Trekking with a Rookie

 Ugis Peak 1st Invatational Climb

Esperanza ,Sultan Kudarat

July 26-27,2014

Hosted by: Esperanza LGU

Organized by: Happy Trip

Trekking is interacting with nature. It is a travel experience that is much different from the comfort of promoted tourist attractions and destinations. It is an adventure and a test of self endurance for neophytes.

Everybody was excited about the event. The organizer and the host may have felt overwhelmed by the spirit of camaraderie demonstrated by 70 participants who came from as far as Mati, Davao Oriental (17 hrs travel); Davao City;  General Santos City; Alabel, Sarangani Province;Polomolok and Marbel, South Cotabato, KIdapawan & Makilala, North Cotabato; Lebak and Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. All were Mountaineers. 

As we are about to jump off, one from Cotabato City participant arrived and was introduced to me by the organizer as a travel blogger. Getting to know each other as we started our trek, he told me  it was his first ever mountain climbing activity. As an  organizer myself, I am compelled to protect him from the natural harm we want to avoid in any of our mountaineering event. We were orient to climb the peak in 2 and a half hour but i doubt if we can make it with the phasing we have and the technicality of the range. Rappelling, muddy trail, steep rock, and a stiff trail might not be good for him to love our passion without the basic orientation we require before we climb every summit we dream to conquer.

At Mt. Ugis The sky was fair to give us the view of the peak. A little rain shower welcomed us while killing our time at its foothills. Sitting under the shade of a small tree he shared me his crackers while i give him mountaineering fun experiences. A local Tiruray named Jun warmly exchanged conversation with us and offered a place for us to sit and relax. As we look down  in the flat terrain of Ezperanza, Jun pointed the direction where they heard the gun shots echoes of Maguindanao Masaccre.

And who would disagree?  

Coconut water chasing has always been  part of our trekking event.

And the appreciation of  floral  landscape

 and its color that can be attributed to its fair climate and soil fertility.

To our  newly found friend, Chris Sodusta Gonzales, welcome to the community of mountaineers. I hope we have imparted a new great experience in nourishing your career with mother nature.