Meet the 2 Filipino mountaineers climbing Mount Everest this month

This picture dated May 26, 2003 shows an aerial view of Mount Everest. This year a record 885 people climbed Everest, 644 of them from the south and 241 from the northern flank in Tibet. Kazuhiro Nogi, AFP/file 

MANILA — Two Filipino mountaineers will attempt to bring the Philippine flag to the summit of the highest mountain in the world on April 14.

Elaine Jhon “Jeno” Panganiban, a 29-year-old mountaineer and entrepreneur, and Miguel Angelo Mapalad, a 42-year-old full-time mountain guide, are the risk takers who are set to be the next Filipinos to climb Mount Everest in 18 years.

The two climbers belong to the Filipino mountaineering group, the “Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team,” which aims to summit all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks.

“So, plano namin ni Miguel na akyatin lahat ‘yun. Wala pang Filipino na nakakagawa no’n. So, ngayon susubukan namin. And we will start with Mt. Everest,” Panganiban said.

(So, Miguel and I plan to climb all of them. No Filipino has ever done that. So, now we will try. And we will start with Mt. Everest.)

The two already had the experience of successfully reaching peaks in the Himalayas, which gave them confidence.

Panganiban has recently conquered the summits of Mount Manaslu, Ama Dablam, Mera Peak, Amphu Laptsa Pass, Island Peak, and Lobuche East Peak.

Meanwhile, Mapalad has climbed iconic peaks such as Ama Dablam, Kilimanjaro, Island Peak, Lobuche Peak, Mount Kazbek, and numerous high-altitude mountains throughout Asia and Nepal.

The challenging journey will take approximately 60 days, as the trek to Everest Base Camp lasts eight days. They aim to reach the summit during the perfect weather window in May's third or fourth week.

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Mapalad said, “mas mababa snow level, hindi masyado malakas ang hangin, hindi extreme yung cold,” which describes the ideal weather at Mount Everest.

“Compared dito sa Pilipinas kasi nasa tropical country tayo [kaya] sanay tayo sa wet and dry season. So, pagdating doon medyo iba na. Na-expose na tayo sa snow, sa ice, sa mataas na altitude na hindi natin kaya ma-experience dito kasi below 3,000m lang ‘yung highest [peak] natin sa Pilipinas, Mount Apo,” Panganiban said.

(Compared to here in the Philippines, we’re in a tropical country, [so] we’re used to the wet and dry season. So, when we get there, it’s a little different. We’re exposed to snow, ice, and high altitudes that we can’t experience here because our highest [peak] in the Philippines, Mount Apo, is only below 3,000m.)

Prior to the highly anticipated ascent, they engaged in high-altitude training to acclimate their bodies to the conditions and to become familiar with glacier travel and using ropes on the mountain.

However, this attempt to create another history for the Philippines has several inevitable risks.

“Ang risk dito sa Everest sa pag-akyat is unang-una ‘yung sa nature, ‘yung bad weather. Tapos next is ‘yung avalanche [ito] ‘yung sa snow kapag gumuguho,” Mapalad said. 

(The risk here on Everest when climbing is primarily natural, bad weather. Then next is the avalanche [it's] the snow when it collapses.)

“Emotional challenges na home sickness, loneliness, yung pag-crave sa Filipino food kasi in isolation kami ni Miguel eh,” Panganiban shared. 

(Emotional challenges like homesickness, loneliness, and craving Filipino food because Miguel and I are in isolation.)

Despite the challenges, they embrace strategies to solve physical and emotional risks. They cross their fingers, trusting that the skies will bless their climb.

When asked what their family and loved ones thought of the idea of them climbing, Panganiban said: “Mag-iingat [daw] kasi hindi na kami mapigilan, parang siyempre medyo takot.”

(Be careful [they said] because we cannot be stopped; they seem a little scared.)

“Full support naman sila [pero] I'm sure medyo may kaba sa kanila kasi alam nila na delikado ang Everest. Pero pinapakita namin [sa kanila] mga preparations namin at nagiging confident at kampante rin sila sa pag-akyat namin,” Mapalad said.

(They are fully supportive [but] I'm sure they are a little nervous because they know Everest is dangerous. But we show [them] our preparations and they become confident and comfortable with our climb.)

The mountaineers dedicate their attempt to the nation and fellow Filipinos, marking 18 years since a Filipino last summited Everest.

“Para ‘to sa mga Filipino, to unify us, to be an inspiration,” Panganiban said.

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Mapalad also stated that they dedicate this to the Filipino athletes who continue to make history.

'TAKE IT SLOW'

“Thankful kami kasi, kampante ako kay Miguel sa buhay ko,” Panganiban said while Mapalad expressed his sentiments to his partner, “Nandyan si Jeno para gumabay sa akin, focused siya.”

Additionally, the climbers shared insights from their experiences, which they plan to apply to Mt. Everest.

Currently, the two are over the moon as the journey to the highest mountain is just around the corner.

“Dahan-dahan lang. Huwag mamadaliin. Dapat hindi kami mag-overthink, magtiwala sa isa't isa, trust the process,” Panganiban said on how they plan to conquer the mountain.

(Take it slow. Don't rush. We should not overthink, trust each other, and trust the process.)

“Sa inyong mga supporters namin, maraming maraming salamat sa pagdarasal, sa inyong mga messages talagang isa yan sa mga nagbibigay sa amin ng lakas paakyat sa Mount Everest,” Mapalad said.

(To our supporters, thank you very much for your prayers; your messages are truly one of the things that give us the strength to climb Mount Everest.)

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“Ginagawa namin ang lahat ng aming mga kaya para safe kami maka-akyat at makababa so, please continue to support us,” Panganiban added.

(We are doing everything we can to make it safe to climb and return, so please continue to support us.)