1 month ago
25
December 31, 2024 | 06:02 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - After a five-year closure, Mount Semeru in East Java has finally reopened to climbers. The decision to reopen the mountain, which stands at 3,676 meters above sea level (masl), comes following a period of closures due to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the volcanic eruptions that occurred on December 4, 2021, and December 4, 2022.
The official announcement of Mount Semeru's hiking route reopening was made on December 23, 2024, by Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni through his personal Instagram account. “Officially, on behalf of the Ministry of Forestry, I announce the reopening of the Mount Semeru hiking route today,” he said on Monday, December 23, 2024.
However, this reopening comes with restrictions. Access to the mountain will be limited to Ranu Kumbolo, a picturesque lake renowned for its scenic beauty and a popular destination for climbers seeking to immerse themselves in the natural splendor of Semeru.
The decision to limit climbing to Ranu Kumbolo was made to ensure climber safety. The past five years of inactivity have resulted in dense overgrowth along most of the climbing routes, posing potential hazards to climbers.
In a video shared on his Instagram account, Raja Juli showcased the overgrown state of the trails, highlighting the challenges faced by climbers due to the prolonged closure.
Raja Juli explained that the reopening of Mount Semeru hiking routes follows extensive coordination between various stakeholders, including the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) and the Head of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Agency (BB-TNBTS).
While climbing to the summit of Mahameru, the highest peak of Mount Semeru, may be feasible in the future, the current focus is on ensuring the safety of climbers amid unpredictable weather conditions, including the potential for heavy rain and strong winds.
In preparation for the reopening, BB-TNBTS undertook a series of maintenance activities along the climbing routes, conducted by officers from the Ranu Pani National Park Management Resort (RPTN). These maintenance efforts carried out between November 28 and 30, 2024, aimed to restore the climbing routes to a safe and accessible condition for climbers.
Despite the recent lowering of Mount Semeru's volcanic alert status from Level III (Alert) to Level II, BB-TNBTS continues to implement precautionary measures.
In addition, BB-TNBTS also set a daily climber to only 200 people and mandated online reservations through the official website. Furthermore, solo hiking is strictly prohibited. Climbers are required to form groups of 2-10 individuals and must be accompanied by a registered official guide from the BB-TNBTS office. These measures are crucial to ensure the safety of climbers and mitigate potential risks along the terrain.
Abdi Purmono contributed to the writing of this article.
Editor’s Choice: BMKG Forecasts Rain in Parts of Jakarta During New Year's Eve
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Heavy Rain and Strong Winds, 22 Buildings in Pamekasan, East Java Damaged
4 hari lalu
At least 22 buildings were damaged by heavy rains accompanied by strong winds in the last two days in Pamekasan, East Java.
BMKG Warns East Java, Three Other Regions of Today's Weather
5 hari lalu
According to BMKG, the intensity of Tropical Cyclone PABUK decreased and became a Tropical Depression, but the 98S cyclone seed still exist.
Mount Semeru Erupts With 2 Kilometers of Hot Clouds to Besuk Kobokan
6 hari lalu
Mount Semeru reportedly erupted accompanied by a 2-kilometer hot cloud ejection heading towards Besuk Kobokan, Wednesday, December 25, 2024.
Mount Semeru Spews Volcanic Ash to a Height of 1,000 Meters This Morning
14 hari lalu
Mount Semeru in East Java reportedly erupted again. The eruption column was observed to be approximately 1,000 meters above the peak.
Mount Semeru Eruptions Persist Amid Talks of Reopening Hiking Trails
19 hari lalu
Hiking to Mount Semeru's summit is likely to reopen in the second week of December 2024, albeit limited to Ranu Kumbolo.
Mount Semeru Erupts, Eruption Height 800 Meters
40 hari lalu
Mount Semeru erupted with an eruption height of 800 meters above the peak or 4,476 meters above sea level (masl) on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
Mount Semeru Erupted Twice This Morning with 4-Hour Interval, Ash Column Reaches 800 Meters High
57 hari lalu
The volcanic ash column of Mount Semeru was observed in white to gray colors with thick intensity towards the southwest and west directions.
KPK Probes Four Individuals in East Java Grant Fund Alleged Corruption Case
29 Oktober 2024
KPK has named 21 suspects in total for this alleged corruption case in the East Java provincial government.
Mount Merbabu Hiking Trails to Be Closed by the End of October 2024
24 Oktober 2024
Mount Merbabu will close the hiking trails in Boyolali, Central Java, to restore the ecosystem and adjust government regulations.
Mount Semeru Records Eight Eruptions Today, Ash Column Reaches 500 meters High
17 September 2024
Mount Semeru in East Java, standing at 3,676 meters above sea level, erupted eight times in two hours this morning.
