MT. KANLAON - A mountaineer’s true account of survival - In the confusion we could only look at each other silently. An immense realization came to us. We bowed down our heads and each one said his sincerest prayer gushing forth from the depths of his heart in the plea for guidance, protection and preservation. That moment I recalled “Those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” The moment we agreed in an “Amen” the clouds before us burst as if to unveil the brightest ray of hope shining for us. There, hundreds of feet below us were the galvanized-iron roofs of houses glittering under the afternoon sunlight. The clouds opened and cleared for a brief moment in time– after which it closed again in utter thickness. Praising God for His glorious majesty, we scampered down the path knowing that His provision for our survival was waiting for us below. One thing stands certain – God would never forsake His loved ones..

................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

A Brush With DEATH In The Mountains 

A mountaineer’s true account of survival

.

It is close encounter not only with nature but with the God of nature Himself. Standing on top of a towering mountain makes one feel as if he had become closer to God in human form. When standing on the highest portion of an area is a sensation as if one were suspended between place and time. A mountaineer undergoing this experience could only stand dumbfounded beholding the solemnity and sacredness of witnessing the vastness of creation unfolded before him. There was a deafening silence in all eternity in the utmost tranquility of nature never before experienced. The dew of the clouds instilled the feeling as if one were soaked in overflowing liquid of eternity.

Elwin Deo A. Arroyo

.

“It is a close encounter not only with nature but with the God of nature Himself.” 

The hut we’re in shook violently as the howling wind blew hard against it. Although the creaking noise was very annoying, I fell deaf to it. I could do nothing more but slump my body on the floor in utter tiredness.  

The coldness of the dark night could render anyone helpless in its temptation to deep slumber.  Even as I closed my eyes to float away into oblivion, sights and picture of the day’s experience still overwhelmed my thoughts.

As I looked blankly at the flickering flame of the kerosene lamp struggling to stay alit against the tease of the wind, I reflected on how my companions, Allan, a fellow student and Jonas, a professional, and I fought hard to stay alive. 

The three of us have found shelter at a shanty owned by a widow and her children who warmly welcomed us when we pleaded for help early afternoon.

Mount Kanlaon forms a natural boundary between the Oriental and Occidental parts of Negros Island. Towering at a height of 2,465 meters above sea level, it is considered as the second highest peak in the Philippines, and a dormant volcano.

The Iloilo Mountaineering Club, a non-government organization dedicated to survey and help in saving the forests, organized the trip. The group is composed of students, most of them in the collegiate level coming from different universities around Iloilo, and professionals alike.

This trekking activity at Mt. Kanlaon was joined by about 30 people, mostly members of the organization, and some were applicants for membership.

The ascent to the mountain started at around 10 o’clock in the morning at Brgy. Araal, La Carlota, Negros Occidental on October 24, 1992.

By then, the weather was clear and promising a full visibility.

For us, mountaineering is a hobby worth pursuing. Though no concrete rewards promised, for a true-blooded adventurer, the essence of “conquering” mountains by reaching the summit is enough to make a nature-lover feel as if he were on top of the world, looking down on the pitiful beings who cannot share his 

once-in-a lifetime experience.

.

It is close encounter not only with nature but with the God of nature Himself. Standing on top of a towering mountain makes one feel as if he had become closer to God in human form. 

When standing on the highest portion of an area is a sensation as if one were suspended between place and time. A mountaineer undergoing this experience could only stand dumbfounded beholding the solemnity and sacredness of witnessing the vastness of creation unfolded before him.

There was a deafening silence in all eternity in the utmost tranquility of nature never before experienced. The dew of the clouds instilled the feeling as if one were soaked in overflowing liquid of eternity.

Climbing a mountain isn’t easy at all. A climber must endure the rigorous negotiations with the unforgiving terrain, the cruel weather, the leeches, the risks and dangers, the rearing pain of cramped muscles, the bitterness of sweat flowing from the face to the tongue, the heat during daytime and the coldness of the night, the heavy burden of the backpacks, and of course, the inconvenience brought about by the absence of a decent toilet.

