READ: 6 things every mountain climbing beginner must consider

The Philippines is blessed not only with beautiful, pristine beaches. Our country also has a lot of mountains we can explore.

But, climbing a mountain is no easy feat. So, one must know the different factors to consider when you're heading to the great outdoors.

If you're planning to climb your first peak, here are a few things you need to keep in mind and to practice.

Itinerary

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Know your itinerary ahead of time. A detailed plan of your travel minimizes risks, as well as promotes safety and convenience.

Your itinerary will dictate the time you need to meet with your friends at which assembly area, which type of transportation to take, the duration of the climb proper, and your whole journey.

It will tell you how many clothes to pack, how much food and drinks to prepare, and other essentials you need to bring. It will be a good basis for your group to check if you can accomplish your goal for the climb.

Before leaving the house, leave a copy of your itinerary to a family member so that your family would have an idea about your whereabouts.

Terrain

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Read up on the mountain and the surrounding area where you plan to climb.

The terrain or physical feature where you will hike will also affect your itinerary. Do you need to cross rivers? Is there already an established trail? Are you hiking through grasslands, forests, boulders, or through a community? Will you need a rope to get through a segment of the route? Knowing the demands and difficulties of your climb will also facilitate safety and viability of your hike.

Weather

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The Philippine climate is characterized by relatively high temperature, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. While this generally holds true throughout the country, weather varies depending on the season.

It is important to note as well that other mountains, depending on the altitude, have micro-climates. It can be scorching hot at the base camp but when you're already thousands of meters above sea level, you might expect showers localized in the area as well as strong winds.

Gaining knowledge about the weather will help you identify which clothes to pack or if you can actually proceed with your hike.

Rule of thumb: always expect the worst weather conditions in the mountains. It's always best to come prepared especially when you'll be exposing yourself to the harsh elements.

Risks

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There are a lot of natural risks when going outdoors but there are also man-made threats you can manage and minimize.

It's always wise to know the ongoing activities and operations in the mountains and its surrounding areas, coordinate with the local government and military to observe rules and protocols, and find out the availability of mobile signal and other means of communication.

It is also important to have a mitigation plan like identifying alternate trails and routes in case of an emergency, and knowing the nearest hospitals and centers where you can seek assistance.

Essentials

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A good preparation includes knowing how to pack your essentials.

Aside from bringing enough and adequate clothes and footwear, you need to prepare food and water that will last the duration of your whole trip, rain gear and extra clothing, safety items like a headlamp, light with extra batteries and a whistle, first aid kit and personal medicines, tent or shelter, a stove and cookset for your meal preparations, multi-purpose tool and even a trowel! Add these in your check list and learn how to pack them in your bags while taking accessibility, balance, compressibility, and waterproofing into consideration.

Fitness

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All the preparations and considerations discussed above may be put to waste if your mind and body are not up for the challenge.

Get the most reward from climbing and reaching the summit by physically and mentally preparing for the task. Do cardio exercise and strength training. Keep hydrated and supply your body with proper nutrition even before the climb.

Clear your mind, leave your worries in the city and bring a light disposition as you head to the outdoors. After all, it is not the mountains that we conquer but ourselves.