Anawangin Cove Hike AAR

Its been a long time since I created an After Action Report (AAR), I guess this one is a good opportunity to make one :) I will leave the details of the event to the participants as through their blogs and concentrate on things to retrospect upon.

Personal Notes:
1. The Pasay Terminal of Victory Liner may be an option, especially if people are coming from The Fort area.
- While everyone came in with time to spare, it could have been a close call given the traffic conditions simply getting to Caloocan.

2. While hiking early has its merits (more time in the cove), the physical effects of such an endeavor needs to be seriously considered.
- My knee was getting a beating despite carrying minimal load.

3. In relation to number 2 above, some sort of physical preparation is required for similar expeditions. Rest and food sources should be adequately provided for all involved.
- While relatively fit, I just came back from a long vacation from the gym and was not properly prepared. Also I had minimal sleep the past few days and had no breakfast prior to the hike.

4. Gear preparation also needs to be done at least 24 hours prior to hike. These include common items that need to be distributed to all expedition members.
- Each of us packed individually, but when we tried distributing the food and drinks no one had enough space/capability to carry more.
- Either all of us packed improperly, did not have the right gear, or preparation.
- I ended up adding a little more weight in my bag than I would have liked.

5. Make sure food items are properly estimated.
- We had a little too much food. We could have estimated it a little better, saving money and weight to haul.
- I was looking at pics and it seemed we had a whole lot of trash/things going on. Need to manage it better.

6. Cooking with aluminum foil works.
- 'Nuff said. More recipes are in order though

7. Camp fire maintenance is a science.
- How to start a fire and keep it going for a significant amount of time is systematic. Stuffing it with anything that burns does not help.

8. Leading an expedition is a tough job.
- I definitely needed a second in command. Good thing Manny and Iam helped out whenever they could.

See the following links for related entries:
http://gnepot.multiply.com/journal/item/210/maikling_kwento_ng_magulang_hindi_parents_in_english
http://belleportento.multiply.com/photos/album/58/Anawangin_Get-away_Jan_10-11_2009
http://tagailogspecial.multiply.com/journal/item/209/Anawangin_Version_2.0

afflicted

Finally bought an Affliction shirt! :D

After looking into buying since... I don't know, with the help of Marian, Obet and Pipe I was able to locate a local store that sold Original Affliction shirts. No cheapo reproductions, the real deal!

I was a little (only a little) disappointed in the selection as it seemed to be primarily a store for women's apparel. But I was able to spot a few shirts I liked and with the help of Socs (via text) I picked the one I liked best and got it.

Thank you Oracle Philippines as well for the 100USD debit card which I used to purchase the shirt.

I love you all! hehehe

EBC

My not so recent hike up Mt. Pulag and the preparations for the upcoming hike to Anawangin Cove have somehow rekindled my love for climbing mountains and intensified my feelings for going outdoors.

I am hoping I can sustain this "craving" throughout the year and onwards... with perhaps a final goal of reaching Everest Base Camp. I know what you're thinking "Why not the summit?"... well for one thing I am not a mountaineer. I just love the outdoors. And another is logistics, both time and money. Done a few basic research and its gonna cost me. I know my limits, the peak of Mt. Everest is definitely out of mine.

So I'd go for the base camp. Expeditions to EBC are relatively common and satisfies a lot of what I want: get up close and personal to Mt. Everest, visit Nepal, do some hiking and picture taking. Maybe when I get there I'd get summit fever and push forward?