Mountaineering

• Outdoor activities


  ways for families to become closer. They can be a “family-bonding activity” as each family member participates in an activity, achieves a common goal, and goes through the same experience.
• Mountain climbing is one of those outdoor activities that are considered fun by many people around the world
• Climbing a mountain requires physical strength, mental toughness, and technical skills. It also demands courage, determination, and perseverance.
• The mountains have been attracting climbers since time immemorial because they offer challenges and rewards that cannot be found anywhere else on earth.
• In the Philippines, there are more than 7000 islands with numerous peaks waiting to be conquered. Some of these peaks are still unnamed while others bear names like Mt. Apo, Mt. Pulag, Mt. Pinatubo, Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Makiling, etc.
• Mt. Apo is the highest mountain in the country at 2,956 meters above sea level. Its name means "the father" or "the chief".
• Activities done outdoors in the natural setting help in making people realize the great things that nature provides mankind.
• The “Leave No Trace Seven Principles” is a set of universal outdoor ethics that guides one in the activities to do with nature. It also provides the framework for making decisions in outdoor recreation.
• Spiritual Benefits


  Positive outdoor experiences can stir up spiritual values. Being one with nature brings certain calmness within a person. It strengthens an individual as it heals, rejuvenates, and soothes the body and soul.
• Principle 1: Plan ahead and prepare


  Before going to a place, check if your planned activity is permitted. Make sure to know the rules, guidelines, and safety procedures they have set. Make sure you have the needed equipment for your activity and the skills needed to undertake the activity.

  Repack food to minimize waste.

  Learn when areas are most crowded and try to avoid those times
• Principle 2: Travel Camp on Durable Surfaces


  Walk, run, bike, or camp on durable surfaces like established tracks, rocks, gravel, and dry grasses. Avoid walking on soft surfaces like soft plants. Camp at least 200 feet from lakes and rivers to protect the waters. To avoid erosion, walk in single file in the middle of the trail.
• Principle 4: Leave What You Find


  Examine archeological structures, old walls, and other heritage artifacts but do not touch nor leave marks on them. Leave nature as you found them. Avoid introducing non-native plants and animals.
• Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly


  “Pack it in, pack it out.” Dishes should be washed 200 feet away from lakes rivers and use biodegradables soap.
• Principle 6: Respect Wildlife


  Observe wild animals from distance and they should be avoided during sensitive time such as mating, nesting, or raising the young. Do not feed wild animals or birds as it is not their natural food. In case you decide to bring your pets, make sure it is allowed and you can control them. Otherwise, do not bring them with you.
• Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts


  Use lightweight stove for cooking; campfires can cause lasting impacts. If fires are permitted, use fire rings that are already set-up. No burning of plastics or other substances that emit toxic fumes
• Principle 7: Be Considerate of Other Visitors


  Respect people who live and work in the countryside. Respect other visitors and let them have a momentous experience as well. Allow the sound of nature to prevail, not your noise or your radio. Be courteous: yield to others on a trail. Camp away from trails and other visitors.
• Physical Health Benefits


  Being outdoor prevents from having sedentary lifestyle. It allows people to move, whether by walking, running, swimming, biking, etc. It helps people to be on move. It gets their hearts pumping and their bigger muscles at work. In fact, the physical activities done in outdoor recreation may range from average to vigorous levels of intensity
• Social Benefits


  Outdoor activities are ways for families to become closer. They can be a “family-bonding activity” as each family member participates in an activity, achieves a common goal, and goes through the same experience.
• Economic Benefits


  People who have a relaxed body and mind tend to be more productive at work. This translates into efficiency at the workplace.
• rock climbing

  snow and ice climbing;

  mixed climbin


  There are three basic forms of climbing, depending on the track condition:
• Britannica defines mountaineering as a “sport in attaining or attempting to attain high points in mountainous regions, mainly for the pleasure of the climb.
• Trekking, on the other hand, becomes more rigorous such that it is done over a variety of terrain and takes a longer time to hike and thus, entails more days and nights in the outdoors.
• Hiking is done on man-made road or well-made trails and basically shorter in distance, which sometimes only takes a day or two to recover.
• Mountains are usually described by its height or its peak.
• Trekking involves a long vigorous hike in wild natural environment for multiple days. It can be done off hiking trails.
• Hiking involves a long energetic walk in a natural environment on hiking trails or footpaths for a day or overnight
• Physical Conditioning


  Preparation for a long trek may be more intensive as it will need to prepare the body for the physical demands of the activity. Weeks before the trek you should start the pre-conditioning of your body.
• Trip Planning


  Planning is basic to any activity. Most activities end up unsuccessful and even disastrous due to poor planning or, worst, no planning at all.
• Checking the weather condition, terrains, trails, and requirements, if any, should be taken into consideration when planning.
• Backpack


  very important during a hike, since everything that will be needing is carried in this pack. For a day’s hike, a small pack is just fine as there are just a few things needed for it. Trekking on one hand is a different story, as this is like carrying “your home on your back.”
• Footwear


  Trekking requires long walks and shoes are the most important equipment at this point. With the wrong footwear, trekking experience will surely be a disaster, going home with blisters and bruises. A good fit is the number one requirement in choosing a footwear.
• Hiking Shoes


  These shoes are lighter compared to boots and more flexible but offer less support. They are best for well-defined trails and shorter hikes where one carries relatively lighter load.
• Backpacking Boots


  These shoes are tough and can cope with all kinds of terrain and weather conditions. They are taller and stiffer and have thicker outsoles with an all-around protection. The downside of these shoes is that they are heavier compared to most hiking shoes and many hiking boots.
• Hiking Boots


  give more support and have more protective features than the hiking shoes because they have higher cut with slightly stiffer materials. The trade-off though is the weight- these are heavier than hiking shoes.
• Trekking Poles


  are essential aide for those with knee problems. However, they are also used by some to provide lateral stability on steep slopes and aid when climbing rocks or boulders. They also become a tool in checking the depth of mud or water. Some trekking poles may have a dual function as a tent pole.
• Trekking Poles


  have a maximum length 135 cm (54inches). They are often made into two or three sections and can be retracted or extended as necessary. When fully retracted, it may be attached to the backpack.
• Setting Hiking Place


  The hiker sets the pace to make the body feel good. The heart, lungs, and legs become the monitor whether one is within her/his pace or not. Remember this is not a race, so don’t start out fast, but try establishing what may be a good pace for the body.
• Rhythm is the pace one can maintain for a long time without requiring a break. Practice breathing and have synchronized with your steps. Swing arms to keep the upper and lower body synced up and in step with good momentum.