Mount Lawu climbing route operators in Karanganyar Regency, Central Java, have taken firm action by imposing a two-year activity ban (blacklist) on an open trip organizer and its three crew members. This severe sanction was applied after the agency was proven to have repeatedly violated applicable climbing safety regulations.
The latest violation occurred when the agency brought a group of 20 climbers through the Candi Cetho route in Jenawi District on Saturday (11/7/2026) and was scheduled to descend on Sunday (12/7/2026). During the registration process, the operators found that the group was registered using three separate forms. This triggered confusion during the check-out attendance process because the group was scattered and could not descend together.
The situation was worsened by several group members being left behind on the climbing trail. In addition, the participants did not know who their group leader was, coupled with the absence of the identity number of the person in charge, which should have been prepared by the organizer. This lack of professionalism triggered tension and conflict in the climbing basecamp registration area.
Head of Operations and Development of the Regional Public Company (PUD) Aneka Usaha Karanganyar, Titin Riyadiningsih, explained that her office had issued warnings twice before this incident occurred. Previous violations included neglecting the obligation to bring local guides or porters and the lack of official confirmation to the basecamp, which disrupted the queue flow of other climbers.
As a consequence of their negligence, the open trip organizer signed a stamped statement of guilt and accepted the imposed sanction. For the next two years, the agency is strictly prohibited from conducting climbing activities or bringing groups to any climbing routes on Mount Lawu.
