Gregorius Benhard Praga (Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, UI) and Diah Fitri Novita Sari (Geography, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, UI) who are members of MAPALA UI (Nature Lovers Students, University of Indonesia) succeeded in reaching the peak of Puruk Sunduki cliff, Central Kalimantan, Wednesday (30/8) after climbing for 9 days.
This expedition began with the team’s departure on August 12, 2017 from the UI Mapala Secretariat to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to depart for Tjilik Ruwut Airport, Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan.
While in Palangkaraya, the Mapala UI team received assistance in the form of 4trailbikes and 1 double cabin car from the Regent of Gunung Mas as transportation for the Mapala UI team to the last stopover village before leaving for the cliff, namely Hatung Village. In addition, on the trip to Kuala Kurun, Gunung Mas Regency, the Mapala UI team also received transportation assistance in the form of a truck from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) because of the large amount of logistics carried and it was not possible to use a regular travel car as a mode of transportation from Palangkaraya to Kuala Kurun.
On the way to Hatung Village, the Mapala UI team encountered various obstacles due to road conditions. Despite usingtrailbikes , the journey still took a full day due to the rainy weather and poor terrain. This also meant that regular phone signals were inaccessible, so communication was conducted via satellite phone.
In Hatung Village, the Mapala UI team was divided into two. The first team, led by Gregorius Benhard Praga, consisted of five athletes who would climb the Puruk Sandukui cliff, and the second team, led by Diah Fitri Novita Sari, consisted of three people who would explore the Ot Danum Dayak tribe. Both teams communicated with the Mapala UI Secretariat in Depok, West Java, via satellite phone.
Despite repeatedly encountering obstacles and challenges, the Mapala UI team on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, succeeded in reachingthe main top ofthe Puruk Sandukui cliff and raising the red and white flag on top of one of the peaks in our country that has never been touched by humans.
“The climbing team is all healthy and happy. With approximately four months of training, documentation, and planning time,” explained Yohanes Poda Sintong (M-954-UI), the General Chair of Mapala UI. This expedition is focused on Mapala UI members who were just inaugurated this year.
“The goal is to broaden their travel management knowledge and gain new experiences. Through this expedition, Mapala UI members are also trained to maintain a love for Indonesian nature, contribute something truly beneficial to others, and dedicate themselves to the community, in accordance with the Tridharma of Higher Education,” Yohanes said.
The climbing team’s successful summit doesn’t mark the end of the Puruk Sandukui Cliff Expedition by Mapala UI. The expedition will conclude once it has achieved results that can benefit others.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped. We will send recommendations based on the results of this activity to the government and local communities. We hope they will be helpful. We are pleased to be able to play a role in the exploration of this beautiful land of Kalimantan,” said Yohanes.
