The Philippines
Mt. Talinis: The Last Frontier of Negros Oriental (Part 2)
We had a great sleep, thanks to the cool weather (12 degrees Celsius). The next day, we woke up to a cold, wet, gray morning as a gentle drizzle showered the landscape. The mist that descended on Lake Nailig made everything ethereal and magical as brilliant colors muted.
Mt. Talinis: The Last Frontier of Negros Oriental (Part 1)
Ever since we started mountaineering, we’ve always wanted to climb the verdant slopes of the gorgeous Mt. Talinis in Negros Oriental considering that the mountain is relatively close to Cebu. And we heard exciting stories about it: the unspoilt trails, the virgin forests, the gentle lakes as well as the agonizing terrain, the dangerous slopes, and the exhausting trek.
We were not disappointed.
Mt. Naopa: A Fun Climb, A Spectacular Sunrise
Mt. Naopa is less than 1,000 MASL and is ideal for a fun trek or for introducing new people to the sport of mountaineering.
Rappelling in Cantabaco: Getting High on Going Down
What is the fastest way to descend a 100-foot building or a cliff other than jumping? Abseiling, of course.
Abseiling, more commonly known as rappelling, refers to a technique of controlling the descent down a vertical feature via a rope. Mountaineers, canyoners, rock climbers, and other adventurers rappel down a cliff, slope, or some other feature that is too steep or dangerous to descend without using some sort of protection.
Cantabaco: A Rock Climber’s Mecca in Cebu
Do you want to be engaged in a sport where only a handful of people can actually appreciate what you’re doing? Do you want to join a sport where you literally risk life and limb to achieve a goal? Do you want to join a sport where you don’t compete with anybody but yourself? If you do, Sheila and I then welcome you to the world of rock climbing.
Mt. Napulak, A Climb in Stormy Weather
Sweethearts who go adventuring together stay together even in the midst of real and metaphorical storms. In our case, we encountered the former.
The climb to Mt. Napulak last July 27 to 30, 2012 was the first time that sweetie and I adventured together outside the Cebu island. Cebu mountaineers, Sir Ruel, Sir Ronald, Nicolo and Botchok; sweetie’s officemates, Nina and Pam; and the two adventuring sweethearts joined a contingent of mountaineers from Bacolod, Iloilo’s Higher Ground Mountaineers, and Manila to summit the mountain.
Osmeña Peak: Love at First Climb
“So, are we going to share a single tent?” she asked me.
“Yes,” I replied, “but don’t worry. I’m harmless. In mountaineering, sharing a tent is for practicality.”
“Ah, okay,” she replied with a smile.
Apparently, I realized later on that I was far from harmless. During our first mountaineering experience together at Osmeña Peak, Dalaguete, the purportedly highest point in the Cebu Island, we exchanged pre-marital vows. On May 12, 2012, 9:00 p.m., Sheila and I became official sweethearts sharing a passion for adventure.
Adrenaline Romance 