Camping Club

Ian and I have just returned from our first Philippine Mountain Climb with a camping club named Sweepers Mountaineering Club. We both had a great time, getting to know more about the Filipino active 20 something culture that exists here ! A HUGE THANK YOU to the whole club for giving us such a warm welcome and a great hike! This club is extra ordinary due to the inactive culture that is quite prevalent in the Philippines. The obesity due to poor diet and inactivity that the US is currently struggling with is begging in India and the Philippines, I hope that more clubs like this will develop.

Our hike started long before we started hiking with e-mails. The hike leader divided out group into three groups, from there each sub group did some menu brainstorming. Ian and I chose to abstain from the brainstorm being unsure what the protocol was. Our dinner and breakfast was decided upon and all hikers were asked to bring 2 cups of rice and 1 Lt of water to contribute to meal prep.

It was up to each hiker to bring as much personal water as desired, any snacks, and trail lunch.

The next round of e-mails was in regards to sleeping arrangements. People who had tents and would share voiced there extra space, and finally a sleeping arrangement proposal was distributed.

The morning of ....

Everyone was to meet at 8am at a 7/11 downtown Manila. The 7/11 is a great place to meet plenty of space out front and snacks inside! We had no difficulty identifying the group and upon introducing ourselves we were warmly welcomed.

In Filipino time we were all gathered by 930 and walked around the corner to catch an out of town bus. The bus aid at first wanted us to all board with our bags however upon realization that we were 20+ people and bags he opened the under bus hatch and we filled up the bus.

The bus ride cost under $4USD a person and I got a nice nap during the next 2.5 hrs.

Upon arrival at our stop we headed into a restaurant to use the bathroom, get sun screened up change into any hiking gear still needed. We than thought we might as well eat lunch here instead of on the trail. Ian and I had sandwiches and hard boiled eggs everyone else had box meals with rice and meat, several people had KFC that they pulled out of their backpacks. Next time we know =)

We loaded into several tricycles and got shuttled to the trail head. Trail heads here are as difficult to spot as in the US, thankfully our hike leader had been here before and knew where it was. Upon arrival we encountered a bit of difficultly with the private land owner whose property we needed cross and he was not sure he wanted us to. During the 30 min discussion/ negotiation everyone put on arm & leg covers as well as hats and neck covers. Several people opened up umbrellas to keep the sun off their skin. I had to smile umbrellas on a hike (?)

Once our passage was secured off we went, the trail was a bit muddy, very mosquito filled and oh so hot.

After about 10min the group stopped. We were still in the flat coconut field at the base of the hill. Our group wanted to make sure that everyone had drank water and was rested. After a 5 min break we did another 10 min walk and stopped again. At this second stop the group split, those who wanted to go fast and had some hiking skills, a medium group and a back group. On our hike there were several people who had never hiked before, making this division very logical.

Ian and I joined the front group and off we went, our group started off as about 7 people however three of them decided to stay back and the four of us pushed on. It was HOT and STEEP and HUMID. Partway up the hill our group took a break and one of our group mates shared jelly snacks with us, similar to the energy jell that's common in the US. As we snacked we were able to take in the excellent view of the villages and farms below us. Feeling a bit of a sugar buzz off we went again.

It did not take long for the sugar buzz to subside and the hot humidity to begin to wear on us again. Than on the horizon I spotted an older man coming down the trial. To our extreme fortune he happened to be the head coconut collector on this hill and he had several bags of coconuts already collected and 3 boys who would happily climb up the trees and get us more. What good fortune! We told him that our whole group would want some and he lead us to where the boys were collecting. 10 Pesos (that's about 25cents in the US) got us a fresh off the tree coconut cut open and fully amazing. After drinking the coconut water the boys cut it open so we could eat the coconut jelly with a "spoon" they carved from the outside of the coconut. This was easily the highlight of my hike. The four of us in front got a great refreshing rest as the remainder of the group made it to us. We all were in great spirits talking, enjoying coconuts, and looking out at the view.

At this point we had less than 1/4 to go and off we went. The landscape changed as we neared the top tall grasslands began to surround us. Soon all I could see and hear was grasslands, truly beautiful. Upon reaching the summit a fresh cool breeze greeted us and photo opportunities were taken =)

At Camp ...
Our group took up all of the camping space at the summit, tents and clothes quickly filled the landscape. Cooking groups got out stove and begin dinner prep. As an interesting side note, open fire is completely banned in the Philippines. During dinner prep a few things note worthy occurred.

Most the group went in their tents and put on nicer cleaner clothes. Baby wipes came out and baby wipe baths. The women of the group had hair brushes and makeup that they had brought with and our group transformed from a dirty sweaty hiking and camping group to looking like TV stars.

While the transformation was in place an amazing sun set began casting a breath taking gold light on the mountain and the grasslands began to glow. The only word I can think of to describe it is magical.

Dinner was a Filipino sweet and sour dry fish, significiantly more gourmet than I would have done!

After dinner everyone attempted to fit under a common tarp for "socials". Socials are were everyone plays mind puzzles while one shot glass is passed around. I was exhausted and excused myself by 11pm. Everyone else stayed till midnight or one.

That night I slept very well, word to the wise it will get cold on top of a mountain even in the Philippines, I did not believe it but next time I think I will bring one more item of warm gear.

The next morning we had a deluxe breakfast of salted eggs and tomatoes, rice, dry fry fish and nescafe! Tents came down, stomachs got filled and pictures got taken and off we went.

The end....

Going down was was hard, the mud was slippery and filled all the grip on your shoes, everyone fell at least once, I slid a good portion on my butt. The highlight was the coconut guy was back and we all gathered to have some refreshing coconuts again!

At the end of the hike there was a shower and everyone pulled out another set of clean clothes and shower stuff. Ian and I said our goodbyes and got a jeep back to the bus stand and a bus back to Manila.