 | Among the trees along the mountain slopes he walked limply. His tiny body covered with a blue hat, gray jacket and red pants, looked shabby and dusty. His small steps followed a man's steps, in front of him. He stopped when a steep rock cliff were seen in front of him. Then the man before him, who is his father, asking him to climb up the cliff. |
Without being asked twice, the boy obeyed his father. His little hands and feet nimbly crawling among the cracks while climbing the cliff. Following the path shown by his father. And the five-hour journey finally ended at the summit of Mount Sumbing whose height reaches 3,371 meters above sea level.
That is Arya Cahya Mulyana Sugianto. A 6-year-old boy who looked happy and proud, carrying the red and white flag (flag of Indonesia). At the mountain summit, he shouted "freedom!”. Typical screams of the patriots of this nation during the fight for the independence of Indonesia in the past.
Climbing Mount Sumbing was part of a series of climbing the 10 mountain peaks on the Ekspedisi Cahaya Merdeka 2011 (Freedom's Light Expedition 2011). Arya has managed to conquer Mount Ceremai (3,078 meters above sea level), Mount Slamet (3,432 m asl), Mount Sindoro (3,155 m asl), Mount Sumbing (3,371 m asl), Mount Lawu (3,265 m asl), Mount Arjuno (3,339 m asl), Mount Welirang (3,156 m asl), Gunung Rinjani (3,726 m asl), Mount Penanggungan (1,653 m asl) and Mount Semeru (3,676 m asl).
Arya’s name was recorded in the Indonesian Museum of Records as the youngest Indonesia's climber who conquer the 10 mountain's peaks.
"Glad to reach the top of the mountain. Moreover, it is 10 mountains. I can see the scenery of God's creation," said his innocent words.
It all began when he watched the movie of “Vertical Limit” (Movie directed by Martin Campbell, starring Scott Glen, Chris O’Donnell and Bill Paxton). He was so admire this movie so that he was formerly wished to climb the snowy mountains. He really wished to see snow.
Of course his father's were so confused not being able to fulfill that desire, considering that it would require a large fund. Then Arya started to sulk and did not want to eat and did not want to go to school. His desire was so great, while on the other hand, the father who did not have enough money eventually brought them to the bargain. Finally they came out with agreement to climb 10 of the mountains in Indonesia.
Among those 10 peaks of the mountain, Mount Sumbing was the most memorable. In this mountain they had an amazing experience. On the way home from the top of the mountain, they could not see the road because the night has arrived and the sky covered with clouds. Arya said hopefully "if we bring a flashlight would be better," and suddenly the moon appeared from behind a cloud, shortly after Arya says, so they could see the road.
Likewise, when Arya thirst and hoping to find water. Suddenly they found a bottle of mineral water left behind by other climbers in the middle of the road. "It was like a miracle. It all happened after Arya asked for it," the father told.
After conquering the 10 peaks of mountain, Arya went back to school as usual. But his desire to climb the snowy mountains still not fading. "I hope, there will be somebody who is willing to help in funding," said Agus, his father.
Fruit does falls nearby its tree. So does Arya. His father, Agus, has been climbing mountains since he was in highschool. When Agus married and have children, all his children were taught to love nature by climbing the mountain. Arya was introduced with nature since he was eight months old. At that time, although he was still being carried, Agus took him up to Mount Arjuna and Mount Welirang. Ever since, Arya has always celebrated his birthday at the top of Mount Welirang.
