of Monsters and Mountains: Climbing Hiatus

It was my last year in college when I first discovered my passion for mountaineering. It was then that I finally gave in to my hidden adventurous side and dared to join the Loyola Mountaineers organization in my school (even though I supposedly knew no one in that org). Although, in the end, I wasn't able to pass all the tests to become a member, I was still able to climb 4 mountains with that org.

I last climbed this March during the org's Senior Climb and I have been craving to climb again ever since. I have already received 4 climbing invitations (Mt. Tapulao and Mt. Gulugud-Baboy with a Lv6 friend, Mt. Manabu with one of my closest friends, and Mt. Bungkol Baka with an LM friend), but I unfortunately have to turn all of these down.

I have put myself in a "climbing hiatus" (at least until June) for a number of reasons. First, it doesn't feel right to just go climbing when my parents have been becoming so annoyed and probing at what am I really doing. They have been calling me more frequently to ask where am I, what am I doing, and if am I going somewhere. My "bum" situation is actually annoying us all. They're assuming that I'm wasting my life away doing nothing but going out and drinking, (which isn't really true) while I'm trying not to encourage this idea by avoiding big trips such as climbing trips. Although I could just opt to go forth and explain to them that I'm really doing something productive, that sort of thing just isn't me. I'd rather avoid the topic until I finally have something concretely productive to show them.

Second, I don't have money for climbing. Although I do have money in my account, I'm reserving that for my upcoming business. I don't intend to borrow money from anyone so I wouldn't want to be left short-handed. I would also like to have a fat bank account again (just like before I went into mountaineering) so that I could be eligible for a pre-approved credit card account (no more hassle documents and requirements).

Third, I feel that I am not physically ready. I would first need to appropriate my diet by eating at a more regular rate to build the strength I need. And I would also need to redevelop a jogging habit so as to acquire endurance. Without these, climbing would be more of a pain than enjoyment.

And so, no climbing trips or out-of-town trips for June. My envisioned monthly adventure/travel trip would be put on hiatus as well until I believe I have gained the right to do so.

Anyway, here are some pictures from my first training climb in Mt. Daguldol, Laiya Batangas last 31 July-1 August 2010.