Essay: Mountaineering vs. hiking vs. trekking

by Gideon Lasco

A Filipino member of the British Mountaineering Council once emailed me to suggest that I change the terminology in PinoyMountaineer.com and Philippine mountaineering in general, saying that mountaineering is more closely related to alpinism and specifically refers to snow and rock climbing. Trekking, he adds, is the more appropriate term for the activity we know in the Philippines as 'mountaineering'. Which is which? And if ever our definition is different from other countries, do we have to abandon our understanding of the term to accommodate?

First, let us definite the terms, using Wikipedia as common denominator:

Mountaineering is the sport, hobby or profession of walking, hiking, backpacking and climbing mountains.

Mountain climbing - the sport of recreation of scaling or hiking up mountains with the specific goal of reaching the summit

Hiking- is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often on hiking trails.

Trekking/Backpacking (in US; tramping, trekking, or bushwalking in other countries)- combines hiking and camping in a single trip. A backpacker hikes into the backcountry to spend one or more nights there, and carries supplies and equipment to satisfy sleeping and eating needs.

Using these definitions, we see no reason to change our terms. The method we do to climb mountains is hiking and camping (that is, backpacking or trekking) and since our objective is usually to reach the summit (mountain climbing) which sometimes involves technical skills such as in Guiting-Guiting (mountaineering), then the terms become a matter of choice. Of course, hiking seems to be the most common denominator -- whether you climb Maculot or Everest, it is universally accepted for you to say that you are going "hiking". This is the reason we style PinoyMountaineer as "Your Guide to Hiking in the Philippines".

We acknowledge, however, than our concept of mountaineering may be closer to the international definition of "trekking" or "hiking". Yet, there are really differences in terminology that are inevitable across cultures and countries. Even the term backpacking, depending on where you are, can mean urban budget travel or wilderness camping.

Moreover, Filipino hikers have begun to become "mountaineers" even in the strictest definition of the term. Our countrymen have scaled Everest and other major summits of the world. Personally, I have experienced mountain climbing in the Japanese Alps.

Amid the plethora of terms used to describe something that doesn't even have to be named, but that which we profoundly enjoy, for whatever reason, we should stick to what we have come to know as our brand of adventure. We are hikers, trekkers, backpackers, mountain climbers and yes, mountaineers in our own beautiful country.

Hiking matters #60: Medical mission, Pinatubo Spa Town and Capas National Shrine

Upon the request of my blogging partner Ivan Henares, I joined the group of doctors who rendered free medical services in Brgy. Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac as part of the Tambayayong 2009 medical mission sponsored by Ivan and his friends. Held on July 4, 2009, there were more than 400 patients in the mission, many of which are Aetas living in the area.

After the medical mission, we proceeded to Pinatubo Spa Town, where we had the whole massage package (thanks to Mayor Rey Catacutan for a big discount). The first part is a 30-minute volcanic sand treatment where they will dig a hole for you and literally bury your body in the sand which is warmed underneath. The explanation for this therapy is that the heat will sweat you out, and the toxins in your body will be removed.

The second part is a 30-minute mud scrub: you will cover your body with lahar, wait for it to dry - then rinse. When the mud dries, there is a chance that it will act as an exfoliant and include with it the skin blemishes, so you will have better skin.

Finally, we had the one-hour shiatsu massage. Done by very friendly local masseuses in an outdoor pavilion, the massage was excellent and very, very relaxing. Whereas massage places in Manila are in dimly-lit, cold rooms, the outdoor massage was a refreshment. The rate is just 500 pesos or sometimes even less; this is really a must-try!

Mayor Catacutan also showed us around Capas - first we went to a newly-developed, modern Korean golf course near Brgy. Patling, and finally, the Capas National Shrine. Although it is just a tall obelisk from afar, a nice activity is going over the inscribed names of Death March participants - and see if your grandparents or relatives are included! On my father's side my great-granduncle Pastor Lasco was a Death March survivor, playing dead and rolling from the road in Pampanga and getting assistance later on from sympathetic locals. It was already dark when we reached the shrine, but it was a worthy sidetrip.

