A scorching sun and a long, steep, open trail. That was Pilipinas Sierra Batch 2007's ordeal last August 25-26. An ordeal named Mt. Pointed Peak or Bundok Balingkilat.
A formidable wall of a mountain rising some 1,100 masl above the plains of Subic, Zambales, Mt. Balingkilat is a relatively new mountaineering destination. We started at 10am and braved "nauseatic" heat, steep inclines, a painfully rocky trail, scratches and bruises, a general absence of vegetation cover, and a heavy afternoon downpour that all reminded us that mountaineering is indeed the art of suffering. The sun's angry rays surely made my backpack weigh more than a ton. We made it to the summit camp at 5pm. Clouds covered the summit the entire time, erasing any prospects of sunset, night, or sunrise photography. I nursed a fever on my birthday climb. I suffered all that for this?
More photos here.
A formidable wall of a mountain rising some 1,100 masl above the plains of Subic, Zambales, Mt. Balingkilat is a relatively new mountaineering destination. We started at 10am and braved "nauseatic" heat, steep inclines, a painfully rocky trail, scratches and bruises, a general absence of vegetation cover, and a heavy afternoon downpour that all reminded us that mountaineering is indeed the art of suffering. The sun's angry rays surely made my backpack weigh more than a ton. We made it to the summit camp at 5pm. Clouds covered the summit the entire time, erasing any prospects of sunset, night, or sunrise photography. I nursed a fever on my birthday climb. I suffered all that for this?
More photos here.
