Earthquake 7.6 Phils. Region

• Friday, August 31, 2012 at 12:47:34 UTC
• Friday, August 31, 2012 at 08:47:34 PM at epicenter

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc000cc5m.html#details

Reuters India @ReutersIndia
Tsunami warning lifted for Japan, Taiwan, several pacific islands; warning remains for Indonesia, Philippines - NOAA Tsunami Center

Camping Etiquette 101

Here are few camping etiquette that we should be aware. This is specially made for the camp organizer:


1. As trekkers, we should protect the water source from contamination. Some of the mountains here in the Philippines have water source from springs, flowing from pipes. So please be vigilant because contaminating the water can lead to death and sickness of the Locals, and even Trekkers like us.

2. Disposing our used waters should be at least 100 meters away from water source, like biodegradable soap and toothpaste. I observed that the Locals are not practicing this protocol. Based on my opinion, we should not teach the Locals in harsh, intimidating way. I have seen some Trekkers lecturing the Locals as if they knew everything, and even if they are, let us remember that that is their land and we are their visitors. Best thing we can do is to advise the Gov't/Barangay Officials to do something about it.

3. Let us be respectful of the natural environment by not pulling the shrubs, stepping the grass or using metal wires or nails to trees. We should not disrupt the normal flow of the ecosystem.

4. Time of camp out is usually 10 in the evening. Do your best not to make loud voice from this hour onward. Others are taking their rest to catch the sunrise.

5. Clean as you go. I have heard it lot of times but some of our fellow trekkers cannot remember this slogan. We should be sensitive enough to bring back our garbage at the jump off, even the local will say "Iwan ninyo na lang yan, kami na magbababa" (Let it stay there, we will just bring it down the mountain). We have carried the weight of this canned goods, noodles, tin cans and liquor, so we should also be able to bring down this consumables.

Trail Sign Part 2

Can we practice the trail signs in the mountains? Here are the pictures of the basic scenarios we can see in grassland, rocky & woodland. Picture on the left are signs saying "Turn Left", at the center for "Not the way", and on the right "Danger! Help!".

To make a clear description on how to use this signs especially in taking 2 or more path, 

here is a picture of it.

Feel free to send us your actual trail sign picture in our e-mail. Enjoy your day!

Resources:

Tlc.howstuffworks & Scouttroop.org

Trail Sign Part 1

Basic Trail Signs are being discussed during our old camping days, right? Some can remember, some can't. Well I am one of those who cannot remember those stuff, not until I have been exposed to mountains.

Today, what I am going to share with you the basic trail sign used by the Scouts, and which we can use during our trekking. we may not realize it's importance but why not take a glimpse of this pictures and try to visualize as if we made those signs.

I bet that we cannot easily recognize this signs, and I admit I am one of them. I don't have the eye to take cues, unless told by my husband.

Here are the signs that might help you in the wild:

To sum it up, we should be familiar with the 5 basic signs:

*Small arrow means "This is the trail, go this way". 

*An X sign is implying "Do not go this way". 

*Number inside the box with an arrow means there is a message hidden after taking the number of pace written. (e.g. Number 5 inside the Box with an Arrow may mean "Take 5 steps and you will see my message".

*Circle with a Dot inside means "I am gone home".

*Three stones laid over each other means "Danger. Don't go here".

Here are some of the basic guidelines we can use in trekking:

*If you think your lost, go back to the last sign and look for any clue.

*Make the sign on the right side of the track.

*It should be close to the ground and not higher than the knee.

*Do not destroy any public or private property just to make a trail sign.

*The last person should destroy the sign.

*The sign should be as big as your hand.

*As much as possible, make this signs looked like it is made by a man.

We should keep in mind that the key in remembering this trail signs is to practice it. Let us make most out of our knowledge! Happy Trekking everyone!

Resources:

Rikkiresources.wordpress, Leavemore.blogpspot, & Kindlingplayingandtraining.blogspot

Anatomy of a Backpack

I have seen most of the backpackers carrying big packs but cannot utilize much of their bag. The bag we are using is the most important tool that we should maximize in terms of its usage. It is our friend that keep our things safe, and can be used in time of unfortunate situations, such as entrapment, or accident. I think everyone's familiar about Dora right? Have you seen Dora without her backpack? Personally, I haven't seen her without the backpack, and as we can see she plays an image to the kids and to us, kids at heart, that our bag is our friend that contains everything that we need. 

I would also like to highlight the value/role our bag plays. As a traveler, we should emphasize investing our money in buying the right bag for our need. For an instance, we just want to mingle in a beach for a day, so why will you mind bringing your 80L backpack containing only your clothes in it? You can say I may be somehow ridiculous at this one, but I will doubt if you haven't done it or no one ever does it, (and my husband is a perfect example for this one, LOL!). He really loved his backpack that he wanted to use it anywhere we go, even in going to mall, because of its durability & its signature label (tatak), but that was years ago. Thank God he realized that investing in different bags is good; he invested in a small backpack for day hike, and our old, big one for long trips.