The period which the body must take in adjusting to the environment and strenuous activities has to take sometime, a day at least. For any climb, the first day is considered to be the most taxing and the slowest in pace. Nevertheless, we had to push ourselves to the limit to beat time.

By noon, we had to eat our packed meals along the way to save time. A few minutes of siesta is all it takes after eating before joining the trek.

By late afternoon we were still hours away from our targeted campsite. As the darkness of the evening fell we still had to conduct a night trek just to reach the campsite in the middle of the high mountain. We reached the place at around 8 o’clock that evening.

We have not reached the peak of the mountain yet and we still had to continue with the trek the next day. We pitched camp, cooked supper, and prepared to retire for the night.

By six o’clock the next morning, everyone was up, cooked breakfast and prepared to continue the assault to the summit.

We took off our night clothes and put on again the ones we used the day before, which were already damp of the evening dew. For a mountaineer, one way of surviving in such hostile environment is to make his baggage light by keeping his things dry and taking along only what is necessary.

Taking off cozy and dry bed clothes and putting on wet ones is very uncomfortable. Putting on wet socks and shoes is much worse. We had to break camp and proceed with the trek as soon as possible to heat up our bodies and fight temperature lower than 18 degrees Celsius.

Once the body starts sweating the discomfort lessens, for the garments gradually dry up. We were on track heading for the peak by about seven that morning. 

We have already covered two-thirds of the height of the mountain and we would need only a few hours more to complete the climb to the summit.

As we continued, the surroundings got stranger and darker, and the vegetation got thicker. Moss covered almost entirely the trunks of trees. Humidity is considerably high in this area because of the thick foliage.

With these indications, we were sure that the peak was not far away. We passed by a rusty shaped bar measuring about four feet long and weighing up to 20 kilos believed to be a part of an airplane that had crashed years before.

The area had an eerie ambience, coupled with sounds of crickets and weird appearances of plants and trees not found in the lowlands. A few hours of strenuous uphill climb and the peak would be visible.

The climbing group was divided into three. The lead group was composed of those who could trek fast enough to be the head of the group. The body were those who can trek with moderate speed to maintain their place between the lead and the sweepers.

Sweepers were composed of the elders of the team and those capable of carrying heavy loads - since they “sweep” the path not only of things dropped or left behind but even injured comrades who could no longer maintain their pace.

By eleven o’clock that morning, the lead and the body of the team reached the shoulder of the mountain called Pagatapat, a portion with trees and heavy vegetation.

Among those in the body were the five of us from CPU Mountaineering Society, Jonas, Allan, Lemuel, Allison and myself. It was already the second time for Allan and me to climb this mountain. For Jonas, Allison and Lemuel, it was their first.

Surely, the excitement to scale the peak was so intense that the five of us decided to go ahead of the group and have a view of the dome.

We headed out to a clearing, and there in the thick clouds was the crater dome. Meters below us was the Magaja Valley, a depressed area considered to be the centuries-old dead crater.

The weather that day was not like that of the previous day. Without our knowledge, low pressure area had developed right over Mr. Kanlaon. Bringing along with it gustiness and thick clouds. The fog was so thick that vision was limited up to 10 meters only.

Nevertheless, the five of us decided to climb the dome, an hour’s climb from where we were. We could hardly see in the distance, the sun was not visible, and the wind did not blow to one direction

but manifested in a circling motion.

Climbing the dome wasn’t very difficult without seeing the top since we just had to follow the upward direction of the trees. Allan and I went ahead, five meters behind us was Jonas, the ten meters behind him were Allison and Lemuel.

Looking back, I could hardly see them. We were following an established path leading to the summit.

Certain that they were following, Allan and I decided to go on until we reached the crater. Along the way, the wind was so strong that we had to stoop down while walking, almost crawling.

Otherwise, we would be blown away, a very dangerous thing that could happen when crossing a ridge about six meters wide before reaching the mouth of the crater.

