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.

(c) Victor Joel Ayson. Taken during our three-man Mt. Batulao traverse January 2013.

Yep, that's me succumbing to lowly cramps. I had the most excruciating cramps in both of my thighs during our Mt. Batulao 6-hour long traverse. The heat, full pack and steep slopes sapped all the strength of my legs (just shows how sissy I am). Anyway, Biki's enthusiasm was so contagious that I was able to finish the climb, which I have no choice either way. And he dropped this one on me: "Next time, sa mga climb ko, magseserve na ko ng saging." ('Lul. Wala ka naman dalang saging nung next climb e. hahaha!)

#2. His camera bag is like Doraemon's pocket.

One thing he never leaves without is his camera bag. Being a badass photographer that he is, he has these lenses, external flash and what-have-you. The most puzzling thing is that, how the heck does it all fit in that camera bag? Which I had an opportunity to find the answer myself. During the Mt. Batulao climb I mentioned in #1, he let me use his Samyang Fisheye lens. I said: "Pare, pahiram saglit nung fish eye", which he then replied "andun sa bag, kunin mo nalang" (since he was cooking our breakfast that time). When I reached in, it was just like Doreamon's pocket of endless possibilities. hahaha! I had to fumble my way through its contents just to find the lens I am looking for.

Biki (in red) with his epic camera bag.

Shot I made using Biki's Fisheye lens. Cool, isn't it?

#3. Courageous young man.

During our March 23 Mt. Maculot dayhike (a week before he went missing), one member of our team (during our buwis buhay photo-ops at the Rockies), asked him: "Kuya hindi kaya ng normal na tao yung ginagawa mo" at which, Biki wittingly replied, "Hindi a. Kaya naman. Nauunahan lang ng takot." I was pertaining to this shot:

(c) Victor Joel Ayson. Our groupshot at the Rockies.

Because of his badassery constantly pushing us to face our fears and do this buwis buhay shot (to get it over with because we'll miss the sun's natural lighting), we were able to do it anyway. Here's an idea on what the rockies look like:

 

See those people over there? That's where we posed for the shot.

When we were cowering in fear, he always assures that everything will be fine. At the end, we all savoured the picturesque buwis buhay shot he took and made it our profile pic in facebook (and took some 'likes' with it). What he taught us during this instance is that some fears are just there, fleeting inside you. But when you muster the courage to face it, it is just an unfounded, empty fear. This is one of Biki's pang-fb-profile-pic-mo-pre shot:

(c) Victor Joel Ayson. If it were just me, there's no way in hell I'll pose here. Heights scare the sh*t out of me. I did it anyway, thanks bro.

Let's not speculate anything surrounding the fate that befell upon Victor. Wether or not doing solo climbs is a bad idea, we can never really tell. Anything we do has risks in it, like mountaineering or even just sitting comfortably at home watching TV. We must understand that we all have due dates, it just so happen that his just came, and we were dumbfounded. But we all know that he lived his life to the fullest, and he did what he loved the most. Let's just leave it at that. He has inspired us in one way or another, and it is best to keep this inspiration alive. Currently reading this book, and I'll just leave this quote here:

The Unwanted Visitor visits those who don't change and those who do. But those who did change can say: "My life is an interesting one. I did not squander my blessing." And those who believe that adventures are dangerous, I say, try routine; that kills you far more quickly. - The Copt (Manuscript Found in Accra, Paulo Coelho)

Biki in action.

Rest well, Biki boy. 'Til we meet again.