It’s funny that once you overcome your fear or achieve uncommon things you do. You crave for more. The fact that you discover in yourself that you have the courage to do it, you want to do it again or even more in upgrade level.
I climbed another mountain, after Pico de Loro. I have conquered Mt. Pulag.
I decided to climb another mountain this time not for fun, but to witness something magical. Not just being the highest peak in Luzon, Mt. Pulag becomes a bucket list to newbie mountaineers or just enthusiastic travelers because of its breathtaking “sea of clouds”.
This time, I know the climb will not be easy. However, this is an opportunity for me to discover something within myself and chance to take the challenge of Mt. Pulag.
1. Commit and Pursue.
Make the decision. Commit and Pursue it. The truth of the matter is that I’m not a professional mountaineer. This is the first time I will take an overnight trekking; this means I have to pack a lot of things to survive for the next two days. Pulag has a freezer-type temperature, which lowers down more as the night approaches. It also has less amount of oxygen, given the fact that it is 2922 meters above sea level. The higher the elevation the thinner the oxygen is, thus more pressure. As the date of the trip is coming close, doubts and fears sink in. What if. What if I can’t make it? What if I freeze or collapse from sheer exhaustion? Then eventually, it was my desire that pushed me to continue. The doubts and fears even the exhaustion along the trail gently pushed aside the minute I focus on my dream – to witness the sea of cloud.
I substituted the thoughts of failure with the visions of achieving my goal, same true as we go with life. Battle your thoughts. Don’t allow it to stop you from growing. Commit to your goals. Believe in yourself. Take the challenge or do new experiences. Cliche it might be but you will never really know unless you try.
I climbed another mountain, after Pico de Loro. I have conquered Mt. Pulag.
I decided to climb another mountain this time not for fun, but to witness something magical. Not just being the highest peak in Luzon, Mt. Pulag becomes a bucket list to newbie mountaineers or just enthusiastic travelers because of its breathtaking “sea of clouds”.
This time, I know the climb will not be easy. However, this is an opportunity for me to discover something within myself and chance to take the challenge of Mt. Pulag.
1. Commit and Pursue.
Make the decision. Commit and Pursue it. The truth of the matter is that I’m not a professional mountaineer. This is the first time I will take an overnight trekking; this means I have to pack a lot of things to survive for the next two days. Pulag has a freezer-type temperature, which lowers down more as the night approaches. It also has less amount of oxygen, given the fact that it is 2922 meters above sea level. The higher the elevation the thinner the oxygen is, thus more pressure. As the date of the trip is coming close, doubts and fears sink in. What if. What if I can’t make it? What if I freeze or collapse from sheer exhaustion? Then eventually, it was my desire that pushed me to continue. The doubts and fears even the exhaustion along the trail gently pushed aside the minute I focus on my dream – to witness the sea of cloud.
I substituted the thoughts of failure with the visions of achieving my goal, same true as we go with life. Battle your thoughts. Don’t allow it to stop you from growing. Commit to your goals. Believe in yourself. Take the challenge or do new experiences. Cliche it might be but you will never really know unless you try.
2. Be Prepared.
The most important thing is preparation- physically and mentally. During our pre-climbing sessions, we thought we’re already prepared. But after that, we were mentally pressured when we realize all the stuffs we packed are not the essentials things. There are particular gears and items needed especially when you’re climbing for overnight trek and given that in Pulag weather is unstable.
Items were strictly checked by our tour guide thus we don’t have excuses not to comply. All of which are for our own benefits. The more prepared you are entails that whatever the challenges along the trail, you can overcome it. In a way, just like life the more preparation you execute in your task, performance or presentation the better the outcome becomes.
The most important thing is preparation- physically and mentally. During our pre-climbing sessions, we thought we’re already prepared. But after that, we were mentally pressured when we realize all the stuffs we packed are not the essentials things. There are particular gears and items needed especially when you’re climbing for overnight trek and given that in Pulag weather is unstable.
Items were strictly checked by our tour guide thus we don’t have excuses not to comply. All of which are for our own benefits. The more prepared you are entails that whatever the challenges along the trail, you can overcome it. In a way, just like life the more preparation you execute in your task, performance or presentation the better the outcome becomes.
3. Urge others.
One beneficial effect of climbing a mountain or doing something is you discover it together with other people especially close to you.
In this climb, I invited a friend. She’s not the usual outgoing person and it was her first climb. Her first climbed and it was Mt. Pulag. You have fears to conquer within yourself. But it’s a different story, when you need to eliminate the fear of others. How much excuses she made and the pressure she felt. I know I have to encourage her. Find ways to make her realize that this is once in a lifetime opportunity. That she can do it and she is strong.
