Climb Proper

GROUP FORMATION:

During the trek , TL or Team Leader is always in front and is responsible for pacing the group, while the Tail or Sweeper is responsible for bringing up the rear. Formation on narrow trail should be in single file and overtaking should be avoided. However, if need arises, inform the fellow climber in front in a courteous way.

Trekking together heightens the safety factor thus, it is advisable to maintain approximately 2 meters gap which will allow space for communication and proceed along the group's pace. Sometimes, compression stops are necessary to close the long gaps between companions.

PACING:

Always start with a slow pace to warm up your muscles, and gradually change your pace to group's desired pace. Maintain steady rhythm while trekking by taking longer strides on level ground and short strides while on steep slopes when communicating.

Pace of the group should be that of the slowest member or the person who has the heaviest load. This prevents the team spread along the trail in very long gaps. Do not allow anyone to lag behind, as isolated climber heightens the risk factor in an expedition. Should there be need to stop, inform the TL or the tail so that a proper order to stop can be given.

TRAIL SIGNALS:

1 LONG WHISTLE BLAST-Pause Trek
2 SHORT WHISTLE BLASTS-Resume Trek
6 WHISTLE BLASTS-HELP/Distress Signal
3 WHISTLE BLASTS-Aid is coming

TREKKING TECHNIQUES

*Ridge line is preferred in route finding. Avoid waterways and gullies as water always takes the steepest route down the mountain.

*Be sure to stay on the trail even if it is muddy or wet since walking around the mud trail will widen and become muddies in the future. You can always use a stick, walking staff or trekking pole to help you gauge the depth of the mud and even help you balance. Mud is a part of the challenge thus, expect it and face it, hike through it!

*Footprints in the mud is a big help in trekking in the muddy trail as it tells you how deep is the mud and what part is slippery. A skid mark tells you that somebody already slipped there so avoid it and try to step on someone footprints rather than exploring. If your boots got stuck on the mud, just step backward to let it free.

*Logs are generally slippery when wet so try to avoid it and walk on the grounds beside the log. If a log or fallen tree is blocking the trail, assess the safety of passing through it by either crawling or stepping on the branches, if not, make a detour.



*When there is a need to hold on roots or vines, always check if they are sturdy enough to carry you and they do not have thorns before proceeding.

DESCENDING:

Before descending, reposition heavy items at the bottom of your pack to prevent your head being pushed first to the ground and lose balance. To maintain balance and traction during descend, learn to dig first your heel or the side of your foot.If the terrain is too steep and slippery, face the wall and step downwards as if you are going down a ladder

RIVER CROSSING:

River crossing can be dangerous, in fact, a mountaineer already been reported died when he was swept away by current. Always check first for safer route, a swallower portion or even a natural bridge. If you are in any doubt in safety, NEVER attempt a crossing.

*Loosen your strap, unfasten your hipbelt and sternum strap, to allow you to remove backpack quickly incase you fall into the water since they tend to float and might trap your body under water.

*Bend your knees and face the incoming current for better balance. Cross in a diagonal line of the river so you can see any approaching debris.

*Avoid stepping directly on the top of wet and mossy rocks(usually green) as, they are very slippy. Instead, step in between the rocks for better foothold. If stuck between the rocks, pull it by stepping backward.



*It is advisable to use stick when crossing alone in knee-deep water to help you maintain your balance and can be use to check what is under water.

*Hold hands and cross in triangular formation when crossing in a group to help maintain balance and deflect currents.

*A rope strung across the body of the water diagonally downstream is advisable when the water exceeds waist level. Climbers should use the rope as a guide and should stay on the downstream side.

*When strung perpendicularly to the current, ropes tend to sag in the middle when loaded which can hinder movement. It is advisable to remove your back pack before crossing, to lessen drag since it will be easier and safer to pull it across after crossing.

TRAIL SIGNS

Currently, there are some visible laces tied on the trees on some Philippine mountains that serves a sign but here are some that can also be used:





In placing a trail,it should be ideally placed in every bend so it will be visible even for night trekkers.



