Love and Mountains

Allan and I met at this "crossroad" called mountain. Here's the story, way back when I was still working.

Well, it was really never my interest to climb mountains. I have always seen myself as a weakling. I don't play any sports. I was all too content with my own environment. Always confined in the safety of my cubicle in the office. I don't go out. Nothing. In short, you can consider my life boring. But I was happy that way.

One day, my officemate invited me to join an invitational climb to Mt. Pinatubo. The invitational climb was conducted by the adventure club of the company where we're working at. At first, I was hesitant to join because, as I said, I have always seen myself as a weakling and never did I imagine myself climbing mountains. But, I contemplated and thought, "why not give it a try?" To make the long story short, yes, I joined the climb. For the first time in my life, I have made a daring move and allowed myself to try an adventure that not so many could do. Mountaineering. And I learned to love it. So, I decided to join the adventure club.

Along this journey, I did not expect that I will meet the man who will change my life forever. Yes, Allan. Now my husband and the father of my adorable son, Trev. 

He was already a mountaineer then and a member of the adventure club. They were the ones who organized the invitational climb that I and my other officemates joined. Although we're employed on the same company, we didn't know each other yet then.

During the orientation of the first training climb, I met Allan again. This time we were already introduced. Fast forward, we got to know each other better and the rest is history. We are now married for two years and we now have a one year old baby. And I've never been much happier. 

I was  also so happy that I have proven myself that I can also conquer my fear and I can also try adventures that I never thought I could do. Thank God I made it. I have joined the other training climbs until I was inducted and now a member of the adventure club. The adventures gave me so many opportunities and new experiences. I have met a lot of people who became very special friends. I am also very thankful to the adventure club members for being so supportive. I couldn't have done it without them. Mountaineering has really made me experience and appreciate nature in a much better way.

I will always treasure that short adventure of my life. Short, because I have already stopped climbing mountains when Allan and I got married then later on got pregnant and now have our adorable son. But, I'm not closing my doors. Who knows, one day we can climb mountains again and maybe, just maybe, we can bring Trev along. Or, maybe not. Hihi! No matter how I love mountains, just imagining my baby doing the same adventure when he grows up makes me nervous. You see, mountaineering is not easy, there's always that little note of danger. Hmm, we'll see. Now I know how my parents and grannies might have felt whenever I climb mountains. Haha!

Anyway, I'd like to show you some collages from our adventures. (Some pictures I got from other members, thanks guys!)

My first invitational climb at Mt. Pinatubo. I really enjoyed this climb, especially because we were so lucky to see the natural beauty of Mt. Pinatubo before it was turned into a park a  year later. (See the first pic in this collage? That's Allan. We don't know each other yet during this climb.)

First Training Climb. This climb is very memorable as this was the climb where I met most of the my wonderful friends. Dinah is one of them. If you're reading this, I miss you big sis! :-)

Just want to share with you guys a short kuwento about this picture above. See that rock behind me in the center pic? Well, that's the same rock on the first pic. Notice there are two people standing on top of the rock. One of those is Allan. Hihi. They climbed that rock. Amazing!

Mt. Balingkilat. This was our second training climb. One of the most technical climbs too. But, amazingly, I loved the technical parts. That's Allan right there with the bamboo sticks. See his backpack? Ang bigat!!

Mt. Ugo was our third training climb. I so love this mountain. Very nice! Lots of pine trees along the trail. The summit is just so amazing! See my backpack? It's BIG and HEAVY! In fact, until now I couldn't imagine how I was able to survive each climb carrying such super heavy backpack. And, I'm so bulilit by the way. Haha!

This was our diagnostic climb. Mt. Napulauan is said to be one of the 10 highest mountains in the Philippines. Most of us considered this as our most difficult and most challenging climb ever. In fact, if ever I go back to mountaineering again,  I wouldn't climb this mountain again. Once is enough for this. LOL! But, in fairness, everything is worth the challenge once you reach the summit. :-)

Our induction climb. Mt. Pulag (or sometimes Mt. Pulog) is the third-highest mountain in the Philippines. It is Luzon’s highest peak at 2,922 meters above sea level. The borders between the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya meet at the mountain's peak. The Akiki trail brought "hell" to my right knee. Until now, I'm still suffering from that injury, even after undergoing 7 therapy sessions. But, that's okay. Akiki trail is such a beautiful trail anyway. And, I'm glad to witness its beauty. :-)

Side note, one of the things that some mountaineers find annoying when climbing mountains are limatiks. According to this site:

Limatiks are small (2 inch long) leeches that silently clings to your boots (or any part of your body) and makes their way to any exposed skin where they begins to suck the blood of their host. The bite however is painless but after sucking the blood, it flows continuously from the victim for about 30 minutes due to an anti-clotting substance it injects when it bits you. Its more of a messy, uncomfortable feeling than pain.

The first time I have ever encountered a limatik was when we climbed Mt. Ugo. Thankfully, I was not bitten. Mt. Napulauan also has lots of limatiks but again, I was able to escape those bloodsuckers. I thought I would be able to get away from them again when we climbed Mt. Pulag, but no! Naisahan ako ng mga limatik na yun! Haha! See that pic above (me wearing pink) where I was showing something near my neck? That was the limatik's bite. Buti isa lang kagat ko. Hahaha!  

Went back to Mt. Pinatubo for the second time. Most of us were sad to see that the crater was turned into a park already. It was most beautiful in its natural form. Sad.

Mt. Batulao. This was our first climb as a couple. :-)

Allan was not able to join this climb. My second time at Mt. Ugo and I was the team leader. Hay. Until now, I couldn't imagine how I was able to manage. You see, being a team leader is not an easy task. You're in charged of the safety of everyone. I'm just thankful I have very supportive co-members, I was able to handle the task.

 So, that's about it. How about you, guys? Share your adventures too! :-)