The Blue Hiker

Hiking Leaf # 7: First hike of 2018 The month of January became busy for me due to work, which is why I wasn't able to join my group's recent climbs. It has been almost two months since my last hike, and I started to wonder if I could handle another major climb like Tapulao. However, I didn't want to push myself too hard, so I decided to go on a minor climb first to test my knees. Doc Sheng (who I hiked with in Montalban Trilogy Version 1) invited me to join her group's climb to Mount Sawi. Without hesitation, I agreed to her invitation. I also invited Jaypee, and I was happy that he accepted. On February 3, 2018, Jaypee and I arranged for a pick-up in Munoz as we were heading north to save on transportation costs. I was excited for this hike because our hiking destination will be in the province of Nueva Ecija, my beloved province. Everyone in the van was colleagues of Doc Sheng, so Jaypee and I were the new joiners in the group. We picked up another companion in ...

Hiking Leaf # 5: Birthday Climb at Batulao November 12, 2017 - I have already achieved my monthly commitment to hiking and I am happy because I am able to do it. I went back to my Mother Group, Galang Paa, and our group hiked to Mount Batulao. My hiking buddy, Jaypee, was not able to join the climb because he had a scheduled a hike at Mount Ugo the next day (Wow! Ugo!). I invited my co-worker, Edlen, and my former schoolmate from college, Ella. Upon arriving at the meeting place (KFC - Kia), I found out that we now have 2 vans! One of our companions brought along some joiners, who seemed to be colleagues, and they filled up an entire van! The rest of us who knew each other rode in the other van. Momshie decided to join the other van because she was the organiser and wanted to get to know the group of joiners. We started our journey and passed through the Cavite area where we picked up two more joiners who were acquaintances of our companions. Then, we headed to Nasugbu! It was still...

Hiking Leaf # 4: Mainam sa Talamitam October 22, 2017 - It's been almost a month since my last climb, and I haven't been able to follow up my first-ever hike with a Major climb yet, but it's okay, at least I can still pursue my hobby. I decided to join the reunion climb of my colleague from the company I work for. They chose to climb Mount Talamitam. I knew I might feel left out on the entire trail, so I brought my female cousin for this climb and my hiking buddy, Jaypee. The call time was at 6:00 am, but what's tough is that the meet-up location was in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. We traveled to Laguna at 2:00 am with my companions. It was very early, and I just wanted to avoid being the cause of any delay in their event, so it was fine if we had to wait. Around 4:00 am, we arrived in Laguna and went straight to Jollibee. We were the first in the group, and I was proud of that! Lol! At 6:00 am, we saw Sir Jon (a colleague of Sir Randy) and he was the first one we met. We sl...

Hiking Leaf # 3: First Trilogy Climb September 24, 2017 - After almost a month of rest from mountaineering, I once again joined our group's climb. Perhaps it was also because my rest day didn't align with the group's climbing schedule, so I couldn't join them. I was very excited because my body would once again be tested, and of course, the experience I would have, as I am already into #MountainIsLife. Trilogy climb, meaning, we will climb three mountains in one day! I didn't know if I would finish the climb, complete the three mountains, if I could still walk when I got home, or if I would continue with this climb! But of course, nothing will happen if you don't try. Appoy did not join on this climb because he was already processing his papers for Taiwan. I felt a bit sad because the one who influenced me to go mountaineering will now pursuing his working abroad. Instead, I was with Jaypee on this climb.   Upon arriving at the meet-up, we exchanged pleas...

Hiking Leaf #2: Taal trip + Caleuega Church August 27, 2017: One week after my first-ever climb, I decided to climb again. It had become a craving for my body's system. The group decided to hike to Taal just to push through with the hike. Originally, we were supposed to go to Pinatubo, but due to bad weather in Zambales, the Pinatubo trip was cancelled, so we opted for Taal instead.  I still went to the meet-up with Appoy, but I first passed by a friend, Kat. Jaypee had a schedule conflict, and JR was busy, so they couldn't join us in Taal. After meeting up with Kat, we headed straight to the popular climbers' meet-up spot, KFC-Kia! The faces of our companions in Taal were new, but Asky, who was with me in Makiling, was still there. I found out that it was actually her birthday climb. After a few hours, we traveled to Tagaytay, passing by some places along the road (Kristinnah & Gerald). Around 3:00 am, we reached Tagaytay. Since it was still early, we park...

Hiking Leaf #1: My mother mountain: Mount Makiling August 20, 2017 - I was very excited for my first attempt to climb a mountain. My colleague, Appoy, mentioned that we were going on a Major Hike, so I truly felt excitement, with no nervousness, just pure excitement. Perhaps because my two best friends were also with me on this first experience. Jaypee, JR and me at KFC Cubao We met up at KFC Cubao, my friends Jaypee and JR entered together, feeling a bit shy in the group we were joining. Momshie was the organizer/coordinator of the Galang Paa group we joined, and she gave us a warm welcome. Then at midnight, we set off for Laguna. We got a bit lost on the way to the jump-off point because it was a remote location, and maybe because we weren't used to climbing the Majestic Mount Makiling. After a few detours, we finally reached the Sto. Tomas, Batangas Jump-off point (thanks to the Tricycle that took us there). It was around 4 am by then, so it was cold, and the surroundin...