Windianeke Jelitamara
From Blueprints to Summits:
Finding Balance in Mountain Climbing
"Hi there! My name is Windianeke Jelitamara, but everyone calls me Ane. I currently work as an Architectural Drafter at Shirvano. I joined Shirvano as a full-timer since early June 2023, after completing a 6-month internship."
As a balance between work and recreation, Ane has her own reasons for choosing mountain hiking as her hobby. She believes that mountain hiking offers various benefits and invaluable experiences.
A Journey of Exploration and Growth
"Among many places I've visited, the views of hills and mountains are some of my favorites. Initially just frequenting mountainous areas sparked my interest in mountain climbing."
Starting in 2019, Ane experienced her first real mountain climbing adventure at Mount Andong, which stands at 1,726 meters above sea level, with her college friends. This mountain is considered suitable for beginners due to its relatively low altitude. Despite being a beginner, Ane continued her journey to explore other climbing routes to Bukit Mongkrang and Mount Merbabu.
The trek to Mount Merbabu was the most memorable experience as it was done at night and Ane got lost on the way to camp 3, unable to set up a tent due to the steep terrain. This experience served as a lesson to recognize the importance of personal and group limits, as well as the awareness of when to continue the journey or return to the village.
No Club, No Problem!
Communities can serve as support systems and hobby forums by gathering with friends who share the same interests. Although Ane hasn't joined any hiking clubs yet, she feels fortunate to have met many people with similar interests, including her colleagues at Shirvano.
"Even though I'm not part of a club, I always try to increase my knowledge about proper hiking and safety through sharing sessions from hiking accounts and experiences of professional climbers. When hiking, it feels refreshing and exhilarating. Although it's tiring, it's all worth it when you see the view from the top."
Prepare Your Equipment!
When hiking, there are many pieces of equipment that need to be prepared and adjusted according to the duration of the mountain stay. Here are Ane's various equipment that can also be used as a checklist! Check it out!
Personal Equipment:
- warm clothing (jacket, hat, and gloves)
- hiking boots
- raincoat
- backpack or carrier
- sleeping bag
- sleeping mat
- flashlight
- trekking pole
- medications
- personal hygiene and eating utensils
Group Equipment:
- First Aid Kit
- cooking utensils
- food supplies, and drinking water
- trash bag,
- and a survival kit including a whistle, knife, and lighter.
Top 5 Tips for Beginners
"My tips for fellow beginners who want to hike mountains: first, prepare yourself physically and exercise regularly. Second, invite someone experienced who has climbed the mountain before. Third, expand your knowledge about mountain climbing and its do's and don'ts, and find out about the terrain and routes. Finally, use good equipment and prepare enough logistics."
WFH: Balancing Work Flexibility and Wellness
Although sometimes busy with piled-up work, the WFH policy at Shirvano creates a more relaxed atmosphere as Ane can adjust her working rhythm more flexibly and explore new places to work outside the office.
"While at Shirvano, I feel a great work-life balance. I can exercise with my office friends, and that's one of the advantages for preparing my physical fitness as someone who loves hiking.