Mount Kerinci, Stratovolcano in Sumatra, Indonesia
Mount Kerinci is an active stratovolcano in western Sumatra rising to 3,805 meters (12,484 feet), making it the tallest peak on the island. The cone climbs steeply above the rainforest of the national park and holds a crater whose walls are often wrapped in clouds.
Dutch mountaineers reached the summit for the first time in 1877 and documented the volcano's activity. Over the centuries, eruptions have reshaped the crater and left ash fields on the upper slopes.
Local villagers call the mountain Gunung Kerinci and many see it as the guardian of their fields and forests. Farmers grow tea and vegetables on its slopes, while travelers often hire guides from the communities at the base of the peak.
The climb starts in Kersik Tuo village and usually takes two days with an overnight stay at a halfway camp. Travelers should hire a local guide and bring warm clothing, as temperatures drop noticeably near the summit.
A small lake sits inside the crater, its water often glowing turquoise and ringed by steep rock walls. The surrounding national park is home to Sumatran tigers, which occasionally leave tracks near the hiking trails.
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