TRAIL ETIQUETTE:

*When trail blazing, avoid indiscriminate cutting of vegetation. Do not leave hack marks as trail sign on the trees.

*Always inform the person behind you of imminent obstacles or dangers along path.

*When a group in unsure of the proper path, team should take a break and allow some to scout the right path.

*Side trails not in used should be closed off to prevent others from using them. Block them with sticks or branches.

*Doing shortcuts can kill vegetation and can cause soil erosion. Do your part to keep our trails beautiful and less erosion.

* DO NOT LITTER. If you find litter, pick it up.

*If lost, assess your position. Remember to S.T.O.P., Stop, Think, Observe and Plan.

*In the event of accident, administer first aid, keep the victim comfortable and transfer the person to the nearest clinic/hospital.

Packing of Equipments

There are three things to consider in packing your equipment:

MAXIMUM CARRYING LOAD should not exceed one-third(1/3) of your body weight, this is not to limit your perfomance during the climb.

ACCESSIBILITY, BALANCE & COMPRESSIBILTY(ABC): The goal is to have balanced pack so the light items should be packed at the bottom and away from the frame while heavy items should be placed closed to the back. Essentials(i.e. rain gear, first aid, swiss knife, trail food & water should be in the top compartment.





















WATER PROOFING: All equipment which may damaged by wter should be sealed in durable plastic bags. Use a large plastic as the inner lining for the backpack to provide additional protection. Watch out for those pointed gear while packing. Use Ziplocks for electronic gadgets.

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Leave No Trace Principle(LNT)

This principle provides framework for outdoor decision making to reduce the impact of their activity to our beloved nature. It also introduces the importance of taking personal role in preserving the outdoor experience for future generations. This is summarized into 7 principles.

1. PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE. We all know that poorly planned actions often resorts to excessive consumption or too much expenses of any resources, this is same as poorly planned climb or outdoor activity. A poorly planned climb can often resort to e-camp which causes improper located camp site due to unprepared time budgetting of how to reach the destination. Same is true with poorly planned meals which resorts to excessive trash or even improper campfires.

2. TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES. Damage to land occurs when surface vegetation or communities of organisms are trampled beyond repair. This often results soil erosion and unsable trails & campsites.
*In high use areas, LNT suggest that people concentrate activity, which makes further damage unlikely. Use same trail and don't create a new one.
*In areas of very little or no use, LNT encourages people to spread out. Taking different paths when hiking off-tail will avoid creating new trails. Dispersing tents and equipment & moving camp daily will avoid creating permanent-looking campsites.

3. DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY. Though most trash and litter in the backcountry is not significant in terms of the long term ecological health of an area, it does rank high as a problem in the minds of many backcountry visitors. Trash and litter are primary social impacts which can greatly detract from the naturalness of an area. Thus, LNT recommends that trash and litter should be packed out. Further, backcountry users create body waste and waste water which requires proper disposal according to LNT.
*Waste water: Avoiding soap and dispersing dishwater far away from natural resources will prevent contamination.
*Human waste: Proper human waste disposal prevents spread of disease, exposure to others, and speed decomposition. Catholes, 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet away from water, are often the easiest and most practical way to dispose feces.

4. LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND. Leaving rocks, plants, archaeological artifacts and other objects as found will allow others sense of discovery. Similarly, LNT directs people to minimize alterations, such as digging tent trenches, hammering nail into trees, permanently clearing an area of rocks or twigs. Do not vandalize mountain structure, not put your name or write any graffiti in trees or any structures along the trail.

5. MINIMIZE USE AND IMPACT OF FIRE. LNT encourages people to use lightweight camp stoves instead of fires, beacuase the naturalness of many areas has been degraded by overuse of fires and increasing demand for firewood. If a campfire is constructed, LNT suggests using an existing fir ring in a well-placed campsite or to use a fire pan or mound fire. True LNT fires show no evidence of having ever constructed. In the Philippines in general, campfires are never recommended.

