The forest seemed to hold its breath, dense whispers of wind curling through leaves that knew secrets of rough paths and quiet waters. For more than three weeks in the slow passing of sunrises and dusks, a young trailblazer’s name lingered in the crisp mountain air — a hope that danced on the edge of shadow and light. But on a morning touched with a stillness only nature can compose, that hope was carried back down the slopes by those who would not relent.

Yasid Ahmad Firdaus, 26, set out to climb Bukit Mongkrang on January 18, 2026, bearing the exhilaration of each step and the ancient promise of adventure. He began his ascent through a maze of rocky ridges and verdant contours, accompanied by three friends who later reached camp unscathed. Yet Yasid did not return with them, his path obscured like a tale half-told, leaving his loved ones and search teams grasping for traces of his footsteps.

As days lengthened into more than three weeks, rescue teams from Basarnas, BPBD Karanganyar, local volunteers, and close-knit groups of climbers combed the underbrush and ridgelines, ears tuned to every rustle and call. The official SAR (Search and Rescue) operation ran its course, guided by wind and terrain, and despite the determination of hundreds, it concluded without sighting him. Still, some volunteers continued beyond timelines and protocols, driven by a collective heartbeat to find him.

Then, on the morning of February 10, in the shaded embrace of Bukit Mitis’s riverbed — down from the beaten routes and into a quiet waterway that winds like a silver thread through the wild — Yasid’s journey reached its end. Relawan gabungan (combined volunteers) discovered his body near a small stream. His clothing remained familiar, his identity confirmed by those who knew him.

There were no sudden triumphs, no dramatic rescues; rather, there was a hushed acknowledgment among those who had walked the trails with him — that even in loss, community had woven its strength into the hillside. Local authorities were informed, and his loved ones were notified as the first light of dawn unveiled the morning sky.

Efforts to bring Yasid down from the rugged ground were undertaken with careful precision, mindful of both the terrain’s challenges and the dignity owed to a life cherished. Officials prepared the necessary steps to honor him with the respect of tradition and family wishes.

While the mountains stand unmoved by passing days, those who knew Yasid feel the echo of every moment he breathed adventure into the landscape. Bukit Mongkrang returns to its quiet watch over the land, its trails bearing a story of courage, hope, and the solemn compassion of those whose paths cross and sometimes diverge into memory.

AI Image Disclaimer (rotated) Illustrations were produced with AI and serve as conceptual depictions.

Sources Identified (5 mainstream outlets):

MetroTV News CNN Indonesia Detik News Antara News Liputan6.com