We
were inspired by John Muir, the most quoted mountaineer who said, "Climb
the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into
you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness
into you and the storms their energy, while cares drop off like autumn
leaves."
Then
there was the movie "Seven Years in Tibet" when Heinrich Harrer explained,
"I climb because of absolute simplicity. Your mind is clear, free of all
confusion, you have focus and suddenly, the light becomes sharper, sounds
are richer and you are filled with the deep, powerful presence of life."
We
have our reasons. In my, and other friends' words, we are sharing them
with you . . .
I
climb mountains because it is when I get away from everything that matters
to me, I realize what really matters most to me. And sometimes, what I
thought was important may not be that important at all.
I
climb mountains because when I'm on top of the world and I realize the
enormity of things I haven't yet seen nor heard nor felt nor experienced,
I feel motivated to go on with life and maybe try to live forever.
I
climb mountains because..I don't know. There must be a strand in my DNA
make-up that calls for me to reunite with the basic elements.
Mayan,
a young sales female professional working for one of the largest detergent
companies in the world based in Manila
Why
do I climb?
It is for the feeling.
Like a sauna,
it is a natural and relaxing cleansing sensation. Perspiring endlessly
feels like all the toxins and impurities are flushed out of your body.
As sauna relaxes the
muscles and cleanses the body, it is said to also sharpen the senses and
heighten perception. That is why everything is nice up there.
This is perhaps what Henrich Harrer cited in Seven Years in Tibet on why
he climbs.
They say climbing gives
you a natural high. It can be explained by the release of endorphins,
the body's natural pain killers. The same feeling you get after a
work out, a marathon or an aerobic activity.
All the walking one
does is like going through reflex. Reflex through finger therapy
disperses and melts all the crystals and deposits in the foot producing
an immediate feeling of well-being. Tension and minor pains seem
to disappear. That's what the trail, stones and pebbles
you step on do to the feet and to the body.
No wonder John Muir
said in his most quoted explanation, "all woes disappear." It is true!
That's the technical
part and now for the relating part. Yes climbing does this physically but
only as a preparation for a better relationship with fellow, with nature
and with myself. That is why I enjoy your company at the campsite,
go out of my way to do chores as a cook, a cleaner, guide or sweeper
or even organizing and leading climbs. I appreciate better food,
drinks and socials, acknowledge myself more and most of all understand
my role as a work of my creator.
That is why I climb,
will continue to climb and encourage people to climb.
-CBR,
a weekend climber and a regular major climber.
Bakit?
Iba ang feeling. Parang at peace ka. Hirap ang umpisa pero pagdating sa
tuktok, ang sarap ng pakiramdam. Parang lahat ay game at nasa elements
na hindi mo nakikita sa ibaba. Recharging. Nakalilimot sa stress. Medyo
nagkakabonding. Lahat nagkaisa sa kahirapan. Sarap ng hangin, ang ganda
ng view, kakaiba ang lamig.
Para
rin matuto gumawa ng website at hindi makalimot.
Chito
Razon, a marketing practioneer based in the Philippines
Bakit
nga ba? Pag nararamdaman ko na yung pagod, saka ko iisipin, ano ba ang
ginagawa ko dito, bakit ko pinahihirapan ang sarili ko? Pero oras na maamoy
ko ang sariwang hangin, makita ko ang naggagandahang puno at halaman, mapansin
ko ang mga kakaibang mga hayop/insekto sa gubat at higit sa lahat, pag-nakarating
na ako sa tuktok at nakita ko ang nakakatulalang tanawin, saka ko naiintidan
kung bakit ako bumabalik at bumabalik at bumabalik at buma.............
Mitch
Soria works for a bank handling systems based in Makati Philippines.
Why
not!!!
Everybody's doin it
so why can't I!!!
TJ,
still a student
For
me .... It's savouring some of God's creations.... which are not touched
by man's cruelty to NATURE.
And
of course ... enjoying the company of new FRIENDS
Juno
Moncada, a family man working for a transnational. He was recently
introduced to climbing just a year ago.
