I have been a climber since 2007, with each succeeding year topping the previous one when it comes to the destinations that I have been. In the year 2008, I have observed some friends who shamelessly utilized airfare sale like there’s no tomorrow. And I envied their 2009 cheap escapades. With healthy envy in my heart, I promised to myself that I will also do the same in the coming year…and that was 2010.
I don’t know if I overdid it, but it felt like my travels drained me of my much needed resources, in exchange for that cheap thrills, and geography lessons in life. I have to admit that before the year 2007, I really sucked at traveling. I was 25 at that time, and never been to places like Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Pampanga, Bicol region and Baguio, of which most of the normal people at my age would already have been to. In addition to that, I have no idea where in Visayas Cebu is, nor the proximity of the Panay and Negros Islands to each other. Nor what are the provinces in Mindanao, except that for sure Davao is. I never knew the difference between Cagayan de Oro and Cagayan Valley. Now, with thousands of pesos expended, I knew better.
I don’t know if I overdid it, but it felt like my travels drained me of my much needed resources, in exchange for that cheap thrills, and geography lessons in life. I have to admit that before the year 2007, I really sucked at traveling. I was 25 at that time, and never been to places like Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Pampanga, Bicol region and Baguio, of which most of the normal people at my age would already have been to. In addition to that, I have no idea where in Visayas Cebu is, nor the proximity of the Panay and Negros Islands to each other. Nor what are the provinces in Mindanao, except that for sure Davao is. I never knew the difference between Cagayan de Oro and Cagayan Valley. Now, with thousands of pesos expended, I knew better.
Start the Year Right
To kick off my year in mountaineering, I did a 5-man dayhike of Tarak Ridge rising @ 1130+masl as training for my February double major climb. This is a shoulder ridge of the Mariveles Mountain Range in Bataan. It gained fame more than Mt. Mariveles itself since it is accesible, the famous Papaya River is along the way, and the view above is very majestic as characteristic of an open trail. (January 2010)
Valentines Day Climb
Almost two years and 40 mountains later, I decided to set my foot again to the mountain that had been my first. And this time… on Valentines Day. While some friends are celebrating the hot air balloons on flight in Clark, Pampanga, I decided to do a solo trek with the towering 706masl pride of Cuenca Batangas that was Mt. Maculot. It was nice to be reunited with the mountain that introduced me to the awe that was the outdoors. (February 2010)
.... dumilim! That was the joke part of my climb as I was struggling to hike the Philippine's 5th highest mountain. Amazingly, though the altitude does not differ that much, the sister mountain Mt. Dulang dulang nestles a lush golden mossy forest while Mt. Kitanglad is home to green bonsai trees. The summit is the site for communication towers, since it is the highest place in the whole of Bukidnon (before Mt. Dulang dulang was discovered).
Top 5... finally!
This marks the completion of my conquest of the Philippines' 5 highest mountains. That climb was concluded as the climb of my career, the double major traverse of Mt. Kitanglad to Mt. Dulang-dulang via Inablayan ridge, before I experienced Mt. Kalatungan and its traverse to Mt. Macaupao. But for sure this is included in my top climbs for the year 2010. (February 2010)
Almost there!
Was my thought when we were struck by misfortune in the form of bee stings that my climb buddy got as he was chased by a swarm of those stingers. We were happily descending, congratulating ourselves for Mt. Pantingan conquest, when my friend encountered a swarm of bees flying by... just 2 hours away from the jumpoff. Just the worst of luck. Nevertheless, this is one of my achievement for the year, having climbed the mountain that was part of my "unfinished business" climb bucketlist for the previous year 2009. That climb buddy was well and kicking and was climbing again a week after. (March 2010)
Sleeping Beauty
Better known as Mt. Patukan to the mountaineering world, this sleeping beauty lies and nurses the village of Lubo, Tanudan. The mountain was called as such because when viewed from afar, it resembled the female form reclining on her side. (March-April 2010)
Burnt trees were everywhere, as became the trademark of every forests during summer.
I have no plans to go back to this mountain for the forth time in a matter of a year, but a climb buddy managed to persuade me to be his guide. I first climbed Mt. Balagbag back in May 2009, and it introduced me to the wonderful sights of the Sierra Madre mountain range. (April 2010)
To the Morning and Beyond
My idea of a fun climb includes Gulugod Baboy as an option. With low elevation trek and a beach sidetrip afterwards, one would not go wrong in choosing this mountain as a fun hike destination.
Together with a group of new-found friends, we confidently did a night trek, and safely arrived at the campsite at around 12mn. After pitching our tents, we proceeded with the drinking spree which lasted from midnight to early morning. Conversations were about almost anything under the stars. (April 2010)
Limatik or blood leech has never been a favorite. This hinders me from climbing several desired destinations like Mt. Natib, and when a chance to climb what was referred to as the “limatik country” during summer, I never passed on the chance. Limatiks are scarce this time of the year, and I was glad I never encountered any. (May 2010)
... to be continued
To correct myself, Mt. Kitanglad is the 4th highest, not the 5th. I cannot edit the post, sadly. It wouldn't let me republish.
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