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SYMBIOSIS is a truly beautiful concept I learned from my science text books many years ago. †It refers to the “physical interaction of two dissimilar organisms wherein both tend to benefit from it.” †Surely, humankind should learn from nature. †If only we can learn to be interdependent with each other there should be less conflict and more harmony. Continue reading
THIS IS MY†fourth†posting for my†ëHidden Beauties Up Thereí†series.
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In the vastness of mountains and forests it is easy to overlook tiny yet immensely beautiful creations that are just there along foot trails. †You really need to stop and take a closer look… literally.
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These photos were taken using an†Olympus†Mju 1030SW†10.1 megapixel weatherproof†digicam set on “Macro” mode.
THIS IS MY†third posting for my†ëHidden Beauties Up Thereí†series.
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I find both pain and beauty on these photos. †They remind us that the fate of nature rests on a delicate balance. †Natural invading forces such as pests, parasites, and animals in the wild are essential to the balance of life in our forests and mountains. †But there are much more destructive forces that nature has no defense against, such as humankind’s selfishness and greed.
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These photos were taken using an†Olympus†Mju 1030SW†10.1 megapixel weatherproof†digicam.
THIS IS MY second posting for my ‘Hidden Beauties Up There’ series.
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I was very much intrigued by these mysterious creations. †How would vines and tendrils know where they are supposed to go? †Why would a seemingly ordinary tree trunk have a lump?
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These photos were taken using an†Olympus†Mju 1030SW†10.1 megapixel weatherproof†digicam.
“It is the journey, not the destination, that matters.”†
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High in Mt. Malipunyo are hidden wonders waiting to be discovered.
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WHOEVER said that must have climbed many mountains. Continue reading
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THE YEAR 2008 was a relatively active year for the Delbros AB Normal Club.† They went on to summit two mountains — Mt. Batulao (811 MASL) and Mt. Pico De Loro (664+ MASL) before the rainy season started in June.† And then they played ‘hide and seek’ with Super Typhoon Cosme in Baguio City and Pangasinan in May as they sneaked deep and high into Benguet to see the Mummies of Mount Timbak (2,717+ MASL).
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The Delbros AB Normal folks usually go on “hybernate” mode from June to early November.† They are a crazy bunch but not careless.† Climbing a mountain during the rainy seasons is a no-no.† Not only that it is so much more dangerous.† It is also too inconvenient.† They go for adventure not discomfort.† A climb in late November to early December is feasible but the circumstances of the Delbros AB Normal Club members late last year made another climb impractical.
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And that is why they were eager to welcome January, the official start of a new climbing season as far as the Club is concerned. Continue reading
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WARNING! This post is photo-heavy. There are 26 featured photos, excluding the banner image. It may take some time for all the photos to load. |
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THIS is a long overdue blog post. The Delbros AB Normal Club climbed Pico De Loro (aka Mt. Palay-palay; 664+ MASL) on March 29, 2008. It was the Club’s second climb this year as well as the second for the month of March alone. We must be avid mountaineers, or eager-beaver neophytes jumping at every opportunity to climb.
††††††††† The more palatable explanation has to do with timing. And it has been all figured and planned out by our climb leader and AB Normal chairman and founder, Jose Eduardo C. Delgado (JED), a seasoned and highly-experienced mountaineer and outdoorsman. The summer season was quite short (it is now officially over) and we wanted to maximize our mountaineering adventures while it was still safe and pleasant to climb.
††††††††† Our photos from the climb tell all about it. Except for one important detail perhaps.††But that one is a story on its own.
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Our Pico De Loro climb begins at the Cavite side, as pointed out by a “local.”
The Delbros AB Normal Club is a jolly bunch.† And clueless on the difficulty that lies ahead.
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Thank goodness there are road signs.† At least we wouldn’t get lost.
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LOST!
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Looks do deceive.† From this vantage point Pico De Loro looks like an ant hill.
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On all fours.††Is it for real?† Or are they simply faking it?† Cheats!
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Rest Stop.† This portion of the trail is particularly treacherous.† Right at its base†an AB Normal climber†lost consciousness.† He had to turn back.
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The last stretch leading to the summit.
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Almost there.
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A few more steps†to glory.
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Finally, the Summit.
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Father and daughter team – JED and Camille – first to summit.
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Haggard and hungry. Tired and thirsty. Wan and weary.
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†Two “locals” tagging along with the AB Normal Club all the way to the summit.
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Playful.† Camille and Anton Delgado at the summit.† “Careful kids.† It’s a looooong way down the slope.”
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SMB endorser.† “Kahit saan.† Kahit kailan.† Kaibigan.† Maasahan.”
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The AB Normal Club, then and now.† JRC represents the “then” [i.e. veterans]; RUS/Bong represents the “now” [i.e. the neophytes].
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All together now.† Almost.†Three people didn’t quite make it to the summit.
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JED and MOC doing their “BD KORE” at the summit.
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For the record.††The AB Normal Club descends the summit, successfully conquering Pico De Loro.† But not without casualty.
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Sweepers.† The last group of AB Normal climbers descends Pico De Loro.
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†Into the parrot’s beak.
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At the base of the Parrot’s Beak.
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A look back at the summit.† “You mean we came from all the way up there?† How did we do that?”
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Booze and Beach.††Our Pico De Loro climb culminates at Nasugbu in Batangas.
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Camp Site @ Nasugbu Beach.† Rest at last.
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