Mt. Rinjani, one of the over 40 National Parks throughout Indonesia, was established in 1997. It is valued and protected for its spiritual as well as natural values, and is worshipped by thousands of Balinese as well as Sasak pilgrims. Hot springs near the crater lake are sought after for their healing powers. Over 20 villages surround Rinjani and there are many routes up the mountain, but the main access is from Senaru in the north and Sembalun Lawang to the east. The challenging three-day Rinjani Trek route from Senaru to the crater rim (Plawangan), down to the stunning crater lake then on to Sembalun Lawang, is considered one of the best treks in South East Asia. Those heading for the summit usually prefer to start in Sembalun Lawang.
The village of Senaru is the main gateway to Gunung Rinjani National Park, the most popular start point for the three day Rinjani Trek up Indonesia’s second highest volcanic peak (3,726m). For the people of Lombok, Sasak and Balinese alike, the volcano is revered as a sacred place and the abode of gods. Within the spectacular crater, the Segara Anak Lake is the destination of many pilgrims who place offerings in the water and bathe away disease in the nearby hot springs. Developed with New Zealand Government assistance since 1999, the Rinjani Trek Centre embodies under one roof (satu atap) the unique partnership of the National Park, tourism industry and local communities that has been forged to manage and protect the Rinjani mountain environment.
The Rinjani mountain is the second highest peak active volcano in Indonesia and absolutely a challenging mountain walk and you must be prepared with good equipment, warm and windproof clothing if you want to make adventure trekking to the summit of rinjani mountain 3726 m. Trekking to Rinjani mountain lombok Indonesia can attract severe storms, lightening and strong winds. When the weather is settled, the sun is intense and the nights frosty. Parts of the trail are steep and slippery.
Beware of bad weather and risks of exposure to the wet and cold (hypothermia). If caught in an electrical storm, take shelter and avoid prominent ridges. Beware of snakes, and stinging insects and plants. Leeches can be a nuisance in the wet season.
Erupted History
The June 1994 eruption. At 02:00 pm, on June 3rd, 1994, Barujari come began erupting by sending an ash plume 500 m high. On June 8th, press report described emission of "smoldering lava" and "thick smoke", as well as ash fall in nearby villages from an ash cloud rising 1,500 m above the summit. Between 3rd and 10th of June, up to 172 explosions could be heard each day from the Sembalun Lawang volcano observatory (15 km NE). During this period, seismic data indicated a dramatic increase in the number of explosions per day, from 68 to 18,720. Eruptions were continuous at least through 19th of June, with maximum ash plume heights of 2,000 m on 9th to 11th.
The ash plume generally drifted SE, depositing up to 30 mm of ash on the island. Strombolian eruptions ejected pyroclastic material > 2m in size as high as 600 m above the vent; this material fell in a restricted proximal area around the cone and in the lake. Lava flows began on 8th of June and partially covered previous lava flows from Rombongan (in 1944) and Barujari (in 1966).
A series of aircraft warnings based on pilot reports and weather satellite images indicated much larger plumes than suggested by the ground observations. First an eruption at about 12:00 on June 7th produced a long plume that caused a large number of aviation warnings. The plume, located on satellite imagery, extended 120 km S of Rinjani and was beginning to disperse by 15:30. A pilot report at 16:45 indicated a "smoke" plume to 13,500 m altitude moving ESE, but by 23:45 the plume was in distinguish- able on satellite imagery. The imagery showed a plume around 06:33 on the 8th of June, which extended at least 83 km SE of the volcano. Aircraft were advised to avoid this area to an altitude of 10,500 m. above sea level.
FROM : WIKIPEDIA