Mount Rinjani is a mountain that has a height of about 3672 m above sea level which is one of the most amazing volcanoes in Indonesia. The attraction of Mount Rinjani is extraordinary from the very enchanting natural scenery, the diversity of flora and fauna to the magical Segara Anak lake which is a destination for climbers and tourists from all over the world.
However, behind the beauty and extraordinary attraction of Mount Rinjani, there are various risks ranging from steep terrain, changing weather to various potentials that claim the lives of climbers. This Isa will certainly discuss the side of Mount Rinjani from the very stunning beauty and attract tourists and the dangers that lurk climbers and there are various lessons that can be learned from the accident incidents that occur there.
The Amazing Charm of Mount Rinjani
The charm of Mount Rinjani Of course it is no stranger to tourists Mount Rinjani is certainly not as or just an ordinary mountain This mountain has a lot of potential and beauty that has become a tourist icon in Indonesia, especially attracting many nature lovers, one of which is the main charm, namely Lake Segara Anak, a lake located at the foot of Mount Rinjani which has a blue-green crater that resembles the sea. Its uniqueness makes Mount Rinjani one of the most exotic routes in Indonesia.
Something that has never been found in any article is that Rinjani has a hidden place known for its hot springs which have many unique features and healing properties for climbers who make good use of these hot springs can relieve fatigue during a long journey. The diversity of flora and fauna around Mount Rinjani is a special attraction for climbers.
The hiking trail passes through various species of endemic birds, long-tailed monkeys and wild deer that cross between the trees. Not only in terms of nature, of course, in terms of culture, Rinjani itself has many spiritual values for the people who live in the Rinjani area, known as the Sasak people on Lombok Island. Traditional rituals carried out around the mountain such as the Mulang Pekelem ceremony to ask for safety and prosperity from the creator are a rare tradition that is passed down to children and grandchildren continuously and has deep meaning for the local community so that it reflects Rinjani not only as a tourist spot but also a cultural place.
Dangers Lurking on Mount Rinjani
All natural tourism that has various kinds of beauty also has undeniable dangers, including the various beauties offered by Mount Rinjani, of course, there are various dangers that can cause accidents for climbers. One of the main triggers is the fairly steep terrain, especially when you want to climb to the top. This route can be said to be a dangerous route because it has loose sand that makes climbers’ steps easy to slip. It is no wonder that there are so many cases of climbers around Mount Rinjani who have been injured due to slipping or falling on this route.
Lombok Island, especially in the area around Mount Rinjani, is still a beautiful area and very green nature. There are many trees and weather factors that are a serious threat because many trees fall when the rainy season comes. In addition, during the dry season, weather changes can still occur, heavy rain that comes without warning makes the path very slippery and landslides and thick fog that often covers the path makes climbers lose direction and have the potential to get lost. Other factors that are no less important are the physical and readiness of climbers in terms of safety on Mount Rinjani. Many climbers do not pay attention to physical readiness so that fatigue, dehydration and hypothermia become real threats. In some cases, climbers experience altitude sickness or altitude sickness because the body cannot adapt quickly to changes in air pressure.
Human negligence is also a factor that cannot be denied, such as the existence of regulations that are never obeyed by climbers and not bringing adequate equipment for climbers such as guides or even underestimating the many limits of their abilities so that the number of accidents is quite high because climbers take illegal routes to approach steep cliffs and to take photos without considering the risks.
Lessons from the Accident on Mount Rinjani
From various accident incidents that occurred on Mount Rinjani, of course, there are various lessons and reminders for climbers to appreciate nature more and be aware of the warnings that exist. Several things that can be learned from various incidents that occur, of course, the first is physical and mental preparation. Climbing Mount Rinjani is certainly not a journey that can be done without thorough preparation. Many mistakes that are often made by climbers are not prioritizing the level of difficulty of the path so that many accident incidents occur.
Of course, before climbing, each climber must ensure that their physical condition is very good. Climbing can be done or checked with physical exercise such as jogging or hiking on mountains with lower altitudes. In addition, mentality must also be prepared because the challenges on the climbing path are quite heavy. Many accidents themselves occur due to lack of compliance with existing rules. Therefore, the regulations that have been made should be followed by climbers and not go off the official path, bringing appropriate equipment and not taking risks just for the sake of documentation such as photos. Mount Rinjani itself also has weather conditions that can change. Of course, this is the main factor causing accidents that occur.
Climbers must of course update information and update weather conditions before climbing so that the weather is no longer a factor in accidents that occur if the weather is not good. Whether climbing does not continue the journey or postpones and cancels the climbing route for safety, using the services of a guide is also one of the tips and can increase the safety and security factors. Professional guides of course know the climbing routes well and can provide directions in the event of an emergency. The role of the SAR team also helps in handling accidents on Mount Rinjani. If there is good coordination between the relevant parties and the SAR team and climbers, of course this can handle emergencies and can facilitate adequate evacuation.
Mount Rinjani itself is the most beautiful mountain in Indonesia which has a lot of extraordinary climbing experiences, but behind the beauty of course there are many dangers and risks that cannot be ignored, there are many cases of climbing resulting in accidents due to difficult terrain, unpredictable weather and lack of preparation in climbing, there are many lessons that can be learned from the various accident incidents that have occurred such as the importance of physical and mental readiness and compliance with safety rules and awareness of weather conditions to the important role of using local guides in maintaining the safety of climbers, in the end climbing is not only about conquering nature but also being able to appreciate and preserve the mountain itself with higher awareness and thorough preparation, of course climbers can enjoy the beauty of Mount Rinjani without having to be afraid of life-threatening risks.
By: Nova Pinky Nurcahyani
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