After successfully climbing to the peak at an altitude of 3,805 meters above sea level, the return trip was expected to be easier. Heri is usually able to partially jog down the mountain, but this time it was difficult to do so. He had to repeatedly bend down to pick up trash scattered on the mountain.
The plastic container he was carrying filled up quickly. When weighed, it reached almost 20 kilograms. He separated used bottles from other types of garbage so that the container could accommodate more. The bottles were woven with a rope and then tied to a backpack.
It was only toward noon that he reached the jungle door at the lowest post. He felt relieved and tired as well. However, the gloomy view on the hiking trail leaves discomfort.
"The nature of the mountain is very beautiful. The track is also challenging. Unfortunately there is too much garbage up there," said the climber from Medan, North Sumatra.
Heri handed over all the garbage collected to Yani, a coffee farmer at the foot of Mount Kerinci. Highly moved, Yani looked at the large bag. "Thank you very much for helping us clean up Mount Kerinci," she said.
She also gave him a number of packages of ground coffee. Another farmer, Fajrul Izmi, brewed coffee and distributed it to Heri and other climbers. They sat together sipping warm sweet-smelling coffee.
Heri is used to picking up trash every time he comes down the mountain. "It should be like this. If you go down the mountain, you must bring the garbage down too," he said.
The youth’s assistance finally remedied the concerns of Yani, Fajrul and coffee farmers. Over the last month, they designed various ways to overcome the piles of trash.
It all started when a Czech Kerinci climber, Michaela Kosobukina, recorded her exploration on the mountain. The recordings were distributed to Erna Yunita, a coffee farmer and owner of Pelangi Guest House, where Michaela stayed.
Erna was shocked to watch the video. The mountain that looked beautiful from the terrace of the inn was unexpectedly full of garbage.
Because she still did not believe it, Erna also asked for help from other climbers, a couple from Australia, Ashlee and Isaac. They also documented the climbing route.
The result was the same. Starting from the climbing gate to the top of the mountain, garbage appeared everywhere. Ashlee even nicknamed Mount Kerinci as the highest waste bin in Sumatra, maybe even in the world.
Erna also involved coffee farmers to find ways to save the mountain. They agreed to build solidarity. Up to 5,000 packs of coffee were donated. The farmers are members of the Korintji Natural (Alko) Coffee Farmers Association. The locally harvested coffee is rewarded for the climbers who bring down the garbage from Mount Kerinci.
All garbage was then collected and sorted. Plastic waste was processed into handicraft materials by Family Welfare Movement (PKK) women in Jernih Jaya Village, Gunung Tujuh District. There are others who process it into bags, hats, baskets and mats.
Vulnerable point
In the recent commemoration of the Indonesian Independence Day, more than 1,500 people participated in climbing Mount Kerinci. The rising number visitors along the hiking tracks increasingly raised the piles of garbage because, not a few climbers just threw away their leftovers.
Garbage was visible from the gate at the start of the climbing. Then, more and more garbage was scattered near the next post or break shelter. Three climbing shelters have become waste-prone points.
The worst is located in three shelters at an altitude of 3,291 meters above the sea level. At the last shelter leading up to the mountain peak, which was packed with hundreds of tents, various types of garbage were scattered, ranging from drink bottles, seasoning wrap, food, medicine, to cigarettes. There were also used raincoats and used clothing stuck on the side of the road and branches of trees. There were also used pots and other used cooking utensils. A number of climbers seemed to have been reluctant to carry their luggage down the mountain.
Wagiman, 56, one of Mount Kerinci\'s guides, repeatedly had to remind climbers not to leave their trash on the mountain. "Later, don\'t forget to clean the garbage. Do not let anything to be left behind," he told the climbers he met.
The circulation of the garbage video of Mount Kerinci quickly triggered many reactions. On social media, many criticized the climbers and also criticized the lack of management and supervision on Mount Kerinci.
The mountain that is part of the Kerinci Seblat National Park is the "roof" of Sumatra. The highest peak of the volcano in Southeast Asia is one of the world’s top destinations for climbers. There is actually great opportunity for ecotourism, but, unfortunately there are a lack of facilities.
It is free to climb Mount Kerinci, however, supporting facilities are still minimal. There are no signs along the climbing routes. There are also no rest areas, let alone public toilets.
Kerinci Seblat National Park Agency head Tamen Sitorus said garbage had become a common concern, not only on Mount Kerinci, but also on climbing routes of other mountains.
In October, his office will hold clean-up activities on Mount Kerinci and Mount Tujuh. With regard to the large amount of garbage on the mountains, the trash should be processed.
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