Drinking in a Climb

Why do you drink?

August 5, 1999

Maculot is a novice’s initiation to climbing in the South at an altitude with a view.

Siniloan is a novice’s initiation to climbing in the East in the waters.

Both sites are loaded with loud climbers every weekend all year round. To reach the site requires at least 2 hours of trek with moments of short bursts of cardiac. Campsite atmosphere is festive. Campers are rowdy and noisy from late afternoon to the morning.

Climbers celebrate their ascent with socials. To those who just escape from the city life, they get the most peak by drinking. Most simply extend the drinking that they do in the lowlands in the highlands.

This initiation into drinking and climbing is repeated in the next climbs whether in the same peak or in some other peaks North and South of Metro Manila.

Thus whether you are in 300 meters ASL or above 2,000 meters, there will always be a bottle of alcohol alongside water. Drinking has become part of the rituals in climbing, as basic as backpacking, cooking, breaking camp. Socially, it is a bond. Functionally, it provides temporary warmth especially in cold and wet climbs. The only times the bottles don’t get opened when everyone is exhausted and there is hardly any conversation.

Some say drinking is not necessary as it gets in the natural high. The euphoria one gets reaching the peak doesn’t need inducing. The rest says drinking is part of climbing.

Why do mountaineers drink?

Jon Linao says:

Kailangan bang uminom sa climb? In my opinion, yes. Panlaban din ito sa lamig and most of all kwela ang socials pag-nakainom ka na.  Tanggal ang hiya mo. We have been drinking in a climb ever since and we still have yet to encounter one of our members nagwawala sa sobrang kalasingan. That, I believe, would never happen to us.

So what do we get from all of these? Lahat kami masaya.

In our group, we drink as long as we can hanggang kaya basta hindi makakasagabal sa climb. Pag-alam naming titirik kami sa trail the next day, titigil na kami sa pag-inom at matutulog na. A lot of our members are already in the category of “mandirigma” inuumaga na sa pag-iinom (isang oras na lang sisikat na ang araw) tapos magbe-break-camp ng 8 in the morning, magte-trek parang walang nangyaring inuman. Immune na sa headaches o hang-over.

-Jon Linao mesau1982@hotmail.com 19 March 1998

Oliver Katigbak sees bonding:

It also brings out the friendliness of ur mates . . .

Ferdi suggests cultural reasons:

. . . perhaps it is a cultural matter altogether, you know, the time-honored tomaan-tagayan social ritual among Pinoy men that makes it common in climbs. Drinking till the wee hours and trekking after an hour of shuteye, maybe even less, is a usual show of macho endurance, which, to me, is akin to a pointless pissing contest. Young climbers who revel in these mistaken shows of alcohol-guzzling bravado may not feel the effects at this stage but the abuse is remembered by the body and can show up later in life.

-Ferdi

Danny Escasa finds alcohol unnecessary:

PMFJI, but I read an article somewhere, Inquirer Magazine ata, just after that mountain climbing accident somewhere in the South (Mindanao?), where one of the climbers seemed to have died more from the cold than any injuries. The article said that the warming effects of alcohol are temporary, and can dehydrate you, leaving you with less energy. Combating the cold is best done with hot water, according to the article. Now, I’m not entirely disputing your post, and I’m willing to believe that the article referred to *emergency* measures for warming a climber who’s on the verge of hypothermia.

-Danny.Escasa@f302.n751.z6.rp 20 March 1998

Ferdie further elaborates:

Which is why I’ve never heard alcohol recommended for hypothermia. (Any doctors out there?) IMHO, alcoholic beverages are strictly unnecessary in climbs . . .

Jun Martin nods:

I agree. I read somewhere sometime late last year that alcohol lowers your body’s temperature. I also feel chilly after drinking beer…

-samboy@skywalker.cyber.org.ph (Jun Martin) 24 March 1998

Noel a.k.a. Mr. Rocky of PAL MC says:

Mountain climbing and drinking is comparable to cooking . . .  These are the ingredients you need to have a pleasant outdoor experience … or making friends with new members of the group … Provided timing is proper and amount just right . . . too much of % proof of gulping a bottle of vodka leads to hallucination as big the mountain you’re climbing . . . Or worse creating new enemy because you pushed your tentmate in swimming lesson … opps hindi lang pala water … but in a slimmy liquid.

-Noel R. 29 August 1998

Raul Lejano issues a professional advice:

Drinking is an activity which, in moderation, results to a lot of fun, to put it very simply. More so if the immediate environment is in an agreeable atmosphere. And it cannot be more conducive than doing it way up or out there, don’t you think? OK, so some say, contrary to common belief it actually lowers body temperature instead of raising it. But saying that drinking to make us feel warmer is just a lame excuse to allow us to bring out that inner, loose self inside of us waiting to break free! Perhaps this release and the bonding it creates are actually what make us feel warmer, not the alcohol itself.

