Getting Back

Re-starting something after being away for some time is always hard (except maybe riding a bike, which they say you never forget). Even the thought of re-launching this blog, for example, is taking an extreme amount of energy. What more to actually start writing content again?

So after a year since my last hike of significant elevation gain, I headed back up a mountain. This time, the Pantingan Peak of Mt. Mariveles in Bagac, Bataan. I hoped that muscle memory will make up for the utter lack of hiking in the past six months. Pantingan turned out to be a mountain you should not restart climbing on.

The approach to Pantingan Peak (right-of-center)

In terms of difficulty, sure, there are much harder mountains to climb. The Tayabas trail of Mt. Banahaw--which was my last mountain--is relatively steeper. But then again, I only made up to the campsite of Pantingan, so I could not fully gauge how difficult it is actually. All the same, whether it was harder or easier than my last climb, it was obvious that I was out of my element. The pack felt heavier, the moderately-steep terrain became almost vertical. I had the most restful sleep in a long time because of sheer exhaustion. Even in the hike down I felt sluggish.

Waiting for the trail traffic to clear (photo by Raphael Medina)

That experience aside, I agree with Daddy-o that this mountain is worthy of repeating, maybe even doing the famed traverse to the Tarak Ridge on the other side. But maybe it would be a good idea to train a little and rely less on past glory.

I'm slowly coming to grips with my turning the big 4-0, and its effect on my body. While a lot of still-active UP Mountaineers slightly older than me seem to be in their peak fitness, I've sadly neglected the physical maintenance needed to still do what I've enjoyed doing in the last 17 years. Domestic comforts has a pull that apparently is so irresistible for me. 

Group X with TL Sieg

The lessons of this past week hopefully has given me the the hard kick I need to get back in shape. The later I re-start all these nonsense we call an outdoor lifestyle won't do me any good. Start now, or dig a grave earlier than expected.

Thanks Pantingan!