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Real outdoor adventure from a credit card 2
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: Pinky Concha Colmenares
Date: 2001-10-08
 
By nine, despite the wonder of being surrounded by thick fog, moths as big as maya birds, and a chilly air, most of us first time mountaineers retired to our tents. With Mariel to my left and Nicole to my right, and Sonya next to her, I fell asleep. The hard earth on my back, my pullover rolled as a pillow, and a jacket as a blanket, I slept until six.



The assault to the summit



After breakfast, we broke camp and did some stretching in preparation for the “assault” on the summit. This time, a few of us proposed that those who wanted to see the view from there should go ahead without us. And could they just pass by for us on their way back?



No way. Left without a choice, we all followed Jessie out of the camp. This time there were no trivial talk, no jokes, no catching-your-breath sounds. For there was no trail in front of us! And instead of climbing up, as we expected, we were going down a steep mountainside covered by dead leaves and trees.



There were several instant pieces of advice: “Go down sideways, one foot at a time!”



Another said: “Dig your heel on the earth to gain some foothold.”



“Grab on the tree branches or shrubs to hold your balance!”



I did all that, with a big help from Anjo who patiently held on to my hand when there were not vines to hold on to. But when my heels could not dig a foothold for me; or my feet could not take the sideways-walk, I simply sat on the earth and slid down.



As suddenly as the downhills came, it was now time to climb – about 70 degrees up without a rope! The vines held our weights well, the roots of the giant trees presented natural footholds.



Just when I thought this was getting too steep for comfort, Jessie announced: “Leave your bags here and climb that rock.”



That rock turned out to be The Summit! There – a 360 degree view of the forest, sea and the neighboring mountains stood like a painting! This time, we did not move away from each other to be alone with our thoughts. The rock was too small to have space for that.



Going down



No one complained when someone said it was time to go down. In a while, everyone seemed to find the rhythm of the fast descent. Stanzas of songs and poems were recited. And getting-to-know-you talk flowed through the line of 15 mountaineers – as everyone could now claim to be called.



So now, we know Sonya hopes to compete in a triathlon soon. Nicole lived in Florence for seven months. Mariel had wanted to be a mountaineer but failed a time qualifying run to join the group. It was not Ruel’s idea to go with this adventure. Joem has an affection for washing his clothes whenever water was available. Anjo will take every opportunity to take photos – even hanging on to a rope! Philip is cool and daring. Corny is quiet, perhaps shy. And Calen will make you believe his story about meeting mutants under Rockwell.



And the five UP Mountaineers? — They are ready to give you an adventure. But first, you take a ticket – the Shell Citibank MasterCard.



 

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