6. RESPECT WILDLIFE. If enough people approach or interfere with wildlife, it can be disruptive to animals populations. Feeding wildlife is not advisable as it damages health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.

7. BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHER VISITORS Following hiking etiquettes and maintaining quiet allows visitors to go through the wilderness with the minimal impact on the other users. In the Philippine, courtesy such as "Good Morning sir/ma'am, Take care sir/ma'am" are practiced. Also, LNT quotes "LET NATURE'S SOUND PREVAIL".

Other than this principle, mountaineers follow a CREED which quite relative with the LNT:

TAKE NOTHING BUT PICTURES, LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS, KILL NOTHING BUT TIME

Assessing the Mountain

Part of preparation needed in mountain climbing is assessing the mountain. As we never underestimate mountain, we should be informed of what are the obstacles, the challenges, the trails and difficulty that we should expect in the forth coming climb, thus gathering data is required.

I adopted the difficulty scale system of the Pinoymountaineer in this blog, the GRADE 9 SYSTEM Although, MAJOR/MINOR CLIMB CLASSIFICATION has been used by local mountaineers, I still added the system to have exact distinctions. The grade 9 system is RELATIVE scale which compares a mountain to another. This system considers the length of hike, preparations required, the extremes of environment and even the travel time from the nearest major city of the place(i.e. Manila, Baguio, Davao, Cebu). For every particular trail, there is a different classification despite they are in the same mountain. Although mountains are subject to re-evaluation since mountain changes, following can be used as criteria of classifying each:

1/9-VERY EASY Treks less than 30 minutes with trail class 1
2/9-EASY Single trail lasting less than 2 hours in length
3/9-MILD Trail lasting 2-5 hours but with exceeding class 2 OR not exceeding 2 hours with class 3
4/9-AVERAGE Trail requiring 2-5 hours with class 3 or higher OR 5-9 hours with class 2 or lower
5/9-MODERATE Trail lasting 5-9 hours with class 3 OR long treks with class 2 or lower
6/9-CHALLENGING Mountains that falls for 5/9 but with specific circumstances not accounted for trail class
7/9-DIFFICULT Trek lasting 5-9 hours with class 4 or higher OR trek requiring 3 or more days
8/9-STRENOUS Trek requiring more than 3 days average with varied, potentially hazardous environments or class 5-6 for 2 hours
9/9 trek lasting 8 hours or long treks requiring 4 days average with class 5-6 OR less than 3 days but exploratory in nature and summitability non-assured.

*The PULAG factors add+1 to the difficulty to the trek:
P Precipitation >50% of trek time
U Unestablished trail/flooded trails requiring water crossing
L Low temperature <> 35 degrees C
A Animals or wildlife that interfere with trek (i.e limatiks)
G Gusts of wind reaching >50kph

TRAIL CLASS. It is an internationally-recognizbale, ABSOLUTE scale:

1 Walking (easy stroll)
2 Hiking along a path/rugged terain
3 Scrambling (using hands for balance)
4 climbing easy cliffs but with enough drop-off 9beginners should be roped)
5 Using free hands as climbing method
6 very difficult and need to use artificial method

Climbing Checklist

Equipment is one of the most essential gadgets that you'll need in the climb. Bringing right equipment will bring such comfort and avoid such miserable life in the mountain.

ESSENTIALS:

-Money: Bring with provisions as a backup.

-Cellphone or Communication gadgets:Bring along extra batteries

-ID:Any recent ID

-Whistle: Should always be worn during the climb

-Hiking Boots/Sandals: Some prepare sandals as they are extremely light but there are cases that shoes are more advisable as it gives more support.

-Backpack: Large enough to contain all your gears and provisions. Make sure they are sturdy enough to endure heavy loads and they are comfortable at back.

-Lighter or Matches: 3 sets and waterproof individually.

-Flashlight/Headlamp: Always bring extra batteries and extra units as backup. Add thin layer of petroleum jelly on the joints that you think water will sip through.

-Swiss Knife: For convenience and protection.

-Trail Water: Depends on destination, must be on accessible during trekking.

-Poncho(Disposable Raincoat): Incase of sudden rainfall.

-Jackets/Windbreaker: Cold protection.

-Water Containers: Pack outside the waterproofing.

-Messkit/Spoon/Fork: Be sure they are light.

-Plastic Bags/Ziplocks/Garbage Bags

GROUP EQUIPMENTS:

-Tent: Bring light and durable ones.

-Stove: Bring portable ones.

-Groundsheet: Serves as waterproof barrier between tent and ground.

-Jungle Bolo: Bring with the locking sheaths for safety and keep it inside the bag. Standard of 12inch size

-Camping Lamp: Bring extra fuel/battery

-Trowel: Choose the ligthest one

-Map & Compass

-Rope*

-Carab/Hadware(Rockclimbing equipments)*

*Depends on the destination if you will be needing said, usually in Minor climb there are no such requirements.

CLOTHES AND SLEEPING GEAR: Bring clothes that are suitable for the climate and characteristics of the mountain. Always bring Sleeping pad and bag.

FOOD PROVISION

SURVIVAL KIT/EMERGENCY RATION

FIRST AID KIT

TOILETRIES

Climb Preparation

In preparing for a climb, there are several factors that a mountaineer has to consider.

PHYSICAL FITNESS is the first thing considered, although I think, this is not a requirement in climb since most mountains in the Philippines can be climbed by an ordinary person. wwhat matters most for me is the GUTS. As long as you have it, you can't let your physical condition let you down. Yes, you read it right, although your not that though, you can still climb a Philippine mountain. It is just a matter or Guts and determination to continue, slower though, but you will still be able to achieve success. Regardless, here are some tips to help you prepare your physical fitness:

*AEROBIC EXERCISES-The best type of fitness program in preparing to climb is taking aerobic activities(such as running, swimming, cycling, and walking) a month before the climb(3x a week for atleast 30 minutes to 1 hour). This will prepare your pulmonary(lungs) and cardiovascular(heart) in the future.

*MOUNTAIN CLIMBING-According to Sir Gideon Lasco of Pinoymountaineer, the best exercise in mountaineering is mountaineering since the actual experiences train your muscles of not just lifting your body for a travel, but also your baggage and the tension created by higher sea level. Not to mention that in addition, your mindset up in acting in the terrains will be practiced (Not applicable for unexperienced).

*CHECK YOUR DIET-This may not be a big factor to think for some but, in the contrary, this can contribute to your performance when it comes to a climb. Carbohydrates can be your energy source so some take a program like athletes esp. in boxing, wherein in a week before they are exhaust their and lessen the intake of the mentioned. This is done until the middle of the week, then, they take so much carbo. As a result, the muscle take so much carbohydrates due to its starvation to the later. Next is the potassium level, low on this causes the muscle cramps as they contract when there are no more potassium due to heavy perspiration.

*MEDICAL CONDITION-If you have medical concerns, better consult your pedia before going into a climb since you can be a liability to the group if you persisted to climb despite of health problems.

PLANNING is an important phase of every activity and mountaineering is not an exemption to this, the probability of safety and success all depends on the planning which comprises many factors.

*OBJECTIVES- This is composed of two things NATURE and PURPOSE.

**NATURE is about the difficulty of the climb. There are two specific categories of a climb and they are as follows:

1. MINOR CLIMBS: Mountains that could easily be trekked with an average of 2-6 hours of easy trek.

2. MAJOR CLIMBS: Mountains with higher degree of difficulty with an average of 7 hours to 3 days of trek. But usually, this climbs are more favored by mountaineers to test their skills to conquer challenges and discover more secrets of mother nature.

**PURPOSE is about your goal in your climb. Four categories are as follows:

1. TRAINING CLIMBS:These are climbs with an intention of preparing for future harder climbs. Some large organizations requires ladder of Training climbs as pre-requisite of a certain climb before accepting participant to the said event.

2. CLEAN UP CLIMBS:The primary goal of these climbs is to help preserve the mountains and to lessen the impact caused by the visitors of the said, which might mean bringing down the garbages left by unoriented and indiscriminate climbers. Tree planting is also a clean up climb as its purpose is to lessen the proneness of soil erosion of a mountain.

3. GUIDESHIP CLIMBS:These are climbs where you are accompanying other persons, its either you are paid by clients or helping a friend.

4. EXPLORATORY CLIMBS:These are climbs where in no established trails and routes or ascended for the first time. These demands a great preparations and planning.

*ROUTE AND ITINERARY-Plan ahead of your detailed route from travel time from home/assembly to jumpoff(which includes transpo) upto climb proper(which includes of consideration if traverse or cross country or oneway) and even the time factors(dayhike or overnight climb). Also take consideration of the characteristics of the destination in planning your itinerary(i.e. you may want to check time of trekking for mountains with exposed trails to avoid the sun thus, schedule your trek at late afternoon).

*CLIMB ORGANIZATION-

1. TEAM LEADER(TL)-Selected by familiarity with the mountain and leadership, the TL is responsible in decision making esp. for the safety of the group.

2. THE SWEEPER(TAIL)-Responsible for bringing up the rear, the tail is the second responsible person, should have the ability to motivate people and has the familiarity with the mountain.

3. CONTACT PERSON-The contact person should know the itinerary of the climb and should be present in the pre-climb meeting. His should be available 24hours for activating the rescue team in case of emergency.

4. THE MEDIC-A member with a knowledge of first aid techniques and responsible in bringing first aid kit.

*BUDGET/MEALS/TRAIL FOOD-Check the possible expenses and budget with provisions to avoid any problems when it comes to the travel. Meals and Trail foods consideration should be part of budget. Also, we must know what are advisable and not advisable meals on that area.

Now check your things!

Introduction to Mountaineering

Mountaineering is a sports activity, a hobby, and a profession of hiking. It is an outdoor activity of taking the trails of the nature by walking and conquering the challenges in climbing a mountain, but what does mountaineering really mean? Many questions occur when ordinary people they encounter a mountaineer, such as "Why do you like mountaineering?", "Why do you intend to reach summits?", "What satisfaction it bring you?", "Is it safe?", and more. Let me try to explain it with this short essay, answers to usual questions.

First and usual question I do encounter is "What made you interested in mountain climbing?", such is even followed up with an insult, "Why do you love climbng mountains, do you have enchanted GF?". Well, there is no exact answer to this question. The only thing is, if you are an extreme adventurist and nature enthusiast, I don't think you will resist the call for mountaineering or any outdoor activity. It's just like what you want and why you're hooked to it! To the extent that you even can't explain why you love those activities so much. It is a passion.

Second usual question is: "Despite of risk and dangers in the mountain, why do you still get in to this outdoor activity". I think there are no safe place here in Earth. Also, I believe that by following the precautions of safety in climbing, you will be more assured with your security in the mountain rather than your security in the city, wherein, bad elements are present, such as thieves and even drunk drivers that my threaten your life despite of much care you have exerted.

Next is "Haven't you encountered any snake along the trail?". Yes, I have encountered one out of bunches of mountains I have climbed. But this is a rare case, infact, many mountaineers have no close encounter with the snake as snakes are more afraid of men, than the other way around.

Now, are you ready to be a mountaineer?

That's the spirit! First thing first, how do we prepare? Well, this can interchanged with selecting and assessing your destination/mountain, which can be your basis in preparation.

Once you have selected a mountain or destination, next thing you should know is "what are the stuff to bring?"(this might vary on the destination,but more or less they are the same) and ofcourse, how to pack them all.

Now, before we proceed, you must know what are the basic in climbing and what is golden principle we must keep in mind.