Mountain Climbing 101 #1

Sunrise in Mt. Pulag

After having traversed a number of mountains locally and internationally, I may now be entitled to speak about the basics of mountain climbing. I am writing this article for amateur climbers and perhaps also for the enthusiasts who might have missed some important details in making the climb more meaningful and exciting.
For me, mountains are special meeting places of God and man. From the days of old, God summons His patriarchs and prophets alike to speak with Him on top of the mountain. Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke with His Father in prayer and the encounter occurs on mountain tops. Somehow, every climb and every successful attempt to reach the summit, calls me to a deeper communion with the Creator God.
I believe that the spirituality of divine encounter can be achieved at every attempt to reach the top. An outdoor adventure now becomes a religious experience. Every step of the way towards the peak is a gradual discovery of the marvels of God's love and intervention in our lives.
Here are the basics:

1. PLANNING
This involves a careful selection of sites, the date and days of climb, the difficulty of the climb, the members who will join the expedition, the possible weather condition, logistics and the budget. There should be at least three (3) plans if one or the other fails. Never attempt to climb without any prior plans! We had one experience of this when we scaled Mt. Kanlaon. We don't have any information whatsoever. What we saw was the mountain and we decided to climb it. We just packed and left spontaneously. Yes, we successfully reached the top but the following days, we could barely walk. This brings me to the next prerequisite.

2. PHYSICAL FITNESS
I call it conditioning. This involves rigorous exercise for at least a month before any major climb. One can do jogging, workouts, stair climbing and acclimatization. Let us be reminded that there are no hospitals up there or maybe there's no turning back. Under extreme conditions one must always be physically fit. Many climbers discovered their interest after the first climb because they have prepared themselves physically. A number also promised not to climb again because they have not prepared themselves. Every step of the way became a struggle and a regret.

3. EQUIPMENTS
What discourages one to get involve in mountain climbing is the lack or the absence of right equipment. I would rather say, not so. Once, I climbed with complete gears. I tell you, it was a burden. I am not encouraging complete equipment other than when you are climbing by yourself. In group expeditions, know that the basic equipments are being distributed to all the climbers. This is the beauty of group climbing because there is no room for to-each-his-own, almost everything can be shared and there is always room for everyone. What is important is your personal hygiene kit, dry clothes, sleeping bag, fleece or jacket, trekking shoes, water container. That's all there is to it. Don't tell me you don't have them.

4. PRAY
You are going to climb the mountain of the Lord. Always start the ascent with a prayer, reach the summit with a prayer and end the expedition with a prayer. Expect that there are possible dangers in this kind of activity. It pays to ask for guidance and protection.

5. SET YOUR GOAL
Ain't our goal reaching the summit? Yes, of course! But set your individual goal i.e., before reaching the top I should have already befriended every climber in the expedition; I could have at least noted 10

various flora and fauna specific to the place; I will push myself beyond my limit and prove to myself that I can overcome any difficulties; I will offer this climb to ....; I should have prayed all the mysteries of the rosary; and so much more. Yes, we want to reach the top but if we have proven to ourselves that we can do more than that, how meaningful your climb would be.

6. WATCH YOUR STEP
Literally, watch your step. I have proven this many times. When you watch

where you are stepping, you will have a greater stamina to ascend continuously without catching your breath. When you set your eyes on the never-ending slope above you, you will tire easily and you tend to halt more often than not. Perhaps, this is psychological.

7. FIRST TEN MINUTES
The first 10 minutes of a 45degree assault is the most difficult climb. Don't you worry. It's normal. Our body has not adapted yet to the terrain and the intensity of the physical activity. Once our muscles get the hang of it, then the rest of the climb is just going to be a piece-of-cake.

8. GET A PORTER
There's a price to convenience. We call that PORTER. One can hire them before every major climb. They are usually locals who benefit from the job of carrying your back packs and equipments for you. Now, you can conveniently walk-in-the-park the whole course of the expedition.

9. KEEP DRY AND WARM
In extremely low temperature during the night and on top of the summit, your mortal enemy is being wet. Not to mention that weather is very unpredictable in the mountains. When it rains, it pours. When you get wet, you can easily suffer from hypothermia. Make sure you have thermals, water-proofing capabilities, hot drinks, and zip locks.

10. RESPECT
Respect Nature, Respect the Locals and Respect each climber. This means that we avoid obstructing the normal course of nature by keeping our trash, not uprooting the vegetation, not disturbing the locals, being courteous to the locals, and most of all respecting the personal space and the much needed rest of your fellow climbers. In this moment of expedition, you (group) are the world. Your behavior and attitude greatly reflects the way you deal with the world. Make this moment a re-learning experience.