Rescue Can

Spine Board

Spine Board appropriate for Open Water, Rivers and Swimming Pool only... Depending on your budget, we will get you what you need

Spine Board appropriate for Open Water, Rivers and Swimming Pool only... Depending on your budget, we will get you what you need

Basket Military Stretcher

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The Titan Series Basket Stretchers are specifically engineered to set a new standard for Rescue Professionals. Starting with the top tube which is made from 1" Stainless tubing, The Titan Series baskets are much easier to hold onto, especially with heavy loads.
 

The lightweight Durathene� netting, combined with the Molded Back Support bring these baskets into a new era. Designed for easier handling, we have also placed the bends in more strategic locations, making these baskets easier to maneuver in tight places.

 

Features:
Ergonomically Superior 1" Top Tube
Molded Back Support
Stainless Steel Construction
Exceeds 2500 lb. Load Test
Durathene� Netting

Nikon Binoculars

 
Features
• Dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating assures uniform and high transmittance in full visible
range for bright and natural color images
• All lenses and prisms are multilayer-coated for the brightest images
• Phase-correction-coated roof prisms for high resolution
• High-eye point design for clear field of view, even for eyeglass wearers
• Waterproof (up to 1 m/3.3 ft. for 10 minutes) and fog-free with O-ring seals and nitrogen gas
• Turn-and-slide rubber eyecups with multi-click facilitate easy positioning of eyes at the correct eyepoint
• Flip-down objective lens cap
• Lightweight, durable body uses polycarbonate resin reinforced with fiberglass

A roof prism features one surface that does not have total internal reflection. It is very
important for binoculars’ optical performance to raise the reflectivity of this surface.
Dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating, which is composed of multiple thin layers
of transparent dielectric material instead of aluminum, or other metallic layers, assures
uniform and ultra-high reflectivity in full visible range.
As a result, this technique provides almost the same brightness as that perceived by the
naked eye, and clear, high-contrast images that display accurate color reproduction.

"Bring Books to the Boondocks" Year II by Scorpion Mountaineers in cooperation with the BSP Mountaineers Club on April 10, 2010

Some books spread out for inspection at the frontage of the DENR Office at Ambangeg, Daclan, Benguet while waiting for the turn over with Greg and Adan of Basecamp-Baguio.

 

The representatives from seven (7) schools:

1. Ambangeg Day Care Center represented by Ms. Natividad W. Tello; 


2. Palansa Elementary School by Ms. Agustina S. Mendoza; 


3. Bunagan Primary School by Jane T. Cuilan, 


4. Camangaan Elementary School by Ms. Maxima S. Onil, 


5. Bila Elementary School by Ms. Arcela P. Dolteo; 


6. Ambangeg Elementary School by Ms. Elizabeth D. Taynan; 


7. Ekip Elementary School by Ms. Biana P. Pating;

With the assistance of the BSP (Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas) Mountaineering Club, Inc. led by Fidel Ian Flojo (scorpion mountaineer) and the BaseCamp Baguio Outdoors Sales and Services (BBOSS) Ms. Rei Ann (scorpion mountaineer),  we were again able to deliver the books (full colored, hard bound, glossy papered, brand new books) donated by publishers thru the ASIAN FOUNDATION, INC. to areas whereby the cost of transportation is costly if the only intention to travel are the books. 

The mountaineers, once again, not only thought of themselves, but also the people who are in the surrounding areas of the highest mountain. 

Giving service to the community is becoming and is always be a part and parcel of the trip of Mr. Ian Flojo, in whatever club he belong, whereby we (BBOSS) will always be happy to assist in however way we can.

The Geiser at Daclan, Bokod, Benguet

Rescue Triangle and Special Intervention Equipment

Webbing Loops and Carabiners - Pulley -Descender

Mount Pulag Tour (feb 2010)

The world (We) are now losing real mineral water even  from the even the highest mountain of luzon.

This is where hikers used to fetch water from, drink like one haven't drunk water for many years. However, with the degradation of the mountain,  one has to carry, not only small containers of commercialized mineral water but  "by gallons" from Baguio, for cooking and for drinking.  

Hopefully we could do something about it so that not only tourists but the locals will continue enjoying the clean, pure, real goodness of true mineral water.

 
A few kilometers before the summit of Mount Pulag at about four (4pm) ...

Camping at Camp Three (3) otherwise called as saddle camp.

This is where the tourists / hikers coming from the akiki trail area camp however BBOSS group converged with them though they came from the opposite direction. 

Here, we had a "condominium" type of tent good for ten people and the camp site was filled with about fifty (50)  campers on the site.

 

Preparing the camp dinner packed by FOODS CAMP Resto:-) 

Start the trek back towards the ranger station.

