Daring Sports
Love at First Hike
By Janice Baloaloa
Growing up in a province surrounded by mountains, I have always wondered how long it will take one to reach every mountain’s peak.
My enthrallment of mountains started when an officemate, together with some friends, invited me to join a group climb in Pico de Loro, Cavite last January. It was love at first hike! I remembered the thrill surrounding me that time. Climbing the summit was frightening but exhilarating. And after the trip, I got so excited I made a list of more mountains I wanted to climb. The list was so intricate I classified mountains according to their trail class and difficulty. I realized why spend my weekends watching TV shows and movies when I could have fun outdoors and explore the world instead. From then on, I was on a mission – a mission to see the world from up above, one summit at a time.
Overlooking the sea of clouds at Mt. Pulag
To date, I have already conquered ten peaks including Mt. Pulag, Tarak, and Daraitan. My first major climb was Mt. Tapulao in Zambales with a trail comprising of an 18km-walk in a muddy, rocky, and endless terrain going to the zero-visibility summit. We were unable to gaze at the view of the West Philippine Sea because of the thick fog. Fortunately, we witnessed the sea of clouds along the trail as we plunged into the challenge of going down before it went dark. With only chocolate bars to get strength from, we kept on moving despite the numbness on my feet to reach the jump-off.
It is relaxing and gratifying to stand above the clouds, reach every summit and breathe the fresh air, witness how the sun rises and sets, and be awed of God’s wonderful creations just outside our windows. Walking on endless trails is the perfect time to talk to the Creator, reflect on life, and plan for the future. Here, you will meet different kinds of people who share the same passion and realize that your motivation and encouragement are the same.
Somehow, climbing mountains changed my perspective in life. I have learned to be patient and it made me think of other people’s capabilities as well. Physically, my endurance for a long walk improved and my knees no longer tremble especially when I’m on the edge. Slowly, it is curing my fear of heights. Yet, it is also a strenuous activity. Proper exercise including jogging, stretching, and climbing stairs is recommended. It is a fun and exciting physical activity for anyone who would like to stay fit and active while simultaneously traveling to see the world.
For those who would like to try trekking, these mountains are recommended for beginners: Mt. Palay Palay (Pico de Loro) in Cavite, Mt. Maculot in Batangas, and Pamitinan in Rizal, to name a few. For a less populated and less traffic-congested hike, there is the Philex Ridge in Benguet. The trail is relaxing, offers a 360-degree view of the Cordillera Mountains with cows everywhere, and is a perfect place where you will be encouraged to pose for that first mandatory buwis-buhay shot.
Hiking is also budget-friendly. As there are no 5-star hotels, luxurious beach resorts, nor Michelin-starred restaurants in mountains, it’s not heavy on the pocket.
Also, learn to pack light, bring your brightest smile and lots of the usual greetings like ingat, good morning, and enjoy. You will need them when you bump into other groups along the trail. Here, you will learn that ‘malapit na’ actually means another two hours of walking, holding onto roots of trees, and more difficult steep assaults.
Mandatory buwis-buhay shot.
This giant flat rock sitting on the edge of one of the mountains is called The Rock.
It may sound scary at first but it’s absolutely worth the try. And just like me, you might actually become a new hiking-enthusiast convert. Best of all, you gain new friends. It happens all the time: you climb as strangers and go down as friends, planning what mountain to conquer next.
