Mountain Climbing

Written : March 07, 2013    

      Looking at the mountains from afar, one can hardly grasp a being can step on the peak of God’s huge pound of soil. But some are courageous enough to do so…. Eradicating the fear of snakes and other undomesticated animals in the middle of forest’s wilderness, the fright of treading the steeply trail when one wrong move can turn you into a corpse falling down the foot of the mountain.  And so not all people enjoy doing the trek.

    Mountain climbing can be modified either as an extreme sport as others percept it to, or a  simple exhilarating hobby that offers a crucial challenge of strength, endurance and patience. They say it’s a fatal activity that some people just can’t take their foot on a mountain for being a highly dangerous sport.  A lot of dilemmas can be encountered while climbing and I think I already encountered some of them;

Bad weather –  A few years back, 2008, we suddenly considered climbing Mt. Makiling in Laguna.  Although rainy, we still forced fate to give us a few shot at this mountain. Trekking is highly recommended during summer or dry season just so to eliminate a possible fall due to slick status of loam. A few steps before we reached the Mudspring ( Kumukulong Putik), I slipped on an unstable rock in front of me leading me a few steps down and losing control of my position for a few moments. Very lucky me my companion is behind me, enabling him to rescue me right away.  I can never imagine how my life will end if my partner failed to reach my hand just in time. Then again, I won’t be suggesting a solo hike. It can be very risky on your end.

       Getting Lost – While browsing the net on a nearby getaway that of course will make me be closer to nature, Rizal caught my attention specifically the Talim Island and Mt. Tagapo. As I did my research, it is definitely neighboring Manila (an hour drive to Binangonan) and a (30-minute boat to get to the island). I have a separate blog about Mt. Tagapo and the hidden beauty of Talim Island. Fast forward>>>  Climbing Mt. Tagapo requires good instinct because in one portion there will be more than one trail that can be a possible way to get to the summit. Otherwise you’ll spend the whole day going back from where you started and start again and lost 30 or probably an hour or two of your “precious” time. Good thing I still had in my bag the print out of what I researched the day before,  the blog that served as our guide in getting to the summit. Hiking 101: Sometimes, you must pretty know what to bring and foresee how this useful one thing can help you, or even save you! ;)

           Unprepared – Mountain climbing is a sport. It is an outdoor activity which you don’t just get yourself up playing without even training.  Cramps is a very major dilemma in hiking. You have to prepare yourself for a long creepy walk and elevated assaults going up the summit or else you’ll be nursing your aching feet all throughout your supposed fun-climbing day. Worse, you’ll be in a  situation where you’ll be left without a choice but turn around and go home and forget all about steeping into the summit. Core exercise is needed especially your muscles. You can try arms and legs stretching for climbing rocky mountains, also crunches and push-ups. Also recommended are cardiovascular exercises specifically in legs. My partner experienced it already and me as his sole climbing buddy was somehow being affected knowing he’s suffering from cramps instead of enjoying.

           Mountain climbing is an activity where you can raise your physical and mental abilities to the limits. For me, this is one sport where you can encounter different kinds of challenges, sometimes all at one time. Imagine being in a remote area where your parents are not around to tell you what to do in case you get hurt, burned, bruised, got short of your food or drinks and other provisions. In short, how to survive when the only person you can rely on is YOURSELF. Nothing compares to the feeling of being on top of anything, sometimes. It’s a sense of achievement taking aside all your fears just  to finish the climb instead of going home. Though trails were tough where a strong body and mind requires one  individual to reach the summit, it is an heavenly feeling knowing you’ve encountered all remote obstacles. It’s not the mountains that we conquer after all, it’s ourselves…