Putikang Mt. Romelo

Mt. Romelo Experience

9.21.13

Technically, it was the self’s second climb but it still felt ET phone home to her.

Organizers created this event page on Facebook to remind the usual stuff like hiking etiquette, OOTCD (outfit of the climbing day), things to bring and what to expect from the trail.

Two days before the set climb, she bought a new pair of Tribu sandal which is on sale. Tried it on and it instantly boosted the self’s confidence because you know, it felt legit and felt like a hardcore pacute poser! Hah!

Few hours before the group meet, she had a mini reunion with her previous area friends. So there’s a pre-climb ganap that was basically just pigging out, booze fest and singing the hearts out. An hour or so before the Romelo group call time., she excused herself to get some zzzs.

3:30-4am: Breakfast slash nursing another hangover time at Jollibee near the workplace. TOG was there. Late and looking macho on his muscle tee. Shyetsya. But so you see, for the past days the self has been shrugging his presence off. Why? The self is in her maarte side.

4:30-6:40ish: Travel time. Roadtrip playlist was on while the self was trying to squeeze some more sleep on the way but the bumps and swerves made sure that she won’t be able to. It was alright because the group was one happy pack and the trip wasn’t a bore.

ASCEND

Started it around 7ish in the morning after registration. It was said to be on a 2/9 difficulty but still each step should be calculated for you might fall flat on your butt or worse, hit your head with something on the ground. The trail wasn’t steep but the unlimited and wagas mud supply has gotten on our way. Splash of cool river water was just refreshing that could entice you to take a dip. The current was a form of relief and a break from your muddy feet and legs.

However, be careful on the slips that might happen here and there. It would be better if someone would hold your hand . Charaught. Like what TOG did. Subtle HHWhile crossing the river. How convenient for the self and TOG. Flirting while enjoying nature’s finest. LOL.

  Falls

Dipping in at Buruwisan and Batya batya falls is a challenge because you’ll go Janes and Tarzans, and mermaids as well, along the way. Every twisted step is worth it because the place is just serene and the sound of the falls is like a steady lullaby. Photo ops are the best here. After vanity exhaustion, the group devoured the pack lunch. She shared her Burger Yum and Sting while looking for extra rice because she realized she was actually starving. Yosi breaks in between are like kelangan pa bang imemorize episodes and lines. Tight grips and swimming skills came in handy in bad scenarios.  Almost drowning scenes are heart wrenching. Apir na lang to our mermaid beki friend who saved the lives of the few.

DESCEND

The group decided to have a fast paced descend to avoid untoward incident due to unprepared night trek. What we had in mind is that there was only one head light vs. several newbie hikers, weather condition and the muddy trail. The group agreed on a buddy system yet everyone can feel the escalating worry.

We were waiting for each other and tried our best to stick together as much as possible. But it was getting dark and individual skills and endurance were not on the same page. The 16 members were divided into two groups. Both struggled on the way back. No light, no guide, rainy night, muddy, lost feeling. Everything came rushing at once. Fear was creeping in. Cursing became the self’s expertise that night.

Team Right (the self’s group) arrived at drop off point around 7:30 pm while Team Left arrived almost 10pm.

Everyone’s exhausted, starving, stinking and in pain with scratches and bruises but everyone, the self was so sure of it, learned something from this minor and petiks climb for others but major unexpected experience for the self and for the rest of the group.