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“Tapos na ang misyon.”

Miguel Mapalad recalled saying this after returning to Lukla, Nepal, the jump-off point to climb Mount Everest.

He and his partner, Jeno Panganiban, were two of the three new Filipinos who reached the summit of Mt. Everest. The other one was Ric Babe.

As a homecoming treat, an intimate press conference was recently prepared by Miguel's sole sponsor, Delimondo. Here, the Pinoy mountaineer shared how his interest in reaching the peak Mt. Everest started.

“Na-in love ako sa Himalayas noong nakita ko siya noong 2013. Sabi sa akin ng kasama kong guide, 'yung sherpa, bago ka lang sa ganitong altitude, baka mahirapan ka, baka imposible 'yung tuktok. Hindi ako naniniwala. E, may mga nakaakyat nang mga Pilipino,” he smiled.

It was nearly two decades ago when Filipinos first conquered Mt. Everest. These were Leo Oracio, Erwin “Pastor” Emata, and Romi Garduce.

With much determination, Miguel, who was already a mountain guide at that time, started his quest to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.

“Ipapakita ko sa 'yo 'yan, my friend,” he recalled telling his sherpa.

Miguel then started researching the proper training for Mt. Everest. He also climbed several mountains here and abroad, because he said, “Kailangan sanayin ang katawan.”

Related gallery:Celebrity couples who conquer mountains together

Mind over matter

Despite his preparations, Miguel still faced some challenges, not just physically but also mentally.

He said, “'Yung physical, nakukuha naman 'yan sa preparation. Before kami pumunta sa Mt. Everest, mayroon na kaming proper preparation. So, handa naman kami diyan.

“Mentally, medyo 'yun ang mabigat kasi 'yun nga sa mga nangyayari sa bundok. First time ko rin makakita ng mga namatay, may mga naggi-give up sa team namin. Minsan inaabot nga kami ng tagal, 'yung homesickness--'yung pagka-miss mo sa pagkain, sa ligo, sa toilet--lahat ng comfort nawawala.

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A post shared by Miguel Mapalad (@miguelmapalad)

One unforgettable challenge he noted was seeing the dead bodies of fellow mountaineers when they reached the 8,000-meter mark, which he described as a “dead zone.”

Miguel recalled, “Unang-una, 'yung nakita ko 'yung mga casualties… Hindi kasi ako sanay makakita ng ganun, so natakot ako. Natakot ako kasi baka madaanan ko o maapakan ko, parang nasa horror movie. Pero 'yun ang nagbigay sa akin ng babala na hindi ganito kadali ang Mt. Everest.

“Pero alam ko na 'yun bago kami umakyat ng Mt. Everest, na may madadaanan kaming ganyan at puwede ring mangyari sa amin 'yung mga ganung bagay. So, parang naging warning lang siya na kailangang maghanda ka. Hindi basta-basta lang ang Mt. Everest. Hindi dahil may sapatos ka at may jacket ka o may pera ka, puwede na sa 'yo ang Everest. Kailangan mo talaga siyang paghandaan.”

In the same area, the 42-year-old mountain guide experienced an extreme jet stream. This caused his temporary snow blindness, which became an extra challenge for him during their descent.

“Nakakatakot na may halong excitement kasi hindi ko pa na-experience 'yung ganung kalakas na jet stream, na talagang dinadala ka. Hindi ko pa naramdaman yung effect nun. Masama pala 'yung tama ng snow, lalo na kapag sa mata. 'Yun 'yung nag-cause ng slow blindness ko.”

The Pinoy mountaineer was grateful for his partner, Jeno, because not only did they motivate each other, but they also managed to keep the challenging situation light.

“Masaya ako kasi may partner naman akong kasama. Pareho kami ng humor ng Pilipino. Dinadaan na lang namin lahat sa biro, parang lagi kaming nagja-jive sa isa't isa para at least, maka-release naman kami ng takot o anumang kaba.”

Miguel also emphasized how the messages of support and prayers from his family and followers gave him strength throughout his journey.

“Pagdating namin ng base camp, may internet na ulit. Nagulat ako sa mga messages, sa prayers, sa followers--para na akong naging artista sa dami. Akala nila, 'Buhay ka pa ba, sir?' Ang daming nag-alala, ang daming nagdasal, ang daming nag-congratulate. Actually, wala kaming ginawa sa base camp kundi mag-[scroll] sa messages,” he said smiling.

When they reached the jump-off and exit point in Lukla, Miguel said, “Diyan na kami nagyakapan ni Jeno, 'yung partner ko. 'Tapos na 'yung mission natin, na-survive natin ang Mount Everest, na-survive natin at ang importante, buo tayong nakabalik.”

Miguel hopes that his Mt. Everest journey inspires other mountaineers who dream of climbing its peak.

He said, “For me, sobrang naging meaningful ng buhay ko with this expedition. Sa tingin ko, marami akong na-inspire na tao, maraming mountain climbers and ibang mga nanood.

“Kung mayroong mga pagsubok katulad ng Mt. Everest sa buhay mo, na kung akala mo talagang imposibleng akyatin, pero kapag dinaan ninyo sa tapang, sa paghahanda, kaya mong lagpasan 'yan. Kaya mo pang patunayan sa sarili mo na kaya mo pa ulit pahabain, after ng Everest ng buhay mo.”