Why
do i climb?
It's
because of this :
"
MY WALK WITH GOD "
When
my busy week has ended
to
the mountain i will trop
just
to feel the closeness of him
as
i take my walk with GOD.
Hand
and hand from hill to valley
sweet
the smell of fresh turned sod
sweeter
still my joy and pleasure
as
i take my walk with GOD.
Every
creature pays him homage
trees
and flowers bow and nod
in
the presence of their maker
as
i take my walk with GOD.
Oh
the rapture of this moment
guided
by his staff and rod
lifted
now are all my burdens
as
i take my walk with GOD.
Have
a good CLIMB guys...
Gerald
Muriel, PALMC member working with WHO-HQ in Geneva, Switzerland as computer
specialist.
Bro,
Oh the poet in you, at least now you're doing something instead of just
point blankingly stare at a wall trying to figure out how difficult it
is to answer a seemingly simple question.
Elmer
Cabotaje, a physical fitness person involved in the academe. An officer
of PAL MC
WHY
I CLIMB
For
meditation in higher elevation
and
Isolation from civilization.
Vince
Balagot is into computer hardware and promotes anything with a price
tag.
Why
Climb?
To
listen to the rhythm of nature which has been
drowned
out by the artificial static of society
To
remind myself that Homo sapiens is just one species among
millions
and has no right to claim the world as its own
To
renew my commitment in helping save the Earth with the
blessings
I have been given
To
come face to face with all that will be lost if
I
do not do my part
Wing
Torres, a technical person involved in the production of detergents.
Introduced to climbing just years ago and has been to most mountains in
the Philippines.
Is
Backpacking a Religious Experience?
The trail IS the physical
destination and what I get from it is the spiritual journey that lasts
days or weeks after the trip. For me backpacking is a way to shed the protective
garb of society. I become a moving temple. I get simple and learn to deal
with inner conflicts without constraints. Surprisingly it works, and I
always send a thank you note to my God after all It is mostly his ear that
I bend. Yeah...I guess it is a religous experience. I certainly don't do
it so I can eat freeze dried foods and drink iodine flavoured water!
Ed
Daniels
"Mountains,
nature and wilderness have historically held a special place in the spirituality
of humankind, and religious or not, I hope that modern man can continue
to respect the sanctity of the few remaining special places. For me personally,
the sacredness of wilderness increases exponentially as it becomes more
scarce."
Terry
"Terry Thompson"
Why
do you enjoy the wilderness?
Sheer joy in the beauty
of nature, getting off where I can think and dream, the physical exercise,
the satisfaction of self-reliance, an opportunity for introspection, the
interest in seeing new places closely as only a walker can, the sensual
thrills of good air and cleanliness around me, the excitement of unexpected
events and challenges ... I guess I could go on. There is no single reason.
Stephen
W. Anderson
Going
into the wilderness or wild places is more than recreation. It has more
to do with creation.
John
Holladay
The
experience of being one with nature in your most simplest form could be
one of the reasons why. "May karapatan kang maging baduy" for sometime
that you cannot be really termed as "baduy". Ha-ha-ha! The experience of
pushing yourself to the limits and the glory of conquering yourself is
really something to look forward to each climb. Because, the beauty of
each mountain entices me to climb as many as I want for as long as I can
for every mountain offers a different experience altogether.
Fe
Javier working as Marketing Assistant for Siemens, Inc.
Because
it's there ? ... no to get in touch with the environment I have evolved
from, which is forcibly being taken away from me by the very race I am
with . Malalim ?, let's make it simpler - to be with my creator
Long
Henson
Why
do I climb...Basically, it makes me feel good..not just good, but getting
that "natural high" there's no way you get it in an urban area. Another
would be the environment that you are in it and the people you are joined
with. It's that feeling of belonging with God and his creation that we
try to maximize to our own advantage, not knowing the beauty that it possess.
Joey
Arenas, working in automotive, promoting the environmentalism in the company.
