The distinctive smell of sulfur vapor, did not dampen the steps and intentions of the mighty men earn a fortune. Anyone would have coughed, except the sulfur miner. Morning is ready. The birds chirp. The view of the mountains, the coolness of the air and the blowing of wind and mist adorn the open nature of Mount Welirang, Prigen, Pasuruan, East Java.
Mount Welirang is an active mountain with a crater that always blows smoke and sulfur liquid. This mountain is a mountain complex that forms a row. Among Mount Arjuno, with an altitude of 3399 meters (mdpl), Mount Welirang is 3.156 mdpl.
In the vicinity of two mountains there are Twin Mountain I in 3,051 mdpl, Twin Mountain II at 3112 mdpl, and Mount Ringgit 2.477 mdpl. Mount Welirang can be climbed and various directions such as via Tretes Line and via Lawang Line in Pasuruan District, Purwosari Line, and Cangar Sumbersari Brantas Line.
Here is the story of the life struggle that drains energy. Every day, looks busy in the area of Mount Welirang. Here there is a fortune of natural resources for hundreds of surrounding communities, especially the sulfur miners. Despite the weight, sulfur miners loyal to his work seemed to wrestle with the smoke that smelled piercing.
By wearing masks and makeshift tools, the miners began to walk to the top of Welirang. Overflow of sulfur plastered over the crater of the mountain. They remove the sulfuric yellow-clogged liquid clot. The temperature of the cold air, sometimes reaching 1 degree, makes them occasionally shiver. But, they continue to dig and collect sulfur deposits that come out of the crater holes.
Hole Solfator sulfur producer on Mount Welirang, the number of dozens. Looks like the smoky holes scattered on the hillside dwarf around seventy degrees. With legs wrapped in rubber sandals from used tires, the miners, mostly from the villages of Pecalukan and Jatiarjo, Prigen Sub-district, stood on the edge of the crater without fear of slipping.
"Menawi niki fortune fortune universe. Nek mboten stacked, mubhajir mas ... "said Mr.Badrowi, one of the miners who explain if this is the wind of the universe for the people here. If not taken will be wasted. That is why sulfur mining activities continue to this day.
On the slopes of Mount Welirang, lies a protected forest area, typical of shady, cool and refreshing tropical forests. This area, commonly called the area of the Cabin, is the resting place for miners, before and after taking sulfur from the top of the mountain. The uphill and downhill tracks did not dampen the miners, who could carry around 50-100 kg of load per sulfur transport. It can be imagined, how heavy the load is carried from the top to the sulfur collecting place, which is located at the foot climbing Mount Welirang. "To connect the life mas," said Mr.Sumali, sulfur miners from Pecalukan village who has 8 years of this profession.
The price per kilogram of sulfur is Rp.2000. Not worth the health hazard and the lives of the miners. "To get great mining products, they climb in the early morning, and carry heavy sulfur down a narrow, descending, and steep path," said Mr. Fadholi, a nature lover from Jakarta who was amazed to see the efforts of these sulfur miners.
Mr. Fadholi and his six friends, happened to meet me and the same team who were climbing on Mount Welirang-Arjuno. "We just know, how hard the community here to seek pengahsilan by becoming a sulfur miner," he explained.
A form of hard work, real physically and mentally and lived with sincerity. The sulfur miners of Mount Welirang, as well as the miners of Mount Ijen, show the meaning of a hard work done with all my heart. "Work hard with gratitude for the grace of nature in life though through a hard struggle at risk that can cause death for the sake of the family.
And here are some document photos as I and my team climb Mount Welirang.
