When the Fog Lifts: October’s Your Shot/Travel
Published in the October issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.
Photograph and text by
HELMINADIA RANFORDLambok, Indonesia
I first glimpsed Mount Rinjani and its and its beautiful crater lake, Segara Anak, a few years ago–from an airplane while traveling to my hometown of Flores, Indonesia. Last November, at the beginning of Indonesia’s rainy season, a friend and I decided to hike to Rinjani, an active volcano that rises 12,224 feet on the Indonesian island of Lombok. The trek to its rim is considered one of the most difficult in Southeast Asia. It was my first visit to Rinjani, and the hike proved more strenuous than I had expected. About an hour after hitting the trail, as we were passing through the rain forest, a downpour started, turning the trail into a small creek for much of the ascent to our campsite, situated just below the crater rim. We climbed steadily until dark. The next morning, we woke up at 3 a.m. and set out for the final push in order to reach the rim by sunrise. We had hoped for a great view of the smoking mountain. Instead, a foggy scene greeted us. After 20 or 30 minutes of waiting, suddenly the sun came out. The fog dissipated to reveal this gorgeous green lake ringed by yellow iron deposits. Capturing this photo was like a dream.
See your name in print.
In each issue of Traveler our photo editors select one reader-submitted image to feature on the back page of the magazine. Upload your favorite travel picture with a caption to Your Shot/Travel at ngm.com/yourshot. Tag all submissions #travelshot.
Subscribe to National Geographic Traveler magazine.
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- These 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animalsThese 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animals
- These photos are works of art—and the artists are bugsThese photos are works of art—and the artists are bugs
- The epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfishThe epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfish
- Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75
Environment
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
- The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?
- The most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater weldersThe most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater welders
- The harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to surviveThe harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to survive
History & Culture
- Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’
- A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.
- Meet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural iconMeet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural icon
- Inside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysicsInside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysics
Science
- LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?
- NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.
- Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying themHumans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them
- Why engineers are concerned about aging infrastructureWhy engineers are concerned about aging infrastructure
Travel
- 2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip
- Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada
- Paid Content
Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada - This couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountainsThis couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountains