Philippines Resorts

Girl On The Killer Trail
by Pia Gil

With Soriano, Badong and Jeo leading; I managed to reach the 1 st camp in OK form. That’s were we refilled our trail water and waited for others to arrive. When they arrived, we allowed them to rest while we moved again because we were trying to reach the ranger station by 4PM in fear of losing the only means of transportation out of Mt. Pulag.

Anyway, in the course of the trail, I was left behind, team 2 unseen behind me. I was already walking alone. But since they reassured me that there was only 1 trail visible along the course, there was no way I’d get lost. So I just walked on, what overcame was not the fear of getting lost BUT the fear of encountering that so called spirits and beings of the mountain. As I walked, I kept holding the cross I wore on my neck and prayed (himala talaga).

Remembering the tip of Jeo ‘to walk in your own pace’, that’s what I did. I walked cautiously, following the only trail visible and the shoe trail left by Jeo; I managed to reach Camp 2. There, the 3 guys were waiting for me. Natakot sila kase may lalake na naglalakad magisa, baka mapagkamalan akong enkanto eh itulak ako sa bangin. But upon seeing me, they were relieved (para silang nakatae). And dun namin naabutan un isang grupo na kasama namin sa sasakyan. But since balak yata nila magpaumaga dun, we moved along.

And again, naiwan na naman ako sa trail. Ok lang, the Apex Team 2 was always behind me naman and at least I was able to appreciate the scenery along the trail. And everytime I saw Two rocks on top of each other I know I’m still on the right track (un dalawang bato ginagawa nila Jeo). After a couple of hours, I reached the Ranger station. All smiles of course. I finally did it. To cap my greatest achievement so far, I took a very cold shower (ice tubig) at the station. Hay sarap maligo. Now I learned to appreciate the normally ignored activities I do at home. Imagine, 3 days of no bathing. YUCK.

It was exhausting, fun and nerve-wrecking. But the adrenaline rush you felt upon reaching the summit was no comparison to any other experiences you will encounter unless of course you take Mt. Everest. Personally, when I realized that it was finally finished, I can’t help but felt proud (Ang ANGAS!). I’ve finally faced my fear. My fear of not finishing the trail and ending up injured.

Now, I know what you’re mind can conceive your body can achieve, because that’s what I did. Sometimes, you need not push yourself hard to achieve something. What you need is to just focus on it and let yourself realize the NEED to reach it. And from there, everything else will fall in its place.

I know it’s really no big feat, that maybe after a few months or even few days, some neophyte will finish the trail in a much shorter time, BUT for now, I am King.

Now, I dare you… follow my trail or eat my dust. Damn I’m Gooooooood! =)

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