It has been 48 hours since we took our last steps down from the mountain, and still my muscles groan a little when climbing a stair or getting up from a chair.
Now is a good time to sit still and write while the memories are still fresh: the taste of luncheon meat and salted eggs still on my tongue, the vivid colors of the jungle still on my lids when I shut my eyes, and yes, even the ache in my legs. I treasure it all! Because I believe in the motto, ‘no pain no gain,’ I am proud of the reminders my body harbors of the efforts we made to climb the tip of Negros Oriental: Mt Talinis.
This is the one time I will defend the old English measurement standard of “the king’s foot”. Mt. Talinis is 6,432 feet, which sounds about right, considering that it took me at least twice that many steps to climb it and then slide back down (1,903 meters just doesn’t come close).
When asked to describe what it was like to climb Mt. Talinis, I want to say “incredible and incredibly difficult” at the same time.
In August 2010, my husband and I climbed Mt. Rainier, a 14,410 foot mountain in Washington State (the tallest active volcano in the contiguous United States). We had trained for four months, and went with hired guides, and a lot of borrowed gear in preparation for the snowy peak.
But last Saturday night, we laughed when we told our fellow hikers that after our first eight hours on the Talinis trail, it was obvious: jungle trekking is way more difficult than snow.
Thankfully, we had the company of some great climbers. Many thanks to our friends Mark Besario and Ann Cale for organizing the trip, and to some local mountaineers for taking in a couple of Amerikanos.
For anyone curious to learn more about local climbing clubs, I would highly recommend contacting the outdoor shops of Yagum-yuman (Miciano Road) and Island Life (Silliman Ave.).
And yes, despite the muscle aches and the cold nights, I would strongly encourage anyone who loves a good walk in the fresh air to add Mt Talinis to their ‘bucket list’ (things to do before you die, or ‘kick the bucket’ as we say).
Be prepared! Go with a guide or a trusted friend who knows the trail well, it is easy to lose. Bring warm, dry clothing and bedding for base camp at Lake Nailig where temperatures average 10-15 degrees. It is a rainforest, so prepare to get muddy! Good hiking shoes with strong soles and good grip are a must. So is a bottle of Tanduay and instant, sweetened ice tea (how else are you going to stay warm?).
And finally, take your time, plan to camp for two nights so that you get to experience a full day in the crater of Mt Talinis. It is a glimpse of what the Garden Eden must have been.
Amy Ellingson-Villanueva
Foundation University