Why
is the grass green, why is the world round? I climb mountains "because
it is there ..." - a great explorer aptly pronounced. There is nothing
like a sunrise and a sunset viewed from the peak. In climbing, I am one
with God. I am reminded of His generosity in sharing His great Creation.
I love the great open spaces, the sheer natural exhaustion after a good
trek. We should never stop exploring ... the world and ourselves. The big
IS!
Charina
works for a telecommunications company engaged in the cellular business.
It
gives me a certain "high"... more closer to God... relaxes my soul... stress
from work disappear when I hear the birds chirping early in the morning
to wake us up and most of all the real person in us appears specially when
we're so tired... nothing can beat the beauty of mother nature!!! Appreciate
and take care of God's gift to humanity!!!!
Ria
Mariano-Vicencio
It
is an ultimate feeling of expressing my self...I really love to stand on
the top or high places... I dont care what people say...I'm an Engineer,and
really love to climb! It's fun to do something that somebody can't..
.
Paul
Torregosa
Climbing
has always put me beyond the brink of my fears. It sure feels different
to find out that what you are afraid of is not the unexpected twists of
the trail, nor the sudden vastness of the ravine beside you (which you
don't give a care about because you are so damn tired). You suddenly find
out that your fears are just within yourself - and up there on the mountains
- they are all flushed out. And you come down, with sore legs, but with
a refreshed soul.
Jojo
Nazareno is an analyst/designer for Computer Information Systems Inc -
now recently assigned to Meralco-MTP/Distribution.
Why
do I climb ?........I guess it's to get away from it all---stress, work,
stress, pollution, stress, and so on. It's conquering yourself. NATURE
TRIPPING!!!. Iba talaga ang feeling!!! To be one with Nature and the Environment....diba?!......and
of course, to meet and be with people who have the same frame of mind!!!
JV
Duque, Training Coordinator-Artist Training, Talent Development and
Management Centre, ABS-CBN
Umaakyat
ako para makita ang nasa itaas ... upang masilip ang sumasaibayo sa mundong
nasa ibaba ... napakahirap lalo na sa bandang una ... MAHILO-HILO ka pa!!!
... pero ang karanasang iyon ay hindi mapapantayan ... palaging mayroong
paglundag na nasa loob ... lundag na 'di maipaliwanag ... 'di maintindihan
... ang paghahanap din yata ay parang ganoon ... hirap ka sa una, pero
hanep sa huli ... umaakyat ako dahil mayroon sumasaibayo na 'di natin kailanman
naiintindihan ngunit maaring maranasan ...
Si
Erich nagpupumilit magturo ng Araling Panlipunan sa isang ekslusibong paaralan
para sa mga lalake sa may Quezon City, sa tabi ng Ply-Ober!!!!
It's
fun and full of audacious exitement. For me it's the ultimate recreation,
it's like floating in the air whenever I'm watching GOD's wonderful creation.
Robert,
SysEng from Qatar
For the joy of companionship
To sharpen the senses
To appreciate what
you really have
To not mind the things
you don't have
Learn tolerance for
yourself and others
Jojoy
is in the production of shampoo for Colgate Palmolive.
I
climb because I feel I'm on top of myself and anyone else who has not reached
the top of the mountain. It's like seeing fresh, dewy, eye-soothing grass
and flowers in the early morning once you reach the top. Climbing gives
me the ultimate relaxation, or what Wordsworth referred to as "contemplating
with nature," and it gives me a deep fulfilment that I have conquered myself,
my anxieties and, most importantly, my health problems.
Jonathan
Ortiz, Journalist/Editor - Wordgrafix
I
climb because..... not everyone has the guts to do it ..... it's an accomplishment
in life ..... you'll appreciate nature more ..... I love to climb
Atit-kompyuter
prog sa isang compyuter kampani
It's
Fun!! It's exciting!!
But most of all, it
is the only experience....
.....when I feel closest
to God..
