In my pack

I remember the time when my old Bomika pack (actually my brother's) seemed to be on the verge of breaking down from the weight of the stuff I put inside it. At once instance, a little over a decade ago in Daguldol--a time when money was scarce, nalgene bottles were the craze, and gears were huge--I was severely over-packed and lugging two tents, several nalgene bottles, cookset and stove(s?), a whole frozen chicken, and a big-ass emergency lamp running on D batteries. Mid-trail I suffered cramps, and needless to say, my ego was bruised, right in front of the girl I was "making porma".

Times have changed. And since joining UPM, I've become a "smarter" packer. Camping equipment have also changed drastically; shaving off volume and weight tremendously. So comparing how much weight I was carrying, I might look like a ninny now compared to my "younger" years.

The typical gear pile before being stuffed into the pack

Guiting-guiting Exploration - Day Zero Dash

Frantic preparations have been underway since a week before, after we had our final pre-climb with the whole team. Then just to be sure, Bunny, Levi and I ran through the plan again last Monday over a few bottles of beer at the Lagalag office in Kamias. We needed to fine-tune our final traverse, should it happen. By that time, we're supposed to be on our own, with only limited support should. 

Fast-and-light

We had to figure out how to do the thing fast and light. Garduch reminded me again last night to avoid the common mistake in fast-packing: bringing a smaller pack, but carrying the same 20-25 kilogram load on our back.

I borrowed the Osprey Stratos 40 of Richard so that I'll maintain discipline in minimal packing. with about 20 liters less room, I gave up some luxuries--like my old reliable thermarest ultralight--to save space. I didn't even pack any spare clothes other than what I'll use during the traverse (but I did ask Twylah to carry a drybag of clothes for me up Mayo's Peak). My pack will be filled mostly with ropes, climbing hardware, and water (about 8 liters each). All in all, my pack's weight will be in the realm of 15-20 kilograms. Not good.

Waiting for the bus

JAM Transit station was in chaos. It has been that way the entire week. What was usually a 30-minute interval between rides have become 1 to 2-hour waits. Passengers bound for Batangas had to get a number to make sure they get a seat on the next bus. I was nearly the last person to be called to the bus; and almost lost my seat while I was loading my duffel bag at the compartment.