Yet, when reality hits, I know she was so exhausted. I almost felt she wanted to walk away. Whether she deals with tiredness, draught and anxiety I have to stay and push her to continue the trail. Help her see the big picture, that I will help her and will walk behind her. Provide her with encouraging word that she can do it. And so she does. I know it was not me. I know deep down she wanted it. I just need to push and urge her.
In life, at some point we are all leaders and influencers. The important question is where are we leading them, why are we doing it and what are we influencing to them? The power, the ability and resources we have are you going to use it for your own advantage or to make others better than ourselves.
One beneficial effect of climbing a mountain or doing something is you discover it together with other people especially close to you.
In this climb, I invited a friend. She’s not the usual outgoing person and it was her first climb. Her first climbed and it was Mt. Pulag. You have fears to conquer within yourself. But it’s a different story, when you need to eliminate the fear of others. How much excuses she made and the pressure she felt. I know I have to encourage her. Find ways to make her realize that this is once in a lifetime opportunity. That she can do it and she is strong.
Yet, when reality hits, I know she was so exhausted. I almost felt she wanted to walk away. Whether she deals with tiredness, draught and anxiety I have to stay and push her to continue the trail. Help her see the big picture, that I will help her and will walk behind her. Provide her with encouraging word that she can do it. And so she does. I know it was not me. I know deep down she wanted it. I just need to push and urge her.
In life, at some point we are all leaders and influencers. The important question is where are we leading them, why are we doing it and what are we influencing to them? The power, the ability and resources we have are you going to use it for your own advantage or to make others better than ourselves.
4. Engage.
Take part in respecting the rules as you visit Mt. Pulag or any other place you want to explore. Also, take time to engage to the locals. Learn their stories and even dialects. Be friendly and chit-chat with them, especially the porters who assist in carrying tourists camping goods/ items. Porters were even women and children which are incredibly strong. As an alternate source of income, most locals opted to become porters and travel guides. Even in your short term stay, treat locals and respect their places by thinking what kind of ecological mark you are making after you leave.
Take time as well to connect to your fellow hikers/ climbers. Start conversation with them or simply share a smile and encouragement with them. Open yourself to cultures different from yours. Enlarge your circle of influence, you might be inspired or get inspired.
Take part in respecting the rules as you visit Mt. Pulag or any other place you want to explore. Also, take time to engage to the locals. Learn their stories and even dialects. Be friendly and chit-chat with them, especially the porters who assist in carrying tourists camping goods/ items. Porters were even women and children which are incredibly strong. As an alternate source of income, most locals opted to become porters and travel guides. Even in your short term stay, treat locals and respect their places by thinking what kind of ecological mark you are making after you leave.
Take time as well to connect to your fellow hikers/ climbers. Start conversation with them or simply share a smile and encouragement with them. Open yourself to cultures different from yours. Enlarge your circle of influence, you might be inspired or get inspired.
5. Enjoy.
Enjoy God’s creation. Enjoy and have fun in the Philippines. Our country has really wondrous secrets to offer, one of which is breathtaking Mt. Pulag. For first timers, Mt. Pulag is really worth the climb. Yet it’s worth involves the challenges you need to take. The trail includes the misty forests and the grassland summit with its “sea of clouds” at sunrise and even in sunset.
Witnessing the impressive picturesque landscape of Mt. Pulag “sea of clouds”, only reminds me that I am just part of an amazing world. There is a Creator, who knows what is best and skillfully crafted everything accordingly. Awed by the stunning beauty as the sun rises and its rays vividly and literally transforms clouds into a serene sea and even a waterfall.
Locals believe that when you witness the sea of cloud, at your first visit to Mt. Pulag, you are blessed. I guess it’s not being blessed, it’s just His grace. The weather was just so perfect and strength He give me to endure everything was His grace. God allowed me once again to enjoy His creation and give me a plethora of unique memories, after my first climb in Pico de Loro and that is the best and most rewarding part.
Enjoy God’s creation. Enjoy and have fun in the Philippines. Our country has really wondrous secrets to offer, one of which is breathtaking Mt. Pulag. For first timers, Mt. Pulag is really worth the climb. Yet it’s worth involves the challenges you need to take. The trail includes the misty forests and the grassland summit with its “sea of clouds” at sunrise and even in sunset.
Witnessing the impressive picturesque landscape of Mt. Pulag “sea of clouds”, only reminds me that I am just part of an amazing world. There is a Creator, who knows what is best and skillfully crafted everything accordingly. Awed by the stunning beauty as the sun rises and its rays vividly and literally transforms clouds into a serene sea and even a waterfall.
Locals believe that when you witness the sea of cloud, at your first visit to Mt. Pulag, you are blessed. I guess it’s not being blessed, it’s just His grace. The weather was just so perfect and strength He give me to endure everything was His grace. God allowed me once again to enjoy His creation and give me a plethora of unique memories, after my first climb in Pico de Loro and that is the best and most rewarding part.