Michael
Macainag a Student af De La Salle University
As
what Sir Edmund Hilary said:
"IT'S THERE"
As what Nike advertises:
"Just Do It"
As what Flavier said:
"Let's DOH it"
As what I always said:
"Let's climb it"
Ayi
Luna a Law Student of San Beda College
To
prevent life from escaping.
Jon
Linao-a student mesau1982@hotmail.com
It
is a childhood dream to reach the top of a mountain and touch the clouds!!!
Toping
Marin an Assistant Auditor at Metro Pacific Corporation topingm@hotmail.com
Let
Conrad de Quiros wax eloquent:
"Because one must.
One does not do it for the sheer joy of it,nor fame or fortune or health.
One does it because of DESPAIR. For not doing so would be to melt in this
world. Because it is not easy to accept nor to acknowledge the "thereness
of things"-- like the mountain. Our minds cannot just accept the hugeness
of mountains, much less the terror that goes with it - and one must climb--because
it is there"
Di ba? Enough said:
Climb!
Pastor
Noel Suministrado-a Pastor in the company ni Lord karass@mozcom.com
Because
it has made me realize that there's nothing much I need in this world except
what I can carry in my backpack.
Because I can just
close my eyes and feel the space around me.
Because only in the
wilderness and in the face of adversity that you can truly test a person.
Because it reminds
me amidst the 5-star things in life that this is the real me, simple me....
Ciao eve
Eve
Cayaban-United Airlines Paxs Sales Exe at Aerotel Ltd. eve_cay@pacific.net.ph
Gusto
kong umakyat dahil para sa akin...habang ako ay umaakyat at lumalakbay
sa mga lugar na hindi ko pa napupuntahan, ako ay lumalaki...lumalaki sa
iba't ibang aspeto...mapa-pisikal, mapa-intelektwal o mapa-spiritwal!
Miguel
C. Lopez a Student of DLSU m3c2@cnl.net
Great!!!
The experience is
full of fun, thrill and adventure. It was tiring but when you're there,
it seems that you always want to explore.
Anna
Mulingbayan-an Asst.Network Administrator at Destiny-on-line anna@destiny.sen.com.ph
I
believe, one time or another, this question has to be answered by every
climber. As for me, I have not been thinking about the answer to this.
I guess because I refuse to rationalize the feelings I have with me and
the 'energies' I receive whenever I climb. My first climb in Mt. Pulag
last November of '97, has somewhat 'switched on' something inside of me.
It was like it was something that was bound, destined may be the proper
word, to happen. I knew I've always loved the outdoor, to be in communion
with nature. It was pure destiny I had come to achieve it with the people
I knew and has come to love in this seminar organization. That particular
climb, because of its grand result, resulted in this 'thirst' for nature.
Some of the things I love about nature, especially the mountain scenes,
is the pure stillness and the absolute silence of everything when the weather
is so fine. It was like time has stopped and that everything else except
me has stopped moving. I can hear myself so loud that I find it easiest
to ask myself and to reflect on a lot of things. That's why I always say
that climbing is, in every bit of the way, also a seminar. Like in the
indoor seminars that we are used to, reaching the summit IS not (and shouldn't
be?) THE thing to get excited about. Rather it should be the process of
getting there and the learnings that one (I) will find along the way. The
Summit is the prize of Learning! I've come to learn not to have any expectations
nor project invincibility. It's hard to be in that space although I know
for a fact that some are. Rather, I've come to learn to accept the mountain
as it is and myself as I am. That way, it's easier for me to receive whatever
the mountain and the nature has in store for me. I've come to respect them.
Why do I climb? For
the gift.
Emil
dela Cruz, volunteer for a self-empowerment seminar and a computer programmer
shoot12@mnl.sequel.net
I
climb because it gives me the chance to rediscover myself. It's really
amazing that you get to have the chance to really think(!!) and learn about
a lot of things when you go climb a mountain (without losing ur sanity).
I'ts almost like a religious thing when your up there and suddenly all
kinds of thoughts get into your mind. I guess climbing makes one
realize the true meaning of being HUMAN. God,I miss climbing.
