So a very early start was had with Natalie, Amy, Dr Kate and I assembled with my hosts Sally, Homer, Shar and Harvey plus an entourage of their friends. We drove into the highlands and as we got closer my heart was beating with the anticipation and I have to admit I was a little nervous of climbing in 40c heat and 70% humidity!
Bags were packed with 3 litres of water each and I elected to give my lightweight pack to Amy so I could carry the 60l backpack which I stuffed with as many pairs of slippers (flip flops) as I could. It was still early morning but temperatures were soaring and after slip slap slipping against the sun we set off up a dirt track for an adventure that promised and delivered so much.
After probably 1km of low level trekking we lost some of the team due to the heat and humidity with Dr Kate and a few others electing to stay at this advanced base camp complete with bar and sun shelter. The local communities have tapped into the climbers by building shelters and offering Mountain Dew at regular stops on the way up to the summit. They are very much like the Sherpas and what took us 3 hrs they run up in 30 minutes. They were also the people that we were handing slippers out to as they gratefully accepted them. It never ceases to amaze me what people are capable of achieving with so little and how grateful they can be for the smallest of gifts. I felt humbled that I was climbing with full technical gear and shoes but being guided by a wizened man wearing flip flops, singlet and lighting up another of the local smokes every time we stopped to catch our breath during the ascent. All I can say is that with the het and humidity it was like climbing at altitude as there just didn't appear to be enough air for the exertion we were making. Within 30 mins from starting I looked like I had jumped in a bath fully clothed just from sweating and the very fine talk like red dust stick to us as it was kicked up as we walked.
As we climbed higher we quickly handed out all of the slippers and then it was focus on the task in hand as we had reached the leading edge of the caldera and the real climb lay ahead of us. The route from the col we rested at picked a narrow path along the striding ridge line making 8 separate summits before then turning to the right around a huge buttress outcrop of rock and then striking sharply upward to the final 3 summits before the summit proper. This section of the route looked exposed and technical with steep near vertical drops on the exposed sides. I was informed that a female climber had fallen and sadly died the previous year in a tragic accident so I approached the mountain with respect and caution and double checked in with my fellow climbers that everyone was on the same page. The old familiarity of taking care of all in a climbing party was a real pleasure as I was sharing a passion with my GSE classmates!
Pictures taken and everyone rested we struck on with photos of all summits take. It was clear that we were moving quicker than much of our group so we quickly became to separate groups climbing all with the common goal of inching ever higher. The guide seemed impressed with our progress and as I helped Amy to conquer her fear of heights by crossing a 30' arrete with 30' drop on one side and 70' exposed side the other it started to be a real challenge we would not give up I. The path then started to snake ever steeper upwards and the challenge of not slipping on the fine greasy talc soil grew ever more. By this point we were all covered on dust but the summit was in sight and was teasing us ever onwards.
Another bursts of effort and Natalie, Amy an I were stood on col just below the summit where we passed other climbers resting before they themselves either
Descended or went for the summit. We pushed on eager to reach the top and as we reached it we were rewarded with a vista of epic proportions. The camera photos are good but do not do justice to the view that in a wood was breath taking. After congratulating ourselves and drinking in the view we were quickly joined by the rest of the team and hugs and laughter are the memories that stay with me. Then as it was fast approaching 1130 and we wanted off before the heat of the midday sun, we bid the summit goodbye and made a speed descent with Amy stumbling once and getting a huge bruise for her trouble. After an hour and a half in stifling heat we made it off and having grabbed a quick rest for fresh mango off the tree and to admire how grubby we were it was time to clean up using the local village water pump and a saucepan to wash ourselves down with. I didn't care as it meant we were clean and I was proud of all of the team that had made it up and down.
As quick trip over to the the cliff side restaurants overlooking Lake Taal and after some traditional Ph cuisine we took photos of Lake Taal and then set off for home.
I'm now going to give Homer credit not only for his climbing spirit as I know it was hard work for him. I am also going to endorse his manner of driving, so much so that N as I issued him with a traffic warden badge for his novel interpretation of how to enter a service station. Only in the Philippines!
An amazing day and probably the highlight if the trip for me. A massive thank you to Homer, Sally and the rest of the team that made that possible. It was a real treat for me and I have many photos that captured the spirit and laughter of that trip. A real highlight for me.
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