Sometimes this inner self is too rowdy or perhaps even dangerous (in which case drinking is discouraged), but for most people it is the more sensitive, carefree, loose-tongued, assertive side of us that comes out. And to have the chance to observe this oft-hidden side in all of us, for me, is always a worthwhile experience. And we get to laugh at ourselves, too! The only downside is a splitting headache the day after. As I said, moderation lang dapat.

-Raul 31 August 1998

Lou Clerigo has this to say in usapang lasing . . .

during climbs, the most popular drink is the gin … yung ginebra…mura na!!! madaling makalasing!!! magaan pa!!! di ba!!! Chito!!!! mabuhay ka!! Malapit na nag bday nina carlo and joseph. saan kaya sila magtritreat … hmn … sumasayaw!!! yaoza!!!! Baka sa jollibee!!! ngek!!

- 17 March 1998

So does Oliver . . .

Hmmm….Halatang sanay kayo . . . heheh … Ala bang sumusuka? (Wala pa naman … o walang nagpapahuli, sagot ni Jon)

Jon summarizes it:

Why not consider it as an option during socials, you may or may not drink with the others. Telling a mountaineer that drinking alcohol is unnecessary in a climb is like slapping them on their face. It’s what they do, it’s what they want. Everybody is welcome to join – that’s just one of the many forms of camaraderie a mountaineer would love to share.

Also, drinking in socials is a better ice-breaker, especially if your socials is composed of two or more groups.

Drinking to some organization who are already too long in this scene, this is part of their ritual, in fact it has become a “tradition” to the new members who replaced the old members.

It all leads to personal satisfaction. You had one hell of fun in socials and you did not cause any problems to the group or the other drinking friends you’ve met, it’s ok. And besides, most organization have strict rules when in comes to training, so when they climb another mountain they feel they can take the world by their hands and face another round of fun and exciting socials.

Q: Anong pwedeng ibang gawin pag walang inuman sa socials?

A: Wala.

Non drinkers are open to drinkers.  But respect is what they want. Like Ching . . .

As for me, I think that it is your personal choice whether or not you want to drink. It is true that alcohol makes people more relaxed and more open to any topic of conversation, it is also true that it has become an essential part of any socializing activity of today’s world. However, drinking does not differentiate whether a person is part of a group or not

Drinkers must be considerate that some people simply cannot take the smell and taste of alcohol for physical reasons and others because of religious beliefs …

Let us leave it to individuals to decide to drink or not in climbs. And I think the choice you made should be respected and understood by your co-climbers.

-ching:> 31 Aug 1998

Why do you drink? What do you have to say?

* I respect the sacredness of the mountain

* I will not let alcohol interfere with the natural high of climbing

* It is OK for me to drink as long as it is done in moderation

* I may or may not. It is up to me. I am responsible anyway

* I drink to enjoy the friendship and the company

* I drink to celebrate the successful trek to the peak

* I will enjoy life to the extreme and drink ’til I drop

* I don’t care

Martin Chambers from New Zealand writes:

Maybe a few words from me on what is so attractive about drinking and climbing.

One thing is for sure – most accepted authorities on climbing will advise strictly against drinking and climbing because of the safety aspects, much the same as drinking and driving. I agree – combining the two is a risk which none of us should take.

However, social drinking at the top of a mountain may be considered to be totally different. The climb is (half) over – there is still the next day to consider.  BUT, to relax with good friends and climbing companions at the end of a successful ascent is to me one of the pleasures. It’s like getting together with anyone who shares common interests – a shared experience is richer for being shared.

Other thoughts – what about the weight aspect – carrying a litre of spirit is a significant weight penalty?

When people have consumed alcohol, they are more vociferous – ready to speak their minds – thus leading to more sharing of ideas and beliefs.

Hummm?

Kat (AMCI) says . . .

such a topic will always be controversial. but we drink anyway,right?

i don’t drink heavily during major climbs which are usually multi-day di ba?

i am too tired to do so.

i just want to stretch out and dream in the mountains.

i also feel that you haven’t asked the women about this topic.

you know, i did go to a climb once where there was so much drinking that two girls complained of sexual harrasment.

well, you tell me if that’s funny.

i climb with guys i trust and even then, i sometimes feel the vulnerability of women climbers. buti na lang, there are more women climbers today so they are sort of your buddies.

many of the guys are usually “maingay” lang naman.

otherwise, they can be uninhibited enough to cause a climb to turn “ngek”!

there are incidents like these , believe me.

it’s different of course if both parties are mutually oks lang.

eh kung hindi?

o di ba? to lighhten up, i learned that drunken people tend to say what is in their minds during these”loose” sessions. minsan, alam mo kung anong sama ng loob ng isa. and it becomes so funny when you see quiet people get drunk and start dancing to have a good time.

life is too serious sometimes. so we dance instead. the best drink for me?

coffee in the early morning hours while the fog rises up to touch your tent.

bye! and happy climbing this weekend

-kat 2 August 1999

Jaja Reyes, a female climber who heads a climbing organization (Loyola) sends in her comments:

Q: Anong pwedeng ibang gawin pag walang inuman sa socials?  A: Wala.

