Geology Study Program Students of FMIPA UI "Red" the Peak of Mount Ciremai

The Geology Study Program (Prodi) of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia through the Cadre and Development Division of the Geology Student Association (HMG) Kaldera UI recently implemented a program entitled Hiking with Geology Residents (Himawari) on Mount Ciremai which is located in the Kuningan and Majalengka Regencies. This activity was motivated by the love of the Geology Study Program academic community for mountain climbing activities.

This mountain climbing activity is the first activity for HMG Kaldera UI. By involving 32 active student members of HMG Kaldera UI and 1 lecturer, the activity took place on July 2-5, 2023.

Reza Syahputra, Ph.D., the only lecturer in the Geology Study Program who participated in the climb, said that the purpose of this activity was an effort to establish stronger synergy among the academic community in the Geology Study Program, FMIPA UI.

"It is hoped that through this activity, closer relations can be established between fellow academics," said Reza to the FMIPA UI Public Relations team.

"From a geological perspective, Mount Ciremai is a type of stratovolcano composed of andesite-basaltic lava lithology, volcanic breccia, and pyroclastic deposits," he added.

After going through a series of quite long preparations, the Himawari participants departed for Majalengka on Sunday night (2/7/2023) at 20.00 WIB from the UI Campus Book Monument, Depok. The group then arrived at base camp Mount Ciremai on Monday morning (3/7/2023) at around 02.30 WIB.

Wearing bright red group jackets as an attribute of identity and pride, they started the climb at 09.15 WIB. However, beforehand, the adventurers were required to have breakfast, register, have a health check, and warm up.

Participants were divided into 6 groups, groups 1-3 started the climb first and were followed by groups 4-6 with a 5-minute interval. The climb lasted for 7 hours to arrive at the shadow post. The increasingly steep slope conditions and increasingly rocky paths were not an obstacle for the Himawari participants.

Arriving at the shadow post at around 17.30 WIB, the participants set up tents to rest and cook dinner.

That night the sky looked so friendly, not even a drop of rain disturbed the togetherness that existed. In the midst of the togetherness at that time, jokes, jokes, and laughter felt enough to break the silence of the night that was getting late.

The next day, Thursday (4/7/2023) at 02.00 WIB the participants prepared to climb before sunrise. Without skipping breakfast and warming up, the journey to the peak of Mount Ciremai via the Apuy route began in a travel time of around 2 hours and 30 minutes. The journey to the peak was increasingly difficult because the participants passed through the former lava flow path of Mount Ciremai which was full of boulders and sand and had a very steep slope.

Lady Fortuna was again on the side of the participants. The Himawari adventurers managed to reach the peak of the highest mountain in West Java, which is at an altitude of 3,078 MDPL at around 05.00 WIB.

From the top of the mountain, the expanse of beautiful scenery was clearly visible to the eyelids. Several mountain peaks covered in clouds were decorated by the reflection of the dawn light rising from the east side, and the moon that began to hide in the west became a sight that was no less amazing. All that beauty was coupled with a very warm atmosphere of togetherness, as if erasing every feeling of tiredness during the climb. All that was visible was a face full of admiration from a happy heart.

The red color of the attributes they use also looks contrasting among the scenery of Mount Ciremai which is dominated by the blue sky, green forest, and the brownish surface of the mountain peak. So that their presence at that time seemed to "redden" the peak of Mount Ciremai.

The participants began to leave the mountain peak to return to the campsite and prepare to descend. base camp. Exactly at 13.45 WIB the participants started walking down to base camp and takes 3 hours to travel.

The journey home begins by car pick up to Maja Terminal, and continued by a specially chartered bus to the UI Book Monument. The participants arrived at the UI Book Monument on Wednesday (5/7/2023) at around 00.10 WIB.

"The 3 days and 3 nights together that have been spent together have created unforgettable and memorable moments in the hearts of every participant. 3 days forever," said Reza closing the interview with the FMIPA UI Public Relations team.

News source : https://sci.ui.ac.id/