In this article I will feature the parts of a backpack and its use.

Here is a top-loading backpack from Sierratradingpost:

The Top Pocket Lid & Front Pocket are easy to access part for your things. The Compression Straps are usually located at the side, use to tighten the bag to limit load rearrangement. The Ice Axe Loops is a loop where you can put your inverted ax, then strapped the ax to back to keep it safe. The Daisy Chains are straps where a carabiner can be placed to hang your things like utensil or slippers, this can also be used to hang wet clothes using a carabiner; the other version (like shoestrings) is a place where you can insert your sleeping bags or wet shirt. Buy Shoulder Straps that are broader and foamy if you want to carry heavy load. Sternum Strap created prevent from pulling back your shoulders. The Hip Belt helps make the weight closer to your body. Make sure it is soft with broad padding. 

You can also choose bag with Hydration System - it has a built-in bladder with a drinking tube. For bag without hydration system, you can buy a reservoir, tube and mouthpiece at your favorite outdoor shop. You can also have a Rain Cover or Splash Cover to make your bag waterproof. You can also buy backpack with Ventilated Back that creates a space between your bag and back that allows ventilation.

Here is a snap picture of my husband's backpack when he went to Mt. Pulag. He had an orange bag/rain cover, for he loves neon/striking colors, with his extra slippers hooked. 

Happy hiking everyone! Feel free to comment if this article helped you!

-PinayNursingMom-

What we are doing now?

My husband is now working as a Sales Agent in a Funeral Homes in Pasig, a contractual employee now on his 4th month. Thank God he somehow surpassed the challenges in his work field, and seems to be enjoying after his 3-month-adjustment. We are now saving from his salary and we've done everything to make ends meet.

My daughter, who is now on her 9th month, starts to crawl so fast and now learning to stand on her own. While I am continuing our home business, having a hard time to do everything on my own.

Our home business before my husband got a job is a printing business. Using our laptop and a dye inked inkjet printer, we started our homebased printing shop. We asked permission from my in-laws to build physical shop in the garage a small. First few days was hard. Now I  realized that our first challenge in this business is on how to survive the first week, first month, then the next month. Maintaining our  business operation is one of our tough demur. Improving our lay-out, establishing our work flow, revising our operational procedure, addressing our permits and how to make things work for us are only some of our dilemma. 

Now that my husband is working then our child is growing, I can say that I am having a hard time to cater our online orders and at the same time take care of my daughter, then still have to do when will I finish my household chores. It is like choosing between beating order's deadline vs. meet the needs of my daughter. Much better if I will choose the later, right?

That is the reason why we can't make time writing a blog; but then for the past few day, I have tried to make time writing, and it make me realized that writing makes me stress-free. That is why from this day forward, you, our reader will be my inspiration in writing. I will continue blog that my spouse started.

I will try my best to make it up to you, as I will try to write helpful articles for you guys!

BTW,
If you have anything to share, feel free to contact us thru email pindotsmicro@gmail.com. And if you have spare time, check our online printing shop Pindots Microenterprise.

-PinayNursingMom-

Woman Trekker

I was 18 years old when I started trekking. Actually, my boyfriend invited me to try mountain trekking. He is not hooked into any sports so I don't know how to know him well that is why I decided to join him in his adventure.

He told he have climbed few mountains, and the number of mountain is not a factor to say that you have an edge in this hobby. He told me that it is my patience and attitude that matters.

I was nurtured by my mother, who is a single parent, to do the home-school routine. Weeks before the said adventure, knowing my boyfriend was the reason why I want to do this adventure. On the other hand, days before the climb, I was thinking I am doing this for adventure sake, to break my 18-yrs. routine, and to know myself more.

It was a sunny morning, mid-summer. Our trekking destination was Mt. Palpag in Cavite. One to two hours of our climb was easy for me. I can even smile, talking out loud, eating and drinking a lot. But for the next hours, I feel tired, helpless, frustrated and mad. I even asked him to carry me because I am tired, then he laughed at me. I was confused the reason for his laughter.

His secret has been revealed. The reason for inviting me for the climb was that he wants to know how patient I am, how long will I be able to hold the pain & tiredness with him. He laugh because I really look tired, that I look that bad. It was the real me, no pretension.. that why he was happy. He even told me this, and I quote "If you want to know your girl, invite her to a climb and you will discover her inner beauty and inner madness".

And to spill another secret, I am now married to the guy I'm talking about in this article. We are happily married, living with our beautiful daughter named Lanchiel.

How about you dear reader, are you going to take this chance to invite her into a climb with your friends? Do you have the guts to invite her? Feel free to comment or share your similar experience in my first article.
This is PinayNursingMom, co-owner of Pindots Microenterprise.

Have a great day guys!

-PinayNursingMom-