Rising to the Challenge: My Triumphant Endeavor to Mt. Aminduen

Hello everybody on Hive!

I hope this post finds you all in good health and high spirits.

With the spookiest occasion of the year just peeking around the corner, establishments and companies are bustling with preparations for a variety of Halloween-themed activities, including trick-or-treating and dressing up in their favorite Halloween costumes. Most malls are featuring horror movies in their cinemas.

I've known a few friends who opt for a cozy night in, binge-watching scary movies. Personally, I’m not really into anything that falls under the horror genre, whether it be books or movies. I admire those who watch horror films or read horror books for fun and even find them therapeutic. It must be the adrenaline rush they get, I suppose. While me? I could never! I’m a scaredy-cat hahaha!

While I might find horror movies unsettling, I'm always up for facing challenges head-on. Let’s just say I get my adrenaline rush from something else. Like climbing a mountain.

Continuing from my previous blog entry , here’s the next and last installment of my journey to the summit of the Mt. Aminduen.

Journey to the Top

Sunday morning came and our team and I woke up early to cook our breakfast and prepare ourselves for the ultimate climb. At around 8 a.m., we began our ascent to the summit.

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Mt. Aminduen, or commonly known as Alto Peak, is the highest peak in Eastern Visayas standing tall and proud at 1332 masl with a difficulty level of 6/9.

According to our guide, kuya Ferdinand, the mountain spans a mere 1 kilometer and it would take us approximately 2-3 hours of trekking for us to reach the summit.

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Don't let the 1-kilometer length deceive you; it may seem short and close, but it wasn’t a walk in the park at all. The trail proved to be quite challenging and technical. We navigated from one slippery tree root to another on a continuous steep incline of approximately 80 degrees off the cliff. So you really have to be extra careful with your steps. We were still at 900 meters and I was already out of breath. This hike is not for the faint of heart.

As we got closer to the summit, the trail progressively intensified. It became more risky with each step, requiring us to utilize all our limbs, moving on all fours, and, at some point, relying on a rope for support just to get through. I was silently freaking out. My hands and knees were literally trembling—from exhaustion or nervousness, I couldn’t tell anymore hahaha! I was just grateful to our guide, as he was remarkably patient in assisting us along the way.

After what seemed like forever, we finally reached the summit. I have to admit, the peak was not as impressive. In my opinion, the scenery from Mt. Malingatong’s view deck was more breathtaking. Nevertheless, that sense of fulfillment slowly crept in and my heart was so full of joy.

This successful climb will forever be etched in my memory as a reminder of the heights we can achieve when we dare to overcome not only mountains but also the limitations we impose on ourselves. Mountain climbing isn't solely about reaching the summit just for the heck of it. It's also about the friendships made and the journey of conquering challenges that test you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Indeed, no pain, no gain.

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“You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!”
— Dr. Seuss

_{I am a proud cat lady and a slightly introverted bookworm. Cats are my kindred spirits and you'll often find me lost in the pages of a novel, connecting with fictional worlds. I spend most of my free time reading books, immersing myself in BTS songs and exploring the great outdoors. Join me in my quiet moments of contemplation, where books, cats, outdoor activities, and music intertwine to shape my world.}

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