I have nothing against alcohol … hey I enjoy drinking but here’s something to ponder on:

Do we really have to depend on alcohol to make a climb fun? I think people result to drinking for lack of something creative to do. We prohibit drinking during our training climbs and most of the time, the socials turn out to be more fun than socials w/ inuman. Probably because people really prepare for their presentations and you hear the sincerest kuwento. Telling a mountaineer that drinking alcohol is unnecessary in a climb is like slapping them on their face. It’s what they do, it’s what they want.

Being a drinker is not a fundamental trait of mountaineers … But being able to adapt to any kind of situation is – may it be a peaceful night or a rowdy party.

It is true that alcohol makes people more relaxed and more open to any topic of conversation, it is also true that it has become an essential part of any socializing activity of today’s world. However, drinking does not differentiate whether a person is part of a group or not.

I agree! It really doesn’t matter what socializing tool u use as long as you are able to mingle or blend in with the other people . . . that’s fine.

4.       ….was so much drinking that two girls complained of sexual harrasment. well, you tell me if that’s funny. i climb with guys i trust and even then, i sometimes feel the vulnerability of women climbers. buti na lang, there are more women climbers today so they are sort of your buddies. many of the guys are usually “maingay” lang naman. otherwise, they can be uninhibited enough to cause a climb to turn “ngek”! there are incidents like these, believe me. it’s different of course if both parties are mutually oks lang. eh kung hindi?

The only problem with drinking is that the word MODERATION is often times forgotten or perhaps purposely ignored. How would u expect a climb full of drunk men to turn out? And the sad thing is, they blame alcohol for their bad behavior … “lasing lang kasi, kaya ganyan”

Indeed, alcohol makes the atmosphere more comfortable. But what is comfortable to one person may not be to another. We have to know where to draw the line. If one can be as macho as to finish a couple of bottles of gin, I hope s/he can be sensitive enough to the people around him/her.

5.       such a topic will always be controversial

Tarush! Whether we are against drinking during climbs or find it impossible to climb without it, the only thing we should remember is that alcohol should not be the center of that climbing experience.

-Jaja 3 August 1999

Spotty and Minnie from Davao City approve:

Well said, we love to have a good time either it’s with alcohol or not. But

sometimes others forget the welfare of their comrades for the sake of “fun & ease”.

-alpha1

Another female climber, Wing (of PAL MC) shares her thoughts:

I found some of the comments on Pinoy machismo/drinking as sexist. In any case, I rarely drink at the peak, yet I enjoy the company of my friends, whether they’re drinking or not. And we never run out of things to say (or songs to sing for that matter).

And you have to admit, some mountaineers tend to be extremely boorish and jerks (to say it nicely) when they’re drunk. They only think everyone’s having a grand time with their antics because they’re already drunk! Or perhaps they were acutely insensitive to start with.

Have a nice day!

-Wing 3 August 1999

Jenny says so long as it doesn’t become an excuse:

I don’t believe in what was stated here that: “Telling a mountaineer that drinking alcohol is unnecessary in a climb is like slapping them on their face” … Saying it is unnecessary doesn’t prohibit anyone from doing such activity. It just says that drinking is not a requirement and that it’s not prohibited either. Therefore, no one should be forced to drink or no one should be told not to take alcohol. There’s really nothing wrong with drinking I guess, as long as the person will not be a liability to the climb the morning after. Yes, it breaks the ice among members and other people belonging to other outdoor clubs, I just hope that drinking will not become an excuse to intolerable, offensive, and insulting behavior. Coz sometimes nagiging masyado nang malakas ang loob ng tao.

-Jenny 3 August 1999

Sabi naman ni Bot:

Sa akin, ok lang talaga uminom sa bundok basta responsible ka sa lahat ng mangyari sa iyo o sa iba.

Pero, its also a fact that alcohol may lead you to hypothermia dahil nagkakaroon ka false sense of warmth. Ang totoo, kaya ka namumula kung

umiinom ng alak ay dahil ang blood vessels mo ay pumupunta sa skin at ang

resulta: body heat mo ay nag-eeskapo.

l-lim@mitsubishi-motors.com.ph

Art’s (of PALMC) last words for now:

alcohol in moderation, zero to minimum disturbance, dont force non-drinkers and dont be a casualty next day ……….. penalties ??? in peso …… sanctions ???? suspension, expulsion or outcasting from the club … he/she might join other clubs but with info travelling faster….. could be a hindrance ...

this is just like prostitution you can totally eliminate it but can be regulated …

Arthur_Guanlao@cargill.com on 08/05/99 09:56:42 AM

For feedback, write to Chito at tochs@excite.com

CBRazon 28 August 1998 and 5 August 1999