View of the campsite after breaking camp. 

The photographer is the last man and the sweeper.

The tip of the steep trail coming from the Saddle Camp. 

Above this area is also the crossing or junction of the trail going to the summit and going back to Ambangeg. 

An attempt to shoot the summit in a tree frame... :-)

     The best way to ride the dust and the jitney is the "top loading" ...

We coordinate with the driver and do the top loading only in areas where it is "safe".

The signage is now at the "altar" of the DENR PAO Office.

Emailed Photos by Dganit and Yosef

Photos were sent by Dganit and Yosef after reaching home. 



They traveled all around the Philippines and dropped by the Basecamp Baguio on February 11, 2010

Here, Yosef, Oliver were accompanied by a guide from Sagada.

climbing ropes 11 mm

Dynamic Ropes for Sale

Twin rope type,

8.6 mm.

For multi-pitch rock climbs nad moutaineering.
Robust, excellent shock absorption.

Length:

50 meters / spool

100 meters / spool

200 meters / spool

Single rope type

10.7 mm, polyamide.
Perfectly suited for military use.
Reinforcement of the sheath of 30%.
Length:

50 meters/ spool

100 meters / spool

200 meters / spool

Note: Please get in touch for quotation...

Static Ropes for Sale

SPELUNCA Ø 9.8

This rope offers an ease of use for the longest cave.
Very fluid and resistant.



Length:

50 meters / spool
100 meters / spool
200 meters / spool

Note: Please get in touch for quotations.





SPELUNCA Ø 9
Rope specifically for descents and long abeils.
Very light and flexible.





Length:
50 meters / spool
100 meters / spool
200 meters / spool


Note: Please get in touch for quotations and for other specifications of ropes and other rappelling equipment that are not posted here.

Garmin GPS Rino 530HCx

Features:

Know exactly where you are at all times with Rino 530HCx and the precision of high-sensitivity GPS. This waterproof FRS/GMRS radio plus GPS navigator adds a barometric altimeter, electronic compass and NOAA weather radio in addition to the popular features of the Rino 520HCx — 5 watts of transmit power, a microSD card slot, brilliant color display and a high-sensitivity GPS receiver — so you’ll never be lost again.

Pinpoint Your Position

With its high-sensitivity GPS receiver, Rino 530HCx locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons. The advantage is clear — whether you’re in deep woods or just near tall buildings and trees, you can count on Rino 530HCx to help you find your way when you need it the most.

Find Your Friends

Like the rest of the Rino series, Rino 530HCx offers a unique Position Reporting feature. Position Reporting lets you send your exact location to other Rino users in your group so that everyone can see your position on the map page. And, because Rino is a standard FRS/GMRS radio, you can use it to communicate with any other conventional FRS/GMRS radio around.

Transmit with Power

Rino 530HCx boasts a whopping 5 watts of transmit power (GMRS), which lets you contact others from up to 14 miles away (line of sight). In Canada, you can transmit at 2 watts over GMRS with a range of up to 8 miles.

Other Rino 530HCx features:
* Barometric altimeter pinpoints your precise elevation.
* Electronic compass tells you what direction you’re headed, even when you're standing still.

* Bold color TFT display makes it easy to see and navigate to family or friends at an amusement park, lake or other outdoor group activity.

* microSD card slot accepts preloaded MapSource® data cards with detailed maps.

* Automatic routing and turn-by-turn directions with alert tones let you find an address or point of interest and drive there (with optional MapSource map data).
* Rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 14 hours of outdoor use.

WAAS enabled BlueChart compatible

Philippine Price : P38,000
Cost inclusive of: Processing with National Telecommunications; Freight and / cost of Delivery to the recipient

Garmin GPS GPSMap76Csx

Features:

The GPSMAP 76CSx adds a whole new dimension to the mariner-friendly 76-series navigators: a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, barometric altimeter and electronic compass, microSD™ card slot, color TFT screen and turn-by-turn routing — features that have made the 76CSx and its counterpart, the GPSMAP 76Cx, a mainstay among serious outdoor enthusiasts.

Navigate the Great Outdoors

Find your way through the wilderness with the GPSMAP 76CSx's high-sensitivity GPS receiver, which acquires satellite signals quickly and tracks your location in challenging conditions, such as heavy tree cover or deep canyons. You can use the built-in electronic compass to view bearing information even while you're standing still, and the barometric altimeter tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude. You can even use the altimeter to plot barometric or ambient pressure over time, which can help you keep an eye on changing weather conditions. The 76CSx's bright, color TFT display makes it easy to distinguish details on the screen in any kind of lighting. And, like the rest of the 76-series, 76CSx is IPX7 waterproof and even floats in water.
Expand Your Memory

Storing data is easier than ever with the 76CSx's removable microSD card. This included blank card stores up to 128 megabytes (MB) of optional maps or other data. The card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment, so you don't have to worry about getting it wet. When navigating on the road, the 76CSx provides turn-by-turn directions to your destination. It also accepts optional preloaded microSD cards with MapSource® data for your off-road or marine excursions.

