Christmas Party 2011

Following a very successful gathering with some of the Mindanao mountaineers in the Island Garden City of Samal, our LOGSAC group had once again gathered for an annual Christmas party a week later, this time at our Sta. Cruz home court Tajos Beach Resort on December 18, 2011. This came early than most of our previous yuletide schedules considering that Papong, Irvhin and Pawiks will have their yearend climb at Mt. Ugo in Luzon on the 26th of December.

All members were refreshed and excitement were scattered all over the place. We haven’t exclusively done this for quite some time within the year what with the plenty of individual schedules each member had either work or personal reasons.

Other members, however, weren’t able to come but manifested desires to be around on the next gatherings. Chickay was taking a nursing board exam. Policeman John Jay was assigned at Compostela Valley. Kiba was with a touchy friend. Tolits was busy facilitating an event with his other group. The rest were nowhere to be found. But our presence was more than enough to fill the dance floor with reggae beat. Our self-made concert was headed by then-dredged-but-now-bald Bob Niloy. Newbies Anjo and Mariel also used to grace the event and enjoy the company so much.

Personally, this blogger, who is the group’s overstaying president (hehe, because others always refuse to have an election especially Jonas), will always be delighted to have all the club members gathered in an occasion such as Christmas. It will always be very rewarding that apart from all the advocacies of the club and all other commitments, fellowship and friendship will always prevail. Jah bless LOGSAC.

Thanks to all sponsors………………..

MFSM Day 2011

A huge event hosted by the Mountaineering Federation of Southern Mindanao (MFSM) was actively participated by the Local Government of Sta. Cruz Adventure Club. It took place on December 10-11, 2011 at a newly-opened Sunset Beach Park in Island Garden City of Samal.

With a very timely theme of “MOTHER EARTH, MFSM AND ME,” it fulfilled another goal of making Southern Mindanao mountaineers part of the challenge in climate change co-existence and mitigation. It also allowed the new club members of MFSM to define the reasons of their membership to the federation aside from the sense of belongingness and camaraderie which is to “heal Mother Nature.”

The event was graced by no less than the Director of Department of Tourism XI Mr. Arturo P. Boncato, Jr. who himself believes that members of MFSM have greater roles in promoting Davao Region as an eco-tourism destination in the country with the presence of Mt. Apo as its banner site.

There were 22 LOGSAC contingents who joined the anniversary and everybody was overwhelmed with all the surprises prepared by the organizers.

More Notes:

• Welcome first-timers Anjo, Nice, Gene, Mariel, etc….
• Thanks also to the Alcoriza brothers for the car ride when this blogger lost his consciousness due to intoxication (hehehe).
• Congrats to Mr. Julius Paner who was one of the three awardees of the Most Outstanding Club Presidents of MFSM.

LOGSAC soars high anew, scales Mt. Everest Base Camp

LOGSAC’s Danrev Bronola (Papong) has scaled the North Base Camp of Mt. Everest last October 30-31, 2011. This side of the world’s highest peak measures up to 5,545 meters above sea level and 3,303 meters away from Everest summit. This camp is one of the basic campsites on Mount Everest that is used by mountain climbers during their ascent and descent. North Base Camp is used when climbing via the northeast ridge. Unlike the south base camp where climb necessities are carried by porters with the help of animals, the North Base Camp has vehicle access.

Papong’s climb was via the Tibet-side with consent from the Chinese government. He got the permit through an arranged travel package which included a transport vehicle, driver and guide for a group of guests.

“Being novice to alpine mountains, I really had hard time doing this climb,” said Papong, stressing that climbing EBC presents dangers such as altitude sickness, weather and wind. He also pointed out that snow-filled mountains are a challenge to mountaineers who used to climbing tropical mountains like the Philippines.

The northridge base camp is made of plain gravel, just below the glacier formations. These glaciers are routes going to more North Face campsites going to the summit of Mt. Everest, a very treacherous track which includes a diagonal climb of Yellow Band.

When asked about the possibility of climbing Everest summit in the future, Papong could only say “mahal masyado….climbing Mt. Everest is an expensive undertaking.”

Of course, aside from the financial consideration, climbing Mt. Everest is very dangerous. There are even portions above the 8,000 meters elevation that are dubbed as the “death zone”. Temperatures can dip to very low levels, resulting in frostbite of any body part exposed to the air. Since temperatures are so low, snow is well-frozen in certain areas and death or injury by slipping and falling can occur. High winds at these altitudes on Everest are also a potential threat to climbers. Another significant threat to climbers is low atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric pressure at the top of Everest is about a third of sea level pressure, resulting in the availability of only about a third as much oxygen to breathe.

By the end of 2010 Everest had claimed 219 lives, including eight who perished during a 1996 storm high on the mountain. Conditions are so difficult in the death zone that most corpses have been left where they fell. Some of them are visible from standard climbing routes.

Here is the rest of my interview with Papong.

What are the motivations that made you decide to go to EBC?

Basically it’s the idea to really try a snow mountain. Kasi parang halos lahat ng bundok sa Pilipinas napuntahan na natin and they all shared the same characteristics eh considering that they are all located in a tropical location.

Based on your experience, what are the hardships of being exposed to alpine mountains?

First is the temperature, sobrang lamig talaga I even suffered minor nose bleeding. Second is the very thin oxygen content considering the altitude, kung hindi talaga kaya, the guides would recommend oxygen supplementation.

Which do you prefer climbing, tropical mountains or snow mountains?

Tropical. Syempre Masaya pa rin dito sa atin. The company, the jungle trail, the normal temperature and everything….Yung preparations in climbing tropical mountains are very basic for us kasi sanay na tayo.

If given the chance, would you proceed to Mt. Everest Summit?

Definitely yes. Ang kailangan lang talaga sa Everest is financial resources, the rest will just follow. Kung may pera ka, lahat mapaghahandaan eh…physical preparation, the equipment, guides, lahat ng bagay pwedeng paghandaan at gawin.

To whom do you dedicate this climb?

Actually hindi naman siya talaga matatawag na major climb kasi wala masyadong trekking eh, yung North Base Camp na pinuntahan namin we were assisted by a vehicle, konti na lang ang trekking. Mas mahaba pa nga ang travel time namin eh. Still, I would like to dedicate it to my LOGSAC mates, para sa inyo ito guys and to all the mountaineers in Mindanao.

Lastly, what can you say about Philippine mountaineers who aspire to go to Mt. Everest?

Wala naman, basta may financial resources sila kaya naman eh. Preparation lang konti sa weather doon. Yung BMC natin dito applicable pa rin dun except sa other areas of concerns.