We dropped down on our bellies and viewed the crater. Below us was the seemingly bottomless pit to the depths of the earth with the stinging stench of sulphur. We could not see the entire crater because of the thick clouds.

A few minutes later, Jonas decided to go back to the campsite, for the weather was getting worse. He had left Allison and Lemuel waiting for us twenty meters behind. Hastily, Allan and I got up and joined Jonas in heading to the campsite.

The descent was more difficult compared to the ascent because of the weight of the body straining the toes. Maintaining balance was also very tricky. We reckoned our way back to the camp in the most inaccessible part of the mountain because of the lack of trail signs formed in the vegetation.  There was no plant growth in the uppermost part of the mountain because of the high concentration of sulphur in the ground.

We were already descending for sometime, but there were still no signs of the our two companions or the campsite. A few hours more of descent but still there was no progress in sight.

Finally, we thought that we had lost our way. It was then three o’clock in the afternoon, three hours of sunlight left before darkness sets in. In the brevity of three hours we had to decide whether to go back to the top and find our way again of go down

and seek shelter for the night.

We must not waste time because we did not have any food supply with us for we left them in our backpacks in the campsite. Arguments rose on which decision We must not waste time because we did not have any food supply with us for we left them to take. 

We tried to recall basic techniques of homing for base camp but to no avail – dead reckoning was impossible. The compass went berserk because of the magnetic field of the volcano, the sun was not visible because of the fog, and the wind did not blow in a definite direction.

If we go back to the top, we could be overtaken by darkness and succumb to hypothermia, because of the cold. Our most probable way of surviving was to head straight down. However, we could not see what was below because of the thick fog engulfing us.

If we descend further we could either be heading for civilization or be trapped in the old crater and freeze to death in the eleven-degree-Celsius temperature. It was a situation “between Cherubdis and Scylla.” Anything could happen in that mountain and we must find shelter to survive.

In the confusion we could only look at each other silently. Finally, one of us blurted to look up to God in prayer. An immense realization came to us. We had forgotten to call to God for help.

Without hesitation, we bowed down our heads and each one said his sincerest prayer gushing forth from the depths of his heart in the plea for guidance, protection and preservation.

That moment I recalled the biblical passage in Romans 10:13: “Those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Surely, as this verse holds true, the moment we agreed in an “Amen” the clouds before us burst as if to unveil the brightest ray of hope shining for us.

There, hundreds of feet below us were the galvanized-iron roofs of houses glittering under the afternoon sunlight. The clouds opened and cleared for a brief moment in time – only about ten minutes – after which it closed again in utter thickness.

Praising God for His glorious majesty, we scampered down the path knowing that His provision for our survival was waiting for us below.

By five that afternoon, we arrived at Brgy. Upper Masulog, Canlaon. We have literally traversed the border of Negros Occidental and Oriental.

Warmed by the house we were in and safe for the night, an immense realization came to us. We were thinking of our other two companions.

We climbed back to the campsite to inform the team that we were safe.

A few hours after, Juli came back with the news that Allison and Lemuel were missing since the previous day. Jonas and I decided to travel back to La Carlota rescue operation for our companions.

As we travelled to La Carlota City for five hours, I could see in the distance the imposing figure of Kanlaon Volcano, a gargantuan mountain where the forces of nature could lead a disoriented mountaineer into confusion and, eventually to his death.

But for the three of us, it was on this very mountain where the Maker Himself, God Almighty, manifested His sovereignty and tremendous love for His children by sparing us from sure doom.

As I closed my eyes trying to grab some sleep in the monotonous humming of the engine, I reflected on the verse from Isaiah 59:1: “Surely, the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.”

Indeed, God is so merciful that He showered His mercy on us though we do not deserve it. He heard our prayers and extended His arms to save us from utter destruction.

THE AFTERMATH.

Lemuel de Jesus was considered missing until he was found alive three days later in a place called Guintubdan. He was found by a native of the place who went out with his dog to gather rattan.

Without a survival food pack, Lemuel ate what he had along – a roll of tissue paper and some tablets of Diatabs. Dehydrated and weak, he had survived the ordeal with one leg injured and a slight frostbite due to too much exposure to the cold.

