Tourists traveling to Lombok should be aware of the new regulations that have been implemented to help keep them safe.
The update comes after dozens of incidents on Bali’s volcano and mountain peaks and a recent tragedy on the slopes of Lombok’s Mount Rinjani.
Leaders in Lombok have introduced a new system whereby all hikers planning on ascending Mount Rinjani must first travel to and stay in the village of Sembalun.
This is because leaders want to ensure that all hikers heading up the active volcano are sufficiently briefed and well equipped before setting off on their trek with their guides.
The update comes just weeks after the death of a Brazilian tourist on the slopes of Mount Rinjani, and just this week, the rescue of a Swiss national who had to be airlifted to safety.
Speaking to reporters, the Regent of East Lombok, Haerul Warisin, explained, “We are talking about safety measures, preventive, not leading to arrogance or personal interests (regent). But this is solely for us to find safety and comfort for tourists who climb Rinjani.”
He added that the recent tragedies on the slopes of Mount Rinjani have been a wake-up call for the government, the trekking industry, and tourists.
Regent Warisin added, “Well, this incident is what we have to take action on. What is the way we make regulations, one of which is that we require every tourist who wants to climb to stay at Sembalun first. Later, this rule will become the standard rule that we made in the Regent Regulation.”
He shared that most tourists do not even stop off in Sembalun, which is the gateway to the trekking routes for Mount Rinjani, and that by mandating a stop and safety briefing, tourists will have all the information they need to approach the trek properly.
Regent Warisin also confirmed that all trekking guides and porters operating on Mount Rinjani will be given intensive training to help increase the overall awareness of safety protocols on the volcano.
He shared, “We have to remind these porters that we are educated. If you bring the guests (tourists), don’t give them a ride right away; they have to stay overnight for at least a day, and provide them with guidance first. Then, during the climbing trip, do not leave it behind; they must wait silently. So that there is no accident and so on.”
He continued, “Before going up, they have to rest first, then receive instructions, be asked if they have ever climbed or not, and their health checked to see if they are healthy or not. So we only do this rule to keep their safety, because climbing Rinjani is not easy, and the weather is different. So that’s it.”
The updates come not a moment too soon. As Regent Warisin issued updates earlier this week, on Wednesday, 16th July, a Swiss national was rescued from a trekking route on the volcano side. The 46-year-old man, known by his initials BE, was successfully rescued, though he had sustained serious injuries.
The Head of the Operations and Alert Section of the Mataram SAR Office, Saidar Rahmanjaya, told reporters that the first report was received on Wednesday afternoon from the Head of the Gunung Rinjani National Park Center (BTNGR), Yarman.
Rahmanjaya told reporters, “The team from the Kayangan Post has been dispatched, followed by additional personnel from the Mataram SAR Office to strengthen the evacuation effort.” Reports suggest that BE slipped on the Sembalun Pelawangan route to Segara Anak Lake on Wednesday morning. Initial information said that the victim had as suspected broken leg and a head injury.
Tourists intending on trekking or hiking on Lombok’s Mount Rinjani, or Bali’s Mount Batur, Mount Agung, Mount Batukaru, or any mountain or volcano in Indonesia must take the endeavour seriously. Though summiting many of Indonesia’s peaks is considered an essential bucket list adventure, each trek is a serious technical climb in its own right and requires each hiker to be fit, healthy, properly equipped, and experienced as well as being accompanied by a local licensed guide.
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