Ijen crater - Banyuwangi

 

Ijen crater Banyuwangi

Ijen is located in Banyuwangi, East Java, Ijen is a volcano that has an active crater lake that has erupted in the past, Ijen eruptions are different from other volcanoes where Ijen will release toxic gas which is marked by an increase in the temperature of the crater lake. The crater will emit a lot of foam, a sign of gas in large quantities rising to the surface. With an altitude of 2769 meters above sea level, Ijen has a beautiful view, namely a crater lake with an area of ​​​​about 5466 square hectares and the location of Ijen itself facing the Bali Strait adds to the beauty when you see the sunrise. Besides that, Ijen is the largest producer of sulfur in Indonesia, an average of one ton per day and thats all only mined by workers with traditional tools such as baskets, hammers, and crowbars. 

How the process is:

1. Sulfur is flowed from the source using a pipe 

2. Workers will flush the sulfur with water in the shelter. 

3. The frozen sulfur will be broken down by workers into a chunks.

Sulfur mine Ijen

We all know that fumes from sulfur are very dangerous but workers have a trick instead of wearing masks they just moisten a cloth with water believing the water can filter out the smallest particles of sulfur in the air. Sulfur with the chemical name has several uses in the industrial world, namely: 

1. The main ingredient of gunpowder

2. Explosive 

3. Cosmetics 

4. Skin medicine

5.Sugar cleaner.

By 2022 the price of sulfur is 2000 rupiah per kilo, workers can carry 70-80 per kg, a hard struggle to carry the load from the bottom of the crater to the top. Don't think the path will be easy, rocks prone to landslides are ready to bury them at any time.

One more thing from ijen that can't be missed and should be on your once-in-a-lifetime must-see list is the blue fire. This very special blue fire can only be seen at night, how it happened is still a mystery adapted from the article https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140130-kawah-ijen-blue-flame-volcanoes-sulfur-indonesia-pictures " The glow is actually the light from the combustion of sulfuric gases, Grunewald explained.

Those gases emerge from cracks in the volcano at high pressure and temperature—up to 1,112°F (600°C). When they come in contact with the air, they ignite, sending flames up to 16 feet (5 meters) high." Travelers from various countries and local are willing to hold back their sleep to see it for the blue fire, a miracle of nature.

How to access Mount Ijen? It should be noted that the road to Ijen does exist but there is no public transportation that accesses it. There are several ways, firstly if you come from Surabaya you can go to Bondowoso but we recommend from Banyuwangi because of the ease of transportation which can be accessed by train, and buses as well as many accommodations ranging from cheapest to most expensive then look for a jeep to go to Ijen.

Second, from Bali, take a bus from Mengwi and get off at Gilimanuk, then take the ferry to Ketapang from Ketapang, take a taxi to your hotel, then look for a jeep to go to Ijen.

The miners in Ijen

The Ijen hiking trail has a length of 4 km stretching from the Paltuding post to the top, the average climber can complete an hour or more depending on the physical strength of the climbers. In Ijen, local guide services are available to guide you to the top and down to the bottom of the crater, there is a sulfur mining area where visitors can see the mining process from start to finish. There are several equipment needed to go up to Ijen are: 

1. Mask 

2. Jacket 

3. Shoes are still good

4. Flashlight

 Visiting ijen is easy but climbing it is very difficult especially for beginners who are just climbing the mountain for the first time need to be physically fit, healthy and fit. So prepare your body Conclusion Ijen is a precious natural gift and needs to be protected, it is not only a mountain but has become a livelihood for humans around it.

Want to visit ijen please contact us