I CLIMB BECAUSE...

I climb because of countless reasons.

I climb in all of the seasons.

I climb because I love the outdoors.
I climb to escape from concrete floors.
I climb because I desire reaching new heights.
I climb to experience dark and starry nights.

I climb because I hope the wind sings.
I climb so that I can fly though I don't have wings.
I climb because I wish to hug huge trees.
I climb to kiss wildflowers like honey bees.

I climb because in the clouds I desire to walk.
I climb in silence so that my heart could talk.
I climb because I fancy seeing the world in a different perspective.
I climb to be more physically active.

I climb because I crave to challenge myself.
I climb to know that I'm small as an elf.
I climb because I aspire conquering my limitations.
I climb to see weaklings defy expectations.

I climb because it is good for my health.
I climb to acquire abundant wealth.
I climb because it makes me happy.
I climb eventhough I am sometimes sloppy.

I climb because the views are more than the usual.
I climb although I am a mere mortal.
I climb because of the friends I meet along the trail.
I climb searching for answers like the Holy Grail.

I climb because I simply start on a single step.
I climb yearning to bring my pet.
I climb because it is useless devotion.
I climb to satisfy my ceaseless passion.

These and all that I may have failed to recall,
I climb because I am capable.

                                                                  *** Ogzie ***

Mt. Pulag - Open Climb

Do you wish to experience the famous Sea of Clouds? Or experience to tramp on the renowned playground of the gods?

The Skookum Mountaineers will be having an open climb to Luzon's highest peak this coming March 27-30 and April 24-27, 2015, via Ambangeg-Ambangeg.

For more details, just call Allan Calura at +63 905 696 9432. 

You can also send us an email at skookummountaineers@gmail.com

Mt. Pulag

Sea of Clouds



2922MASL

Skookum Mountaineers Anniversary Wash - Saipan Beach

As I was roused from my deep slumber by movements outside our tent, I saw Skookums Gani, Allan and Bogs already preparing breakfast because while our initial plan was really to assault Mt. Tangisan at 0500H, no one seemed to have informed our guides of our said intention. Hence, I went back to sleep a little more (or was I just too sleepy to dress up haahaa).

It was already 0600H when we woke up, just when the other Skookums were busy cooking chicken noodle soup and fried smoked fish (tinapa). We also have salted eggs with tomatoes on the side. It was indeed a breakfast to behold.

HHWWPSSP

Pangasaan Dam

To think that this can be filled with water...:)

San Jose Circuit - Skookum Mountaineers (1st Anniversary Climb)

As we observe the 1st Anniversary of the Skookum Mountaineers, we Skookums chose to celebrate it in a place very close to our hearts. Where else but in Sitio San Pebro, Brgy. Iba, San Jose, Tarlac, where we also held our 1st Outreach Program (PaSkookum 2014) last December 2014. Since the San Jose Circuit (mainly composed of Mt. Caoayan, Mt. Bungkol Baka, and Mt. Tangisan) is known for its long circuitous trek under hellish conditions, we chose to have an open itinerary so as to maintain a relaxed pace along the trail. Among the participants of our 1st Anniversary Climb were Skookums Bogs, Gani, Allan, Oliver, Espi, Nelson, Bette, Charmm, and Jaime. Amy and Jhen participated as our guest climbers.

Mt. Caoayan...energy-sapping

Mt. Bungkol Baka...the mysterious

Mt. Tangisan...the elusive (so near yet so far)

We started to assemble at the McDonald’s located in Quezon Ave., cor. EDSA at 0100H. It was already 0200H when we left for Tarlac City aboard our service van. Everybody exuded the anticipation of having the chance to conquer one of Central Luzon’s hardest and most intense climbs, and more importantly, to again meet some of our old friends in Sitio San Pedro.

At 0415H, Skookums Allan, Bogs and Oliver alighted at the Tarlac City Public Market to do some marketing. While the others proceeded towards the McDonald’s opposite the Tarlac State University to have breakfast (we decided to just rendezvous with them there so that we can actually save some precious time).  It was already 0500H when the three of us arrived and ordered breakfast. It was already 0620H when we left for Sitio San Pedro in San Jose, Tarlac.

