BAROC (Barkadahan Adventure Recreation and Outdoor Club) is a growing local group of adventurers and climbing enthusiasts that go on once-a-month adventures to different parts of Luzon. They’ve listed several very helpful mountain climbing itineraries that would-be mountaineers can use as templates for their own adventures. Check out their website at baroc.net and check out a sample adventure itinerary below:

Mt. Talamitam
Location: Nasugbu, Batangas

Day 1 (Jan.24, 2009)
04:00AM Assembly Time @ Almark or Golden Dragon Bus Terminal, EDSA Pasay Rotanda, near MRT Taft station behind McDo
05:00AM ETD bus terminal in EDSA-Taft via Almark or Golden Dragon Bus Lines to Nasugbu, Batangas (P129.00)

07:00AM ETA Sitio Bayabasan Sampaloc km 83, Nasugbu, Batangas
07:30AM Register at CCBM P25.00, stretching, final briefing, prayer
08:00AM Start Trek
09:00AM ETA Open field
10:00AM Assault to summit (60 degrees)
11:00AM ETA summit, enjoy view, pitch tent
12:00NN Lunch
02:00PM BMC 1 (Basic Mountaineering Course 1)
05:00PM Prepare Dinner
06:00PM Dinner
08:00PM Socials
11:00PM Lights out
*CCBM – Concern Citizen and Bayanihan Movement

Day 2 (Jan. 25, 2009)
06:00AM Wake up time (Prepare for Breakfast)
07:00AM Breakfast
08:00AM Break Camp
08:30AM Start Descent
10:00AM ETA River, Refresh (Shower P20 or take a bath sa ilog P10)
11:00AM Anything goes from here (Tagaytay for lunch)

Breakdown of Expenses:
Bus Fare (Pasay to Sitio Bayabasan kanto ng sampaloc)- P129
CCBM Registration Fee – P25
Fee to take a bath sa ilog w/kubo (optional) – P10
Baroc joining fee – P50
Total = P214

Things to bring:
Individual:
1. Clothes for overnight
2. Packed lunch
3. Trail water or personal H2O at least 4 liters ( or depending on your needs)
4. Trail food
5. Jacket (malamig /mahangin)
6. Trek sandals / shoes
7. Headlamp / Flashlight with extra batteries
8. Personal medicine / First Aid kit
9. Mess kit
10. Kikay kit
11. Back Pack (no shoulder bags pls)
12. Trash bags
13. Extra plastic
14. Sunblock (open trail, mainit)
15. Umbrella, hat arm protector (open trail, mainit)
16. Tissue paper
17. Poncho /raincoat (in case of rain)
18. Alcohol / insect repellent
19. Camera
20. Extra cash (in case of emergency)

REMINDERS:
• For mobility and ease of trekking, the use of backpacks is recommended.
• Secure your things in a big plastic bag before putting it in your backpack. To ensure dryness in case of rain.
• Individuals with special medication are advised to bring sufficient amount of their medicines. Do inform the group (para sa mga guest)
• No maong pants please.
• Prepare packed lunch for the ascent.
• Bring umbrella to protect yourselves from rain and/or sunshine. Don’t forget your jackets for the cold weather.
• No water source in the campsite
• Wear gloves, long sleeves, long pants during trek (may part na sobrang matalahib)
• First timers are encouraged to wear trekking shoes
• It’s a short trek but assault is very challenging particularly to first timers, a cardio exercise is highly recommended.
• No centralized garbage bag, let’s manage our own trash
• To minimize impact of the activity to nature, it is mandatory that we follow the “Leave No Trace” principle. Trash and litter have no place in the wilderness.

*photos by JM Tiongson (jmtiongson.multiply.com)

The LA Marathon is promising to make this year’s race interesting and exciting. The 2010 course is brand new and is currently named “Stadium of the Sea.” For the chance to witness the display competency and endurance, patrons just need to purchase their own K-Swiss running shoes – K-Ona, Tubes, and Mi-Soul until end of January 2010. One (1) raffle coupon will be given for every purchase of K-Swiss running shoes from participating stores: Planet Sports, The Athletes Foot, and K-Swiss Concept Store in Marquee Mall.

Accomplished forms need to be dropped at the drop boxes located at the participating stores. One lucky winner will be taking home the major prizes, which include: roundtrip plane tickets to LA, California; 5 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast; sightseeing tour at Disneyland, and; free entry to LA Marathon, among others.

There will also be three (3) winners of the K-Swiss Tubes Run Shoes worth P4,000; three (3) winners of K-Swiss Track Jacket worth P3,500, and ten (10) winners of K-Swiss Trucker cap worth P690.000 each.

Deadline of submission of entry is on January 31, 2010. A grand draw will be held at the Planet Sports, Inc. office with the presence of a DTI representative. Name of winners will be posted at Planet Sports & The Athletes Foot stores and will be notified thru registered mail.

What are you waiting for? Hurry over to the nearest participating store nearest you and purchase your own K-Swiss running shoes to join.

To know more about the promo, you may contact Planet Sports, Inc. at 898 1933 to 42 or email marceloes.rd@planetsports.com.ph or oriondoms.mktg@planetsports.com.ph.

[View with PicLens]

REGISTRATION FEE

350 Php – regular registration fee for all events.
200 Php for students

(A group of 10 or more will avail a P50 discount per each registration, e.g. a group of 10 or more students will only pay P150 each instead pf P200 each.)

