Mount Ramelau
Posted by: 
ainaro01
S 08° 54.361 E 125° 29.623
51L E 774247 N 9014613
Mount Ramelau is the highest feature on East Timor at 2963m.
Waymark Code: WM3HCR
Location: Timor-Leste
Date Posted: 04/06/2008
Views: 14
To get to the base of the mountain you will need to pass through the sleepy village of Hato-Builico situated at the end of a rough 18 km dirt track. Market day at Hato-Builico is on a Wednesday. If you intend to try hitching a ride on public transport then Wednesday is the best bet as vehicles are scarce on other days. Otherwise, if you have no vehicle, leave aside a good 4-6 hours to walk to the base of the mountain from the road junction 10km south of Maubisse.
It is a good idea to register your intentions at the Hato-Builico Police station (GR S8 54.093 E 125 31.206). From here you follow the vehicle track in a Westerly direction towards the car park at the foot of Mt Ramelau. The final third of this leg can not be driven due to the subsidence of a small bridge.
From the car park (GR: S 8 54.388 E125 30.337) you take the foot track on the left (South) side. Depending on your fitness and weather conditions the trek should take between 1.5 and 4 hours.
I noticed on my last jaunt that the track has diverted around a land slide South East of the Summit so be careful especially at night!
Beware it can get very cold on the top, especially during the dry season where it regularly freezes at night.
For the ultimate experience camp out under the stars at the car park (or further up the mountain) and begin climbing in the very early hours of the morning in order to reach the summit as the sun rises (remember it will be very cold up there!). You will have the best views over Timor Leste before the morning haze sets in.
* Beware this should only be attempted if you are in good physical condition. The air is thin near the summit and medical help would be very difficult to muster in this remote part of the world. A guide would be a good idea and can be obtained cheaply in Hatobuilico.
TO LOG A VISIT;
Once you arrive at the summit you will be greeted by a statue of the Virgin Mary. A photograph of the plaque at the back of the statue is attached. In order to claim a “find’ please email me with the word that is blanked out on this photo.
Or if it's easier attach a photo to your log of yourself or your GPSr at the summit.
Please do not mention the word on your log.
Happy trails!
Altitude in Feet: 9721
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