Both the Spa Town and the Capas National Shrine can be covered with a Pinatubo Crater Lake tour. I will suggest that both activities be included in the next PinoyMountaineerTour to Mt. Pinatubo that will be held in September 5. For more details email info@pinoymountaineer.com

Thanks to Ivan Henares and his group for inviting us in this event (pictures courtesy of him), and we also thank Mayor Catacutan of Capas, Tarlac for his hospitality.

PHIVOLCS: Mayon Volcano now under Alert Level 2

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has just upgraded the alert status of Mayon Volcano from Level 1 to Level 2. According to the PHIVOLCS bulletin, "This alert condition signifies, a state of unrest which could lead to ash explosions or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption."

The implication for hikers is that the mountain is effectively closed, at least for the time being. We are thus reinstating Mayon in our bulletin of closed mountains. Let us hope that the volcanic unrest will soon subside and will not lead to calamity.

RELATED NEWS
Alert level 2 raised over Mayon Volcano - INQUIRER.net
Mayon Alert Level raised - PhilStar.com

Seven Lakes Adventure Tour on August 1 - with Crocodile Lake sidetrip!

Visit and trek all the Seven Lakes of San Pablo and join us in exploring the mystical Crocodile Lake all in one day with PinoyMountaineer.com's Adventure Tour on August 1, 2009.

We have set the maximum number of participants per tour is 14. The tour will start at 4:00am and end at around 6:00 pm. Priced at P1,600, the cost will cover all transportation and toll expenses to and from Manila; entrance fees whenever applicable, a lakeside lunch beside Sampaloc Lake, and some local delicacies as pasalubong.

If you are interested please contact me at info@pinoymountaineer.com. Just like the two previous Seven Lakes tours, I myself am the one who will lead the group since San Pablo is my home town :D

Mt. Halcon (2,582 +)

MT. HALCON
Baco, Oriental Mindoro
Major jumpoff: Brgy. Lantuyan, Baco, Oriental Mindoro
LLA: 13° 15.749N 120° 59.703E, 2582 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 3.5-4 days / 15-18 hours
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 9/9, Trail class 2-5
Features: River crossing, mossy forest, rocky ridges

Mt. Halcon is presently a closed mountain. PinoyMountaineer has a general policy of not creating itineraries for closed trails or mountains, but we are nonetheless finally posting a Halcon page to collate information on its status and in preparation for its eventual reopening.

BACKGROUND
Mt. Halcon is highly regarded as one of the toughest climbs in the Philippines, and together with Mt. Guiting-Guiting in Romblon and Mt. Mantalingajan in Palawan comprises the "Knife Edge Trilogy" - three Difficulty 9/9 climbs that are truly world-class tropical mountaineering challenges. Halcon's biological profile is equally prestigious, being home to a lot of endemic flora and fauna.

The blogger himself has not climbed Halcon. In 2006, the local officials and the DENR closed Halcon, allegedly to give the mountain time to recover from trash left by climbers. Many believe this is just an excuse to cover-up for illegal logging that is going on, among other explanations. Regardless, there are rumors than Halcon will open soon, by March 2010 at the latest.

To give a glimpse of Halcon, we would like to invoke an old agreement with Long Henson, the father of itineraries, whose portrayal of Halcon was excellent. In his honor we are preserving his writeup and itinerary for this respected high and formidable mountain:

During the rainy season, climbing may have to be aborted when flash floods sets-in making the trail crossing the rivers unpassable. Another factor that adds up to the difficulty of climbing is the presence of the Philippine limatik on almost 90 percent of the trail. These small leeches silently clings to your boots and makes their way to any exposed skin where they begins to suck the blood of their host. The bite however is painless but after sucking the blood, the blood then flows continuously from the victim for about 30 minutes due to an anti-clotting substance it injects when it bits you. It’s more of a messy uncomfortable feeling than pain.Last 1994, Halcon was in the headlines of the national newspapers due to the death of one of its climbers. It was caused by hypothermia due to the cold winds of typhoon Katring and inexperience in the part of the novice climber. Because of this incident, locals began monitoring and requiring permits to the climbers of Halcon.

It also proves that Halcon is not your ordinary "hike-in-the-park". Climbing Halcon really demands months of preparation and proper planning to make the ascent not only a successful climb but more importantly a safe one. Though years of experience have shown that it’s not only preparation and planning that counts but it seems like the mountain chooses who will be able to set foot on its sought after summit.

