Mount Ijen
We woke at 1:30 AM on Sunday (May 13) to start our trek to Mount Ijen, another active volcano, which is known for it's sulfur production and burning sulfur which produces a blue flame.
after about a 45 minute drive, we joined our guide, who is perhaps the most respected on the mountain, and began our 90 minute climb with several hundred (maybe over a thousand) people.
Once at the rim, we began our descent into the volcano. All of this in the pitch black of night. Since the blue flame is dim, it can only be seen at night (hence the early rise).
The 1/2 hour descent was very rock and very crowded. I would equate it to climbing on a rock jetty in a New York City subway type crowd of people.
As we were going down, the sulfur miners were climbing up with over a hundred pounds of sulfur in wicker baskets. These people know the meaning of hard work.
The blue flame was very interesting, but not very photogenic due to the low light. Then there was the sulfur smoke. Fortunately Dave Ray bought respirator masks for the occasion.
As the sun rose, we were treated to the bright yellow colors of the sulfur deposits and the deep aqua color of the lake at the bottom of the crater.
After climbing out of the crater we enjoyed some stunning views of the various volcanic mountains in the region.
Read Moreafter about a 45 minute drive, we joined our guide, who is perhaps the most respected on the mountain, and began our 90 minute climb with several hundred (maybe over a thousand) people.
Once at the rim, we began our descent into the volcano. All of this in the pitch black of night. Since the blue flame is dim, it can only be seen at night (hence the early rise).
The 1/2 hour descent was very rock and very crowded. I would equate it to climbing on a rock jetty in a New York City subway type crowd of people.
As we were going down, the sulfur miners were climbing up with over a hundred pounds of sulfur in wicker baskets. These people know the meaning of hard work.
The blue flame was very interesting, but not very photogenic due to the low light. Then there was the sulfur smoke. Fortunately Dave Ray bought respirator masks for the occasion.
As the sun rose, we were treated to the bright yellow colors of the sulfur deposits and the deep aqua color of the lake at the bottom of the crater.
After climbing out of the crater we enjoyed some stunning views of the various volcanic mountains in the region.
