One day, my friend invited me to join a group event. I asked what was it, she said it was an event organized by a group of hikers. Mountains. I have a fear of heights but I have always wanted to experience climbing a mountain. I wonder what's it like to be on top of it ~ what would be the view like? So setting my fear aside I grabbed the opportunity and signed in.
A night before the event, I can't get a sleep. More than the fear, I was excited of my first hiking experience. I was mentally checking and re-checking if I brought all the things needed for the hike.
One fine day. We were blessed with a good weather. So I took it as a good sign that I was right with my decision to sign up.
As I have said, it was my first time so I brought everything that was listed on the things to bring. I was carrying a slightly heavy backpack. Good idea? We'll know later.
We were a mixed group of 20 people. We came from different places, different age bracket and different levels of experience on hiking. There were regular hikers, occasional hikers and first timers (like me). First timers outnumbered the experienced hikers and majority of us belong to the younger ones (college students). So it was a big responsibilty for the senior hikers to look after the first timers. We didn't get a guide since some of us have already been there and knows the trail.
Before we went to the trail head, we briefly introduced ourselves. I was observing my group especially the newbies like me by what they say about them and how they act. What were their intentions on signing up? What were their goals? Will they get to the summit? Will they quit halfway? Will we get back in time? And a lot more questions in my head that I didn't voice out.
Of course we prayed for guidance and safety too.
The first mountaineering term I learned. Sweeper
someone who is assigned at the rear end of the climbing party. His/Her task is to make sure no one gets left behind, he/she calls out to the hike leader to slow down or stop if needed and he/she motivates the strugglers during hike.
The hike leader who was our event coordinator assigned one of the regular hikers as sweeper.
Mt. Pico de Loro - beginners hike. This was all I know when I signed in. The beginning of the hike was easy. I smoothly passed through the trail without difficulty. A few minutes later, someone asked for a break. As much as I wanted to keep on moving, I have to stay and take a break with the group. Every so often we take a 5-minute break. On our way to the summit, I observed that whenever we cross paths with other hikers, we exchange hello's or good mornings or nod at each other. I asked why do we do that? Someone answered that it's a way of knowing if the people we meet are real people and not just a hallucination. I got scared a bit. I am not a fan of horror stories. Up to this day, I still don't know if that was the real reason. How about you? Do you know why?
We were hiking for about 2 hours already. And it was getting harder to climb. I was carrying a heavy backpack which I regret why I'd brought more than I can carry. So I took my 2 liter water and drank almost half of it. It somehow lessen the weight.
On our way to the summit, we took a detour to the nearby waterfalls. The sun was already on it's duty, we were all sweaty and needed some refreshment. Some took a dip in the falls. I was contented with a handfull of water washed over my face. A few minutes later we're back on track.
Then the head hiker said we were already at the foot of the trail to the summit.
We were what?! Foot of the trail?! So apparently we haven't started the hike to the summit yet. And what we've been through - steep, rockies, uneven trail and high boulders- weren't the start of the trail to the summit yet. My legs were already wobbly from the trek! But I still went on. After a series of steep, uneven trails and a lot of stone path in all sizes, the hike leader finally called for a break.
FINALLY! (I cried outloud)
One more step and my legs are gonna give up! I never thought hiking was that hard. It was all cardio! My worst enemy!
Eventhough the trail was getting tough , no one gave up or complained. So who am I to complain when I was more physically fit than others in our team who keep on pushing to get to the summit?
I drew my strength to move on thru my team's perseverance. As we ascent, one member of the team finally asked how long are we there yet, a regular called out "10 minutes".
That 10 minutes got our spirits up. We all (first timers) cheered in unison. The thought that we were almost there and the struggles will be over soon made me push harder in reaching the goal. Ten minutes later, we were still ascending. Wait, what?!
What happened to the 10 minutes? Did we lost track? Did we took a wrong route?
Somebody asked about it again. We got another 10 minutes answer. Ten minutes to what, someone asked. The regular said, 10 minutes to base camp.
Base camp?
That means we're still far away from the summit?? I was already losing my spirit. I was contemplating whether to move up or go back-
go home and sleep.
One by one the team fell apart. Some were already left behind but the sweeper stayed with them. Some took their time climbing up. Some took a rest, trying to regain energies. I was one of the few who kept on moving. I was keeping up with the head hiker together with my friend and a regular.
I CAN DO IT!
The four words I kept repeating in my head during the ascent to the base camp. It became my mantra. My goal was to get at the base camp fast so I can have enough rest while waiting for the rest of the group. I kept pushing and pushing, forgetting about the aching muscles. Dragging myself up just to get to a boulder. Holding tight to a thin bamboo branch or stone or grass or anything I can hold on to just so I won't fall getting up. My body was telling me to stop but my mind says otherwise. We were getting higher and higher. I was literally catching my breath!
