Gunung Kerinci 2023

Gunung Kerinci stands at an altitude of 3800m. It is the highest mountain on the island of Sumatra and also the highest volcano in Indonesia. Most climbers approach Gunung Kerinci from the city of Padang. On this trip, which was my second visit to Sumatra in the same year, I travelled 130km from Padang to Kersik Tuo and climbed to the summit from there. It was quite a long and tough climb, made worse by the rain and mud.

Unlike other mountains in Indonesia, there is no dry season in Sumatra. The thick vegetation and high treeline can also pose a challenge to anyone trying to ascend this peak. One unique feature of Gunung Kerinci is the pink lava above the treeline. This makes it an interesting destination but I doubt I would ever do it again.