Darius Jorjan, mainframe
programmer of Worldspan darius.masuhud@worldspan.com
Exciting,
fun, good for the health, meet new friends, I conquered myself, para makatakas
sa work, escape from all the burden, feeling of freedom, it's an obstacle
atleast now I know how to handle when those things comes my way.
Bing, employee affiliated
with Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas
I
climb because .... gusto kong ma-meet ang Chito Mountaineering Club
(CMC). Eto ang
pantapat sa MFPI, Mountain Madness, PALMC, ano pa bang malalakas na org
yun ... ahhhh Team Albertos! Yun lang po...BOW!
Mick-Chen,
fireman/student affiliated with MESAU
Because
I can't dance,
And I don't
know how to sing
- Rocky Balboa
Roderick
Rebada of MESAU working with InfoStructures Systems
Do
every climber has his own reason? I think not. All climbers climbs because
there is something about the climb that is INEXPRESSIBLE. All we could
do is describe about the feeling. And yet, all the words combined isn't
enough to capture what backpacking can bring to our heart, body, mind and
soul. If you are a climber just like all of us, well... there's no reason
for further explanation because all you could do is to give all these comments
a high salute... I have felt what you felt, you also have felt what he
felt, and he felt what she felt....it's like beating in ONE heartbeat.
If you haven't tried climbing yet... it's high time you do. So, you can
understand all the things being said here. When that time comes, you'll
be coming back into this site and read if what was written was indeed right.
We'll be waiting for
your comeback!!!
Mylene
student (again !)
noong
una dahil sa challenge pero pag naroon ka na sa itaas hindi mo na alam
kung bakit.basta I just realized na tuldok ka lang sa mundo na bale
wala ang talino,lakas at yaman mo,na mayroong ISA na higit sa lahat.pero
siyempre, umaakyat dahil sa bundok hindi pinapansin ang babaeng umiinom
ng gilbey's at lapad na walang chaser, natutulog nang hindi naliligo
at humaharap sa mga boys nang bagong gising sa umaga na walang make-up
at yagit ang damit tapos isusuot and damit na ginamit na medyo basa pa
pero mahal pa rin ng mga lalaking kasama niya dahil kasama sa hirap at
ginhawa.
jopee
a.maduro_42kmountaineers of social security system-taipei
At
first, I hate them (mountaineers na nakikita ko noon), pero ngayon, ako
na ngayon ang umaakyat ng bundok. Kahit mahirap at nakakapagod ang sports
na ito, pinipilit kong marating ang tuktok (summit) ng bundok na aakyatin
para lang makita ko ang kabuuan ng ganda ng nature. Aside from my other
activities, this is one of my very challenging hobby and very expensive.
I can compare the steep trail to the trials, and other problems of life,
while the summit is my goal of my life. until now, I can't express what
I felt once I reached the highest portion of the mountain.
Manny
Zacarias, a manufacturing engr. from a semicon company
why
i climb???????? to experience the adventure of nature and discover its
beauty....understand the wildlife and protecting the sanctuary....
NormanV,
I.T. (technical dept) from a semicon company
i'm
looking forward to my next climb. i will climb again because i just realized
that i can focus and do things i thought were impossible or boring, etc..
i felt a different kind of pain after the climb which in a way was... strengthening.
i don't know. it was really beautiful. and the cleansing it brought to
my body - no wonder i craved for a smoke once we reached the camp site.
bumaba yung nicotine level ko. we'll try to organize mountain climbing
expeditions and introduce the experience to our friends. peace and God
bless!
Joel
A., a planner for a meat processing company on his first climb
The
lessons I learned on that climb will never equal the sheer exhilaration
of reaching the summit after a challenging ascent. The quiet on that mountaintop
was as rare as the clean air and the brisk, cool wind. On the way down,
the weather was as perfect as the climb, the company, and the memories
of the weekend spent away from the world. I would wish that more exciting
events happened while we were at the summit, but nothing could have been
more exciting than sitting down and absorbing nature.
Bob
T., a Biology student
|