A Climb Less Ordinary

In everyone there lies a thirst that needs to be quenched—more dire in some than in others. Adventure. It’s what most of us merely dream of and what others live out. There is always that group of people who actually go out and take risks to truly exist in the name of adventure. They do extreme sports, ride the waves, cruise with the wind and tackle the mountains. Usually willing to try anything once, these people are spontaneous, fun and always looking for the best kind of excitement. Typifying this are the Loyola Mountaineers. A bulwark of teamwork, friendship and always ready for anything! As recounted by Redj Plopinio, Vic Panlilio, Nina Bacanay, Jaja Reyes and Bants Reyes, we urbanites can enter the world of those who experience things completely far away from not just the city – but from all easy living that make up our comfort zone.

One can usually find these five key mountaineers in Laguna or Batangas. These places are close enough to go to for day or weekend climbs. There are three motives to a climb, Jaja explains:

• Training climbs

These climbs are around 2000 feet high. These are generally easy climbs that gradually increase in difficulty. They are used to train the novices in the sport.

• Major climbs

These climbs are 3000 feet or higher. These are well known, mapped routes that are difficult yet familiar. They usually take three or more days.

• Exploration climbs

Only the most experienced and technically skilled mountaineers go on these climbs. They survey mountains they have never seen before and assess them if they can be for further use on climbs.

To prepare they have pre-climb meetings to make sure they are both physically and mentally fit. To get in shape, they run six to 10 kilometers regularly. Aside from being much more fit than the average person, their lifestyle and attitude are unique from most. "On weekends most people go to bars and movies, but we go up the mountain and appreciate nature. We become more conscious of the impact we make," Raj elaborates. To which Nina responds, "We’re more exposed to what happens outside the city. We find it easy to adapt to changes. Prepare for the worst and become utterly independent."

It is a sworn gratifying experience. Aside from being able to appreciate nature and all its graces, Bants adds, "people really become close after climbs." They go on road trips and really have to depend on each other. At night they bond in their tents or over breakfast in the morning…not to mention during their actual ascend up the slopes. "They really go through so many things together," Vic says explaining the inevitability of closeness. Encouraging more people to join isn’t such a difficult task, seeing that there are so many reasons to do so.

Why do it? To be in touch with nature. That thirst for adventure. To do something different from those being offered in school and in society. To experience the best of nature while you’re still young. To keep physically fit. To meet interesting people. To meet boys. To meet girls. To escape academic hassles. To face challenges head on. As their motto sums it up all… "We do these things not to escape life, but to prevent life from escaping us."