The next day, we had heavy rain in the late morning and pondered over which position to take up the next night. Finally, we decided to ascend to the rim of the crater at the higher south-east side, rather than near the staircase where we had observed numerous bomb impacts. This decision was vindicated by the fact that no fresh impact craters could be seen when we reached this side of the rim. Arriving just before dusk we were greeted by the extremely load eruption noises. These were so strong that we spent much of the night which bits of paper handkerchief in our ears and additionally with our hands covering them. It was also rather cold as we hadnt planned to stay all night and had thus not brought sleeping bags along. The eruptions were however so impressive from this close that nobody wanted to leave and the weather was OK, although several thunderstorms could be seen passing nearby. Numerous strombolian eruptions and some ash venting could be observed.

In the morning we observed a smallish ash eruption before heading rapidly down the east flank. This proved more complicated than expected. Whilst the upper flank was quickly negotiated, the labyrinth of erosion ridges at the base of the cone necessitated the use of some climbing skills. The landscape was entirely coated in ash and remains of dead vegetation could be seen in places. Finally, we emerged near the track and were met by some of the ever-present moped drivers who picked us up and took us back to the Lava View Hotel on the caldera rim for breakfast.

The weather was poor during the afternoon and early evening, so the planned climb of Batok cone, overlooking Bromo, was delayed. Finally Martin headed off and about an hour later Richard and Marc. Ash-fall was again heavy near the temple and on Batok, and “Indonesian Belly” took its toll on Marc who had to return to the hotel. Whilst Martin had changed his plan to climb Batok due to the ash-fall (and had headed round the back of it and up the heavily eroded flank of Segarawedi Kidul), Richard tried to ascend but lost the path on the ash-covered flank and them waited for daylight to complete the ascent. Due to the incescant heavy ash-fall the camera equipment had to remain packed away and no photos were possible during the night. Ashing activity was reduced at dawn and Richard climbed the summit with Martin following about an hour later after returning from his excursion up S. Kidul. Activity was however now low and light conditions were poor due to clouds. Nevertheless, it was possible to make videos of a couple of powerful shockwaves produced by the volcano.