Merbabu, Pangrango, Rinjani, Semeru, Sindoro, Slamet, Sumbing, Tambora
  • Spesials: Anak Krakatau, Batur, Bromo (Pananjakan), Kelimutu (Inspiration Point), Sebesi
  • Worldwide Ribus: Avachinsky (Russia), Iztaccihuatl (Mexico), Malinche (Mexico), Nevado de Toluca (Mexico), Ras Dashen (Ethiopia), Sněžka (Poland / Czech), Tacana (Mexico), Tolbachik (Russia)
  • Notes: “As you may imagine I did not hike many ribus in 2020. Only Sněžka, the highest peak (1.603m) of the Giant Mountains at the border between Poland and Czech (01/2020) and some minor snow mountains in arctic Norway (Lofoten islands) early in 02/2020, with snow shoes.” Has stayed two nights on the crater base of Tambora (2012), also climbed to the craters of Raung, Kie Besi, Salahatu (without reaching the true summits), visited Papandayan and Kelud. “Kilimanjaro I hiked to the second highest point, only, Gilman’s point at 5.685 m (2014)”
  • Ranking: 13
  • Name: Ben Dowson
  • Nationality: British
  • Year of Birth: 1966
  • Number of Ribus: 21
  • Number of Spesials: 9
  • Worldwide Ribus: 12
  • Ribus: Agung (1993), Cikuray (2015), Ciremai (1995), Dempo (2014), Karang (2020), Karangetang (2016), Kerinci (1992), Kinabalu (1984), Lawu (1999), Merapi (2005), Merbabu (1992), Muria (2020), Pangrango (2018), Rajabasa (1994), Ramelau (2016), Rinjani (1993), Salak (1996), Semeru (1991), Sindoro (2010), Slamet (2008), Tambora (2010).
  • Spesials: Anak Krakatau, Banda Api, Batur, Bromo (Pananjakan), Dieng (Prau), Kelimutu (Inspiration Point), Pulosari, Sangga Buana, Tangkuban Parahu
  • Worldwide Ribus: Ben Nevis (Scotland, UK), Chimborazo (Ecuador), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Moldoveanu Peak (Romania), Monte Cinto (Corsica, France), Nyiragongo (Democratic Republic of Congo), Pacaya (Guatemala), Pic Boby (Madagascar), Snowdon (Wales, UK), Vesuvius (Italy), Whitney (USA), Zugspitze (Germany)
  • Notes:After battling long and hard to get my name on this list, and having been rejected numerous times by Quinn for not reaching the true summits of various mountains I had claimed as bagged, I was delighted to finally make it across the line on the afternoon of 24 June 2020 after setting foot on the “true summit” of Karang (duly verified by Quinn, who was on hand to witness it….), after a punishing morning hike to the smouldering crater of Pulosari just across the valley. This was followed up by a great night trek up Muria to witness the sunrise and pay homage to the various Hindu deities that populate the summit. Other than that, most of my travel in 2020 was overseas (I spent a total of three months backpacking around Europe and the USA, but without adding a single “international” Ribu). Hope to get up to Halmahera and further afield in 2021″. Also to Colo crater, Sibayak crater, Raung crater rim, Welirang, Gede, Ijen crater and Sumbing crater rim. Also to 100 metres below the summit of Huayna Potosi in Bolivia. Failed on Mount Willhelm (PNG) due to both he and the guide being ‘woefully unprepared’ at the first hut!
  • Ranking: 14
  • Name: Paul Lemaistre
  • Nationality: French
  • Year of Birth: 1985
  • Number of Ribus: 21
  • Number of Spesials: 5
  • Worldwide Ribus: 1
  • Ribus: Kerinci, Rinjani, Semeru, Lawu, Agung, Arjuno, Merbabu, Pangrango, Cikuray, Kinabalu, Klabat, Sindoro, Singgalang, Salak, Muria, Merapi, Bukittunggul, Ungaran, Tampomas, Batukaru, Penanggungan
  • Spesials: Tangkuban Parahu, Batur, Parang, Kelimutu (Inspiration Point), Bromo (Pananjakan)
  • Worldwide Ribus: Table Mountain (South Africa)
  • Notes: “Unfortunately no new gunungs this year as I have been on lockdown quarantine in Singapore (does Mt. Faber count?)” 
  • Ranking: 15
  • Name: Rob Woodall
  • Nationality: British
  • Year of Birth: 1960
  • Number of Ribus: 21
  • Number of Spesials: 1
  • Worldwide Ribus: 313
  • Ribus: Agung, Bukittunggul, Cikuray, Ciremai, Egon, Ili Boleng, Ili Labalekang, Inerie, Karang, Kerinci, Kinabalu, Lawu, Merbabu, Pangrango, Poco Ngandonalu, Rinjani, Salak, Semeru, Singgalang, Slamet, Ungaran
  • Spesials: Telomoyo
  • Worldwide Ribus: more than 300, available via https://www.peakbagger.com/climber/PeakListC.aspx?sort=prom&cid=569&u=m&pt=avg
  • Notes: “My 2020 trip was in March, made unduly exciting by the Covid-19 pandemic. I managed 2 Jawa Tengah Ribus (Ungaran with Dan Quinn, and Merbabu) plus 6 in Jawa Barat, before peak closures and impending restrictions sent me home to the UK.  A trip report can be found here http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=25203  My previous trips were in 2007 (8 Ribus, concentrating on the most prominent peaks) and in 2010 (5 Nusa Tenggara Ribus). Three Worldwide trips in 2020 added 4 Ribus in South Africa and Lesotho, 74 in Italy and the European Alps, and 29 in Greece. Europe has a good number of easy Ribus – but also plenty which are technically quite difficult.” Marapi and Raung hikes (both 2007) but not to true summits.
  • Ranking: 16
  • Name: Hélène Terrenoire
  • Nationality: French
  • Year of Birth: 1983
  • Number of Ribus: 20
  • Number of Spesials: 7
  • Worldwide Ribus: 5
  • Ribus: Batukaru, Bukittungul, Cikuray, Ciremai, Ebulobo, Gamkonora, Inerie, Karang, Kerinci, Klabat, Lawu, Merbabu, Muria, Mutis, Pangrango, Penanggungan, Rinjani, Semeru, Tambora, Ungaran
  • Spesials: Batur, Dieng (Prahu), Lokon, Kelimutu (Inspiration Point), Patuha, Sidole, Tangkuban Prahu
  • Worldwide Ribus: Acatenango (Guatemala), Irazu (Costa Rica), Santa Ana (El Salvador), Santa Maria (Guatemala), Tajumulco (Guatemala)
  • Notes: The only challenge I set myself this year after the end of the lockdown was to hike one the hardest treks in Europe which is called GR20. The GR20 footpath is a 180 km-long mountainous trail throughout the island of Corsica from North to South, which takes around 14 days to complete. I trained very hard for this hike I undertook last August. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to complete the full hike, missing two core sections, because of bad weather. The guide decided to take alternative ways. Thus, it’s an “almost accomplished hike” which I plan to do again next year. This hike is really awesome with granitic stunning views.” Other ribus/specials visited without reaching the true summit for some reason (active, too dangerous, miscellaneous…) : -Ribus : Agung (rim, Pura Pasar Agung route), Egon, Gamalama, Ijen (Kawah), Ili Wukoh (first summit Ili Ledo), Lewotobi Perempuan (rim), Papandayan (Tegal Alun), Salak (Kawah Ratu) -Specials : Anak Krakatau, Bromo (Seruni Point), Dukono, Kaba, Pulau Weh (Cot Kulam), Tujuh

