Merapi comes from two words "is" which means mountain, and "fire" which means the volcano. Merapi is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The last eruption occurred in 2006 that coincide with the earthquake that terrible. In 1998, this mountain has smoke belching trash can wedhus human skin blister. The form of heat and dust clouds with a temperature of 3000 º C which erupted to a height of 3000 meters from the peak. In 1994 the hot clouds has killed 66 people in southwestern slopes.
Because of a very famous name Mount Merapi is one of the climbers idol. Travel is exhausting and winding through the steep hills to challenge what they have to conquer. So, do not be surprised if the mountain is always visited by climbers. Mount Merapi may climb from the South (Kaliurang) area of Sleman, Yogyakarta or from the North (Selo) Boyolali region or from areas west of Magelang.
Through Kaliurang
From the city drive to Yogya Kaliurang, a mountainous region with berhawa cool 1300m altitude. Followed by a trip to the Village Kimahrejo. To the top takes about 6 hours. Approaching the peak of Merapi we must be careful, because often the stones falling from the top.
Through Selo
To reach the peak of Merapi, the climbers are required to pass the northern route. Besides safety, the distance is not so much compared to other lines. Line starts from Selo district, Boyolali.
To get to this area quite easily. You can take a bus directions Semarang - Solo and down in Boyolali. From here you can continue by bus directions Boyolali - Selo. From Selo or rather from Hamlet Plalangan, you can begin the journey.
Foot asphalt road to Basecamp in the hamlet of climbing Plalangan trim, Lencoh village, subdistrict Selo, Boyolali district, with more or less distance 1 km from the highway Boyolali, Magelang, coupled with rising street enough to be warming up before the climb to Mt . Merapi.
To the top, it only takes about 6 hours while for the fall takes about 4 hours. Because tempuhnya relatively short time, the journey can begin at around 24.00, so that we can arrive Puncak Garuda clearly enjoying the sunrise. Climbers can rest in Basecamp which can accommodate about 50 people climbers. Here is a place to sleep rame-rame. Prepare the water supply for as long as we are not going diperjalanan spring meeting.
From Basecamp via the asphalt road we walked to the end of the asphalt road and will find homes joglo Pos1. Through the path to the left of this building will travel through a garden planted with many people tobacco and cabbage. Line slight rise but lots of gravel that need to be careful not to slip.
Half way to the Post 2 of garden inhabitants, the other half we started into a steep pine forest. This point of land but a lot of gravel so quite difficult journey. Approaching the post 2 we start passing the stones large. Post 2 of these during the day we can see Mt. Slamet behind Gn.Sumbing, and also Gn.Sundoro. Mount Merbabu looked closely and very clearly visible point-track. Mount Lawu the distance to the east was extended.
From Pos Pos 2 to 3 points will be a lot through the steep rocks, strong winds began to feel very disturbing. Use a heavy jacket, gloves, and masks, because the wind chill. If you want to find the rest rock crevices that can protect us from the gusts of wind. At night we could see the glitter of the city of Boyolali.
From the 3rd to the Market Heading Bubrah, we will be faced with steep rocks. Here, climbers have to walk and crawl in some places steep. Wind gusts are felt, as if to forbid the climbers approached the summit of Merapi is.
Market Bubrah have a valley with rocks that littered the vast resembles a traditional market. It is said that the public considers the market as the market lelembut.
From Market Bubrah desperate climbers who can climb to the summit of Garuda. This peak was damaged and landslides that are dangerous to make the climb. In addition to very steep and easy to wind erosion as well blow endless.
From the top of Garuda, you can see the scenery, which was smoothed crater in front of incessant smoke. There were, in the north, Mount Merbabu challenging to conquer. Across the West and East, and Mount Mount Lawu Harelip Sindoro-like mounds of green. If the weather clears, the scene is more fun again, because you can see the town of Magelang and Boyolali. At the peak temperature reached 5 degrees to -8 degrees.
Mount Merapi is believed to be the ghost palace. Panembahan Senopati founder of Mataram kingdom took victory in the war against the kingdom with the help of the authorities Pajai Merapi. Mount Merapi erupted until Pajang troops killed, the rest fled helter-skelter of fear. Residents believe that Mount Merapi but also inhabited by human beings inhabited by other creatures they call the nation alus or spirits.