Beyond the Summit: Finding Meaning in the Climb

Some adventurers climb mountains for the adrenaline rush—chasing heights, obsessing over "clearing" peaks, and collecting summits like trophies. I used to be like that when I first started way back in 2002. The thrill of reaching the top, the sense of accomplishment, and the rush of standing above the clouds were enough to keep me going. But with every climb, something changed. I began to notice the beauty we often take for granted—the small wonders hidden along the trails, the delicate details we overlook in our rush to the campsite or summit.

Fatigue often puts us on autopilot, making everything we pass a blur. The rustling leaves, the chirping of birds, the strange fungi clinging to fallen logs—all of these disappear when we are too focused on the destination. And in doing so, we miss the most important part of the journey: observing and interacting with nature. (the first principle of Permaculture)

Now, I climb for something more. I climb to witness the beauty of God's creation—the hidden wonders that many never get to see. I climb to learn, to discover, and to explore. Because the more we recognize the richness of nature, the more we understand the need to protect and preserve it.

I long to find the spiny cinnamon tree frog, but Mother Nature has not offered me the chance yet. Perhaps it is her way of calling me back—to return, to seek, and to immerse myself once more in the wild. Maybe some things are not meant to be found so easily. Some require patience, persistence, and an open heart willing to listen to the whispers of the forest.

Along the trails of the Ormoc Trilogy, I took my time to capture moments with my very old Nova 5T phone, —snapshots of nature’s beauty that deserve more than just a passing glance. I grouped them into four:

🐍 Fauna – The silent and often misunderstood creatures of the wild. A lone snake slithering through the undergrowth, critters hiding beneath damp logs, moths resting on leaves—each one a reminder that the forest is alive in ways we rarely notice.

🌺 Flowers – Wild blooms adding splashes of color to the trail. Some are tiny, hidden beneath thick foliage, while others stand tall and proud, basking in the mountain air. Each one is a masterpiece, thriving in places untouched by human hands.

🍈 Fruits – Nourishment for both wildlife and wanderers. Some familiar, some strange and intriguing, holding secrets of flavors I have yet to taste. These fruits are testaments to the land’s richness, feeding not just bodies but the entire cycle of life.

📸 Snaps and Shots – The awe-inspiring scenes that nature effortlessly paints along the journey. Crown shyness, where towering trees respectfully keep their distance, creating intricate patterns in the sky. A tree with sprawling roots, gripping the earth like an ancient guardian of the forest. Clouds resting on the mountain peaks, as if cradling the ridges in a dream. A serene Agoho forest, standing tall and swaying with the mountain breeze. A rare pitcher plant, waiting quietly for its next unsuspecting visitor. A stark sulfur area, reminding us of the Earth's fiery core beneath our feet. And many more moments that words fail to fully capture.

Each photo, each memory, is a reminder that we should climb not just for the thrill, but for a deeper connection with the world around us. Because in the end, the mountains are not just about reaching the summit. They are about the journey, the discoveries, and the stories we bring back with us.

ORMOC TRILOGY

Lake Janagdan | Mt. Malingatong | Mt. Aminduen

Ormoc to Jaro, Leyte

February 15-16, 2025

 

ADVENTURER: Kumbati Supertiks

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