T

he location of Kedai Pendaki, which literally translates as climbers'€™ shop, is not a favored destination for regular youngsters who like to meet each other in shopping malls or cafes in busy streets.

This coffee shop is nestled in the corner of a quiet residential area. However, that quiet is dispelled when you step into the shop.

Dozens or even hundreds of extreme-sports enthusiasts flock to this humble setting almost every night, except when the season is ripe for mountain-climbing.

Located on Jl. Jend. Ahmad Yani, North Utan Kayu, East Jakarta '€” adjacent to the Utan Kayu Ramawangun Transjakarta bus shelter '€” Kedai Pendaki is open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Although it only set up shop in August last year, it has gained popularity in no time.

Riky Kosner Sirait, 32, the owner of the kedai, initially ran a stall on a pedestrian walkway in another location, but he was forced to leave by the local authorities. He later opened a kedai with a similar concept at the current location, which now serves as the base camp of Mata Angin, an outdoor adventure organization, and a small outdoor-gear shop.

Through networking and the power of word-of-mouth marketing, information on this new coffee shop circulated quickly among extreme- sports enthusiasts. Mountain climbers, cavers and divers found a perfect place to arrange trips, meet with fellow travelers or simply hang out with people who share their passions. Sometimes, mountain climbers from outside the capital drop by the coffee shop before continuing their journey.

'€œIt has always been my dream to run a place where people like me can hang out and discuss our hobbies. I like hanging out with mountain climbers because they generally have cool ideas and perspectives,'€ Riky told The Jakarta Post recently.

At first glance, the coffee shop looks just like any other street stall, but it actually offers something different, judging from the menu.

'€œI have coffee from regions that I have been to and whose mountains I have hiked. I named the coffee after the mountain in the area; for example Rantemario Coffee is actually a Toraja coffee [from South Sulawesi], Mahameru Coffee originally came from Jember [East Java] and so on,'€ Riky explained.

He added that introducing local coffee beans to a wider audience was one of his passions.

In addition to various kinds of coffee, Kedai Pendaki offers light meals on the menu with names such magma spicy fried noodles and mattress banana (banana in pastry).

Zen Widjanaka, 27, a member of the Kopdar Jakarta community, is among the outdoor adventure enthusiasts who love to start their trips at the coffee shop.

'€œMy friends and are from the Kopdar Jakarta and Info Pendaki communities, and we'€™re planning a trip to Mount Papandayan later this month. It just feels right to discuss it here because this place is mountain-climber-friendly,'€ Zen said with a chuckle, adding that he hung out at least twice a week at Kedai Pendaki.

'€œIt is also a perfect meeting point to start journeys because it is located not far from Kampung Rambutan and Pulogadung bus terminals.'€

Fajar Sidik, 25, a patron who was arranging a trip to Mount Mer-babu in Central Java in April, said he planned to gather 25 mountain climbers for the open trip, publicizing it at the kedai.

Mata Angin member Samuel Komeng said the community used the popularity of the place to promote their hobby.

'€œMountaineering has become more popular in the country over the past few years, thanks to the movie 5 cm,'€ he said, referring to an Indonesian movie about six friends who together climb Mount Semeru in East Java, which is the highest peak on Java.

However, he lamented that such popularity also had a downside, as many youngsters followed the trend without fully understanding safety procedures or the '€œdo'€s and '€œdon'€™t'€s of mountain climbing.

'€œSo we use this forum to educate newbies; we also have a notice board where everybody can post relevant information,'€ Samuel said.

Mata Angin also hosts regular search and rescue training and basic safety procedure courses as a way of improving safety awareness among extreme sports enthusiasts. It also holds joint wall-climbing practices, which are open to the public.

Riky, meanwhile, said he hoped his kedai would inspire youngsters in the capital.

'€œInstead of aimlessly hanging out at a convenience store, youngsters should follow their passion and start their own community,'€ he said.

Although he realizes that his shop may become even more popular, Riky pledged that he would not expand the business. '€œI want to keep it as humble as it is now,'€ he said.