*Originally published on Sep. 21, 2017 from my old website.
Hello friends! Today, I conquered heights (on my beginner standard) and it was the scariest thing I did.
It’s funny, but I admit, I thought it was easy to take a 30-minute hike up a not-so tall mountain and look down to a whole vast village from the top of a huge rock.
Imagine being a newborn baby and told to attend your first day of doctorate program at Harvard—this is how it feels like. I’m a newbie, and this is intense for me. Honestly, I almost got out of control. I was thinking it would have been easier to just jump off the cliff than having to continue this rock hard adventure.
As you can already tell by now, I don’t really hike that much, but I am a person who sets goals and is fully aware that reaching new heights would take a lot of effort. This is a challenge, and I'm taking it like I'm getting a trophy at the finish line.
Welcome to Mount Kalugong, La Trinidad!
While walking, I can’t help but think about the dangers I could possibly come across.
Then I realize, I shouldn’t let my exaggerated inexperienced mind ruin the fun. These thoughts in my head won’t make this journey easy, instead, they're only adding some extra baggage apart from the backpack, camera tools and laptop I was carrying.
The place was filled with the wonders of nature with an unbelievable, comfty weather which made the whole travel less tiring. There, I also met some other visitors hiking up the mountain.
After all the climbs and broken steps, I finally made it on top. And man, the view was breathtaking. This guy below is me on one of the rock formations at Mount Kalugong. I can’t find more information about the geographic of this mountain but it wasn’t really that tall. I’m sure of that. It’s so average type but my fear of heights kept swallowing me up. So for people who might happen to be here in this region and thought of hiking but not really the intense hiker type, this destination is for you (...and for me. Heal the world!)
Believe me, it's so hard to keep a smile when deep down you're afraid that a strong wind could easily just blow you away.
After the struggle I went through and the beauty I could hardly grasp, I was glad to be cheerfully welcomed by this café located on a strange but wonderful location.
What first came to mind was how it actually got there!? And of course, the exhaustion the workers in this café would have to go through every day just to get to work. Do they even get late? Do they live here? Forever? My questions were answered when a local told me that there was actually a shortcut to get to this cafe and that I only went the hard way.
But for you guys who have never been here yet, I’ll keep it a secret. So yes, you still have to go through the large rocks.
This café on top of the mountain is called the “Kape-an” (local translation for “Coffee Place”) would be welcoming you with comforting desserts and coffee. I’ve seen a lot of cafés in the Baguio City area and a few here in La Trinidad but this one is special.
The atmosphere is so conducive. I even felt like I could write a lot just sitting down here on this table with my laptop, a cold drink and a piece of cake.
There’s not so much people visiting here so it really makes you feel like the whole place is yours.
It’s just 2 in the afternoon and the fogs have already covered up the city view. I praise the Lord for giving me this wonderful and fulfilling experience. It has been a great day.
The best way to probably end this article is sharing a few things I learned during this hike and hoping this would be a great help for people who wants to start hiking:
1. KNOW THE PLACE.
First thing to consider in going to a place you're not familiar with is to do a quick research. How to get there? How much fees to pay? What are the precautions? (Since every place seems to be setting their own list of rules. Mostly environmental and culture-related.)
There's a reason why they built this small house for a toilet, so respect it. Leave the woods for your pets.
2. WEAR THE RIGHT SHOES.
This is the most important but less regarded requirement for hiking. This is not a birthday party or a stroll in the park. Although it’s just a short hike, it’s very important that you wear the right gear for climbing because this gives you more balance and confidence in taking that North Face adventure feel. I was wearing a hike-able shoes though but it wasn't at the right condition so, still a no no.
Meditate on this photo of my shoes and learn from it.
3. BRING A SHOE GLUE JUST IN CASE.
It’s okay to be in love with nature and have your soul left in the mountain but not the sole under your shoes.
This isn't mine but I laughed when I saw this after a few walks ahead. It's good to know I wasn't the only one who had a shoe problem. Sad thing I wasn't as prepared as that guy (or girl).
4. NEVER LOOK DOWN.
I don’t know how to put it but I just want to say “Look down and appreciate the view but never look down on yourself.” You hiked because you wanted adventure. That is adventure right in front of you. It’s important that you stop saying you can’t do it, or else, you really can’t. Just keep going.
After all, hiking is just a... (get it?)
5. START WITH SMALL.
Hiking can be really stressful if you don't come prepared. A short hike on mountains like Mount Kalugong is ideal for starters like myself. Not so tall and not too steep but quite enough to experience a bit of the sport. I was originally planning to take the other hiking destinations in Baguio which were even taller but was glad that I didn’t. I haven’t done so much exercise for a long time and suddenly I just woke up and decided to go on hiking. It was not easy.
I didn't pay for the stress. This is true.
6. TAKE NOTHING BUT PICTURES. LEAVE NOTHING BUT FEAR.
It’s my own version as a photographer to always make sure to freeze that moment by taking a snap. Take that moment to inhale the mountain scent and feel that cold breeze through your nostrils. Rejoice the Lord for His wonderful creation and get excited about what better things He could do in your life. But it’s also nice that years from now, you will have that one photo in your memory box to look at and reminisce. That one day when you stepped down a mountain and conquered your fear. Just like I did.
7. FOLLOW YOUR HEART.
It's so cheesy but I find no better way to insert this interesting phrase I read inside the jeepney I took on the way back to Baguio.
Have a great day amigos!