As seen on today’s dog walk, Easter Mountain is still standing after yesterday’s assault.
Why did we climb the mountain before Easter Monday? Because it was there! Actually, I think the thinking for some of us was we’d do the Easter Mountain climb on Wednesday, and then for Monday’s Hash, we’ll do the the second half of the trail over the Black Rock Ridge. As yesterday proved, there is no way most of us could do both in one go.
It was a hot and hard up and a long steep down. The good news is I made it without any breathing issues. Which is not to say it didn’t kick my ass. We’ll see how I feel about making that climb again next year. On a brighter note, Swan came along and really seemed to enjoy herself. She was sore and tired when we were done, but she told me this morning she wants to do it again someday. She did say we should start earlier in the morning when it is not so hot.
The actual climb up top and then back down was less than 3K, but my Fitbit told the story of my cardio workout:
We were on the mountain for three hours, including numerous rest stops. Look at those Zone Minutes, though. My heart had a five-hour workout.
I’ve got a shitload of photos from the adventure to share, so let’s get to it:
The yellow line is the route most of us took yesterday, and the orange line is the route the Hares intended. They couldn’t find the down they wanted at first, so while they looked we took the alternative. Our merry group of mountain climbers gathered at the start. Swan and Inday were losing their Easter Mountain virginity.Let’s get startedAn almost gentle steady up in the beginning.It didn’t get easier though“I think I can, I think I can…”Gaining some altitudeKeep pushing upOur destination awaitsOne blessing was that there had been a recent burn up here, so we didn’t have to struggle through tall thatch grass. The downside was being blackened by ash on our legs and clothes.And now the fun really begins…hard and steep.Inday and Swan push on while Scott takes a needed break.A view from hereAnd anotherIt got a little rocky in placesBut every step was a step closer to the topHeaven on earthHelen on the rocks at the peak.Inday taking it all in.Scott survived the trip to the top, too.She’s on the top of the world, looking down on creationI believe I can flyPicture thisA well-earned break at the summitThe million dollar view from the top of Easter Mountain.I like this one too.Rockin’ it!And now to get back downSteeper than it looksGettin’ down!Slippery in placesGravity can be a bitch too.One foot in front of the otherNot much shade on the mountain, but we found this abandoned lean-to about halfway down and took a much-needed break.Fat man on the go!I can see my house from hereLook at that girl go!Thanks for joining us, Swan.
Too tuckered out to hit the bars after our hike, but with a shower and a nap, I headed up to The Rite Spot.
And the clouds were gatheringThere’s that rooster farm I mentioned across the river.And then the skies opened up with our first real rainfall in months.The Rite Spot On The Roof isn’t so right in the rain. I thought the cover would be enough, but with the wind blowing the rain sideways, not so much.So we retreated downstairs and enjoyed the storm from our patio instead.My favorite tree enjoying a refreshing drink of waterAnd then a muted sunset as the storm raged onLots of lightning and thunder, too.
Anyway, I guess you could say we got rode hard and put up wet. Still, I’m happy for the experience.
That explains why it’s been so hot. (Zambales is the province where I live)
Facebook memories carried me back to springtime in Seoul seven years ago:
If I recall correctly, those flowers are gaenalee.
What does Quora Q&A have for us today?
Q: Why do some clubs in Korea not allow foreigners inside?
A: Well, I lived in Korea for 12 years before retiring and moving to the Philippines. I do recall the clubs with the “Koreans only” signs out front. I didn’t really care because I didn’t want to go where I was not wanted.
I can only speculate on the reasons why foreigners weren’t welcome. But after moving to the PI, I was amused to learn that the Filipina bargirls have a universal nickname for Korean men: “triple three”. Of course, I had to ask what that meant. They laughed and said “three inches, three minutes, three thousand pesos”.
Not trying to start a cockfight here, just repeating what I heard and thought it was funny.
How about these?
Hmm, I’ve had four wives…Maybe that’s why…
Anyway, life is good. I’m glad to be feeling healthy again. Haven’t even needed my nebulizer lately. Weighed myself after that ass-kicking climb and I lost almost a pound. Water weight after all that sweating, no doubt, but still. Back to the bars tonight!
4 thoughts on “Easter Bitch”
She did say we should start earlier in the morning when it is not so hot.
Walking in the early morning is its own reward. Just be careful on those mountain trails when the light is low.
re: Fitbit
Over 3,000 calories for 6K of walking seems a bit excessive. But I think you mentioned that the caloric measurement was for the whole day, yes?
Our destination awaits
That slope just gets steeper and steeper as you approach the summit, doesn’t it?
Inday and Swan push on while Scott takes a needed break.
That part looks really steep. Do you think the slope angle got as far as 45 degrees?
It got a little rocky in places
That looks like 45 degrees for sure. I guess you ascend by switchbacking…?
The Rite Spot On The Roof isn’t so right in the rain. I thought the cover would be enough, but with the wind blowing the rain sideways, not so much.
You might have to shell out for some tarp-like “walls.”
And then a muted sunset as the storm raged on
Looks as if you wandered into the desert scene in “Blade Runner 2049.”