The decomposing body of Allison was found 13 days after the incident with the aid of helicopters and rescuers. He was presumed to have died the very day we got separated and lost. He died of massive injuries after falling from a series of stair-like ridges, each measuring up to five feet high.

By June the next year, I joined the team in climbing Mt. Kanlaon

again. There in clear weather, I was able to see the spots where I had experienced a dramatic event with Allan and Jonas.

He ain't heavy - he's my son.

This momentous experience will ever be in our hearts and minds. It will be a story to pass on to our children and even to our children’s children. 

That was the last time I ever joined a mountain climb because of my hectic schedules doing prioritized activities.

But I have not closed the chance of scaling the heights again and savoring the overwhelming sensation of adventure.

Nothing is final. But one thing stands certain – that the God of nature Himself would never forsake His loved ones. 

First published in the Central Echo, Official Student Publication of Central Philippine University, Iloilo City, January-March 1998 issue. 
.

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A MOUNTAINEERING GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS - Mountain climbing is a lifestyle sport involving hiking and trekking through rugged terrain, camping, climbing over rocks, fallen trees and logs, passing by thick vegetation, crossing rivers, and exploring the great outdoors while having fun in the process. This feat requires a great deal of patience, physical endurance, motivation, and presence of mind. Climbing mountains is truly rewarding: not only does it cultivate environmental awareness, it also develops a person's character by facing and conquering one's fears and ultimately conquering oneself, leaving the mountain climber with a great feeling of achievement. To avoid dehydration especially during the summer months, always drink water and rehydrate every so often during water breaks at nearby water sources. To avoid hypothermia, wearing of proper warm clothes is also needed. Once you reach the camp, change in your dry clothes and let your wet clothes hang to dry. Always watch your step on and tread lightly in order to avoid sprained ankles and knees. Always bring a basic first aid kit. Don't forget to bring your personal medications if you have any.

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A Mountaineering Guide For Beginners

Check out these tips for novice mountain climbers, along with favorite Philippine mountain climbing destinations

By Philip Handang

Philip Handang, mountaineer and photo hobbyist, shares some insights for novice mountain climbers in the Philippines.

Need a break from the pressures of urban life?

Have you been staring at photos of outstanding sunsets, breathtaking landscapes, mountain views, and a person standing on a summit and thinking, "That's gorgeous!"

Why be contented with just looking at the pictures and viewing mountains from afar when you can actually climb it and experience everything first hand.

Mountain climbing is a lifestyle sport involving hiking and trekking through rugged terrain, camping, climbing over rocks, fallen trees and logs, passing by thick vegetation, crossing rivers, and exploring the great outdoors while having fun in the process.

This feat requires a great deal of patience, physical endurance, motivation, and presence of mind. Climbing mountains is truly rewarding: not only does it cultivate environmental awareness, it also develops a person's character by facing and conquering one's fears and ultimately conquering oneself, leaving the mountain climber with a great feeling of achievement.

In the Philippines, a person who climbs mountains as a hobby is generally called a mountaineer.

For anyone who wants to take up mountaineering as a hobby, there are several mountaineering clubs in the Philippines that offer a Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC).

Some clubs offer a single day course, and others like the UP Mountaineers and Ayala Mountaineering Club incorporate the training into their application process that usually takes about 3 to 4 months to complete.

It is strongly encouraged for every aspiring climber to undergo the BMC.

The BMC teaches the proper physical training and essential outdoor skills needed by a mountain climber, the proper climbing etiquette, and the "Leave No Trace" principles that are all very important to help minimize the impact on the environment.

Another advantage in learning BMC for the novice climber is the opportunity to collaborate with seasoned/professional climbers and receive priceless tips based on their years of climbing experience.

