Good news for fans of outdoor activities, especiallyhiking. Various studies have shown that hiking is not just about conquering heights, pumping adrenaline, but also has health benefits. 

Walking through various routes in the mountains, hills and countryside also offers a priceless experience. The green scenery and cool air of the mountains often spoil the eyes that usually only stare at laptop screens or traffic jams in the middle of the capital city. 

Based on research, mountain climbing can foster several good attitudes in a person's life character. Some examples include training cooperation, responsibility, respect, a sense of community, gratitude, honesty, more caring, courage, resilience, tolerance and more vigilance. 

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

Not surprisingly, this activity that combines fitness and natural challenges is favored by various groups ranging from young and old, to officials and businessmen. 

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

Herry Sulianto, Founder of Kopi Ijen Lestari

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

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

Herry said the main benefit of mountain climbing that is not found in other activities is that it increases 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, a sense of admiration for the creator also arises because at the top of the peak, everything can be seen starting from sunrise and sunset, oceans, clouds and starry night sky or the term milky way," he said when interviewed by the SUAR team at an exhibition in Jakarta, Thursday (30/10/2025).

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 (blue fire), this unique blue fire phenomenon in the world is the main attraction. This fire arises from sulfur bursts and is visible in the early morning around 02.00-03.00 WIB.

Then, on Mount Ijen there is also a turquoise green crater lake, during the day, climbers will be treated to a view of the crater lake with turquoise green water which is very beautiful and is the largest acid crater lake in the world.

"Climbers can witness firsthand the work of sulfur miners who risk their lives to bring chunks of sulfur from the crater," he said. 

Herry said that his hobby of climbing mountains has been carried out since he was a teenager, without coercion from anyone, until now at a young age, he still takes the time to climb mountains even though his stamina is not as strong as before.

Herry shared his tips for mountain climbing for beginners, which include careful 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 hobby of mountain climbing had an impact on his work, namely the formation of a mindset of "having to achieve something", when climbing a mountain he must reach the top, in work he must achieve targets.

His main target at the moment in managing the ijen lestari coffee business is to make Indonesia's original local coffee worldwide and become a favorite product in the global arena.

Ijen Lestari has made international achievements as a Cup of Excellence (COE) winner, 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 world's most prestigious international coffee competition and auction that aims to identify and celebrate the highest quality coffee from different countries. Winning coffees are selected through a rigorous selection process by national and international judges, and then sold through an online auction to properly reward coffee farmers. 

Ijen Lestari coffee is exported and has reached international markets with Germany as the main market. The export of coffee from Ijen is part of the government's efforts to increase the competitiveness of local products in foreign markets.

Petrus Gunarso Learns to Humble the Mountain

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

When met after the Round Table Decision event held by Suar at the JS Luwansa Hotel on Thursday (18/9), Petrus' eyes lit up as if he was nostalgic for the past when he recounted the mountain climbing activities he had been actively engaged in since 1980.

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

"When I was in college, I was the head of the nature lover, mapala. Now the mapala first became an organized mapala for our campus at the Faculty of Forestry at UGM, that was my start. Previously, mountain climbing activities had begun but were not yet organized," explained Petrus, who also serves as Business Development Advisor of PT Transportation Gas Indonesia (Transgasindo).

The Articles of Association and Bylaws of the organization were then formed during Petrus' leadership. Not only about learning to climb, Petrus together with mapala colleagues even immediately started looking for funding to conduct surveys on a number of mountains in the country.

At that time, Peter always carried a mission in his mountain hikes, to invite students or other nature enthusiasts to learn to find more meaningful values in life.

"In 1980 when I became chairman, we had already obtained funding to Mount Rinjani, to Merapi, and finally it became a national park. That was the beginning to invite students to be aware not to go up the mountain just to go up," he said.

From the cold air that clings to the skin, to the sound of insects at night coming from all directions, it turns out that Petrus Gunarso has a deep meaning.

"The value of silence and then the value of nature that feels that we are really small, seeing a mountain that big and we are alone at the top of the mountain, we feel like we are nothing," he said.

Peter realized that the height and challenges provided by the mountain made him feel small as a human being, thus fostering a sense of humility, appreciating nature more and more, and continuing to be grateful for everything to this day.

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

"Exactly," he summarized.

This hobby of hiking and appreciation for nature has now turned into a profession at the age of 67. Although he is no longer young, his body is still firm and fit, as if time has not destroyed his spirit thanks to his hobby.

Although Peter is no longer as regular a hiker as he used to be, he does not choose to sit still. In his spare time, he continues to be one with nature by exercising lightly, while clearing his mind.

"Now I walk regularly, it definitely refreshes my mind. A good walk is in nature, in the city it's not so good, the air is fresher in nature," she said.

He also believes that outdoor activities are a natural means of character education. In addition to providing life values, he explains, being outdoors can also help clear your mind from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Young people who work daily in big cities are invited to carry out these activities. Not without reason, activities in the wild such as climbing mountains are considered to be able to add inner freshness, not just a physical matter.

"If young people can take the time to climb mountains, go into the forest, or walk along the river, it will not only give them physical freshness, but also mental freshness. The boredom of traffic can disappear for a moment," explained Petrus.