On Hiking Mountains Responsibly
Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangas
In the past few years, I’ve had the joyous opportunity to deepen my appreciation for nature by hiking and trekking along the mountains near Metro Manila. I’ve been atop a fair number of mountains such as Mt. Pinatubo, Mt. Daraitan, Mt. Maculot, and Mt. Batulao.
These adventures have awoken in me a yearning for the thrill of being over two thousand meters above sea level. Each time I bask in the beauty of my surroundings when atop a mountain, I am reminded of how far and small my daily life in the metropolitan is. These feelings reward me with a refreshed sense of purpose and get me geared up for the new obstacles that I have to face (such as the struggles of an average law student).
Hiking and trekking mountains as a hobby has largely grown over the years. The longing to escape the idle life of the metropolis has led to the increase of hikers and trekkers coming from urban areas who’ve found that the view on top of a mountain could refresh their souls despite the possibility of sore muscles and aching backs. The sedentary lifestyle induced by working in an office has awoken an inner drive, one that compels me and other hikers to immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature and the outdoors.
Unfortunately, the influx of hikers and trekkers has also led to an increase in cases of environmental degradation on mountain trails in the past decade. This degradation is a by-product of harmful human activities such as the expansion of campsites, trail deterioration through daily use, and unregulated entry and exit points.
This is where the saying, “Leave no trace behind” becomes relevant. This is popularly known to hikers and trekkers and is commonly seen on signs and placards scattered throughout mountain trails around the Philippines. It has a very simple meaning: leave the mountain as you found it, even while gaining that hiker’s high. It has become a motto for hikers and trekkers in order to maintain and sustain the trails that they pass through, which stems from the general agreement that one’s exhilarating adventure should have the least impact on the environment as possible, so that others may enjoy the same.
Here are some tips for mountain day-trippers to make it easier to adhere to the “Leave no trace behind” principle:
TIP No. 1: Reduce plastic and styrofoam usage
Image: Wooden Utensils
Avoid using single-use plastics and styrofoam packaging. These products are some of the worst things to leave outdoors in nature because these take over a century to degrade. This is why hikers and trekkers should avoid bringing these during their adventures. Take note that there are generally no trash cans placed along mountain trails. When packing your essentials, use a large tumbler for water and bring home-prepared meals in reusable containers. If you can use non-disposable cutlery instead of plastic utensils, even better. These alternatives are much better than lugging four one-liter plastic water bottles and carrying that Jollibee plastic bag for your two-piece chicken meal.
TIP No. 2: Leave no trash behind
Again, there are generally no trash cans along mountain trails, especially away from entry and exit points. Sadly, some hikers and trekkers believe that nature is one big disposal area – or are just unaware that every piece of waste left in nature has an impact – and tend to leave their garbage laying around in rest stops.
The trash has the tendency to build up quickly along trails and makes the experience for other people less enjoyable. Just imagine breathing in the fresh mountain air when suddenly a plastic bag flies into your face. This experience is definitely something we all want to avoid, so we should do our part so that others don’t have to go through it either. One trick I use is to carry a large backpack and keep a trash bag inside, which I use to collect waste produced throughout a trip, especially when traveling with a group. I then properly dispose of the garbage once we’ve gone down the mountain.
TIP No. 3: Respect the wildlife
One gloomy reality is that some hikers and trekkers tend to leave permanent marks on mountain trails during their adventure. A few examples are etching names on trees, detaching large leaves from plants (sometimes used to clean mud from hiking shoes), and stepping on insects along trail. It is important to remember that a mountain trail is in itself an ecosystem, and these kinds of actions inevitably affect and disturb the harmony among the plants and animals therein. Thus it is imperative to respect the wildlife every time one goes mountain climbing.
TIP No. 4: Don’t forget to stop and smile
There’s a certain magic in planting your feet on solid ground amidst the beauty and awe-inspiring view atop a mountain. So stop, take a breath, and smile at the wonders around you. Remember that as magnificent as nature is, you are part of nature too.
Mt. Daraitan in Rizal
In Conclusion
All of these tips are for the ultimate goal of keeping mountain trails sustainable for other hikers and trekkers. I hope that these tips would reach other mountaineers, old and new alike, and serve as a guide for their enjoyment and of those to come.
Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangas
-
The agriculture sector is one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change. The increasing frequency of natural… https://t.co/A6qFPqT6zp
-
RT @youth4climatePH: 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐓, 𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐎! Hindi man tayo nagkasama-sama sa lansangan, ating ipagpapatuloy ang laban… https://t.co/ZC7BGJXMME
-
The rehabilitation of sections of the shore along Manila Bay has made many of us wonder just what it takes to make… https://t.co/q2ZXt2rNM5
-
RT @UNBiodiversity: #BREAKING‼️ Humanity at a Crossroads: #UN’s 5th Global Biodiversity Outlook report outlines eight major transition… https://t.co/mKv3kxPjV4
-
The protection and rehabilitation of Manila has long been a "wicked problem," that no one has been able to fully un… https://t.co/0vIO0uW5rX
