Finally: The SUMMIT (Mt Kalisungan II)

to say that i was overjoyed was an understatement. it felt like taming the wildest of them all. this mountain certainly has "more bite than its bark".


Months after the failed attempt to the summit of this mountain, i was once again getting ready to trek on the slopes of Mt. Kalisungan. This time, again a blinding hope to reach the peak despite the typhoon that was brewing on the south luzon.

do not blame me for the daredevil that i was, the trip was long planned, since the first climb and the schedule was plotted a fortnight before. Even the typhoon was an unexpected adversary. Had this trip failed though, had there been troubles after, i had no excuse but my own obsession to meet the challenge. Though i am already humbled once by the forces surrounding this mountain, i came here for the second time with only one goal-to heal the constant ache alluring me to its summit.

I was nervous. There was no mountain to welcome us, it was completely covered by the fog and the drizzles were obstructing my line of sight. Little by little, i was feeling the pull of my nerves. I had no windbreakers, and the rain steadily pursued us. Not long after we started, the dampness covered us from head to foot.

The only push that motivated me was the familiarity now with trails. They seemed more friendly and pronounced now. We took cover from the fruit trees and released the muds we accumulated thru twigs and leaves. At times cutting off the amorsekos which deliberately clinged on us.

Midway through the climb, we were already addressing the mountains' resolute stand. And two hours after we jumped off, we came to the same hut where we lunched the first time. It was a couple of "we've been here before". Certainly. But instead of resting now, this ignited our desire to follow the trails we had overlooked before.

Had we trailed west as advised by the local we met on the first climb, it was sure that we made it the first time. Had we not confused steepness with direction, we could have made it the first time. Lessons were learned, and this was another time. the object of the day was to keep ourselves from slipping trough the muddy trails and to ensure safety for everyone.

Indeed we were close. The dalandan farm we trekked before was directly below the trail towards the peak. Inching up, the trail whirled through another grassland. We needed not to make our own paths now, it was all evidently tracked. But believe me now, climbing trough the wet and sharp grasslands, and muddy-packed soil was not at all enthusiastic. And even if we wanted to get inspiration from the vista we might see from that viewpoint, that was completely obscured by the thickness of fog that clouded us.

I was not complaining, huh, i had only developed total respect for this mountain. Thirty minutes after the hut,i honestly felt that we were almost there. I was waiting for the cross on the peak to emerge over the waving cogon tips and every time i didn't i felt i was cheated by the trails.

Slowly i struggled until there was no way up. I was battered by strong winds from all directions and i was stil painfully looking for the landmark cross. I looked beyond to where i thought was the town but saw nothing, we were completely covered. Madness.

I felt the mountain was making fun of me until i saw this piece of rock, a crevice in the middle. The Cross wasn't there anymore. Typhoons had claimed it. Inspite of myself, i decidedly posed atop it. With or without the Cross there is always faith, and yes i couldn't have done it without my Help. Going down, i felt the mountain finally smiling on me and in one split moment, it gave me a second to glimpse right down to the town and the surrounding farms.

Linked Post:
> Understanding Gravity - Mt. Kalisungan Part 1