Good news for outdoor enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy mountain climbing or exploring nature (hiking). Various studies show that hiking is not just about conquering heights and pumping adrenaline, but also beneficial for health. 

Walking through various routes in the mountains, hills, and rural areas also offers invaluable experiences. The green scenery and cool mountain air often spoil the eyes that are usually only staring at laptop screens or traffic jams in the middle of the capital city. 

According to research, mountain climbing can foster several good attitudes in a person's life. Some examples include practicing cooperation, responsibility, respect, a sense of togetherness, gratitude, honesty, caring more, courage, resilience, tolerance, and being more vigilant. 

Research also shows that mountain climbing can be an additional therapy and help people who are severely depressed and can reduce feelings of despair. 

Not surprisingly, this activity, which combines fitness and natural challenges, is popular among various groups, from young and old generations to officials and entrepreneurs. 

The SUAR team managed to interview several entrepreneurs who enjoy mountain climbing. 

Herry Sulianto, Founder of Kopi Ijen Lestari

Herry Sulianto is the General Manager and Owner of Kopi Ijen Lestari, a UMKM that focuses on producing high-quality coffee with standardized post-harvest practices, and has been operating for 10 seasons in Ijen coffee processing.

Besides the fact that his business is located on the slopes of Mount Ijen, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Herry likes to spend his free time climbing mountains with his employees.

Herry said that the main benefit he feels from mountain climbing that is not found in other activities is increasing the sense of achievement in life; reaching the top of the mountain gives a feeling of satisfaction and increases self-confidence.

“When you are at the top of the mountain, your heart and mind feel peaceful and calm, and a sense of awe towards the creator also arises because from the top, you can see everything from sunrise and sunset, the ocean, clouds, and the starry night sky or what is known as the Milky Way,” he said when interviewed by the SUAR team at an exhibition in Jakarta, Thursday (10/30/2025).

Some of the mountains he has conquered are still around East Java, starting from Mount Kawi, Lawu and of course Ijen. 

The most memorable mountain is Mount Ijen because there is a blue fire phenomenon. This unique blue fire phenomenon in the world is the main attraction. This fire appears from sulfur bursts and is visible in the early morning around 02.00–03.00 WIB.

Then, on Mount Ijen there is also a green turquoise crater lake. During the day, climbers will be presented with a view of the crater lake with very beautiful turquoise green water and it is the largest acidic crater lake in the world.

“Climbers can witness firsthand the work of sulfur miners who risk their lives to carry chunks of sulfur from inside the crater,” he said. 

Herry said that he has been doing this mountain climbing hobby since he was a teenager, without coercion from anyone, until now at his age which is no longer young, he still makes time to climb mountains even though his stamina is not as strong as it used to be.

Herry shared tips for mountain climbing for beginners, which are thorough physical and mental preparation, choosing a light mountain, and equipping yourself with the right equipment and prioritizing safety. Make sure not to climb alone, always check the weather forecast, bring appropriate equipment, and obey the climbing rules.

Herry said that his mountain climbing hobby has had an impact on his work, namely the formation of a "must achieve something" mindset; when climbing a mountain he must reach the summit, in his work he must reach the target.

His main target currently in managing the Kopi Ijen Lestari business is to make original Indonesian local coffee global and become a leading product on the global stage.

Ijen Lestari has carved out international achievements as a winner of the Cup of Excellence (COE), including 1st place in 2023. With a commitment to quality and sustainability, Ijen Lestari serves both domestic and international markets with shipments worldwide.

Cup of Excellence (CoE) is the most prestigious international coffee competition and auction in the world that aims to identify and celebrate the highest quality coffee from various countries. Winning coffees are selected through a rigorous selection process by national and international judges, and then sold through online auctions to provide deserving awards to coffee farmers. 

Kopi Ijen Lestari is exported and has reached the international market with the main market being Germany. Coffee exports from Ijen are part of the government's efforts to increase the competitiveness of local products in foreign markets.

Petrus Gunarso Learns Humility from the Mountain

In the eyes of a forestry and environmental observer, Petrus Gunarso, mountain climbing is not just about conquering the summit, but also a means for him to gain life lessons. 

When met after the Round Table Decision event held by SUAR at the JS Luwansa Hotel on Thursday (18/9), Petrus's eyes sparkled as if longing for the past when he recounted his mountain climbing activities, which he had actively pursued since 1980.

Petrus Gunarso, who was the first chairman of the nature-loving student organization (mapala) at the Faculty of Forestry, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), also shared his struggle to build the organization and actively engage in activities in nature.

"When I was on campus, I was the chairman of the nature lovers, mapala. Well, that mapala was the first organized mapala for our campus at the Faculty of Forestry at UGM, and it started with me. Previously, mountain climbing activities had started, but they were not yet organized," explained Petrus, who also serves as Business Development Advisor at PT. Transportasi Gas Indonesia (Transgasindo).

The organization's Articles of Association and Bylaws (AD/ART) were then formed during Petrus's leadership. Not only about learning to climb, Petrus and his fellow mapala members even immediately started looking for funding to conduct surveys on a number of mountains in the country.

At that time, Petrus always carried a mission in every mountain climb, to invite students or other nature activists to learn to find life values that were far more meaningful.

"In 1980, when I became chairman, we had already received funding for Mount Rinjani, Mount Merapi, and eventually it became a national park. That was the beginning of inviting students to be aware not to just climb mountains for the sake of climbing," he said.

Starting from the cold air that sticks to the skin, to the sound of insects at night that comes from all directions, it turns out to provide a deep meaning for Petrus Gunarso.

"The value of silence and then the value of nature makes us feel very small, seeing such a big mountain and being alone on the top of the mountain, we feel like we are nothing," he said.

Petrus realized that the height and challenges given by the mountain made him as a human feel small, thus fostering humility, increasingly appreciating nature, and continuing to be grateful for everything until now.

The higher a person climbs a mountain, the more it makes him realize that humans are only a small part of this vast universe.

"Exactly," he said briefly.

His hobby of climbing and appreciating nature has now turned into a profession at the age of 67. Even though he is no longer young, his body is still upright and fit, as if time has not eroded his spirit thanks to his hobby.

Even though Petrus is no longer as routine as before in climbing, he does not choose to sit still. In his spare time, he continues to unite with nature by doing light exercise, while clearing his mind.

"Now I walk regularly, it definitely refreshes my mind. The best place to walk is in the open, if it's in a city like this, it's not as good, the air is fresher in nature," he said.

He also believes that activities in the open are a means of natural character education. Besides providing life values, he explained, activities in nature can also clear the mind for a moment from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Young people who work in big cities every day are also invited to carry out these activities. Not without reason, activities in the open such as mountain climbing are considered to add inner freshness, not only physically.

"If young people can take the time to climb mountains, go into the forest, or explore rivers, besides adding physical freshness, the inner freshness is also extraordinary. The saturation of traffic jams can disappear for a moment," explained Petrus.