Higher Thoughts
BY : ROGELIO PICO
Mountain Climbing, a sport, a recreation, a hype, maybe a "panata" or maybe a means to get away from things like everyday life, a job or just nothing. My time here was spent wisely without the slightest regret or even doubt that I may not complete the training. During the course of this training, problems arise and were solved by themselves without any real intervention. Mountaineering is a personal sport and at the same time a group effort. Personal in the sense that each of us has his or her reason in doing this "insanity". To be in a group makes it more comforting and the least boring. Environmental concerns are the staple objective of this group. How to behave and respond to different situations in the wilderness is another. Responsibility to each other is vital and friendship is the ultimate goal.Mountains are like lonely people not wanting to be noticed. They don't have to be or explain to us why they are there or even say "climb me". We are the ones who took notice and made advances. Each Bundok has its own character, we may not like it but we still go there, for what? To see the beauty and nature of things, to have a good portrait shot, to make a difference in the environment or just to have fun. Whatever it is, the mountain does not care. Do You?
I enjoy the loneliness of these mountains. In them I can see a lot of exotic plants and trees as well as birds and wildlife wanting to be left alone. I enjoy the spectacular sunsets which signals that another day is coming and saw the great and beautiful expanse that God has made and called Earth. At night you see countless stars making you think that we are definitely not alone in this so-called Universe and when dawn comes its over.
I was and I am still but with the exception that I was not alone in doing this personal endeavor. I was with "friends" the whole time whom I quickly grew to love and cherish and sometimes love to hate. At first it was just professional, complete my training and that's it. The next thing I knew friendships developed at least for the duration of the training. Hoping against hope that after all this, all of us will be comfortable with each other. Unlike the mountains we can take the loneliness and find each other. Even for a short time. At least it’s a start. Mountaineering is to protect the things that are dear to us and nurture the thoughts that you aspire as well as foster the things that we are to do. It may be temporary or it is permanent the things that brought us together is our interests and made that common decision to stay and make a difference.
Where do you think will MMS be if it weren't for the collective interests of the officers and members? Doing the training for us is quite a feat and rest assured we will continue what has been started.