If you just want to try it out, you can tag along with your mountaineering friends and climb minor mountains near Metro Manila, or you can join other mountain climbing tours organized by experienced mountaineers and club organizations.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Destination

Gideon Lasco, the author of Pinoymountaineer.com, devised a "relative" difficulty rating system that can be used to compare one mountain in the Philippines to another. The system is divided into three parts:

1. Classification (Minor or Major)

2. Difficulty Scale (1/9 being very easy; 9/9 technical)

3. Trail Class (1 -5 which describes the type of trail to expect).

This can be quite overwhelming for newbie climbers, so for the purpose of this article, we can just use the "Minor - Major" classification in choosing mountains to climb.

Generally, a Minor Climb is any climb that can be accomplished within a single day without extraordinary physical effort, taking five hours or less from the jump-off point (location at the foot of the mountain where the hike begins) before reaching the summit.

A Major Climb normally requires two or more days to accomplish, with the climber exerting a great deal of physical effort, and normally takes six hours or more to reach the summit.

One of the factors when choosing what mountain to climb is the view that you are afforded.

Even on minor climbs, the views as you climb along the trail and from the summit can be outstanding.

With more experience, a mountaineer tends to climb more difficult mountains where the challenges are greater and the views are even more breathtaking.

One rule of thumb is the harder it is to scale the mountain, the more serene and wonderful the views at the top are. Therefore, more physical preparation is needed to accomplish the major climbs.

Local people and culture, potable water sources (usually rivers and streams), river crossings, mossy forests, 360-degree views of surrounding and nearby mountains are some of the other features to look for and consider when planning what mountain to climb.

Tips in Preparing for a Mountaineering Trip


Personal Health

As with any sport, before engaging in mountain climbing proper training and physical preparation is needed.

For beginners, an easy and inexpensive way to get in shape is to go jogging 3 to 4 times a week before your scheduled outdoor climb.

Another way to prepare your leg muscles is to do stair climbing, and as you stair climb you can wear a backpack and loaded with heavy books or liters of plastic water bottles to also target your shoulder, back, leg muscles and knees.

This way you can get accustomed to carrying a heavy backpack as well.

The harder the climb, the more physical preparation is needed.

This is important to minimize hiking related injuries and if you are physically prepared, you would fully enjoy the breath-taking views and not the other way around... which is you running out of or gasping for breath.

Clothing

While hiking, wear quick dry clothes and stay away from cotton fabrics and denim pants since you will be sweating profusely during the climb.

Wet clothes against your body can cause hypothermia especially during the portions of the trail where there are strong winds.

For your headgear, wear a cap or a wide-brimmed bush hat for protection against the heat of the sun.

For cold nights at camp and for sleeping, you may use a jacket, bonnet, dry pair of socks, or anything that would keep you warm through the night.

Every climber should also prepare for a rainy day even on summer months.

It is good practice to always have a waterproof jacket, rain poncho, or a raincoat. Use zip locked plastic bags to waterproof your dry clothes and gadgets (camera, cell phone, etc).

Wearing a pair of hiking shoes is also advisable since you will be walking along a rocky and rugged terrain that normal shoes like rubber shoes or sneakers weren't designed for.

Hiking shoes, with a pair of thick socks, also give you the advantage of overall protection for your precious feet.

For minor climbs, some mountaineers prefer wearing hiking sandals with straps. This is also a cheaper alternative, but offers minimal protection and cushioning for your feet compared to a hiking shoe or boot.

Gear

Tents are not needed for day hikes. For climbs spanning from overnight to several days, bringing a tent is essential for a good night's rest.

Decent tents can be bought from local outdoor shops, and you don't have to buy a top of the line foreign brand tent unless you are really serious about mountaineering.

These kinds of tents are extremely lightweight but are a bit expensive. If you don't have the budget, you can just share a tent with one of your climbing buddies for now.

Food

Food plays an important part of your planning. It is the source of your strength, fueling your body to continue the demanding task of mountain climbing.

For meals, it is important that the meal is easy to cook and require little water. Adobo, fried foods, rice, canned goods and instant noodles are a few good examples.

Trail food like chocolate bars, salted peanuts, raisins, and other sweets are also good to boost your energy levels when the need arises.

