Bali’s leading search and rescue crews have issued stern warnings to tourists and travelers on the island.
Due to an increasing number of call-outs to search and rescue teams, officers are reminding tourists that climbing Bali’s mountains and volcanos, which are intense and often technical, requires both the right equipment and an experienced, licensed guide.
The Chief of the National Search and Rescue Agency, Kusworo, has issued an urgent call to both hiking guides and tourists to take climbing Indonesia’s mountains more seriously.
He wants to see climbers prioritize ethics when embarking on treks on active volcanoes and treacherous mountain terrain.
Kusworo cited the “reckless” attitude of many climbers who have had to be saved by Search and Rescue Teams across the county but especially in Bali.
He noted that many of those who have needed rescuing have been brazen in their disregard for hiking rules and regulations.
Climbers have hiked on prohibited routes, gone off the path, and even not checked in with mountain rangers before setting off.
He explained that many rescue missions could have been avoided if climbers had obeyed the rules established to keep them safe.
Ultimately, climbers exploring Indonesia’s active volcanoes must acknowledge that they are active ones.
As was the case in West Sumatra in December 2023, whereby dozens of climbers were caught in the volcanic eruption of Mount Marapi in the Agam Region.
Despite warnings and the volcano’s active status set at Level 2, as it was erupting volcanic ash, hikers still embarked on the climb.
Bali’s Mount Agung is also an active volcano, with serious eruptions between 2017 and 2019, which seriously impacted air travel and resulted in dozens of villages being periodically evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Tourists planning to hike Mount Agung, Mount Batur, Mount Batukaru, or any of Bali’s grand peaks must take a guide.
Not only is this written into local law, it is also essential for safety purposes. While the hike to the summit of Mount Batur is one of the most well-trodden paths on the island, it is by no means easy.
Every month, tourists are seriously injured on the trail, and the likelihood of accidents increases since most hikers embark on the trek during the early hours of the morning, under the cover of darkness, ready to reach the summit for sunrise.
It must also be noted that tourists must book their hike with a guide who is local to Bali and a licensed guide for the peak they are leading a tour on.
On Monday, 19th August, a tour guide from Jakarta and a Turkish tourist were rescued from the slopes of Mount Batukaru in Tabanan Regency after going dangerously off-piste.
The guide was not only not a Bali specialist but also not a hiking guide.
Thankfully, neither hiker was injured, and they were able to walk back down the mountain with the help of Search and Rescue Teams.
As rainy season approaches in Bali the number of incidents reported on Bali’s mountainsides will likely increase too.
It is a timely reminder to tourists to ensure that they also only embark on these hikes with suitable equipment.
While there are plenty of urban legends of backpackers who scaled these peaks in flip-flops and a t-shirt, the reality is very different.
Due to the rough and often slippy terrain it is essential to wear decent hiking boots or at the very least sturdy sneakers. Wearing a warm jacket and bringing water, snacks, and a torch is also essential.
There are plenty of tour providers who offer guided sunrise hikes to both Mount Batur and Mount Agung for as little as USD 30, including transport to and from your accommodation.
A moderate level of fitness is required.
The hike for super fit hikers can be completed in around 2 hours, though for most tourists, reaching the peak can take 3-4 hours.
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James
Tuesday 3rd of September 2024
Exaggerated. Apart from Agung all the others are easy to climb without guide as long as you’re in decent shape and have some experience. The paths are easy to follow and not too challenging. But it’s not for everyone, that seems to be the real issue.