We finally arrived at the registration area in Sitio San Pedro at around 0715H, where we were warmly met by Kapitan Omeng together with a bunch of kiddos who were then playing by the roadside. We then repacked some of our things and prepared our gears. As we were already late by more than hour in our intended itinerary, we decided to hike on a moderate pace. Before we left the registration area, there were locals who sold us their fresh catch that morning. It was already 0830H when we left the registration area and started to again test the tramping grounds of the Abeling Tribe.

Pico de Loro - New Trail / DENR Trail

As the Skookum Mountaineers officially turned One, I made sure that our group should at least have a hike/climb last January 31. And since my fellow Skookums were either held back by their respective schedules or personal commitments, I was forced to do a solo-climb instead.

While I would always prefer to be with my best climb buddies (of course that includes my wife) rather than doing it solo, I'd say that hiking alone also has its advantages. Nevertheless, I'd make a separate post concerning this topic once I get more ideas and experience on the matter.

As it was my first time to climb solo, I decided to just limit my options to the mountains that I am most familiar with. And it was not until after I was able to drive-thru the Jollibee branch in nearby Tomas Morato (for my breakfast) that I finally decided to head to Pico de Loro.

Pico de Loro remains to be one of the most popular climbs in the Philippines

The Monolith

My 1st mountain for 2015

Held by traffic at the EPZA area just after the Cavitex, I arrived at the jumpoff at around 0730H. Just as I expected, there are already a lot mountaineers heading to the trail head, and of course, the ever-increasing number of weekend warriors who also try to have a piece of their own adventure. I parked Jaff on the shoulder of the highway and immediately put on my gears. I paid the mandatory registration fee of P25.00 and then went on to do some stretching. At 0810, I said a brief prayer and then started to hike/run.

Oh how I missed the eerie silence of the forest, which was intermittently broken by chirping birds, the sound of crickets/cicadas and the rustling of leaves caused by the cool mountain breeze.

BMC 101 - Version 2.0

The Skookum Mountaineers has held its 2nd Basic Mountaineering Course 101 at the "Loud House ni Jaime" in Roxas District, Quezon City last January 23.

First, we had a boodle fight for dinner courtesy of Sir Allan, our ever-reliable Skookum chef. We really enjoyed the food. Then, the lecture and discussion immediately followed.

The event was graced and conducted by Sir Roy Dela Cruz, former President of the Globe Adventure Club, and also a past-President of the FEU Outdoors. He is also one of the stalwarts of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI).

Some of us belonging to the 1st batch of inductees already had our BMC 101 prior to our induction climb in Mt. Ugo last year, but still we chose to participate to at least refresh, or even widen our knowledge of mountaineering.

It was really a fun-filled evening as we even had a boodle fight during dinner. It was really a worthwhile experience for us to continue to hasten our knowledge of mountaineering, and of the outdoors as well.

Mt. Balungao - Small but Terrible

As our yearend climb, we decided to traipse up the slopes of Mt. Balungao last December 31. In case you are wondering, Mt. Balungao is located in the town of Balungao in Pangasinan.

Mt. Balungao taken from the winding road heading to the Balungao Hilltop Adventure

Mt. Balungao...taken from the TPLEX...clearly resembling a woman's breast (Susong Dalaga)

We arrived at the Balungao Hilltop Adventure (previously knows as Mt. Balungao Hot and Cold Spring Resort) at about 0730H and were gleefully assisted towards the registration area. After signing waivers, we secured a guide (Joven was the guide assigned to us) and put on our hiking gears.

The trail is located at the back of the hall cum registration area. While Mt. Balungao is just a shade below 400 meters in height, it is known for its incessant assault from base to summit. The good thing is that the trail is established and forested up until the grassland just before the summit. As such, many mountaineers especially those based up north have included Mt. Balungao among their training climbs.

It was 0815H when we started the climb. From the base, we scaled rocks and boulders (maybe a sign of its volcanic past...yes Mt. Balungao is a dormant volcano) and even had to cling on to the roots of trees for support. There are a lot of kakawate trees in this part of the trail. This rocky/bouldery trail shall continue until the upper portions, where you will pass by a bamboo grove (similar to that in Pico de Loro). This will then give way to the grassland, which signifies that you are already very near the summit.