What Makes Me Love The Mountains

After a 6-month hiatus from writing, I'm now back to my venue of sharing thoughts, experiences, and stories. Finally, back to blogging and promise to update more stories not only the recent ventures but also the past ones.

For my new post today...

Just recently...

I've climbed some mountains here in Cebu...

Reasons? 

 I wanted to live beyond norms and leave behind my mundane old self. I felt like I am becoming monotonous already, existing in melancholy and in my daydreams. I desired living in reality.  I need to challenge myself. I need pain to check that I am still alive. To live and not just exist.

 Never would I have thought I would be climbing mountains these days. I’m neither an avid traveller nor an outdoor enthusiast. I just wanted to see this part of the world, where you can embrace freedom, see the beauty around and marvel at God-given creation.

 I know people these days are into climbing mountains. I’m not doing what they’re doing just because it’s bandwagon. NO!!!    This is all about curiosity. And this curiosity leads me not just on reaching the summit but on learning things in general.

There is something in the mountains that keeps on bugging my head and pulling my heart. I don’t know exactly what. Maybe it’s the pleasure and relieving feeling after reaching the summit; the achievement not by conquering the mountain but, more importantly, conquering and exceeding my limitations. Pure bliss. Maybe just because of the bliss that I feel whenever I spend a day or two in the mountains with my trusted friends. Knowing that we’re in an unfamiliar place and yet still feeling secured because I know I can rest my confidence with them.

This post narrates my mountain climbing ventures in Osmeña Peak, Mt. Manunggal, Mt. Kan-irag/Sirao Peak, Unknown Mountain in Alegria, Mt. Mauyog, Mt. Naupa, Mt. Kandungaw which I had climbed so far.

1. Osmeña Peak (Highest Peak in Cebu)

My first mountain encounter was in Osmeña Peak located in Dalaguete, Cebu. It happened on April 08,2015 with my partner in crime, Kenn together with his college friends. It was very significant for me because its not only that I've climbed the highest peak in Cebu but I've also met some new friends. 

2. Mt. Manunggal (Balamban, Cebu)

I've thought that I could only climb one mountain and I said to myself that would be enough considering the time I had (for work & leisure), but I was really thankful to have met this pair, Rubejie & Ailyn (whom I consider now as my most favorite climbing buddies) who urge me to climb Mt. Manunggal  one of their travel goals also. So, I was so surprised upon knowing we also shared our common interest. So, from that day on (July, 2015) until today, we still continue climbing more mountains (hangga't kaya pa sa tuhod,hahaha!) We labelled our troop as AICARU TROOPERS. naaakks!

3. Mt. Kan-irag/Sirao Peak (Sirao, Cebu City)

/AICARUS' second mountain to climb/ We challenged ourselves to explore Mt. Kan-Irag part of Sirao, Cebu, & to attest our undesirable remarks about how challenging the place is. It happened on September 9, 2015, in leui of the Osmeña Day Celebration, hahaha.. Our goal is not only to conquer the mountains and nature but also ourselves.

4. Unknown Mountain in Alegria, Cebu

Just last year, Summer in April 2016, my partner in crime & I went to the mountains of Alegria just to explore their magnificent waterfalls, views, and caves...but what I haven't known was that, along our journey to some of the caves like Salay & Busay caves (will be posting another blog for this), our guide also told us that we also journeyed a mountaintop in Alegria and that was so surprising we got thrilled. Unfortunately, the guide didn't tell us the name about it, however, we still got the experience so we're thankful enough to the guide who brought us there.

5. Mt. Mauyog (Brgy. Tabunan, Cebu City)

/AICARU Troopers' 3rd Mountain to Climb/ As part of our climbing goals for the year 2016, we opted to climb Mt. Mauyog during the summer season and it was last May 21, 2016 located at Brgy. Tabunan, Cebu City. I call this as a bittersweet climb because of some struggles we experienced during the climb yet it became majestic as we saw the brainy-like rock formation when we reached on top. That makes it amazing!

6. Mt. Naupa (City of Naga, Cebu)

Mt. Mauyog is becoming popular hiking destination these days, but many didn't know that there's another mountain in Naga which was not yet been flocked with many tourists and locals, and that is Mt. Naupa located in Naga, Cebu. It's not also for hiking area but also for camping purposes... What I love about this mountain, it has almost perfect cone-shaped and the surroundings are planted with so much greeneries, it has landscapes & hills and most of all, the weather becomes cool during late afternoon and night time. Sunrise & Sunsets are also best captured here for those who want to have photoshoots. 

My Mt. Naupa encounter was really significant and forgettable because it was my first to camp out overnight together with my non other than, boyfie, Kenn Butanas...I was delighted during that day because there were also some people who camp out there, some were friends of my bf. We were able to make sulit with our stay overnight not minding the busyness after it and besides it was a holiday on the weekend, (Feb.25, 2017) so no worries!

7. Mt. Kandungaw (Candongao Peak in Maloray Dalaguete traverse to Badian, Cebu)

My Mt. Kandungaw climb just happened recently last April 22, 2017... Together with me were my AICARU troopers, as we have agreed always to have our climbing goals whether it'll be a hiatus for days, months or years, heeh. We made sure we can climb this year so as not to break our troop rule,hehe. and to fill our free times this summer 2017.

I consider this climb as the most traversive & most beautiful so far, even though we experienced too much struggle because of the almost 4-hour trek (from Dalaguete to Badian, Cebu) that we even encountered dangerous trails along the way to Badian...so that was really the longest trek we ever had since the first time we climb. We've learned so much about our experience here and we're so thankful to God for giving us strength, courage and guidance as we went home safe and sound.

So, there you go! Those were what me and my friends marveled so far in our climbing experiences, but of course, we still crave for more mountains, and more meeting new destinations and friends... 

With the memorable experiences and the joy I got, somehow I want to influence some of my friends that they might also be able to peek through what I have seen. There is this urge to make them experience the beautiful experiences I had.