“Left
Nothing but Footprint”
“A country
will not be short of leaders if its youth is keen on mountaineering.” That
quote is adapted from 5cm novel by Donny Dhirgantoro which is popular among
mountaineers. Yet the reality is different with that quote. Many youngsters are
intriguing about mountaineering but being hampered to go as they thought
mountaineering needs huge preparation and considered to be dangerous. Some also
feel overwhelmed by the highly tiring journey to climb mountain. However,
mountain is our friend, our teacher that teaches many good values to appreciate
our lives. We do not need to be worried. Here are some simple steps that will
help you reaching the top of the mountain, breaking the apprehension and
realizing the dreams.
First, before conquering the
mountain we need to find a lot of information about it and the access to get
there. The information includes the geographical condition and characteristics
of the mountain. Information like the height, mountain status, difficulty of
track and other related information are needed to be known. After getting
enough information about the mountain you should know the access to get there.
It could be done by making a route map. Besides, for the track to go to the top
of the mountain, you could bring the contour map. Make sure that you have
adequate information about the condition and the access because it is the
crucial step that consequently influences the other steps.
The next step is making
managerial planning. After knowing the condition of the mountain, you could
consider the managerial plan, including logistics, equipments and medicine that
you need to bring. It is better to make managerial planning in a team. In a
team there is a group leader, logistic coordinator, equipment coordinator, also
health coordinator. By building a team, the plan will be much easier to handle.
Managerial planning is a very important part for climbing the mountain. It is
not only about a plan, it is about your life when you are climbing a mountain.
For example when you are going to climb a mountain for three days, the logistics
you need to prepare is multiplied by 1.5, so it would be 4.5 days. The reason
for that is for your safety. You will have spare logistics in case you get lost
in your journey. The equipment you need to bring also need to be prepared, like
the carriers, shoes, sleeping bag, tent and many others. Do not ever belittle
the use of your equipment. It will be your halflife.
Eventually, after you are ready
with your plan, it is time to reach your top of mountain. Recently, I have just
climbed Gede Mountain and fortunately I could stand on its top. It was not an
easy journey like any ordinary travelling. For me it was about struggle, faith,
and patience. The track was very long and quite difficult. It was so cold and I
needed to compete with plants to have my oxygen during nights. In my summit
attack, my team and I did not sleep a whole day. We were walking, falling, and
walking again. I sprained my left ankle, had cramp in my foot, got hurt in my
hand, and felt tired in my whole body. Yet all of those were not the real
problem. The problem I had to deal with was my mind. I whispered to my mind not
to see the journey was long but walking in every step bit by bit so it would
not make me feel burdensome. I needed to kill my boredom and to be patient
although it needed several hours to see the top of the mountain. However, all
of the efforts were paid when I reached Gede Mountain’s top. I was fascinated
by its splendor. I was feeling like in a castle above the sky. The scenery was
totally beautiful. You will be feeling the same even more when you are standing
on the top of a mountain. Furthermore, although you are enjoying the process of
reaching the top, you need to be aware of getting lost in your journey. Yet if
you are getting lost what you need to do is S.T.O.P, S for stop, T for think, O
for observe and P for plan your solution to go back on track. Moreover, enjoy
your journey and take many lessons from a mountain. It will make you living
your life.
After knowing all of those
simple steps to reach the top of the mountain, are you ready to climb? Just say
yes. The mountain has waited for you to make friend with. It has waited for you
to share many values of live. You have nothing to be worried about, yet you
have many things to perceive from a mountain. Like Soe Hok Gie said, “Life is
about bravery, encountering enigma without understanding, without negotiating,
accept it, face it.” Be ready. Prepare your bold motivation to climb a mountain
and you will see the kingdom above the sky on the top of a mountain.