Anyway, I guess you could say we got rode hard and put up wet. Still, I’m happy for the experience.
Hard and wet is about all you can ask for in this life.
If I recall correctly, those flowers are gaenalee.
I think gaenari are forsythias.
Anyway, life is good. I’m glad to be feeling healthy again. Haven’t even needed my nebulizer lately.
Do you think the new meds helped you get past whatever that earlier problem was, or are you still on the meds?
Anyway, it seems to have been a good, vigorous hike.
Question: do all the locals call that mountain “Easter Mountain”? If they call it that, why doesn’t it have a path with, say, the Stations of the Cross on it? Or at least one shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin? Just curious.
John – good on ya’. Glad that the climb was successful and that your health problems seem mostly in the rear view mirror.
Keep on keepin’ on!
Thanks, Brian. I’ve got a few miles left in me yet.
Kev, talk about an early morning hike–Scott’s gal and her friends climbed Easter Mountain (real name, Mt. Booitlao) at two a.m. today and are waiting up there for the Good Friday sunrise. Damn, I can’t imagine doing that climb in the dark.
Those Fitbit measurements I posted were for the entire day. The only one (besides steps) I focus on is Zone Minutes (peak heart rate/cardio). A typical day is in the low 100s; I’m trying to get that up to at least 150 daily. The climb stats were off the rails.
Yeah, that last hundred yards or so is a very steep up. Forty-five degrees sounds about right. The path we took did have a couple of switchbacks.
Re: The Rite Spot, I have tarps on the front side to block the sun, but this storm came from the back with gusty winds. I just have to accept the fact that the roof isn’t an option on a rainy day.
The meds have made a positive impact. Still taking them until my follow-up with Dr. Jo in a week.
No, Easter Mountain is the Hash name. I’ve not heard the locals call it by name, but this site says they call it Boovillao. The first time I climbed up to the peak in 2018, there was a Mother Mary shrine. It’s gone now. There is also a concrete pad indicating some kind of structure was up there in the past. Many locals make a pilgrimage to the top on Good Friday, but there are no religious symbols (unless graffiti counts) along the way.
She did say we should start earlier in the morning when it is not so hot.
Walking in the early morning is its own reward. Just be careful on those mountain trails when the light is low.
re: Fitbit
Over 3,000 calories for 6K of walking seems a bit excessive. But I think you mentioned that the caloric measurement was for the whole day, yes?
Our destination awaits
That slope just gets steeper and steeper as you approach the summit, doesn’t it?
Inday and Swan push on while Scott takes a needed break.
That part looks really steep. Do you think the slope angle got as far as 45 degrees?
It got a little rocky in places
That looks like 45 degrees for sure. I guess you ascend by switchbacking…?
The Rite Spot On The Roof isn’t so right in the rain. I thought the cover would be enough, but with the wind blowing the rain sideways, not so much.
You might have to shell out for some tarp-like “walls.”
And then a muted sunset as the storm raged on
Looks as if you wandered into the desert scene in “Blade Runner 2049.”
Anyway, I guess you could say we got rode hard and put up wet. Still, I’m happy for the experience.
Hard and wet is about all you can ask for in this life.
If I recall correctly, those flowers are gaenalee.
I think gaenari are forsythias.
Anyway, life is good. I’m glad to be feeling healthy again. Haven’t even needed my nebulizer lately.
Do you think the new meds helped you get past whatever that earlier problem was, or are you still on the meds?
Anyway, it seems to have been a good, vigorous hike.
Question: do all the locals call that mountain “Easter Mountain”? If they call it that, why doesn’t it have a path with, say, the Stations of the Cross on it? Or at least one shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin? Just curious.
John – good on ya’. Glad that the climb was successful and that your health problems seem mostly in the rear view mirror.
Keep on keepin’ on!
Thanks, Brian. I’ve got a few miles left in me yet.
Kev, talk about an early morning hike–Scott’s gal and her friends climbed Easter Mountain (real name, Mt. Booitlao) at two a.m. today and are waiting up there for the Good Friday sunrise. Damn, I can’t imagine doing that climb in the dark.
Those Fitbit measurements I posted were for the entire day. The only one (besides steps) I focus on is Zone Minutes (peak heart rate/cardio). A typical day is in the low 100s; I’m trying to get that up to at least 150 daily. The climb stats were off the rails.
Yeah, that last hundred yards or so is a very steep up. Forty-five degrees sounds about right. The path we took did have a couple of switchbacks.
Re: The Rite Spot, I have tarps on the front side to block the sun, but this storm came from the back with gusty winds. I just have to accept the fact that the roof isn’t an option on a rainy day.
The meds have made a positive impact. Still taking them until my follow-up with Dr. Jo in a week.
No, Easter Mountain is the Hash name. I’ve not heard the locals call it by name, but this site says they call it Boovillao. The first time I climbed up to the peak in 2018, there was a Mother Mary shrine. It’s gone now. There is also a concrete pad indicating some kind of structure was up there in the past. Many locals make a pilgrimage to the top on Good Friday, but there are no religious symbols (unless graffiti counts) along the way.