Everyone has their own book of life. Some write in diaries, others embroider their travel experiences. For me, nature is a vast book, and the mountains are its verses.
Climbing isn't just about conquering heights, but also about reading God's message hidden within the mist, clouds, forests, silence, and peaks. From Buthak, Lawu, to Rinjani, each step taken has imbued it with a rich, diverse meaning.
Mount Buthak, 2018: The First Steps in Reading the Book of Nature
My first climb was in 2018. It was Mount Buthak. As a beginner, my body and mind weren't yet accustomed to it. The uphill path, challenging cliffs, cold air, and the weight of my backpack felt like an initial test. It rained and thundered in the darkness of the night. However, that's precisely where I learned that mountains aren't just a physical test; they also require patience.
At Buthak, I felt a sense of community growing. My fellow travelers became an impromptu family. Encouraging each other, sharing water, and laughing through the fatigue made the journey feel lighter.
When I finally reached the summit, I saw a vast expanse of green. It was there that I realized that the first climb wasn't just a journey upward, but also a journey within: conquering ego, conquering despair, and discovering the meaning of gratitude.
Mount Lawu, 2020: A Sea of Clouds Amidst the Pandemic
In 2020, the world was in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic. Almost all activities were restricted, including climbing. But when the opportunity to climb Mount Lawu presented itself, I felt like I'd found freedom amidst the chaos. Lawu welcomed me with a breathtaking sea of clouds.
We were joined by five friends from Malang: Mas Rudy, Mas Arif, and Mas Diki, and of course, the Instagram celebrity, Mbak Mely, who guided us along the way. We experienced the ups and downs together during the climb, especially when we were welcomed into Mas Bima's home and his family. We hope everyone is staying healthy. Stay safe there.
That moment was so symbolic: at a time when the world was gripped by fear, at the peak of Mount Lawu, I witnessed a stretch of white clouds that seemed like a heavenly carpet. It felt like a message: behind hardship, there's always beauty waiting.
Climbing Mount Lawu made me reflect on the transience of life. Many myths are associated with this mountain. But for me, the most mystical aspect is how small humans are compared to the horizon. Amid the pandemic, this climb became a space for contemplation: that health, togetherness, and freedom are blessings often overlooked.
Rinjani, 2023: Enchanting Exoticism
If Buthak is the beginning of a journey, and Lawu is a space for reflection, then Rinjani is the pinnacle of beauty, a throne of luxury. In 2023, I had the opportunity to set foot on this mountain, Rinjani. Word of mouth has it that this mountain is the most beautiful in Indonesia. And it's true, Rinjani is a near-perfect painting of God. Rinjani is a slice of heaven in the expanse of the world.
Segara Anak Lake, with its serene blue, expansive savannah, and steep path to the summit, made the journey feel like reading a new chapter in the book of life. My exhaustion paid off as the morning sun slowly rose from the northern horizon, illuminating the island of Lombok with its golden glow. In that moment, I felt truly small. At the summit of Rinjani, I was just one speck among millions of His creations.
Rinjani taught me the meaning of perseverance. The wild sands leading to the summit seemed to test my steps. One step up, half a step down. But that's the meaning of struggle: that reaching the summit is never easy, and every drop of sweat bears fruit.
Reading the Verses of the Universe
From Buthak to Rinjani, I realized one thing: mountains are not just towering rocks and soil. Mountains are verses that teach patience, togetherness, gratitude and steadfastness. Nature is a book that we can only read with our eyes, taste and soul.
Every climb is a silent dialogue between man and his God. At Buthak, I learned the meaning of beginnings. At Lawu, I found hope amidst limitations. At Rinjani, I witnessed an exoticism that silences words. These are all verses that strengthen my faith, that nature is an open book, always guiding humans to know the Creator.
Now, every time I see a mountain from a distance, I no longer see it simply as a towering peak. I see them as capital letters in the book of nature. And I know, as long as these feet can move, I want to continue reading these verses, writing them down in my experience, and absorbing them into my life.
Such is the reflection of a traveler, a journey that will never be forgotten.
And Allah knows besta Ab
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