Archives: Leave Nothing But...

FIRSTS
By Roda Novenario

Firsts make the most vivid impressions. Like my first climb. This also happened to be my first trip on my own, and the first time I went with this troupe of Makati-based mountaineers.

We went to Mt. Famy (more popularly known now as Mt. Romelo); and for all the preparations and training we did, all I can think was, "Oh. Ok."

Don't get me wrong. Being up there, climbing the mountain, was amazing. The view of Laguna de Bay was spectacular. As we approached the campsite, I heard the falls, its waters crashing onto volcanic boulders - and I was exhilarated. Happy. Fulfilled. Smiling. Content. Think of every good adjective and I probably felt it. That was my first time.

But, I was also aware of the trodden path. The soil was dry and barren; the landscape looked like a balding golf course, with a few patches of trees here and there. There were trash left in several places -leftovers of mountaineer essentials. Candy bar wrappers, Jelly ace plastic cases, disposable water bottles - there was even a used condom near our campsite.

And yes, of course, there's trash everywhere in our glorious Metro Manila. But I'm out of town, right? I held everything - or at least, matters concerning the environment - to a higher standard.

But then again, I must have expected too much.

When I took up my Basic Mountaineering Course prior to the climb - it felt like we were a world of our own. I was with a group who can run for 10 miles with nary a sweat, make fire the old fashioned way (imagine Tom Hanks in Cast Away), and pitch a tent in a minute (like there ever was a time we needed to).

The training included a mantra of sorts. "Leave nothing but footprints.. Take nothing but pictures."

I'm sure a lot have heard of this Leave No Trace concept. And I'm sure a lot will say this is easier said than done. And so on my first climb, I must have expected too much.

People will be people. We will be careless sometimes; we will forget sometimes. But I am hoping that we will always care enough. Enough to strive for awareness whenever we travel.

I've gone from mountaineering to diving to just plain sightseeing; and it's the same everywhere. Environmental degradation is real. The commodification of locales has affected cultures. It has transformed heritages into easily accessible "traditions" for mass consumption. Some economies have become dependent on tourism such that peoples' lives are rearranged just to please the traveler.

This column is a try at remaining constantly aware of how we affect people and places whenever we take a step away from home. I will share my stories and insights, and hope that readers can identify some. Remember some. And try for awareness always.