Showing posts with label first climb. Show all posts
Showing posts with label first climb. Show all posts

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Mount Maculot...Fun and thrilling!


Mount Maculot is located in Brgy Poblacion Cuenca Batangas. We have two or three climbs up there in 2002 simply maybe because the climb as we often call it is always a "fun climb".  Rockies is my favorite spot. The picture tells it so! It was a shot made after we have overcome a cliff and a moving rock. "I AM FREE!!!", a shout I would never forget!  

Mount Maculot climb is our second climbing experience, a month after the first BIG climb at Mt Banahaw. We have now our guide who usually climbs Mt Maculot even on just a day hike. Yes, you can climb Mt Maculot even on a day hike! It was just a two hours trek up the mountain if you will be using the usual trail to the summit. I admit that I am still ill-at-ease at that time coz the fear of what just happened in my first climbing experience still creeps within. But this time, we are prepared!

We have checked our things, I have brought my first ever Montanara red hiking bag. Helen also bought the same bag with gray color. Those first timers, our officemates who had been curious enough to go because of our Mt Banahaw stories, are bringing backpacks. We had a pre-climb meeting and assignments and checklists are also given. I remember almost every essential things that are needed in the climb were mentioned, the tents and how many can it accommodate, the hiking stove, a swiss knife, an extra shirt, sunblock, bottled water at around 2 liters each, canned goods, rice, trail food. It is also my first time to hear about the earth pad and the proper way to put all that in your hiking bag. Purpose: Distributing weight and for comfort and safety. 

It was really a fun climbing experience at Mt Maculot. No stiff rock just slippery trail because of the dry leaves scattered around the trail. We had a great time climbing up especially when I see the reactions and actions of the first timers. What's really fun about our going up is that Janet, who is very consistent in her beauty regimen, wears make up and I think she also brought an umbrella. (",) Well, you know the rest is history! We also had a great time at the summit, stories and many more stories! The view at the top? It is breathtaking! I could really appreciate the beauty it shows! The view of the other mountains, Taal Volcano, the river, the green fields, the birds, the breeze of the wind...and the voices of the people in the summit! Everything is beautiful!

Rockies is one of my Mt Maculot challenge. My first time to go there was not a success because I was overwhelmed by the fear of falling and my feet slipping. All I have to do was to just watch their courage as they go to the most beautiful Rockies spot. After that first fun climb, I regret about it! I failed because I have not tried at all! I then promise myself to at least give it a try and trust that my feet would bring me to the place safely. My second time try, was a success! The picture above was my second try. All along, while I was going on that cliff, while holding my companion's hand, my heart was beating fast and I could almost hear it. After that, all I could do was shouting...I AM FREE!!! I am free because I know I have overcome my fear of heights...I have overcome my fear thoughts...I have overcome my weak myself!

Next...Day Hike at Mt Maculot!
;Des

      


Saturday, April 2, 2011

My First Hiking Experience

My first experience in climbing mountain was in 2001 with my officemates. My former officemate invited me to join her friends who usually go to Mount Banahaw every year during Holy week. It was not an immediate Yes answer for me. In fact, she already invited me twice before and i would always give a “No” answer since i couldn't imagine myself climbing mountain with my so called "petite" physique. Oh! I could almost faint just imagining myself up in the mountain with my fear of heights and going into caves. But something happened in 2001 that made me say yes,  a yes to something I wouldn’t dare to do in my dreams. My purpose: a hurt I need to heal…a search I’m longing to know... a something I could find if I go with my friend and spend the holy week in a different way besides that year I already care less about myself. We’ll I’m just being myself disregarding anybody who cares even my family. Yes, they don’t know where I’m going that holy week.

I started to pack my things with mixed emotions, of excitement and of fear. I have an idea what the place looks like coz I saw Mount Banahaw featured  on TV just before we go on hiking. I felt I really should be going. It’s maybe something I really long to do. We are less than fifteen (15) persons in that climb. They are all in hiking gears except me, Lovelle (my friend who invited me), and Helen (my officemate). We are using an ordinary backpack with shoulder bags. It was also my first time to join in a group whom I met the first time, the first day of the climb! and what so funny about it is Lovelle also met them the first time. (“,) Lovelle’s friend who invited her was not around. We are strangers! Helen almost back out and having a second thought of joining since eventhough they are in hiking gears…most of them really look like “kanto” boys! Are we coming home alive with these people? Are they kind? Will they take care of us? What if they do something bad to us? We are helpless! So many doubts in my mind but that night, that first night of the climb was a turning point in my life. I began to trust people first before I get to know them eventhough they don’t look like one. I trust that Lovelle’s friend is good enough to let us come with them even though he is not around. Then..the journey begins!

Till my next blog…
;Des