Your Hiking Hobby: Why Mount Rinjani is the Next Milestone You Need

Despite modern entertainment modes, hiking as a hobby is surprisingly becoming more popular, especially among Generation Z. This trend owes to the fact that the sport offers various benefits, from mental health to physical fitness. Going back to nature amidst the daily hustle and bustle not only relieves stress and refreshes your soul.

Disconnecting from technology while spending time in the forest calms the brain, too. All of those contribute to better mental well-being and reduce anxiety. In conjunction with the emotional benefit, this activity improves physical fitness. Whether it is an easy valley hike or a highly challenging one, such as Mount Rinjani, you will need to move actively.

Indeed, hiking is a drive to exercise more. At first, this activity might sound overwhelming, given the gear you must carry. However, over time, you will admit it is so worth it, thanks to the magnificent summit views. You’ll regard the activity as an achievement as your physical strength gets better. If you start considering hiking as a serious hobby, Mount Rinjani is an ideal destination. After regular mountain climbing activities, this mountain offers a cure for the plateau phase of the hobby. It will rejuvenate the routine feeling after frequent forest trails or moderate climbing experiences.

How to develop a hiking hobby?

To develop a hiking hobby, you can choose easy and short hikes, such as hills and nature parks. These destinations are helpful to introduce you to the enjoyment of hiking. Try to enjoy every step of the entry experience. Breathe the fresh air, enjoy the natural landscapes along the way, and mingle with your colleagues.

Besides, such destinations don’t require multiple days of trekking. Find some trail routes that take a few hours, so you can take the trip regularly. This option is also a good decision as you won’t need to carry a lot of hiking gear. As you enjoy more, you can move up to more challenging routes and higher summits.

The evolution of a hiker: From weekend trails to volcanic peaks

Pursuing hiking as a hobby comes naturally as you grow fonder of the recreational activity. The more you realise its benefits, the more you invest in the hobby. You don’t take it casually anymore, and you are willing to train harder to improve your pace or invest in better base layers for comfort.

What starts as weekend trails blooms into volcanic peaks after some time. You start learning the differences between the two. You add technical knowledge to get the most out of the adventure. Your mindset shifts from having a recreational trip to appreciating nature even more. To sum it up, check the following points!

Terrain

The first difference between weekend trails and volcanic peaks in the hiking hobby is the general terrain. Usually, in casual trails, such as scenic viewpoints and forest paths, the terrain consists of stable footing. You will find it easier to maintain a steady pace. However, in volcanic peaks, the terrain is less stable, as you may walk on loose ash or gravel.

Rocks

Hiking in meadows or forest paths often exposes you to bedrock or rounded stones. Other common rock types include granite boulders, limestone cliffs, or sandstone outcrops. In volcanic destinations, the rocks are from eruptions. You will often encounter sharp lava rocks, black basalt, and grey andesite. These rocks can be abrasive to your shoes.

Landscape

Many mountaineers aim to climb volcanic peaks because they offer richer, more diverse views than weekend trails. If you trek to volcanic summits, you can find craters, lava fields, and even sulphur deposits. This makes the hiking hobby a dramatic experience. While on weekend trails, common sights include rivers, waterfalls, and meadows.

Emotional response

For sure, you will have a different response after reaching the end of the forest path with a mountain peak standing 3,726 metres, such as Mount Rinjani. For the former, your sense of achievement may be more modest as you won’t have to climb steep rocks. However, you will feel highly joyful and proud of yourself for the summit adventure as you conquer your fears.

Understanding the challenge: Why Rinjani tests your skills

Indonesia is one of the countries in the world that sits in the Ring of Fire zone of the Pacific Ocean. As a result, it has around 120 active volcanoes, which increase the risk of natural hazards, such as earthquakes and tsunamis. However, this country has long been famous as a top destination for trekking lovers due to those volcanoes.

Many visitors are experienced mountaineers looking to complete their trekking milestones. Mount Rinjani is among the Seven Summits in Indonesia that offers particular challenges as one of the active volcanoes to this day. They realise this mountain will test their skills for various reasons. Let’s dig deeper below!

Altitude

Rinjani Mountain is 3,726 metres above sea level. It is very high for a tropical mountain. Additionally, it is the second-highest in Indonesia after Kerinci Mountain. A hiking enthusiast should be cautious, as this mountain features steep climbs and thinner air near the summit. Their walking pace will become slower with less oxygen as they step up.

