Michelle Della Giovanna, the voice behind the travel blog Full Time Explorer, had always dreamed of summiting a mountain. It was the kind of challenge that beckoned her adventurous spirit, a line item on her bucket list that demanded resilience, determination, and a touch of madness. But no amount of inspiration could have prepared her for the grueling test that hiking Mt. Rinjani would become.
Before the Climb: Restless Anticipation
The journey began under the veil of stars at 2 a.m., with Michelle jolted awake by the sound of voices and the blinding beam of a flashlight piercing through her tent. Layering every piece of clothing she had, she braced herself against the biting cold that seeped into her bones. Around her, the crater rim buzzed with the quiet chatter of fellow trekkers, all equally groggy but fueled by a shared sense of purpose. Today, they would attempt the summit of Mt. Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-highest volcano.
The plan was simple on paper but brutal in execution: ascend 3,370 feet of volcanic ash and rock before sunrise. The summit loomed ahead like a distant promise, but the trail to get there had already been described as unforgiving. The words of friends and strangers echoed in her mind: “It’s the hardest trek you’ll ever do.” At that moment, she didn’t fully grasp what they meant, but she was about to find out.
Stage I: Into the Darkness
The first stretch of the trail was a relentless grind. With her headlamp illuminating only the feet of the person in front of her, Michelle focused on one small goal: matching their steps. The ground beneath her was a loose mix of volcanic ash that made every step feel futile. As soon as she advanced, she slid back nearly as far. It was like trying to climb an elliptical made of dust, and her legs screamed in protest.
The suffocating fog of ash was made worse by the steady stream of hikers ahead, whose boots churned the ground into clouds of grit. Through the haze, Michelle paused to look up and saw a surreal sight: headlamps trailing endlessly into the night sky, like stars strung on a celestial wire leading upward. It was beautiful and demoralizing all at once.
Her moment of awe was interrupted by a terrifying accident. A girl in her group lost her footing on a boulder, sliding dangerously toward the edge. For a few heart-stopping seconds, her life hung by the grip of her boyfriend and a nearby guide. Michelle watched, breathless, as they pulled her back to safety. The girl wiped away her tears, stood up, and carried on—a sobering reminder of how unforgiving the mountain could be.
Stage II: The Knife’s Edge
After what felt like an eternity, Michelle crested the first major section, greeted by a flat path stretching ahead. Relief washed over her as she began walking on level ground, her breath finally catching up with her body. But the reprieve was short-lived. As her headlamp illuminated the trail, she realized she was walking a precarious ridge with nothing but pure blackness on either side. The world seemed to drop away into an abyss, and the whipping wind felt like a constant threat, battering her body and sapping what little warmth she had left.
Her guide, Adi, stayed close behind, a steady presence in the darkness. She hoped, futilely, that if the wind took her, he’d somehow be able to catch her. The thought made her laugh, a tiny crack in the mental armor she was desperately trying to maintain.
Stage III: The Final Push
The flat terrain disappeared, replaced by a steep, jagged ascent. The volcanic ash now mixed with gravel, making every step a fight. Michelle fell forward onto her hands and knees, struggling to stay upright. Her group pulled ahead, their silhouettes vanishing into the dark. She was left alone with her thoughts and a mounting sense of despair.
Counting steps became her strategy. “Five more,” she whispered. Then, “Four.” Eventually, even two steps felt insurmountable. When her group disappeared entirely, she told them to go on without her. A slower group passed by, and she fell into step behind their guide, staring at his feet and syncing her rhythm to his. It was all she could do to keep moving.
The summit felt tantalizingly close, but when she asked how much further, the answer shattered her resolve: “An hour. Maybe more.” She collapsed into the ash, dust rising around her like smoke. She wanted to quit. Every muscle screamed for her to stop, and the thought of continuing felt impossible. But Adi refused to let her give up.
“Come on,” he said, his tone firm but kind. He reached out a hand, and with reluctance, Michelle took it.
A Summit Hard-Won
The final stretch of the climb was a battle of willpower. Adi’s encouragement and steady guidance became her lifeline. At one point, he handed her his walking stick, giving her the extra support she desperately needed. Slowly, painfully, she inched closer to the top. Tears stung her eyes, not from emotion, but from sheer exhaustion.
When she finally reached the summit, Michelle couldn’t even process the moment. She sank to the ground, too tired to celebrate. Adi, ever thoughtful, snapped photos of her holding the summit sign, capturing the moment she had fought so hard to reach. Gradually, she turned to take in the view.
The world was bathed in pastel hues, the sunrise casting pink and gold tones over the clouds below. The crater lake shimmered in a shade of blue so vivid it seemed unreal. The jagged peaks of Mt. Rinjani stretched into the horizon, silhouetted against the sky. In that moment, all the pain, doubt, and struggle faded. She had done it.
Reflections on the Journey
Michelle’s ascent of Mt. Rinjani wasn’t just a physical achievement—it was a testament to the power of perseverance and the human spirit. It was a journey through darkness, both literal and metaphorical, that tested her limits and rewarded her with an unforgettable view. Sitting at the summit, she felt a profound connection to the world around her and to herself.
As she began the descent, Michelle knew one thing for certain: this wasn’t just a story for her blog. It was a defining moment, one she’d carry with her for the rest of her life. Mt. Rinjani had challenged her in every way possible, and she had risen to meet it. In the end, she left the mountain not just with aching legs, but with a renewed sense of strength and purpose.
