Today: Climb Every Mountain

It was my first time to climb.

I've been climbing mountains just because I have to. Like the 3 hours trek just to see the lighthouse of Cape Engano in Palaui and another 3 hours back to Punta Verde or the Station of the Cross in Camiguin or climb the highest peak of Siquijor or the 724 steps of Mt Tapyas in Coron? I am not really sure if these were all considered as mountain climbing. However, these were part of my travel stories and Apo knows how many liters I sweat everytime I trek. Until this day came that I got to climb with my friend, Irish, together with Tripsanity, we went off to Pico de Loro.

My travel philosophies were inspired by mountaineers particularly, Kuya Deng from Outdoor Addicts. Although he was persistent in inviting me to his climb, I was very hesitant to join. I joined his beach camp though twice and it was in Calaguas that we got to share stories. I was inspired by his travel principles. His love for travel made me create my own travel story too. While he's raising the Philippine flag during his climb to other countries, I am expanding my knowledge and experience in travelling Philippines and other South East Asian countries. He went for the mountains, I experienced culture. I can say I became a responsible traveller because of him. (You should too.) And though I've been to many places, when it comes to mountain climbing - I was a bit off.  I've met more mountaineers as time flies, most of them became my friends and some of my friends became mountaineers. They were my inspirations as well. I was asked couple of times to climb but I declined their invitation couple of times too. Honestly, I got scared. But through their stories I've "met" a lot of mountains, just like how I "met" all places I've been. Through these people my respect for mountain climbing heightened and my love for travelling weighted more. As I've been yearning for more active lifestyle. I goal to climb mountains for this year. I knew that my heart felt that I was ready for it. I grabbed the opportunity when Irish asked me if I want to climb Pico De Loro. It happened July 19, 2015 to be exact at 8:10 MNL time. With Tripsanity. Cheers to a new start of my climb every mountain kind of travel! :)

Do not fret because I will be travelling to different places still. Happy Travelling!!!

Would you care to join me? Tara!

Hearts,
Jaja

* Photos courtesy of Irish Degala.