Daguldol Climb Story
February 09-10, 2008
Nasty dogs, biting wasps; welcome to Daguldol!
Former Metropolitan Mountaineering Society president Arin Desembrana, an MMS member and a trainee of the Basic Mountaineering Course 2008 got a rude awakening on day two of the training’s minor climb atop Mt. Daguldol in San Juan, Batangas last Feb. 10.
According to the accounts of the climb’s team leader, Dell Soriao, two fearless dogs raided the Anahawan campsite while all the tired climbers were asleep. Part of the climbers’ morning provisions became canine breakfast. Dell found out the dogs have tastes for uncooked instant noodles.
Utensils were scattered all over the place. The others had to look for their utensils delaying their scheduled ascent to the summit at 670 meters above sea level. Al Jumarang lost his cook set.
But the mongrels were a minor issue compared to what happened next. While going down from the summit after the usual photo-ops at the rock outcrop, wasps attacked the climbers.
Arin bore the brunt of the wasps’ wrath with six stings that caused painful skin eruptions when he got home. Al was stung on his back and one arm while one trainee went home with four souvenir stings in the neck. The rest escaped unharmed and with just memories of wasps buzzing close to their ears while they rushed back to the campsite.
MMS president Cary Regaspi said there were more than two prowling dogs and more climbers who got stung. He added that the guides, who brought the dogs along with them, tried to rein in their animals. But the guides went home before dark leaving the dogs free to loot tents.
Dell said there were no wasp attack and dog raid during their Daguldol ascent last year. The raiders may belong to a house located two hours down the trail.
On the other hand, the wasps probably attacked to defend their hives on trees that were shaken by the climbers when they held to trunks while trekking to the summit.
‘Virgin’ climbers, co-hikers, night trekkers
There were a total 36 climbers who went to Mt. Daguldol located in Barangay Hugom. Twenty-two trainees, out of the total 33 BMC 2008 participants, were accompanied by 13 members, including the climb officials. Arin had one guest.
The other climb officials were Dain Perez as assistant TL, Selay Bumanglad as first aider, Chito Sarmiento as head and Al as tail.
Five trainees had their first taste of climbing a mountain: Jose Mari Cumpa, Selvino Taduran, JuvyTaduran, Lloyd Serquina and Catherine Franco. The latter was the latest addition to the 32 BMC trainees.
Franco is a co-worker of trainee Angela Uy. They are from the Baker & McKenzie Law Firm. [Their names were not mentioned in the article on BMC 2008 trainees. Sorry. – Windsor] Both are recruits of Chito (batch ’07).
The other trainees who joined the Daguldol climb were Lito Asaldo, Dean Bautista, Emmanuel Cama Jr., Joan Catapang, Gerry Escosio, Joel Flores,
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Feb. 23-24, 2008
2nd Minor Climb
Tarak Ridge, Mariveles, Bataan
Feb. 16-17, 2008
Basic First Aid
Gilmore Townhomes, Greenhills,
San Juan
Feb. 09-10, 2003
1st Minor Climb
Mt. Daguldol, San Juan, Batangas
Jan. 26-27, 2008
BMC 2008
La Mesa Eco Park, Q.C.
Metropolitan Mountaineering Society
www.metropolitanms.org
Copyright April 2007
Hyacinth Funa, Jing Lenon, Kate Lopez, Karen Macapagal, Ella Nunga, Mark Padil, Rachelle Pelayo, Ruby Tajanlangit, and Lorna Unday.
Board of trustees Long Henson and Jun Medrano, and Rommel Jotic went on a night trek and reached the campsite past 10 p.m.
Other members who joined the climb were trustee Enrico Sanchez and vice president Ding Prudencio.
Climbing along with the MMS members and trainees were about 80 students from U.P. who hiked in Daguldol as part of their P.E. class.
Best paella and talent shows
As part of the BMC, the trainees, in separate groups, demonstrated their culinary skills in the mountain setting. The cooking contest challenged them to prepare paella.
Before 9 p.m., the judges, four MMS members and one guest, tasted each group’s paella version and gave scores. A short presentation was shown as the scores were tallied. The winner: the group of Kate, Ruby, Gerry, Helen, Angela and Cathy. But all paella versions were appreciated and consumed at dinner time.
After dinner, the trainees performed talent numbers, including singing, a short play, and a martial arts skill demonstration. Dell’s batch is not to be outdone. The batch sang their anthem, their version of “Narda.” Roy Lopez, MMS public relations officer, expressed his appreciation by throwing his chair, recalled Dell.
Post-climb issues: traces, dog raid
Every MMS and BMC climb ends with the climbers commenting on anything that transpired from day one to day two. This so-called post-climb discussion usually tackles issues that should be avoided or prevented in succeeding climbs.
According to Dell, the “leave no trace” policy was violated because a trainee saw paella ingredients left at the campsite. Citing the former MMS president’s instruction last year, he reminded trainees that even biodegradable trash should be brought down the mountain for proper disposal.
Dell also reminded that plastic bottles can only be left to locals, who collect and sell these for recycling.
Another issue discussed was the disruption of the schedule on day two because the food-hunting dogs scattered utensils and trash bag. “It took some time to find our belongings before everybody can have their breakfast,” said Dell.
March 19-22, 2008
Bakun, Benguet (3 Peaks)
March 19-22, 2008
Mt. Napulauan
Mountain Province