by Astrid Gabo

 

Tents and sleeping bags, checked.  Ponchos, warmers, gloves, camp and trek gears, checked.  Painkillers and mosquito repellants, checked.  Power bars, checked.  Pinned “SOS Akyat ala Treinta” IDs, double-checked.

 

The SOS team, comprised mostly of first-time climbers, arrived at the foot of Gulugod-Baboy (pig’s spine) in Anilao, Batangas at 1400 hours on 07 February 2009.

An overcast sky became the prelude to the showers that were to welcome the climbers.  No matter how gloomy weather was, the climbers’ anticipation contrasted the weather’s mood as enthusiasm filled the air.  The team carried their stuff on their backs with gears in place, cameras in hand and a thrilled expectant look on their faces.

Ascent:  After the team was divided into two, the first group began their ascent at 1430 hours followed shortly by the second group of SOS climbers.  The initial climb was a paved road inclined to somewhat 60 degrees.  After the 30-minute leg-cramping hike on the steep pavement, the real challenge began as the rain started to pour.  

Campsite:  A foggy mountain top met the climbers as the first team safely arrived after a two and a half hour climb.  The last team arrived half an hour later at twilight.  By then, almost all the tents were pitched on the campsite.  After sharing the camp dinner, the group’s socials transformed the day’s chilly atmosphere to a fun-filled evening.  Games like charades brought warmth and laughter.  The socials ended after the remarkable bio-energy exercise where four persons could lift one as high as their arms could extend using only their forefingers placed under the subject’s underarms and the back of his knees.  That night, only snores and tent bugs broke the silence of the peaceful campsite.

The SOS climbers woke up early the next morning to prepare for breakfast and wait for the sunrise.  Though the fog had kept them from witnessing the sunrise, the group’s breakfast of salted egg and danggit was enough to keep their spirits up and get them ready for their descent.

Descent:  More slips and slides this time, but the way down was faster than expected.  The first group of climbers started trekking at 0830 hours.  Nobody was left on their own.  Those who got leg cramps or cuts were assisted by their fellow trekkers just as it had been during the ascent.

Finishing point:  At this point, several pairs of shoes were damaged, and almost everyone had a few scrapes and scratches.  Shoes and clothes were also soiled due to the bad weather. Even so, the exhaustion did not prevent them from giving up as the triumphant smiles etched on their faces were evident when the last batch reached the end of the trail at 1040 hours, the SOS climbers completed their first-ever fun climb.

It is very much fulfilling to have accomplished something you don’t get to do that often, such as this climb. Plans for more summits to reach in the future are being sought by these daring SOS Akyat ala Treinta survivors.