Nature will always be a factor in the success of this climb. So it is best advised to climb it during the summer months of March to May to make the chances of success of the expedition the better. The hardship in conquering Halcon has a lot of rewards other than the feeling of conquering the Philippines hardest and setting foot on its sacred summit. The entire hike has a lot of wonderful sights and sounds to offer. It has unique and exotic flora and fauna, countless rivers and waterfalls, spectacular views, particular from the summit wherein you can see the entire island of Mindoro and the surrounding islands. In a clear day, you can see Banahaw, Maculot and even Mayon from the summit. Different terrain from rain forest to mighty rivers, mossy forest, bonsai forest and a wide variety of highland floras are some of the unique encounters. The contact with the natives will also give you a new perspective in life that is why it is advisable to take them as your guide.

Definitely, climbing Mt. Halcon is one of the ultimate in Philippine mountaineering. There you will come face to face with the question of why do you climb. And maybe come into conclusion that "mountaineering is the art of suffering!"

ITINERARY IN 2005
Courtesy of Long Henson

Day 1
0600 Assembly at Buendia corner Taft
0630 ETD Manila to Batangas City
0930 ETA Batangas Pier, take ferry to Calapan
1015 ETA Calapan Pier, Hire tricycle to Calapan Market Place (15 Php)
1030 ETA Calapan Market Place, Ride jeepney bound for Baco
1130 ETA Baco Municipal Hall, Arrange for permit
1200 Lunch Break
1230 ETD Baco Municipal Hall to Brgy. Lantuyan
1300 ETA Lantuyan, Arrange for Mangyan Guide
1330 Free Time, Setup Camp, Make Final Preparation

Day 2
0600 Wake-up Call, Breakfast
0730 Start Trek
0830 Last Major Mangyan Settlement
1200 Lunch Along River
1300 Resume Trek
1500 Cross Major River
1800 ETA Aplaya Camp, Setup Camp, Prepare Dinner
1830 Dinner
2000 Light's Out

Day 3
0600 Wake-up Call, Breakfast, Breakcamp
0700 Start Trek
0900 At Dulangan River
1200 Lunch Preferrably Along the River
1300 Resume Trek
1500 Last River, Last Reliable Watersource, Snacks
1730 Knife Edge Ridge
1830 ETA Summit Camp, Set Camp, Prepare Dinner
1900 Dinner
2000 Light's Out

Day 4
0630 Wake-up Call, Breakfast
0700 Summit Assault
0800 Back to Base Camp, Break Camp
0900 Start Decent
1200 Lunch Along Waterline
1300 Resume Trek
1600 ETA Aplaya Campsite, Prepare Dinner
1700 Dinner
1800 Light's Out (Believe Me it's Not Too Early)

Day 5
0600 Wake-up Call, Breakfast, Break Camp
0800 Start Trek, HEavy Snacks Along the Trail
1300 End of trek, Take Lunch at Lantuyan
1400 ETD for Calapan
1500 ETA Calapan, Arrange for Speedboat Trip to Manila
1530 ETD Calapan
1615 ETA Batangas City Pier, ETD for Manila
1730 ETD Batangas City
2000 ETA Manila

SPECIAL CONCERNS
Currently the status of Halcon is 'closed', although we are monitoring the situation which can change anytime. We will give updates as soon as we have them. Given the mixed signals and lack of reliable information in Halcon, we are not advising climbers to attempt a Halcon climb before an official mechanism is in place and the trail has been confirmed as established. There are some articles in PinoyMountaineer that discuss Halcon's status: Halcon reopening update and Mt. Halcon to reopen soon?.

Two hiking fatalities have been recorded in Halcon, as well as incidents of hypothermia in severe rain and wind conditions. Proper training and extra precaution are advised when attempting a Halcon climb.

Cultural sensitivity. Many in the Mangyan tribes do not allow to be photographed, so please respect their beliefs, or try to convince them nicely.

TRIVIA
Due to its closed status, Mt. Halcon is the last major mountaineering destination to be inscribed in the PinoyMountaineer registry of mountains.