Malinas Climb and Cave Exploration: The First Day with Extra Challenge

The challenge was to climb the highest peak of Brgy. Malinas, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte and explore the hidden treasures it keeps in hide for centuries- the Malinas Caves. 

The adventure is set to begin at 6:30 in the morning on Nov. 3, 2012. We are to gather outside Iligan Computer Institute (ICI) - Kapatagan Branch office where we are to join with other climbers. It was then, that I knew and met other climbers coming from ICI Cagayan de Oro, ICI Iligan and ICI Kapatagan students and staff of which approximately, we are 57 climbers in total. 

The group was divided in two, because the jeep can't accommodate everyone in one load to the jumped off location at Brgy. Butadon, that took us an estimated 12 to 15 minutes travel from Kapatagan Town Center our assembly area. During the interval, we waited another 20 minutes in approximate for the second group to catch up with us, then the adventure had begun.

Extra Challenge No. 1 Crossing the swinging hanging bridge: Everyone are excited
and walked like there's a pot of gold or trophy on top of our destination. It looks like it was a race and I can't afford to lose :) so I walked like I don't get tired.

In between catching my breath I gaze at my goal, that peak of the mountain where all mountaineers dreamed-of to set foot to. Then, there is this first obstacle, surely crossing a hanging bridge with missing floor parts to step into is a dilemma, but it was a no sweat for me. In two minutes or less I was in the other side of the hanging bridge with a big smile. A few walks away from the bridge I saw fallen souls sweating like they have fallen from the dilapidated bridge that we have just crossed. When everyone had crossed, it signals for the resumption of what I considered the most challenging---walking and trekking with a heavy load on our back. I was feeling like to regret that I didn't jumped off in the hanging bridge to ease the hell feeling out of me while walking under the heat of the sun sweating.

Extra Challenge No.2 : Crossing the swinging bamboo bridge without fail. One trekker slipped his tent
and it fell into the water, but he went down under the bridge and picked it up with a smile

A moment of pause and were on track again for our goal which is to be at Malinas peak before lunch. Despite the sweats, pain starting to crawl from my toes to my thighs and in between glances of the distance of how far I have been through  and how many steps should I need to take, before I can set foot on the highest peak, I surrender and offered myself a rest in a shady mango tree as I have noticed few trees are left standing still in this green untilled fields. 

Whenever I think something negative, like its not likely that I will reached the peak, I always remember and read in my mind the quote, "Whenever it feels like an uphill climb, just think of the view when you are at the top," and it helps a lot for me. It motivates me to go on and take more steps forward.

Alas! my doubts ruled over me. I decided to give up. My mind commanded me to take a few more steps and move forward, but my body refused to obey. "This is the end!" this thought thundering my sorrowful soul as I felt helpless and was ready to fall down on my knees right at the foot of the mountain as a gesture of my pitiful surrender and defeat. Then, there was this trail guide wearing a blue jacket whom was observing me. I was unconscious of his presence until he offered to carry my bag.  In a split-second my face brighten up and I looked behind with a mixed emotions coupled with the sweetest smile I can possibly make, while saying "sure you can, and thank you so much," then, he had my bag in his shoulders and I was left behind so thankful for the help just in time when I needed it.

While approaching at the peak after being wet by the rain who passed by to level up the challenge, I noticed few only are following me and was trekking along with me. I guessed some had took rest and some are already at the peak. True enough, at least eight have arrived when I step at the peak and glorify the glorious view up there. I was not wrong when I've been rehearsing in my mind so many times the quote "when it feels like an uphill climb, just think about the view at the top." though the quote for me means something else figuratively, but literally it helped me every time I felt that I am about to give up.

Soaked with sweat I opened my eyes and let it explore around and for awhile it marvel towards the scenic beauty being displayed before me. Malinas peak did not disappoint me! Dropping my self into the green meadows of the peak, I offered a prayer thanking the One above for the gift of good health that made myself wander into a journey that I didn't imagine I can embark into. The Malinas summit allows me to gaze of what appears to be my next goal - Mt. Malindang, a mountain worth of beholding by just gazing at its inviting charm. Facing Mt.Malindang, at my left is Celebes Sea and Pagadian City, while looking below at my right side is the vast expanse of Kapatagan Valley with its blooming rice fields, while at a distance is the Pangil Bay and Ozamiz and behind me is Mt. Ragang and the exotically landscaped mountain ranges of Lanao del Sur.

I've traveled many times by plane and a helicopter ride last December and had a feeling of being up there, but being at the peak of a mountain where you have suffered and endured challenging obstacles just to get there is another story. Now, I truly understand why Rose in the movie Titanic shouted, "I am the queen of the world." A strange feeling of mixed emotions, something like I take pride of my self as I made it through the rain, the swinging bamboo bridge and the uphill climb, because Malinas peak I think its a place where the brave dare not go, because mountaineering and mountain climbing itself is not a question for people of who are the brave or who are the cowards, but rather its a question of who dares to conquer and follow their dreams. 
When everyone arrived, the main concern is to take our respective "baon" for lunch and erect ourselves our own sanctuary for the night---a tent or anything where we can take cover for rain might come during the night nor the wind so cold might bring harm. Thank you to Daryl for adopting me by providing me a clean and cozy place to repose for the night.
In my next article, the Malinas Cave Exploration!
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