New Rules on Ascending Mount Lawu

KOMPAS.com – Mountaineers and outdoorsmen keen to check out Indonesia’s peaks after more than three months of quarantine have much to look forward to as the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy recently announced that natural sights are open for business.

One such peak open during the New Normal phase is Mount Lawu between the provinces of Central Java and East Java.

The Karanganyar Regency Provincial Administration announced that mountaineers bent on ascending Mount Lawu can now go through four new routes.

“Mountaineers [climbing Mount Lawu] can now go through Cemoro Kandang or Candi Cetho in Central Java, or Cemoro Sewu and Singolangu in East Java,” said Karanganyar tourism official Sunardi to Kompas.com on Friday, June 26.

Also read: Tourism Ministry Plans to Reopen Indonesia's Nature Attractions due to Low Covid-19 Risk

“We have tested the first two routes between June 21 and 23, and found it to be viable for use [under the government’s] health protocols.

“While the Mount Lawu national park closes at 5pm, climbers can still stay overnight, though we do not recommend climbing at night,” Sunardi added.

He said climbers can enter through the Cemoro Kandang or Candi Cetho routes for a fee of Rp. 20.000 (USD 1.41).

Observing health protocols

Sunardi’s announcement has been hailed on Twitter. But outdoorsmen hoping that the jaunt will get them away from the problems of the world might want to hold the champagne as the government’s health protocols still apply.

“Climbers will have their temperature taken before they climb. We will also see how complete their logistics will be,” said Sunardi. “They will also wear masks and ensure that they have enough hand sanitizer.”

He added that the masks will only be for their mouths, not their nose, as covering the latter will make breathing hard for climbers.

“The climbers should also stop at the posts along the mountain if they get too tired.”

Kompas.com/Anggara Wikan Prasetya View of Gunung Lawu from Mongkrang Hill, Karanganyar

Keeping distances

Sunardi said rangers will ensure that groups of climbers will keep their distance from one another.

“The rule also applies if they want to put up tents overnight. We suggest halving the number of people per tent from four to two.”

“This rule will apply on the slopes," he said. “But once they’re on the peak, they have to use their own discretion, as the rangers will not be there.”

Also read: Wakatobi to Welcome Back Visitors Starting in July 2020

Sunardi pointed out that the rules are just as stiff on the descent.

“Climbers are not permitted to descend by a different route. If they climb Mount Lawu through Cemoro Kandhang, for example, they must go down the same way,” he said.

“Doing so will make it easier for rangers to register them.”

Mount Lawu has some features important to Javanese history, such as the Astana Giribangun mausoleum for the family of late president Suharto family, as well as the Mangkunegaran  mausoleum for the eponymous royal family of Solo, Central Java.

Other features include the age-old Candi Ceto and Candi Sukuh temples. 

(Writer: Nur Fitriatus Shalihah | Editor : Sari Hardiyanto)

Sources: https://www.kompas.com/tren/read/2020/06/26/203600765/pendakian-gunung-lawu-dibuka-simak-protokol-kesehatannya-sebelum-mendaki?page=all.