Why we climb

I will not claim to be a pro mountaineer, I am just an enthusiast. I haven't even climbed many mountains yet, in fact I have just climbed 4 mountains as of writing: Mt. Pulag (2009 and 2012) in Kabayan, Benguet, Mt. Maculot (2010 and 2013) in Cuenca, Batangas, Mt. Batulao (2013) in Nasugbu, Batangas and Mt. Romelo (2013) in Sinoloan, Laguna. What brought me to this kind of hobby? I guess it is just an offshoot of my days as a Boy Scout in high school, and an inextiguishable urge to go outdoors. Who brought me to this kind of hobby? These people:

Our six-man team at the summit of Mt. Pulag November 2009

My first ever considered climb (if you exclude the countless trekking we had in Boy Scout to earn merit badges) is at Mt. Pulag in 2009. Sir Io (left most) and Sir Wek (right most) were my mentors both in and outside of work, they were men of the outdoors. Those four in the middle are first timers who did not know what they are getting themselves into. haha!

People sometimes wonder why we do this. It is risky, sometimes dangerous, and VERY tiring. Why do we subject ourselves to these kinds of conditions just to climb a gargantuan lump of soil, rock, trees, grass and an entire ecosystem? I may not have concrete answers for this yet, but I'll try anyway. 

Why do we climb?

Why exploration is fun

There's just too much that this world has to offer, have you taken the first step to explore the world? If not, then get off your lazy ass and get moving! I haven't been to many places as most of you guys, but here's what I have found out in some places I have been. My personal preferences for places to visit are those exotic ones, our country is a big jungle afterall.

#1. There are interesting people to meet.

Sometimes people tend to shy away from travelling or exploring, mainly due to the fear of uncertainty, unfamiliar places and people. We tend to stick to our comfort zones, it IS comfortable after all. But in sticking to what's comfortable, we are missing a LOT of things.

Tribute to Victor Joel Ayson

However disheartening the news about finding out about our friend and fellow mountaineer's fate in Mt. Maculot, I think it is not right to sulk in sadness (which, being the badass that he is, would not want to see us so gloomy and sad). Actually, I would not claim that I know him very much because I just met him just last year in Backpackers United Mt. Pulag Christmas climb. But you know, mountaineers has this sacred bond, the love of mountains makes us all siblings. I had the priviledge to accompany him in his budding climb group, the Snapshot Adventures by the Adventureman, which he offers its participants instant copies of epic photos he shot right after the climb. He carries a laptop with him to do this, that's right, a laptop. Along with his heavy-ass gears. Truly badass. Now, to celebrate Biki's badassness, here's some things I knew and learned  from him.

#1. No room for negativities.

"You can complain all you want, but don't you spread any negativities. This will lower the group's morale." This is mainly the idea of his disclaimers during climbs, especially if there are newbies around. He may be cocky sometimes (considering his climbing resume), but he will never leave anyone behind.

Reasons why I like taking photos of landscapes and sceneries:

#1. They are simply breath-taking.

You see, seeing beautiful things works wonders. It clears your mind and leaves you speechless, sometimes all you can say is "wow". In my case, there's just no fitting way to admire their awesomeness but to insert some expletives like "T*ngina ang ganda!" (So f*cking beautiful!) to emphasize its beauty. This is true both for sceneries and people. If you know what I mean. hahaha

Just.Look.At.That.

In this world where we are so caught up worrying about many things, jobs, personal problems, horrible clients, assholes, and even financial problems, it is vital to stop thinking once in a while and just admire these wonders. I like taking these pictures simply as a reminder that they do exist, and most of the times, they're not that far as you have imagined. Well, conservation is another thing.