Merapi Packed by Hikers ahead of Islamic New Year Holiday
Translator
Editor
Kamis, 1 Januari 1970 07:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As the 1439 Islamic New Year holiday celebration is approaching, the number of hikers at Mount Merapi continues to increase.
“The number of hikers at Mount Merapi this week reached 250 people, significantly increasing from last week’s 100 hikers,” Mount Merapi caretaker Samsuri with the Gunung Merapi National Park Center (BTNGM) on Monday, September 18.
Read: Mt. Merapi National Park Identifies Merapi Orchid
The hikers, according to Samsuri, come from Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang, Klaten, and Boyolali. Samsuri predicted that the number of hikers would reach 1,000 from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning.
Samsuri explained that Mount Merapi hikers during the ‘first suro’ ritual – a Javanese tradition that corresponds with the Islamic month – will not only consist of the people from Boyolali but also members of outdoor clubs and foreign tourists.
During the 'first suro' hiking ritual, the BTNGM plans to deploy 40 members who will be backed up by the local search and rescue team. Samsuri called on visitors not set up bonfire within a campsite considering that the region is currently entering dry season.
ANTARA