For day hikes, 1 to 2 liters of water per person would suffice, although you may need to bring more if it is in your nature to consume a greater amount.

Do take note however, that the more water you bring, the heavier your backpack becomes.

On some mountains there are also potable water sources where you can hydrate and refill your water bottles, and when in doubt about the cleanliness of the water source, it is important to boil your water before drinking.

Companions and Climbing Buddies

Always hire a guide or go with an experienced mountaineer every time you climb mountains.

Climbing alone increases the risks involved unless you are an experienced mountaineer with survival skills.

Never venture into the woods without properly informing other people.

Itinerary

Creating an itinerary for your climb is also beneficial for success. This serves as your guide on what time you should be in a particular place and what time you are expected to be back at the jump-off.

Before leaving on a trip, don't forget to send a copy of your itinerary to someone in the city, either your family or friends, and include contact numbers in case of emergency.

Precautions Against Risks and
 Dangers


To avoid dehydration especially during the summer months, always drink water and rehydrate every so often during water breaks at nearby water sources.

To avoid hypothermia, wearing of proper warm clothes is also needed. Once you reach the camp, change in your dry clothes and let your wet clothes hang to dry.

Always watch your step on and tread lightly in order to avoid sprained ankles and knees.

Always bring a basic first aid kit. You can buy this in department stores and medicine drug stores. Don't forget to bring your personal medications if you have any.

Popular Mountain Climbing Destinations

Minor Climbs

Mount Maculot in Cuenca, Batangas

Around 2 - 3 hours bus ride from Metro Manila, this mountain is ideal for beginners who just want to have a relatively easy and refreshing hike.

It takes an average of 2 hours going up to the "Rockies," the highlight of the whole climb where one can see the breathtaking views of Taal Lake, Taal Volcano, and nearby towns of Batangas and Tagaytay highlands.

On a clear day one can also see Mount Makiling's silhouette looming in the horizon. This mountain can be day hiked or camped overnight.

If you want a little more challenge you can also do a traverse hike (going up a mountain using a route, passing by the summit, and going back down on a different route) from the so called "Grotto" side of the mountain, passing by the summit, and continuing to the "Rockies" before going back down.

Mount Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangas

This is another mountain that is easily accessible from Metro Manila and ideal for beginners with only a 3-hour bus ride passing by Tagaytay City, Cavite.

The mountain's jagged tooth-like peaks are quite a sight to behold. It's a 3- to 4-hour hike along open windy trails, with nice views and mountain landscapes. This can also be day hiked or camped overnight.

Mount Pulag via the Ambangeg Trail in Kabayan, Benguet

Mount Pulag is the highest mountain in Luzon and the third highest in the Philippines.

It is 6-hour bus ride from Metro Manila to Baguio City and another 3-hour bus ride going to the Visitor's Center in Ambangeg.

The breath-taking views are accessible to tourists and beginner mountaineers alike via the Ambangeg Trail.

It takes an average of 5 hours to hike going up the campsite where one could spend the night.

This is also the coldest mountain in the Philippines, where sometimes temperatures go down to -5 degrees Celsius during the evening and dawn.

Wearing of proper clothing is strongly advised. Views of the mountain's so called "Mossy Forests," "Grasslands," and the "Sea of Clouds" awaiting at the summit during sunrise are a few of the highlights.

Major Climbs

Mount Makiling Traverse Day Hike from Batangas to Los Banos, Laguna

Climbing Mount Makiling is one of the favorite training climbs of mountaineers because of the tough challenges that await every climber.

It is a 3-hour bus ride from Metro Manila to Sto. Tomas, Batangas, the starting point of the climb.

The trail in this mountain is heavily vegetated, where one should go over or crawl under fallen logs and navigate through dense vegetation composed of thorny rattan plants.

Blood leeches (locally known as limatik) abound in this mountain but only during the rainy season.

Experienced mountaineers can accomplish the whole traverse in 7 hours or less compressing it in just a day.

