Sipisopiso Waterfall EarthCache

Sipisopiso

This cache is dedicated to the highest waterfall in Indonesia, the Sipisopiso in the Batak highlands of Sumatra.
Located in the Tanah Karo regency and very close to the fishing village of Tongging it is a gorgeous and often overlooked place to visit.
The name Sipisopiso means "like knives" ("seperti pisau-pisau" in Malay). The Sipisopiso is a plunge waterfall formed by a small underground river of the Karo plateau that hurls itself from a cave in the side of a caldera 360 feet down to lake level. Waterfalls are grouped into ten broad classes based on the average volume of water present on the fall using a logarithmic scale. The type 'Plunge' means that the water descends vertically, losing contact with the bedrock surface. The other types are called Block, Cascade, Cataract, Fanny, Horsetail, Punchbowl, Segmented, Tiered and Multi-step.

In Sumatra are actually many other waterfalls which are hidden behind thick woods. Fortunately, the Sipisopiso position is close enough to the road passed by travelers that it’s worth and easy to visit. Visitors starting from Parapat will need around two and half hours to get to this waterfall which is half way to get to Brastagi.
There are lovely little vantage points where you can sit and enjoy the spectacular sparkling fall. The view is really surreal with the vast of green surrounded by high mountains from afar.

If you’re feeling energetic and aren’t content with just looking at Sipisopiso waterfall then you can hike down the winding track to the bottom and drench yourself in the cacophonous spray before making your way back to the top.

to log the cache

... go to the vantage point at the coordinates listed (N 02° 54.939 E 098° 31.385).

... post a picture of you and/or your GPS at the Sipisopiso waterfall and

... send us the answers to the following questions:
(DO NOT put them in your log!)

1. At what altitude are you?

2. How many benches are around you (at this vantage point) to sit and enjoy the stunning view?

3. Which other fabulous natural phenomena do you see to your left?



Enjoy this unforgettable trip!