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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS !? | |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS !? | |
Not really. Most mountains here are usually scaled within less than 4 hours, the rest usually within 8 hours. You can even select venues with less than 2 hours hiking time. As long as you can endure walking within that time frame, you'll be fine. But it would be ideal if you have some exercise since your enjoyment will depend on your physical fitness level.
MMS accepts members through a yearly Basic Mountaineering Course conducted during January-May of every year. The course itself is not that difficult, as long as you meet the basic passing requirements which is focused more on your attendance. It's only 4 months of required attendance. The rewards after that is your lifetime membership. Although training is only during January to May, we encourage prospective members who missed the yearly training to join us in our climbs all throughout the year (except training climbs). It would be better since you will have a chance of knowing the group and decide if this is the group you want before investing in your training. To join our climbs, just visit the announcements section and select the climb where you will join and contact us through mms@eudoramail.com.
Generally yes (except the rebel infested areas in southern Mindanao). The country doesn't have any large predators like the bears of American national parks or lions of African safari. Snakes are almost 99 % invisible on trail since they also avoid humans when they sense one coming in. Most trails are already frequented so chances are, there will be safe company along the trail. In terms of insurgents, they don't actually live on the mountains especially along hiking trails and if you encounter such, you may not even recognize them. They also respect non combatants. The mountains to avoid are those at the southern Mindanao. If you want to be safe, coordinate with the local police station before the actual climb.
MMS is more than a mountaineering group. Its a group of friends. We focus on the camaraderie of the membership since this is the most important thing. We have minimal annual fees only to sustain basic organization expenses. As a member, you are not required to attend meetings to maintain your membership since membership to the group is membership for life. You have a basic right of joining all calendared activities. The profile of members varies from early 20s to late 30s. Most members are professional from different fields that is why activities are mostly tailored to support the regular working employee's schedules.
Mountaineering here in the country is more of a hiking activity. And hiking is one of the cheapest sport. All you need is a pair of shoes and a bag to carry basic stuffs. Out of town trips maybe expensive but if you will be visiting these places as tourist, it would be more costlier and sometimes even impossible for you to afford to visit these places. As the sport becomes popular, commercialization sets in putting more expensive equipment in the offering. But you do not need all of them. It may be ideal but not necessary. But if you will be climbing for a long time, investing in them is a wise move. But then again, you don't need all of them.
MMS's can conduct external training but it would be more costlier since member's services for internal training is voluntary, it may not be the same for external training. We usually don't collect fees if you will be joining as guest climbers except for minor expenses like equipment rentals if you don't have equipment, say a tent. Exemptions to the rule are climbs to raise funds for environmental projects. Special arrangement like special trips for a special group like your office or organization can also be arranged but you will have to shoulder the expense of the MMS members who will be acting as your guide or who will be joining the climb.
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