An epic hike adventure in Bali to support mental health

Protecting people and the planet is at the heart of PANGEA's mission. Recently, we took this commitment on a special hike across Bali's three volcanic peaks: Mount Abang, Mount Batur, and Mount Agung, to support better mental health access in Bali, where our company is based.

We believe that caring for the planet starts with people. When people feel connected to themselves, their communities, and nature, it strengthens mental well-being and builds resilient communities that protect the Earth. That was the mission though out this hike was about, and through the power of community, raise money to improve mental health access in Bali. 

Into the volcanic heights of Bali: The adventure challenge that called us

As adventurers and protectors of the planet at heart, we felt a deep connection to the mission of Bali Bersama Bisa Mental Health, Indonesia’s first nonprofit mental health facility. Founded in 2020, the facility emerged when a group of marginalized communities came together, united by dissatisfaction with the stigma, lack of resources, facilities and poor state of mental health awareness in Indonesia. Today, they provide life-saving professional services to over 1,000 people each month.

One of their initiatives to raise funds for their infrastructure and staff is the Freedom Summit, which takes three different groups on adventure hikes across Bali.

(1) The Mountain Heroes division—a hike through three volcanic peaks (Mount Agung, Mount Abang, and Mount Batur) in three days
(2) The Mountain Explorers division—navigates the rugged trails of Mount Abang and Batur
(3) The Base Camp Heroes—provides logistical support with an optional hike of Mount Batur. 

As for PANGEA, we took on the Mountain Heroes challenge, aiming to hike three volcanic mountains in three days to raise 1 billion Indonesian rupiahs for mental health facilities in Desa Ban. It was a chance to show that regenerating our planet can begin with mental health access. 

Day 1: Climbing Mount Abang 

After a day's delay due to fires on Mount Agung, we finally set off. As the sun went down, we gathered at base camp, sharing stories, snacks, and encouragement with each other. We started our climb up Mount Abang in the cold early morning.

The trail was steep and dusty, and in some places, we used ropes to help pull ourselves up. As the sun rose, the heat increased, making the air feel thick and heavy. But the amazing views along the way kept us motivated. By midday, we reached the top—tired, sore, and blistered, but with a strong sense of accomplishment from the climb.

Day 2: Climbing up Mount Batur

Our second night of camping was spent under a sky brimming with stars and a bright moon. Bonfires lit up the campsite, creating a warm, lively ambiance. There was even some spontaneous dancing that perfectly matched the mood. The meals were simple yet unforgettable: eggs and corn cooked over volcanic heat, reminding us of nature's way of providing.

At dawn, we set out on our second hike up Mount Batur. The climb was very challenging, testing both our physical strength and mental grit. As tiredness crept in, we knew it was time to take a break—a reminder that pausing is sometimes necessary. Resting gave us the energy to press on. This hike wasn’t just about reaching the summit but about recognizing when to recharge along the way.

Day 3: Mount Agung 

The final day carried a unique energy—everyone felt the weight of this final stretch. It was both a mental and physical challenge, with Mount Agung standing as the toughest part yet. Heavy rain added to the difficulty, drenching campfires and leaving everything slick and muddy.

We began with a two-hour trek to reach the base camp before tackling the climb. After ascending and descending Mount Batur, we pushed on to Agung’s base camp. Unfortunately, one team member had to bow out due to a knee injury—continuing would have been too risky. It was a difficult decision, but safety had to come first, especially since this was the last chance before Agung’s closure in October and November 2024.

Not reaching the summit left a sense of incompleteness, but it also carried an important message: knowing when to press on and when to step back is very important. We are very proud of the journey accomplished so far! 

A new normal: Together for the people and the planet

This hike taught us that to regenerate our planet, we need to build communities that support each other’s well-being. We started as individual hikers and came back as a united group, with a mission protect people's mental health who, in turn, protect our planet. 

The Freedom Summit showed us that when we come together for a cause, whether it’s mental health or protecting the planet, we create a ripple effect of positive change that go far beyond ourselves.

Altogether, we helped raise one billion Rupiah for people's mental health in Indonesia. 

Thank you to all the hikers who sparked change during an incredible hike across Bali’s three biggest mountains.

Ps: If you want to learn about the gear that kept us protected during this one of a kind adventure, check it here:

The 1L water bottle ensured we stayed hydrated.
The jacket kept the rain out without making things too warm.
The backpack had just the right space to carry all you need.