Rough Groove

Mt. Marami itinerary

I just have to post this one as I have received many requests. About this mountain, while it is a simple and leisurely trip, the many trails crisscrossing the path can mislead climbers. It would be better that for first time climbers, a guide is a must. Also, the trek can be very draining if it is hot and humid as forest cover is nonexistent except for cultivated or patches of vegetation and sometimes scant secondary growth and can also be very muddy and slippery if it rains. However, views are magnificent especially at the “stone pillars” that comprise the peak.

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Mt. Pulag

Pulag

Originally uploaded by brainsalad81.

Smart Mountaineering Club is currently in this mountain for the induction of the new members. Wow. Pulag. One mention of it and images of extensive montane grasslands flash in ones head. Or the glorious sunrise and sunsets that can be had in this tallest mountain in Luzon. Too bad that I wasn’t able to come due to my project. Also, I’m just too ill prepared for a climb right now. Have really been gaining weight this past days and a sudden climb would just be injurious.

Next time. I will be preparing myself. Next time.

Smart Mountaineering Club Photo exhibit

smcnoy_egroup_pic

Smart Mountaineering Club (SMC) recently concluded its weeklong photo exhibit at the lobby of Smart Tower which also kicked off the recruitment program of the group. On exhibit were around 80 photos with majority taken in the last year. I should say that I have also contributed many photos

The exhibit was quite successful wherein around more than 30 people signified their interest to join the club. This Wednesday will be the preclimb for the invitational climb at Mt. Daguldol this weekend. By the way, SMC is not exclusively for Smart employees. We also accept non-Smart.
Additional photos of the exhibit can be viewed at the Flickr Group.

Series 36: Gulugod Baboy trek

20 photos in this new series started today at my photoblog binary silver showcasing photos taken during our club climb in Gulugod Baboy in Mabini, Batangas.

Filipino at the roof of the world

*photos courtesy of Arvin Arcilla, Smart Mountaineering Club Phys-T Master during our first BMC session for us recruits last 12 July 05. With him is Janet Belarmino, another member of the First Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition.

Leo Oracion, a native of Lucban, Quezon, the first Filipino to reach the roof the of the world, Mt. Everest made the feat at around 1730H, last Wednesday, Manila time. Following suit was Pastor Emata of Davao City, another FPMEE member and expected tomorrow, Saturday is Romi Garduce, who climbed independent of the two. Well, it was a great day for Filipinos as it made the nation celebrate of such a feat. But this is also without its controversy.

Originally, the FPMEE group was scheduled to climb the tallest mountain by 2007, as a team but with Romi Garduce spoiling it when he decided to climb it this year, things just changed. It also doesn’t help that the two groups were backed by the two biggest networks: GMA for Garduce while ABS-CBN for FPMEE. Sensing that ABS-CBN would be left out if it will still wait for next year’s ascent, FPMEE suddenly changed its course and announced that it will be sending its two very capable mountaineers (Emata and Oracion) as advance party for next year’s schedule. That’s why, tongues started wagging that the Everest attempts just became a race fueled by the TV network wars. Predictably, ABS-CBN denied this.

While they were able to clench the record, its just really sad that such noble (?) causes are tainted with commercial interests. Pati ba naman dun sa tuktok ng mundo GMA vs. ABS-CBN pa rin? Its just pathetic. No wonder that we as a nation doesn’t improve.