Adrenaline junkies converged in Tublay, Benguet during the Pump Freaktion 5: Ambongdolan Rock Trip 2020 held Jan. 25 to 26.
Organized by the Baguio-Benguet Rock Climbing Community and supported by the local government unit of Tublay, the event gathered around 100 participants from all over the Philippines and abroad such as America, Canada, Singapore, and Japan to experience the town’s boulders.
Topping the men’s top rope competition was Ben John Bautista of the United States followed by Filipino Shamir Cortez, and Japanese Ryunosuke Ichikawa.
American Julien Schen led the women’s category followed by Canadian Chris Sison and Filipino Katrina Abenojar while the first ascent top winner was Filipino Dennis Cinatas.
Rock climbers conducted fun top rope competitions such as top rope and boulder on the first day while the first ascent challenge was done where the climber can name the route after ascending it first. The climb was open for everyone on the second day.
BRC heads Rhei Allan Salvilla and Mackie Makinano earlier prepared the rock climbing spots, putting additional routes for the rock trip in the boulder-rich Barangay Ambongdolan, which also boasts of the Paterno and Bengaongao caves Tublay is known for and makes it a suitable spot for rock and boulder climbing.
Salvilla said they will continue to dialogue with the local government units of Baguio City and Benguet to promote climbing in the city and the province.
He said the group’s outdoor development initiative, ClimBenguet, would continue, especially during the dry season.
The two-day event was backed by local and international sports brands R.O.X., 8A, Boon Technical Clothing, Lagalag Exploration, Basekamp, Escalade, Bergel Project, Spot, The Upper Deck, Ideal Vision, Powderworks, Pitman Outdoors, and Nick Aguilos Photography. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 25, 2024