Ten more minutes said the regular once again. That moment I wanted to grab her on the neck and stop her from saying those words again. But I didn't.
Then I heard people chatting loudly in a merrily manner. We were indeed nearing base camp. One more step I kept telling myself. Just one more...
I was relieved to see people at the base camp. They made it just like I did. I went straight to the hut and took a rest. While everyone were mingling with the other hikers, I sat alone in one of the benches, reflecting on what I went through. I can't believe I made it to base camp! I was really really on the verge of giving up. Then my friend came up to me and told me I was her motivation to get to the camp. When we left behind the rest of the team, we never took a break. We continually ascend until we got to the base camp. If we had stopped or took a break, it would be my end. I would gladly turn back and give up. I swear I will. Thankfully I was with my friend then and she kept on. She was one of my motivation. It was the other way around.
I can see the summit from where I was seating. I can see the hikers going up there. It was a clear view. No trees. Just plain grassland.
When everyone got in the base camp we were asked if we still wanted to climb the summit or not. Some stayed. I went on. I thought it was easy. I made it to the camp anyway might as well finish it to summit. The trail to the summit was somehow the same from what we went through to the base camp.
Then we got to the one I saw from the base camp. The no trees, no branches nor stones trail. It was steep! It was all grasses. I tried to look behind and I got dizzy! We were so high! I was face palmed with my fear. One wrong move and you'll go all the way down to I don't know where. I can already hear my heartbeat that moment. How do I get to the summit? I was sweating. How can I reach the summit? Not even a rope that could help me go up was nothing in sight. It was pure strength and determination to get to the top.
I said to myself, I CAN'T. I can still go back, sit and just watch the others go up. I gave up. Just the thought of climbing it make my legs turn into jelly.
I took one step forward, I slid back. I tried it over again and got the same results. I was losing my sense of balance. I did try but that was it. I can never get to the summit. I turned my back around-back to trail to base camp.
Suddenly a group of elderly women emerged.
Elderly women in hiking get up! They were on their way up to the summit. I wanted to say hi or hello or good morning to test if they were real or they were my hallucination. But I can't make my lips move a bit. I was astounded at the sight of them. I stayed and watched them go up.
I was ashamed of myself! I, who is way younger than them and more physically fit than them relinquish my goal of reaching the summit due to my fear while the elder never seem to be bothered by the heights.
I told myself: If they can do it, why can't I? So I grabbed a grass, pushed myself up and crawl to the top of the mountain. Yes I crawled!haha. I slid down a couple of times. But I never gave up. I tried and tried until I made it to the top.
AT LAST! I MADE IT!.
I made it to the summit of Mt. Pico de Loro.
I sat down immediately as my entire body was shaking from the ascent. I was still gasping for air. It's true, the view from the top was amazing! After six hours, 2 liters of water, a lot of strength and perseverance, I finally made it to the summit.
Thank you also to the elderly. If not without them, I'd just be at the base camp watching over the hikers. I learned from one of them that their oldest was 60 years old! I thought to myself, when I get old, will I do the same as they did? Will I have the strength to go thru that trail again?
Then someone pointed me to a monolith not far from where we were seating. I saw people going to that direction. I asked if we're also going there. He said it's optional. Thank God! It looks harder to climb than the summit. So I passed. The summit was all I can take.
Getting back to the registration area became bearable. We arrived there hours less than we took going up. We did not go down as a team. Some of us went down early and some stayed a little longer.
While waiting for the rest of the group, we roam around the area and look for something to buy as a remembrance of our first hike. By the time we went back, we were expecting they were there already. They weren't. Then we got news that they were lost. We panicked! How can they get lost when they have been there already? It was already getting dark, the guides who tried to find them went back with nothing. We tried to call them but they were out of reach. It's been hours and we still don't have any lead.
They called in the police to help with the manhunt. Thankfully they were found safe.
The head hiker recounted to us how they got lost. They were all engrossed at a conversation that they didn't realize they were already out of track.
All is well that ends well.
On a happy note, here are some take aways from the hiking experience.
On conquering my goliath
You must tell yourself, no matter how hard it is, or how hard it gets, I'm going to make it.
Had I give in to my fear, I would still be wondering what's it like on top of that mountain. But i didn't, even though my whole body was shaking, I kept on moving up.
On pursuing your goal
It doesn't matter how slow you go as long as you don't stop.
It may have took me long hours to get to the summit and some second thoughts, what's important was I pursued my goal. Keep focused and you'll get what you wanted to achieve.
We were all relieved that we went home safe. Did it stop me from hiking? NO.
I did a couple of hikes after, all minors. I think I am not ready yet for my major hike.
So there goes my very very long hiking story.
Here's a few pictures we've seen along the way.
How about you? How was your first hike? I'd love to know yours. 😊