So, it was Day 1 (Holy Wednesday). I was feeling anxious, and was soo having doubts! Few days before the climb, I had a very hectic schedule; I was catching sleep on the bus, while waiting for a flight or just getting a nap whenever there was a chance. I was in Subic, Bicol, Manila, then Benguet all in a span of 3days! I was exhausted, for crying out loud! So, may I please just go back? Of course, I didn’t! Last minute I realized, I had no sleeping bag, no flashlight, and no backpack cover and not even a knife! But who’s telling?
All dressed to the mountains, from head gears to the shoes, I met the other members of the team. And my gosh, my backpack looked so small, well, I felt so small and alone in front of all those strangers. I was saying a silent prayer, ‘please, please don’t let me turn back’.
We were given each of our individual loads. Aside from the 1¼ kgs of rice in my backpack, I was given a plastic bag filled with vegetables labeled for sinigang to be eaten on a Saturday! That’s the 3rd day! I was so dismayed! But I cannot pout, so I just squeezed all of them in my backpack which was at least 18kgs plus the vegetables.
At breakfast somewhere in Benguet, I remembered I have no eating utensils! Gosh! I have no spoon, no fork, no plate or a tin cup! God! How can I forget those?! I was so embarrassed with myself that I didn't tell anyone. I saw my group mates with their packed lunch. I was in a panic where to put mine. It’s a good thing that one of my group mates said that she’ll have hers in plastic. I followed suit and quietly asked for two extra plastic spoons. Sigh. Relief. Now, I will have to guard the plastic spoons with my dear life. Believe me, the 2nd one survived to the 5th day! Well, the 1st one broke on my first meal in the mountains.
I hurried on top of the bus. I wanted to try top loading in Benguet. It was real fun! It was like life itself! Our driver was the best driver in the world! He only had extra few inches for maneuverings, one wrong move and we all fall to the cliffs. Whew! We passed by several rock formations, and we just had to use a little bit of imagination and I saw a paw, a happy face, a puppy, a gorilla and I even saw Mao Zedong! We saw endless vegetable plantation. Do you know that they use zipline to transport the harvest? Then we saw a bridge that was disconnected from both sides of the road caused by landslide. The road to Kibungan was narrow, dusty, dangerous but it was pure adventure and the scenery was just plain breathtaking. I realized while on top of that bus, life is just how you look at it. Life is beautiful.
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Day 1 was a classic ascent and descent! I was so out of shape, I knew that! But I didn't realize how worse. I felt like crying already on that first day, I looked at the mountaineers and our guides, they all looked so comfortable with their loads. I was not! I thought we were never going to stop. The guide pointed our destination; our camp site for the night was still two peaks away. Sigh.
We crossed several hanging bridges, I lost count how many. We saw and talked to some locals. They were very nice. The kids have the most beautiful smiles. They all look sun-kissed with rosy cheeks. I took pictures; honestly it was just an excuse for me to actually take a break.
At long last, after like an eternity, or maybe just years, I arrived at the camp site. I was the last one to arrive. Hahaha. The tents have been pitched; some were preparing dinner, some look rested already; with fresh clothes on. And I just arrived! Huh! At least I arrived safely! I felt like everyone was looking at me, all 30 pairs of eyes, but I held my head high, though panting. I finished day 1 drained to the bones, but got through with it anyway!! I couldn't be prouder! Thank God!
From Day 2 (Maundy Thursday) and onwards I was feeling all sore, I also got to know some of the ‘trentang baliw’, who all possessed very strong, interesting personalities. They are the people who do not want to live their lives too comfortably and are living their lives while they are still breathing. A bunch of carefree and reckless but happiest and fulfilled people I know.
I survived Day 1, I will survive Day 2 and nothing can stop me!! These words got me going.
Then came the rock face, we had to climb a boulder. I was staring at it jaws dropped! God! How can I? With my backpack and camera bag slung in front of me. Which, by the way was getting heavier and heavier every minute, but never did I, not for one second regret that I brought my camera. I can barely fit my shoes at the small gaps in between that big rock of a dome! The boulder was very steep! But well, I did it, I got scared halfway when I absentmindedly looked down, what the..? One wrong, clumsy step and I’ll be down there! My imagination feasted!
We reached the extremely beautiful clearing, a 360-degree view of all that surrounds us. I uttered a short prayer. I thank the heavens for the gift of life.
I saw a raging bull. It was on leash, but then! It’s scary, it’s like a few inches from our path, I was looking at the rope that looks like it might snap anytime and the bull will just run us through.
The sweeper was with me the whole time, we were having a nice chat, though I bet, he was already annoyed that I kept on stopping and taking photos and checking them then taking some more on the pretense of actually catching my breath. He knew it of course! He was just too polite.
Then we passed a thick rain forest. The ground was moist and I have to be extra careful with my steps, I was telling my knees to ‘please not give up on me. I love you dearly, my knees, and I will treat you with a nice massage when we get back to the cities, but for now just stick with me.’
Past the forest, I heard the others laughing, then at the clearing I saw them swimming at this natural pool with the bluest and clearest water I have ever seen. No one could resist such a cool treat. I crossed the hanging bridge, almost running, took my shoes off and my warmers and plunged into the water. It was freezing cold! But God, it was soo good! We stayed there for like 30 minutes and off we went again, dripping wet I started the ascent and descent for like another 3 agonizing hours. I tried to wear slippers but I kept falling down, so I wore shoes again! I wore 2 pair of socks so it spared me from having blisters.
At the camp on that 2nd night, I was dead.
The days that followed up to the 5th day (Easter) was now a blur. I remember chatting with the Les-eng and Cancanai tribes who prefer to speak English. I remember falling countless times, and dropping on the ground upon reaching the camp, woke up with shoes still on. Just thinking of it now makes me feel tired. I remember that on Good Friday, I was very quiet and cried myself to sleep. I remember the fun of meeting the children of Benguet and Ilocos. And I clearly remember the beauty of it all.
I will never forget the canyons, valleys, plateaus, cinnamon-like mountains, rice terraces and waterfalls that were perfectly scattered everywhere. The majestic boulders and rock face, the mossy forest and the pine forest. The scent of pine trees that cling to us, that distinct scent of the woods and the freshest of air I will always fondly remember. But of course, the sight of rice terraces and actually trekking in them and crossing the huge, swollen, mysterious Amburayan River must never be forgotten.
The climb was long, steep and technical,
but no one was complaining. I tell you, I did not complain, out loud anyway.
The climb was in a beautiful painting, a masterpiece. And I was there.
Credit to the photos from fellow climbers, all watermarked. The rest of the photos are from my camera, taken by yours truly (if I am not in the picture) :)
Special Thanks to Miguel Mapalad of Yabag Mountaineers.