Why Have a Hall of Fame?

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 227 of them! Indeed, we think that at present no single person has reached the top of more than about 85 Ribus, although it is probable that at least 150 peaks on the list are relatively accessible and have been climbed on at least several occasions (though many requiring a week-long trek or more). Perhaps 50 Ribus or more are visited by hikers on at least a weekly basis during the dry season.

Since the full introduction of all Ribus in Malaysia in 2018, Malaysian hikers might like to note that it is possible to get into the Hall of Fame with Malaysian peaks alone, as there are over 20 Malaysian Ribus (32 in total, but not including border peaks in Borneo such as Berumput / Kanyi which is listed on our site on the page for West Kalimantan). However, a handful of these are pretty obscure! We look forward to adding you to the list soon!

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. Hikers are now encouraged not to visit the summit due to the dangers.
  • 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 moderately dense vegetation although one group from Bandung reached the top in June 2015 and we reached the top in June 2017.
  • Parang – The summit is in dense vegetation but we finally reached the top in June 2017.
  • Kelud – The summit rocks require rock climbing skills – ropes are needed for safety.
  • 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. But it’s getting easier as more local hikers explore this mountain.
  • 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 old trig point which marks the true peak in 2013 and one hiker allegedly bagged the summit in 2017 (and another in 2019).
  • Baluran – None of our requests to hike to the summit have been granted by the Park. Technically not a difficult peak to reach, but bureaucratically a very difficult one.
  • 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 long hike in and ropes for rock climbing.
  • Merapi– technically not allowed to go beyond Pasar Bubrah now due to the dangers (but loads of hikers do go anyway).

Peninsular Malaysia:

  • Ulu Kali – Private road with no public access on summit.
  • Jerai – Private compound with no public access on summit.
  • Raya (Langkawi) – Private compound with no public access on summit.
  • Western Hill (Penang) – Private compound with no public access on summit.

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!
  • Gawalise – Locals at Desa Kalora are hostile to hikers. A very sad situation for such a (in normal circumstances) accessible mountain. The true summit is also very rarely visited. Try via Salena instead.

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 likely 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 might need a day or so to make a fresh trail along to it.
  • 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.
  • Binaiya – Despite being one of Indonesia’s “Seven Summits”, the true peak of Binaiya is also known as the forbidden peak because technically it is a nature reserve. This may change, as several groups have documented their trips to the true peak recently.

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 – Apparently it is a very difficult rock climb and only the second-highest rock pillar has been successfully bagged.

Papua:

  • Puncak Trikora – Ropes are needed for a rock climb at the very top.
  • Arfak – 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.

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