Sibayak Berastagi Sumatra Indonesia 18th January 1981

We climbed Mount Sibayak a fairly dormant volcano near Berastagi south of Medan. It is more than 100 years since it last erupted - very recently in geological time - but the Barisan Mountains are definitely still active. Mt Sinabung a few kilometres from here did erupt in 2010. Steam from the fumeroles can be seen on the mountain.

The walk starts in these rice padi fields but climbs quite steeply through forest and then onto open rock. The crest is at 2,212 m (7,257 ft) and in the clouds it gets chilly when you're wearing shorts!.