Remembering Willy Buntaran and Arief Kusnanto

About a week before Willy Buntaran and Arief Kusnanto disappeared on Mount Putri, Willy and I climbed Mount Pangrango. The two of us climbed from the Micro-wave tower, Saturday afternoon. We had previously climbed this mountain with Karno, Marulam, Eddy Anggoro, and many other friends who climbed the mountain together. The first mountain climb was to Mount Salak. Then with Mapala-UI to Mount Gede.
Then with Frans, Farida and Budi to Kadang Badak.
And now we want to try climbing together, Arief and I. On one Saturday, both of us took a bus to the peak of Gunung Gede through Puncak Pas, Micro-wave tower. Climbing slowly and steadily upwards. The plan was to reach Kandang Badak if possible, because we didn't bring a tent. We also didn't bring a stove and kerosene or gas. Really amateur crazy reckless, only bringing dry food. Because it was raining and we were tired, we slept on the back of the road. On the footpath. We chose a slightly sloping ground with an angle of about 30 to 45 degrees, to prevent submerged in water. We slept wearing only jackets and raincoats. I still remember chatting with Willy before going to bed. About everything beautiful. Future plans.
" How your school in YARSI, Arief?"
" I try to enter FKUI again next year", Arief said
If I think about it now, it was really dangerous, because snakes, scorpions could kill us. Nekat! Was I afraid? it might be not, I was young and strong.. Early in the morning, we woke up, had breakfast with the supplies we brought, then continued to go up again until we reached Kandang Batu, then to Kandang Badak, then turned right to Mandalawangi Square (alun-alun), Mount Pangrango. The most beautiful place in the world!

Climbing fast so I can see the sun up there. Finally arriving at Mandalawangi Square it was already too late. The sun was already high above, although it had not reached its highest nadir. Take an Edelweiss flower, as a sign of "pride" that I had reached the top. Pray quickly praising the greatness of God, and be grateful to be able to see His greatness. Because I had to go down and should arrive at Microwave-tower before dusk. With this experience, I really needed to buy a good backpack for camping supplies. I bought a backpack at the Senen market, A big and strong backpack. The seller said it belonged to the TNI. A few days later Arief came to the house. Arief said :
"I want to climb Mount Gede - Pangrango this Saturday with Willy. The plan is to climb from Situ Gintung."
Then I offered to Arief,
"I just bought a good backpack,  Arief. You need to bring it, so that it's easier to climb."

 

Later, all friends heard from Willy's sister and from Toni Sutono, Arief's cousin,
that they had not returned home. Help came from everywhere. Mapala-UI mountain climber search team: with coordinator Henry Walandouw (Nani's husband) and Rudy Badil, Mapala UI had just lost one of its founders Soe Hok Gie and Idhan (Dhanvantari Lubis, my classmate at Kanisius). And Wanadri-ITB Bandung. The search center was in Situ Gintung. Consumption and accommodation were provided by the Buntaran family and the Kusnanto family. All searched, explored to Mount Putri, voluntarily, selflessly...
Stay overnight in Cibodas, in a resident's goat pen (thanks mas Gito)

Farewell Willy and Arief, we remember you both.
Remembering your spirit to overcome your weaknesses, by climbing mountains!

 

petrus