REGISTER:
09157761109 or e-mail at ivanbautista21@yahoo.com

Most of our muscles work in a similar way. They need to be balanced for it to work perfectly. For every bicep that pulls your arm towards you, there’s always the triceps that pulls your arm away from you. Without the either one, your arm won’t function properly. That’s just the original design.

If that’s the case, shouldn’t we balance the power in each of our muscles when we go workout in the gym as well? The showy muscles make us look good but it doesn’t really do us any good if we don’t balance it out on the not-so-showy muscle counterpart. Why, you ask? Well, if you’re body is balanced, you don’t get injured as easily. According to Men’s Health:

Your body and its joints are held in place by opposing muscle groups (for example, chest and back, quads and hamstrings). These groups work together to control movement. If one becomes stronger or tighter than normal, that dominant muscle group will overwork its counterpart–that is, you’ll have a muscle imbalance. You don’t want a tug-of-war between muscles every time you move. Nagging discomfort can mean you’re at a much greater risk of injury.

That makes sense. Here’s a simple test to help you determine if you are balanced.

Biking…something every other person in the world knows. For most people, it gets lost in their childhood. A number of those want it back. I am one of those people.

As a kid, biking was my ticket to adventure in my little protected world. It was my way to explore the dark, dangerous roads in a gated community. Nothing else mattered when I was on a bike. No two-foot, domesticated dog was going to chew off my foot. I was fearless. Those dogs couldn’t catch me even if they ran ‘til they got lost…even if that was only around the corner.

Biking was my little trip to the extreme. Wheelie-ing was so cool! We’d go around wheelie-ing on just about any incline we could find. Wooden planks, ramps for the disabled, potholes, small mounds in the park, rocks, another person’s foot, the sky’s the limit. It didn’t matter where; we just needed a little air. Let’s not forget speed. Ah yes, speed…and that awesome wind in your face feeling as you zip downhill.

Now, I can’t help but look for that again…on a level that’s a tad bit higher of course. It’s been quite a long time since I last hit the bike shop. A lot has changed since then. A preassembled bike might not be enough this time. But how do you know for sure?

Just like a glove, a bike works best when it fits. And you’re always at your best when you’re informed. So to get you started on what you need to learn and what you need to do, here are a few links:

1. What type of Bike suits you? Road, Mountain, Hybrid, Touring, Recumbent, and Tandem…read on to learn more.
2. Short but good introduction to the mountain biking world. It tells you about the things that you must consider when buying a bike. http://www.dirtworld.com/TipsAndTricks/TipsStory.asp?id=35
3. Cross country, Trail, Downhill, Freeride, and Dirt Jump. Is it just me or do these sound like motocross events? They are actually the different types of mountain bikes available. This article helps you understand each one.
4. Very extensive collection of resources/articles on how to buy a mountain bike. The author conveniently outlined everything to make a beginner easily understand what you need to know about mountain bikes.
5. A compilation of more biking articles in case the ones above weren’t enough.

Beatriz Acosta from clickthecity.com writes about her tree top experience:

 

Have you ever fallen off a 60 foot tree? I have.

Of course, I have survived it and actually enjoyed the fall (with little bits of sheer horror in between, yes, I admit). It was totally safe, and made much more fun in Subic Bay’s Tree Top Adventure.

So our guide, Jackie, led us first to the Superman Ride (P200/head), which was on the left side of Tree Top. There were several log benches on the ground that served as waiting area, so we all sat and look up at the group earlier than us who were now all geared up for the ride.

It’s a stretch of 134 meters from platform to platform, and you get whisked away in a lying ‘Superman’ position as if you’re flying. The tricky and scary part is gearing up for it – getting all your harness secure, climbing up the railing, and placing your arms stretched out in front of you on top of a bar, while stretching out your legs and securing your feet on top of a bar as well.

 

Read the whole article here.

Below are their rates. Check out their website for comprehensive information here.

Tree Top or Ultimate and Trekking Adventure
RATE: PhP 400/person

Tree Top and Ultimate Adventure
RATE: PhP 500/person

Tree Top and Ultimate and Trekking Adventure
RATE: PhP 600/person

Tree Top Adventure!

Appreciate unspoiled nature from up to 100 feet above the ground! Follow an adventure trail suspended among the rainforests’ highest branches by crossing 4 suspension bridges and taking 9 motorized cable rides of up to 220 meters long.
RATE: PhP 350/person
DURATION: 1.5 – 2 hours

Ultimate Adventure!

Experience real WildLife! Soar from tree to tree while securely suspended face down and feet up. In this thrilling trail, cover 5 platforms, cross 4 suspension bridges and conquer 5 cable lines of up to 450 feet long and 100 feet high.
RATE: PhP 350/person
DURATION: 1.5 – 2 hours

Trekking Adventure!

Sometimes, to experience an unforgettable high, one must keep his feet firmly on the ground. Come have a serene walk with us through the wilderness and marvel at the magnificent flora and fauna of Subic’s renowned virgin rainforest.
RATE: PhP 100/person
DURATION: 1 – 1.5 hours

Tree-Drop Adventure!

Serene as the jungle may seem, there is also something in it to quench your thirst for adrenaline rush. Flirt with gravity by rappelling down the side of a 60-foot tree! Each descent is a unique adventure as we offer a variety of styles – the conventional, the spider style and the daring Australian style (face first!)
RATE: PhP 150/person/rappel

BAROC

For those who love the outdoors: trekking,  mountaineering, and other similar outdoor sporting activities, check out this group. They hold monthly climbing and trekking adventures around Luzon.  They also participate in environment-related outreach programs and host basic mountaineering seminars for those interested in getting into the sport. For more information visit: www.baroc.net