“Midnight summit push”

This term means starting to climb the summit around midnight to 2-3 AM. It is popular among hikers as it becomes one of the hardest yet most rewarding Mount Rinjani treks. The goal is to arrive at the top by sunrise, allowing hikers to experience the feeling of being above the clouds. The challenge of this hiking hobby requires extra stamina as climbers must walk through loose and steep terrain with very cold temperatures.

Temperature

Choosing Rinjani Mountain means experiencing high-altitude hiking, which exposes you to unusually cold temperatures. Not only can the temperatures hit 0°C, but the wind is also chilly and strong with little shelter at the summit areas. To anticipate this, many wear proper clothing in multiple layers, such as fleece and a windproof jacket.

The hobbyist’s “gear audit”: What to bring to Rinjani

Pursuing a hiking hobby means upgrading your gear. As you move up from weekend trails to volcanic peaks, your equipment needs to adjust. In this regard, the tools are crucial to ensure your safety and health. For casual forest trekking, you probably won’t need to carry a trekking pole as the ground is usually flat and solid.

However, climbing in Rinjani Mountain requires extra and specific gear due to the natural traits of the destination, as mentioned earlier. A trekking pole, for instance, is no longer an additional device but a must. Therefore, it is crucial to support your body during steep climbing. For more details, check the table below!

Physical conditioning: Levelling up your training

Given the above facts, preparing for Mount Rinjani requires regular exercise. The duration of the training depends on your fitness level or climbing experience. Such scheduled training aims to build your physical condition so that you will still be strong and healthy despite challenges in terms of altitude, temperature, and terrain.

Typically, most climbers are advised to complete 6-8 weeks of regular training. With these volcanic trekking tips, your body will be conditioned to cope with unusual fatigue during the summit push. Now, let’s check how to prepare for Rinjani from the points below!

Base fitness

This serves as the foundation for your exercise, which highlights the exercise practices in the first and second weeks of the hiking hobby.

• Cardio: Jogging or brisk walking between 30 and 45 minutes or stair climbing from 10 to 15 minutes per session, three to four times per week.

• Strength: Squatting, lunges, calf raises, or plank twice per week.

• Weekend: Try easy hikes starting from 2 to 5 km to build your walking endurance.

Endurance buildup

This exercise section is the core for weeks 3 and 4.

1. Cardio: Jogging or fast walking between 45 and 60 minutes or stair repeats four times per week.

2. Strength: Add weighted squats, planks, leg raises, or step-ups twice or three times every week.

3. Weekend hike: You can start carrying a backpack (3-5 kg) for a 5-10 km hike with small elevation gain.

Mountain simulation

This hiking hobby practice serves as the focus of the entire training in the 5th and 6th weeks.

• Cardio: Spend 60 to 90 minutes doing stair climbing with a backpack, four or five times per week.

• Strength: Start focusing on legs and endurance with slow squats twice or three times every week.

• Load training: Begin walking with a backpack (5-8 kg) for one or two hours.

• Weekend hike: Extend the hike to 8-15 km, and if possible, try steep terrain.

Peak training

The seventh and eighth weeks of the hiking hobby training include “mini expedition” and mental preparation in addition to the ones mentioned above.

1. Cardio: You can take a long hike or stair climb between 90 and 120 minutes three to four times every week.

2. Full load training: Extend your walking duration to two and four hours while carrying a backpack weighing 8-10 kg.

3. Weekend: Perform the mini expedition by taking one full-day hike or two half-day hikes in a row.

4. Mental training: Keep walking despite fatigue, cold, and darkness.

Elevate your hiking hobby with Rinjani Trekking Center!

Indeed, it takes a long and complex preparation to finally arrive at the peak of Rinjani Mountain and enjoy every step of your journey. However, the experience is such a rewarding trip as you will see breathtaking views once at the top. If this is still insufficient, Rinjani Trekking Center is ready to make the experience even more enjoyable.

Our top guides will meet you with fellow nature lovers, arrange your logistics and transportation, and provide useful tips along the way. Your hiking hobby won’t only be joyful but also memorable, as we will introduce you to local communities and great local food. Therefore, you won't need to stress about handling permits or worry about getting lost.

Now, you've mastered the local trails. You’ve got the boots, the pack, and the passion. Experience the pinnacle of Southeast Asian trekking. Join our next 3D2N Rinjani Summit Expedition and conquer the mountain that defines hiking life. Call us today to book your seat by filling out the form on this website or WhatsApp us!