Mount Tapulao in Iba, Zambales

Mountaineers fondly call this mountain "The Long and Endless Road," referring to the seemingly endless hike with an average of 12 to 14 hours going up to the summit alone (not including the descent), and "Poor Man's Pulag," since it resembles the environs of Mt. Pulag on higher elevations.

After a grueling hike through the rocky reddish soil, hikers are treated to refreshing cool breezes and breathtaking views upon reaching the pine tree forest.

This mountain is accessible via a 5-hour bus ride from Metro Manila to Iba, Zambales.

Mount Apo, Davao Del Sur

Mount Apo is the highest mountain in the Philippines, and is the grandfather of Philippine mountains.

In Davao City, one can see this magnificent mountain towering over the horizon. Climbing Mount Apo is every Filipino mountaineer's dream.

With its so-called "Mossy Forests," "The Boulders," the extinct crater, the "Lake Venado" (which is the highest lake in the country) and the summit itself, this mountain's breathtaking landscapes are truly a sight to behold.

Mountaineering Etiquette

Follow the mountaineer's creed:

"Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but foot prints, kill nothing but time."

As a mountaineer, it is our job to be stewards of Mother Nature. Here are a few important things to remember when climbing mountains:

Do not throw your trash anywhere, instead place it in your trash bag and bring it down the mountain and dispose of it accordingly.

Do not vandalize or write words on trees and rock formations.

Be considerate of other visitors and mountaineers. Minimize noise, like shouting, playing of loud music, etc.

Be respectful to the locals and their customs and traditions. Greet other people when you meet them in the trails or in towns.

Leave what you find. If you see something that is beautiful, please, by all means just leave it there and don't bring it home with you.

Follow the "Leave no Trace" principles, outlined on this link in detail.

Online Resources

The Pinoy Mountaineer website is a comprehensive blog about hiking in the Philippines created by Gideon Lasco. This site contains detailed itineraries, tips, and other special concerns in climbing. Majority of mountaineers check this website for information and updates on the mountains that they plan to climb.

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide. Based in Boulder, CO in the United States, the organization aims to achieve its goals through education, research, volunteerism and partnerships. Visit their website for more information.

Mountain Climbing Tours


Travel Factor - although primarily offers beach and travel tours, this company also offers climbing tours to Mt. Pulag, Mt. Pinatubo, and other well known minor mountains.

Trailadventours - a brainchild of the website Pinoymountaineer. This outfit offers tours on different mountains from Mt. Pinatubo, to Mt. Apo, and other outdoor destinations.

Other mountaineering groups also organize "open climbs" or "friendship climbs" that a newbie hiker can join. You can try also try searching Facebook events on the scheduled climbs of different groups like Voyager Adventure Club and Green Mountain Tribe.

Mountaineering 
Gear 
Shops

Here are a few outdoor sport shops located within Metro Manila:


Adventure Shack

Bombproof/ High Adventure

Boomika

Bratpack

Camp-O Equipment and Accessories in Makati City

Camp Sandugo

Columbia Sportswear in various SM mall locations

Conquer Outdoor Shop

Estor Pang-Outdoor

Expedition Plus in Makati City

First Ascent

Habagat

Khumbu

The North Face - various SM and Ayala mall locations

Mike's Outdoor Shop

Montara

Recreational Outdoor Exchange (R.O.X.)in Taguig City

Sandugo Outdoor Shop

Storeshop

Timog Outdoors in Las Piñas City

Trek

Tropical Adventure Outdoor Shop

White Mountains

*Backpacks can also be purchased at any Chris Sports and Toby's Sports outlets located in SM and Ayala malls.

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Group climb with the Voyager Adventure Club at Mount Apo in Davao del Sur.

Sunrise view with the fabled “Sea of Clouds” backdrop at Mount Pulag in Benguet.

tent is a mountain climber's home in the woods, protecting against heavy rains, winds, and annoying insects.

Always climb with an experienced mountaineer on your team. Shown here is the area by Lake Vanado with mossy trees (trees that grow only at high elevations) at Mount Apo in Davao del Sur.

The long and endless trek at Mount Tapulao in Iba Zambales, with its rocky reddish soil.