Why do I climb mountains?

Perhaps the most common question from a lot of people – is. “Bakit ka umaakyat?” o “Bakit ka ba akyat ng akyat ng bundok?”

– BAKIT NGA BA?

Once again I asked myself “Why do I climb (mountain)? Let me answer this question.

For me staying inside the 4 walls of our house or my apartment is boring.  It may be more relaxing at home but I also feel the same in the mountains. Before, all I want was adventurewhich I found in mountain climbing. Since then, all I want is just to climb. I found hiking pleasurable even though it made me exhausted.

Then, I enjoy climbing with companions and group. Every moment with them was remarkable and it was a great experience to share with. However, I enjoy solo climbs more than group climbs. I climb because I want to witness the grand view which is not seen in the lowlands. –More than the views, I like the challenges of a mountain’s trail. I climb because I love the chillytemperatures. I climb because I want to meet other mountaineers. I climb because I want to do trail running and day hikes and multiple hikes in a day. I climb because of abundant floraand fauna of the mountain. I climb to meet the locals. I climb because of the cultures and traditions of different locations. I climb because I want to go to different places.

Timbak - Pulag Duo Day hike

Mt. Timbak traverse to Mt. Pulag (akiki jump off) Day Hike

Trail: KM. 55 traverse to Kabayan Central - Akiki Jump Off

Moving time and Da(ys): 5 Hours and 20 Minutes | 1 Day

July 7 2012

One month ago, I’ve successfully completed the 38KM. solo traverse from Mt. Timbak to Mt. Pulag. For the second time around, I guided few hikers in the same route. It is their first time in both mountains. The first day was a short hike from KM. 55 Halsema Highway Atok, Beguet to Ma’am Josie’s house. Then, we took a long break before we proceeded in the Mini Calvary / Mt. Timbak Summit. 


Going down to Kabayan Central, Benguet was a hurtful and knee breaking experience for all of us. Sir Ric and Sir Mike visited the Timbak Mummies, but then again, I didn’t visit the Timbac Cave. It was a clear, cool day and from afar Mt. Pulag is waiting for us. We also visited the Tinongchol Cave. We took our lunch+dinner at Kabayan Central. We were being late based on our itinerary but it looks just right because we still have a long

Mt. Makiling Traverse Day hike | Feast Day

Mt. Makiling Traverse Day hike

Trail: Sto. Tomas, Batangas – UP Los Banoz, Laguna

Moving time and Day(s): 5 hours and 50 minutes | 1 day

June 30, 2012

Sometimes, great hike doesn’t need to be well planned. There are only few things one must consider: time of departure and arrival, purpose, trail and the environment of the mountain. Sir Peter, Sir Francis and I agreed to hike Mt. Makiling in a day and the decision was made in just 2 days before the climb. Both of them are eager to do Makiling traverse in a day. For me, it was a great opportunity to accomplish MakTrav Day hike.

We took our breakfast in Sto. Tomas Market and bought some supplies. Then, we headed to Brgy San Bartolome to start our dayhike. My first climbed in Makiling was three years ago (2009) via the same trail but the jump off was in Brgy. San Miguel. In San Bartolome, the trail is more established than in San Miguel. The trail of the first leg assault is between two fences. We encountered two gentlemen from nowhere (you know what I’m talking about) and they were nice. The grass is dense and taller than me.