Succeed On Purpose
The Girl Adventurer
Mt. Binicayan, Mt. Pamitinan, Wawa Dam
Montalban, Rizal, Philippines
Our mission was twofold: ascend Mt. Binicayan and Mt. Pamitinan early enough to bask in the elusive sea of clouds and to sidestep the harsh midday sun. Spoiler alert: We achieved both.
The day began at the ungodly hour of 4 am, with a light breakfast fueling our ambitious adventure. To reach the mountains’ base, we embarked on a somewhat unconventional ride: three of us squeezed onto a single motorcycle, helmets conspicuously absent. But hey, this was all part of the adventure.
The world was still shrouded in darkness, a chilly embrace enveloping us. Our plan? To begin our ascent under the cloak of night and summit in time to greet the sunrise. Despite the peaks looming at a modest 400-500 meters above sea level (rated 3/9 in difficulty), you don’t really need to be an athlete to conquer them. The real challenge? Navigating the maze of sharp, jagged rocks. These boulders and limestones weren’t just obstacles; they were the heart of our adventure. And let me tell you, tackling them was an exhilarating experience that places these mountains high on my list of unforgettable climbs.
Our hike commenced in a quaint residential area, transitioning into the wilderness after about a kilometer. As we delved deeper into the forest, each breath became a battle against the thinning air. The initial part of the trail was relatively kind, albeit a tad muddy from the previous day’s rain. This squelchy path accompanied us for about forty minutes before the real test began.
With the first sighting of sharp limestone, I donned my gloves, ready for a more tactile experience. Grasping and clambering over these natural monoliths was tough, but each conquered boulder brought a sense of unparalleled fulfillment. It was rock climbing, albeit a more primitive form, punctuated with brief stops to catch our breath, and of course, to capture the moment.
The photographic evidence of our journey was as diverse as it was stunning. Some shots were simple, capturing the raw beauty of our surroundings. Others? Well, they teetered on the edge of daring. Picture this: me, clinging to the side of a precipice, foot jauntily suspended in mid-air, with nothing but the sheer drop of a cliff on the other side. Heart-pounding? Absolutely. Worth it? Every second. It was a moment of ‘now or never,’ and I plunged into it with every ounce of courage I could muster.
In retrospect, the journey up Mt. Binicayan and Mt. Pamitinan was more than just a physical challenge; it was a dance with nature, a test of will, and a tryst with the extraordinary. And as I stood there, atop the world, with the first rays of the sun igniting the sky, I knew this was an experience I would carry with me forever.
Our journey to the summit wasn’t over yet. With about thirty to forty-five minutes left, a sense of contentment washed over me. Even halfway up, the view was nothing short of spectacular. But the peak was our goal, and I was determined to reach it. Despite the exhaustion weighing on every muscle, the thought of giving up never crossed my mind. I was resolute: the peak was my destination, and nothing less would suffice. And, true to my word, I made it.
The entire endeavor of conquering these majestic mountains took us around three to four hours, a testament to both the mountain’s challenge and our perseverance. But the adventure didn’t end there. Our next stop was Wawa Dam, a destination as breathtaking as the mountains themselves. The journey to the dam was less of an intense hike and more of a leisurely thirty to forty-minute walk from the base of the mountains. Along the way, we were greeted by local homes and stores, where we stopped for refreshments like coconut juice and coffee, and grabbed a little more breakfast to replenish our energy.
Upon reaching the dam area, a new challenge presented itself – crossing a river to get to our desired spot. Hesitantly, I removed my trail shoes and stepped into the frigid water, only to recoil at its icy touch. After a moment of trepidation, I braced myself and waded through, barefoot and determined. Once on the other side, the scene that unfolded was one of rugged beauty – rocky terrain with water cascading down between the mountains, creating a scene straight out of a fantasy.
Initially, I had no intention of immersing myself in the freezing water. But when my friend took the plunge, a spark of daring ignited within me. After some convincing – and a fair bit of internal debate – I surrendered to the temptation. The water, though ice-cold, was surprisingly refreshing and invigorating, a perfect conclusion to our four-hour hike.
It was in these moments, amidst the cold water and the majestic backdrop of nature, that I truly grasped the essence of adventure. It’s not just about the physical places we reach, but the mental and emotional boundaries we push along the way. Every step, every climb, and even the chilling embrace of a mountain river, was a testament to the spirit of exploration – a spirit that defines every journey, no matter where it takes us.
