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head of Independence Day, which falls on Friday, hikers are preparing to take to the mountains to conduct a flag-hoisting ceremonies, a long-held tradition among mountaineering communities.

According to the head of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS), John Kennedie, the average number of people registered to hike Mount Semeru, the tallest volcano in Java, from Aug. 15 to 17 had met its maximum quota of 600 per day. “As for Tuesday, the number of people registered is 432, and 592 people for Saturday,” said John, adding up to the total amount of 2,000 hikers registered with the national park management.

In light of the change of statuses of certain volcanoes in Indonesia, Kasbani, the head of the geology department with the Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG), advised hikers who plan to conduct the flag-raising ceremony at volcanoes on Friday to constantly heed the advice recommended by the PVMBG.

“Even at the [volcano] area where the status is normal, the hikers are advised not to stay at the craters for too long. They are also advised to not stay overnight at the craters due to the potential of [poisonous] gas emitted from the craters,” Kasbani said in Bandung on Monday.

There are at least 127 active volcanoes in Indonesia, and the PVMBG has upgraded certain mountains’ statuses following increasing volcanic activity. Active volcanoes are observed and have their status determined according to four levels, starting from normal (level I), advisory (level II), watch (level III) and warning (level IV). Every time the status is determined, the PVMBG announces recommendations regarding safe and dangerous zones around the volcano area.

Currently, the status of Mt. Rinjani in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, which was just struck by a powerful earthquake, is still at level II. However, citizens and hikers are advised not to conduct any activities or camp within a radius of 1.5 kilometers from Mt. Barujari within the Mt. Rinjani compound.

“The current condition at Mt. Rinjani is dangerous as there are many fissure vents and landslides at the upper area of the mountain. Not to mention tremors from the aftershocks that might trigger landslides. Therefore, people are prohibited from hiking until further evaluation,” Kasbani said.

Kasbani also advised hikers intending to hike Mt. Merapi in Yogyakarta to constantly follow the recommendations from the PVMBG, as “the danger zone is around 3 km from the crater since there is a potential of eruption and poisonous gas that could be emitted anytime”.

Similar conditions apply for volcanoes with level I status, such as Mt. Ijen. “Hikers are advised not to stay there overnight due to volcanic gas that might be emitted at nighttime or during overcast days. Even though the status of the volcano is normal, poisonous gas might be emitted, which might accumulate on the ground,” he said.

Faudzil Irfan, the spokesman of Mountain and Jungle Explorers’ Association (Wanadri), emphasized that the safety principles of hiking a mountain remained the same regardless the purposes.

“Any activities [involving mountain hikes] need maximum preparation as well as obeying the rules,” Faudzil said on Tuesday, adding that preparations involve the physical ability of hikers, required logistics, sufficient food and availability of medicine.

“Being a nature lover doesn’t preclude the need for physical readiness. Even hikers who are already familiar with the conditions should still bring essential equipment such as a map and a compass,” he said.

Hikers should also constantly follow the rules that apply at the hiking site, such as reporting to the post or national park officer and hiking only up to a determined area.

“The hike is only completely finished when the hikers go back safely to their homes,” he said.