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–&amp
by: Karis Lacuna, open climb guest
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–>
Getting to Know MMS
The first Open Climb of the MMS for
this year isMount Balagbag situated in
Rizal. Lucky me, I was able to join them. It was my first climb in my life
ever. No regrets that I have chosen MMS to enliven a dream of mine. I know for
sure that this is just a new beginning of a great journey.
On one sleepless night, I followed an
unexplainable rush of curiosity. Just for gratification I let myself typed “mountaineering”
in one of the famous search engine in the net. After one click of the search
button, there have laid various information titles that relate to
mountaineering. One of which is an organization I felt excited with, and just
for the heck that I have to gratify myself about mountaineering I let myself
explore that page. They call themselves, M.M.S. which stands for Metropolitan
Mountaineering Society and this statement alone took my attention right away.
At first I was uninterested to read their stories of climbing mountains because
I know for a fact that I will just put myself into a deep envy that I don’t
want to indulge with. However, on that night I found myself lingering on their
website longer than I expected. I felt a glorious amount of eagerness as I browse
each photo and read each story as fast as I could. As my curiosity gone wild it
lead me to click a link to their account in a well known friend networking
website for the hope that I will learn more about their society after which,
the rest was history. I hurriedly inquire. In
less than 24 hour period, I had
received a response to my thirst of excitement. That single response alone
never suffices my hunger for details. Moreover, after a few exchanged of
inquiries and answers, I have decided to join their Guest list.
The Preparation
The group assembled few days ahead
the actual climb. The preparation has begun, anticipation is crucial. Its
members and guests were placed on cluster of groups and assigned each member to
bring the group necessity added by their individual essentials. The itinerary
was revealed and some basic information regarding the mountain to be trekked
and guidelines were discussed.
I should admit that some of the
nights spent prior to the actual climb were sleepless. I was too excited and
over imagining things. To somehow pacify the apprehension I attend to the said
meeting It was a requirement to attend that meeting though, fortunately I find
it therapeutic for myself and eased my queries of what to expect. Afterward,
the information I heard was still subject for my daydreaming.
This Is It!!
This is the day I’ve been dreaming to
happen. I got up from bed as early as 5 o’clock in the morning, though the call
time for the assembly was still 5 hours ahead I could no longer indulge my back
to lay flat on my bed. I got up and enjoyed my shower bath. I left home as
early as I could because I was afraid that any interference might occur. But
happily there weren’t.
This is the second time that I will
meet most of their members after the Pre-Climb meeting. Majority of the team
was already there before I arrived. I was too nervous at that time and remained
quiet. But it didn’t last for so long. Batch ’08 of MMS-BMC and the rest of the
gang were apparently nice and warm to me. And just before we left the assembly
place to the jump off, I found myself sensing big stretch over my cheeks and
realized that there was never a chance for me to relax it because I’m always
laughing, smiling so widely. Thanks to this humorous people, there were no dull
moments! They were giving me extra comfort and fun at the same time. I didn’t
have a hard time talking to these people. Except for the fact that I’m sort of
an introvert during my first encounter to a stranger, it was so effortlessly to
deal with this kind of people. Then I’m starting to become conscious that I’m
loving the idea that I’m with the people
I hardly know and yet I’m having so much fun. And all of these occurred before
the actual trekking. Without worrying so much about time, we already arrived at the jump off, our
trekking started with a prayer. It amazed me. It somehow added an extra confidence that these
persons acknowledge the One Almighty and this alone, for me is one proof that I
can hold on to, to put no regrets at all upon joining.
Deep Breaths
After 20 minutes or so of trekking, I
found myself catching for my breath. I have emptied half of the 1.5 L bottle of
fluid I carried along my arms to replenish my dehydrated cells. After the few
breathing techniques I have learned for myself, I was able to discover my
rhythm and overcome the assault that I have never experienced before. The trail
to Mt. Balagabag summit is easy for the members
of MMS, half quite for me. Without the technical knowledge on mountaineering,
my enthusiasm and passion is all I have to fuel me up to trek my way up to
summit. Just before the rain started to fall, I have finally reached the summit.
Thereafter, I helped my buddies to pitch the tent and enjoyed the view though
fog was half filling it, then a rainfall completed my extravagant achievement.
Breathing the cold air, it made me shiver though, nevertheless being in that
summit alone is the best I can tell about, still words can’t convince any of you (those who aren’t yet with MMS) until
you try it for yourself.
Sentiments
More than half the decade ago, I have
always been dreaming to see the world below me. Feel the rush of the wind. Enjoy the cold breeze that’ll bring goose
flesh. Brush my skin with grasses. Sense the wet grains of soil sucking in
between my toes. Experience the current of nature’s falls… I have dreamt of
this for so long in my life and it all came true with MMS. However in that
dream it always occurred to me that I realized it all by myself. On the other
hand, it was otherwise.
I will never fail to remember the
time where each group gathered round after everyone has reached the summit and
pitched their respective tents. I found myself seeing pointblank then after one
snap I’m back to reality…my dream has come true. I cannot trade the experience
I had with MMS to something else. Furthermore, as we halt from one moment to
another to catch our breaths and recharged our body for a very brief rest along
the slopes, conversations during these moment alone can reenergize any tired
muscles, I just don’t know how but there were just no dreary minute. Now as I continue to scribble this story of
mine, I can’t still believe for myself that I have reach one summit. One summit I trekked. One summit I reached
through numerous deep breaths and muscle cramps (as if no one knows). Though
lacking the technical knowledge, it was never an issue at all. They (MMS) never
let me feel that I don’t belong or I’m just a newbie. They were all
accommodating and even willing to share their own inspiring stories on how they
started at MMS. I just cannot still overcome up to now that elation that I had
the best companions during that trek, given the fact, we are all complete
strangers. Thanks to MMS, one new door of contentment ensues to me. It was MMS
who guided me to achieve that one milestone in my life.
For all the readers, if you want to now what I’m talking how great
it was, be crazy in love with nature and join MMS too without any hesitations,
same as I did. And 100%, you can only ask for more.
noel