It all started with Unwellness
There are times in our lives when we feel a state of languishing- it is not a state of depression it is lesser than that. Languishing is a mood and feeling of being de-motivated, that you even don't know why, your mood is like a withered flower that needs to be watered.
That is exactly what I felt a year ago after the pandemic and after our entire town of Cebu was hit by Typhoon Odette. I know exactly that I need to stand up and keep going- but life isn't just that easy. Sometimes, what your mind says isn't just what your heart felt...
It was then a set of friends of mine who talked about climbing the highest mountain in the Philippines, it wasn't a dream, because I know exactly my capacity and I often doubt my capabilities. However, I just booked a ticket for seat sale fare!
And just like that- I feel great, I feel motivated, coz I am looking forward to reaching the highest peak of the Philippines, the grandfather of the Philippine Mountains- Mt Apo!
The Adventure of a Lifetime Courage
It was the month of May that we took our Mt Apo Event Package for 6,000 Php (around a hundred dollars) all-in event for the last week of May, which already includes our 3-day-event meals, transfer, and event fees. We booked a seat sale fare in Cebu Pacific Air for 1,086 Php (around $18 ) one-way fare, and to maximize and save on the add-on luggage, we just book 2 sets of add-on baggage for the group and shared, so basically, our friend brought extra bags and we moved some of our stuff on there, you can use this technique on your future travel with a group, too, if you're into budget travel like us.
On the first day, my strength has been tested, as even reaching the jump-off, the trail was all uphill and that was not yet the official start of our 3-day trek. I was catching up my breath with the heavy loads of my full-pack bag weighing more than 7 kilos. Well, I felt guilty for not getting ready for this strenuous adventure, I haven't joined my mountaineering buddies in their pre-climb activities to get ready and practice everyone's agility for this major climb.
So that is when I decided to take a porter service when we reached the jump-off where we had our guide, Kuya Babo, has his orientation. I was saved by the porters in the community, yehey! And what's even good about taking a porter service is the thought that I have given them a source of living. It has been an income-generating activity of the locals living in the communities sitting on the foot of Mt. Apo to take porter service of the hikers and conquerors of Mt. Apo.
And it was the best decision I ever made on this major climb as I have given the chance to savor the beauty of Mt. Apo trail without being caught up by the stress of the heavy loads of my backpack because the trail itself is already so strenuous and would require so much stress and agility. However, the beauty, the thrill, and everything in between of this adventure were so amazing and a one-of-a-kind experience that I can be proud of for the rest of my lifetime.
For me, this experience is not just a fulfillment of my adventure thirst but an experience full of realizations and motivations.
REALIZATIONS
Thoughts #1: Life isn't a Race!
There are times during our whole trekking duration that felt so slow, I felt that I am so weak, because I am always a sweeper. We call the last pack of hikers in the group The Sweepers while the leading hikers in the group The Leads.
However, taking a slow pace hike would make me look around, I have come to see the beauty of the forestry which I am always astonished by. When I see the forest from afar, I am always curious, I always thought of what could I possibly see if I am on there, would I be able to see big snakes? or perhaps weird-looking creepy animals and insects? Am I a normal person thinking this or a weird individual? Lol!
So, the Mt. Apo trail has filled my curiosity with answers and wonders. The forestry was indeed mystically beautiful, although I didn't see big snakes and weird animals, lol, thankfully though!
Life is not a race, although consequently if you are fast, you can take a rest ahead, however, our pace is our peace, and we can appreciate the journey if we have savored its beauty and have enjoyed taking it.
Thoughts #2: If life gets too hard, you are not alone!
I always appreciate our master guide Kuya Babo, Renante Antac who is a President of the Kidapawan City Guide Association for being so patient with me, he was along with me as the sweeper guide of the pack, although there are some other trekkers, too, from the other group that we also hike along the trail.
The world is not an island, we always have people around that we can lean on to. We always have those people that share the same interests and sentiments in life with us, and I am so grateful to my mountaineering buddies, I am so delighted that I have met them because I always have these people I can join whenever I need to be on top of everything. Looking back on my life struggles and challenges- the mountains have become my fortress, they became my source of strength to keep going, though it would also take me strength to go up to the peak, ironically. It's just that, the beauty and serenity on top lighten up whatever burden I have on my heart.
Of course, knowing the living challenges of the locals would make me think, I am still so lucky to have better opportunities in life, although they have the luck of living in a paradise here on Earth.
Thoughts #3: In hardship, we'll come to appreciate the Beauty of Success!
Sometimes, we come to complain about our life problems, we come to question God or the Universe, why me? Not knowing that we have skipped the value of having a such challenge, which is:
You have been chosen by that challenge because God and the Universe believe in You, that You Can!
When we come to embrace the hardships and conquer to feat, it is when we come to appreciate the strength we have within ourselves, and come to discover that we are capable of something we never know we can do!
That is when we come to appreciate ourselves! There isn't any way to success that is so easy, if there is- well, I tell you, your journey is so damn boring!
Lastly, there is no such thing as I CAN'T DO IT because WE ARE ALL CAPABLE of doing WHAT WE WANTED TO.