Summary of climbs (school year 1998 – 1999)

"The climber of mountains who has known the back break,

The lonesomeness and the chill finds a certain restfulness

In level paths made easy to his feet."

The schedule of training climbs was based on the level of mountaineering standard. Level 1 is when the mountain has an elevation of 1,000 – 2,500 feet. The trekking hours is usually 2 – 3 hours to reach the peak. Level 2 is when the mountain has an elevation of 2,501 – 4,000 feet. The trekking is usually 4 – 6 hours. Level 3 is when the mountain has an elevation of 4,001 – 6,000 feet. The trekking is usually 7 – 8 hours. Level 4 is when the mountain has an elevation of above 6,000 feet. It usually takes 2 – 3 days of trekking to reach the peak.

July 25, 1998 Mt. Maculot, Batangas

The Mt. Maculot climb was the initial climb for the organization for school year 1998 – 1999. The activity was also open to the friends of SBMS. This climb was significant because of the number of students who participated in the climb. Although the elevation of Mt. Maculot is not that high, there was a lot of fun because it also served as a tune up climb for the applicants. There were a total of 40 students who signed up to be applicants of SBMS.

August 8 – 9, 1998, Mt. Makinew, Zambales

Mt. Makinew is not a popular mountain among climbers. This is so because SBMS was the first one to climb thismountain near Mt. Pinatubo. It took the group approximately 6 hours to reach the peak of the mountain. The Mt. Makinew climb provided a unique and a wonderful experience among the applicants. Prior to the jump-off, the group has an almost two-hour adventure drive through the lahar areas near the foot of Mt. Pinatubo. Likewise, the start of the trail was a lake and the group had to pass by with their backpacks. The view at the peak was splendid. There was a view of a small lake formed after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption and the surrounding mountains.

August 29 – 30, 1998, Mt. Makiling, Los Banos, Laguna

At the start, the applicants were confident about this climb. Mt. Makiling had an image among the applicants as a mountain for Boy Scouts. However, as they pass by the trek, they felt that this is a difficult climb. Considering that there was a portion of the trail that would require a little of wall climbing. The applicants realized that the climb was not a joke and requires a lot of concentration and focus. The view at the peak was the nearby towns of Laguna and Batangas.

October 27 – 28, 1998, Mt. Malipunyo, Lipa, Batangas

The climb was an alternative for Mt. High Peak due to bad weather. The start of the trek requires a lot of stamina for a climber because of the steep trail. The five-hour trek going to the peak was an exposure for the group to different conditions of climbing. The view was the nearby towns of the mountain.

November 28 – 29, 1998, Mt. Banahaw

This is the first major climb for SBMS for this school year. This is also called the induction climb for the applicants. The induction climb is an opportunity among applicants to prove their worth to become mountaineers. The applicants were left on their own. The members had a different trek from the applicants. Likewise, the induction climb is test whether the applicants have learned the basics of mountain climbing. Mt. Banahaw is a splendid and majestic mountain. The view at the peak was a breath-taking slope of the other mountains. Due to its elevation, approximately seven thousand feet, the weather is quite cold.

The climb will require the participants to pass through a wall. The wall will eventually be a test of the skills and focus of a mountain climber. It is here where a climber must concentrate and focus on every step he will make. The rope and the coordination of the feet became a vital element to ensure the climber to reach the peak. The group had a 9-hour trek going to the peak of the mountain.

January 29,30,31, February 1,2 – Mt. High Peak, Zambales

The last climb for the school year. Since it is the last climb, it must be the best. Indeed, it was a perfect climb. Considering the length of time and the most difficult of all climbs, it will be a true test among the members of their agility and capability as a mountaineer and among the applicants, their worth as a prospective member. Mt. High Peak was also called the "Little Baguio" because of its ranges.

The weather condition was at its best. The itinerary was implemented without any problem since the group had always a break camp on time. There were slack times that paved the way for story telling and interaction within the group. Since they were able to break camp early, the group was able to appreciate nature’s beauty.

The climb is also called the induction climb for the four applicants. It was on the full moon night that they gave their pledge to become active and responsible members of San Beda Mountaineering Society. The climb is also an opportunity for the group to undergo a "Survival Training." Since there was a native Aeta accompanying the group, it was their opportunity to know what in the forest can be eaten, identifying water source and plants that can be used as medicines. The group learned to know the important things to bring in order to survive in a climb.

The coldness at the peak is something that requires the mountain climber to wear their thick jackets. The temperature during nighttime was below 10 degrees celcius. There were no established trails since there were only few who used this trail. It is more of a hunter’s trail.

The climb was a wonderful experience among the members and the newly inducted ones. It is likewise a terrific way to end the climbs for SBMS for school year 1998 – 1999.

January 17, 1999 – Rock Climbing, Montalban, Rizal

The rock climbing was a unique experience among the applicants for this school year. The techniques taught in the process were different from the usual trekking in the previous climbs. The technique requires a tremendous amount of concentration to the climber. Likewise, the mountaineering gadgets provided the technicalities of the sport.

We've climbed mountains to find something,
We've brought everything to help us achieve our goal. However, we did not find something new.
We realized that what we were was
Something we brought along.