The total experience of climbing is exhilarating, exhausting and exciting. Anyone who has tread a mountain route can attest to these mixed-up emotions that is felt in each and every climb. The same is what intrigues many to attempt to climb.

The last five months had been a witness to the struggle of a group of mountaineers, to climb what is to be their highest peak. Nothing will ever match the amount of adrenaline the concept of this adventure had brought. Still, nothing is as tiring as going into the wee hours of the night, lost and seemingly without any clear directions. But now, all will be worth it and like neophyte climbers experiencing their first major climb, they know now how it is to conquer.

Eight members of the Metropolitan Mountaineering Society were commissioned to write the first book on Mountaineering in the Philippines. This was due to the fact that there are no known comprehensive general mountaineering book about the Philippines written by a Filipino mountaineer as of this publication. The more expensive foreign books on mountaineering deals on topics not applicable to our environment like winter expeditions and encountering flora and fauna that are non-existent in this part of the globe. The phenomenal rise on the popularity of outdoor sports here and abroad attested by statistics of the Department of Tourism on foreign visitors and the more than a hundred organized mountaineering groups that has sprouted throughout the archipelago is already an indicator that something has to be done.

In its almost five years of existence, the society had developed a training manual that was researched and made suitable and practical for every climber in the Philippines. Moreover, the group was challenged to be of service to other climbers outside of their society, particularly the foreigners and some informal climbing groups. They also intend to make known that the Philippines is one of the best climbing destinations in the whole world. Thus, hoping to make Filipinos, climbers and non-climbers alike, proud of the beauty of their country and hence strive to protect it from any harm.

This is their gift of knowledge to all mountaineers and all adventure lovers. This is their sacrifice for all the wonderful people, spirits and creatures of the mountains who had welcomed them and taught them the true wilderness experience.

Long, Mark, Bob, Merci, Jaday, Yel, Edmund, and Bong made that crucial sacrifice to make this tedious adventure a reality. Anyone could have, just as well, written this book. But no one can take this milestone away from these pioneering mountaineers.

This book will always be referred as the first comprehensive book about mountaineering equipment, trail and camp techniques and discipline, common expedition itineraries, and an account of how unique the mountain experience in the Philippines can be. It was conceived with the purpose of teaching safety in the outdoors and protection of the diversified Philippine natural resources.

Read and learn. Learn and advocate. Climb on.