GPSMAP 76CSx: Color navigation and direction for your land and sea adventures

WAAS enabled BlueChart compatible Geocaching ready SiRF

Philippine Price: P26,500 only

"Bringing Books to the Boondocks"

A project started by Ian Flojo assisted by Basecamp Baguio's proprietress Ms. Rei Ann P. Cayetano, and a lot of others... was started about August 2007 and was delivered on September 2, 2007 at the Mount Pulag Department of Environment and Natural Resources / PAWDI Office an Ambangeg...where we met the teachers of at least four (4) different schools.

The following are some of the old photos 

 

Fidel Ian --->

 Teachers and the mountaineers who participated in the transportation of  books. 

The books were donated by the Asia Foundation Inc. and delivered to the boondocks by of the scorpion mountaineers whereby Sir Ian and Ms.Rei Ann are members, other mountaineering clubs contributed also, making their trip to Mount Pulag not only for pleasure but for service. 

This year, we are doing it again. With additional beneficiaries. 

Trek to Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet

potato flowers

trekking along private farms

Mummies Dearest (Kabayan Mummies with the National Geographic Channel)

Mummies Dearest

By Lynette Lee Corporal 

Philippine Star

Sunday, June 29, 2003 

Who in their right minds would brave rugged roads (often referred to as "abortion roads" or, to quote an artist-friend, "mala-demonyong daan"), near negative temperatures (which even five layers of thick blankets and three layers of clothing couldn’t take care of), almost zero visibility due to thick afternoon fog that blanketed a whole mountainside, and almost tumbling down a steep cliff due to a landslide (three inches more and our jeep would have ended up in a heap of metal)?

Our motley group of writers and photographers, public relations people, a National Geographic Channel representative, mountaineers and guides plead guilty to such derring-do. The goal? Definitely not for mere fun. Our reasons were much graver (no pun intended) for we were looking forward to seeing the Ibaloi mummies in caves located in different parts of Benguet province. 

The whole trip would take the group to two caves – Tenongshol and Timbac – plus a side trip to a mass burial site in Opdas Cave where hundreds of skulls were discovered in 1971. These caves are found in the mountains surrounding Kabayan (named after ba-ay, a kind of wild vine) where the trip began. Months before, a couple of experts from the National Geographic visited the caves to study how the ancient Ibalois mummified their dead for a special half-hour documentary on the National Geographic Channel premiering on July 2 entitled The Mummy Road Show. The Kabayan mummies are just one of the places Ron Beckett, a specialist in endoscopic imaging, and Jerry Conlogue, a radiologist, chronicled in their global trek to track mummies in such places as Kastl, Germany, central Italy, Turkey, and Lima, Peru, to name a few. Our group was to retrace the path these two researchers took and see for ourselves the mummies that beguiled them no end – minus, of course, the x-ray equipment and other hi-tech gadgets they lugged around during their visit. 

With the members of the Cordillera Mountaineers Club and Northern Heritage Tours, we trekked towards the first cave, Opdas, located at Kabayan Central. The 10-minute walk on concrete roads and down stone steps, past houses and mini-gardens, took us to the residence of Baban Berong, the man who discovered the burial site in 1971. Now in his 80s, the pipe-smoking Baban could still recall how he dug out countless skulls and bones in a cave while clearing out a part of their land. 

"I was planning on building a house and was cleaning an area when I chanced upon a small opening on the ground which turned out to be a cave. Little did I know that I would unearth hundreds of skulls and bones in there," says Baban, who surmises that a famine probably plagued the area in the olden times. Thus, the mass burial site which, after a series of carbon dating tests done at Tokyo University, is estimated to be anywhere from 500-1,000 years old. 

Baban uncovered 186 skulls but he maintains there are more beneath which he just covered up with soil. Unfortunately, unscrupulous elements stole quite a number of artifacts. Now, there are only about 150 skulls left in the cave. Whoever wants to pilfer even just a piece of bone from the caves should think twice and remember a chilling story by Baban. It seems that a tourist from La Trinidad pulled a tooth from a skull and ended up in the hospital with a severely bloated face which doctors couldn’t cure. It was only after going back to the cave and asking Baban to pray to the spirits did the person’s face returned to normal. Believe it or not... 

Next stop was the manmade Tenongshol Cave which can be accessed from Kabayan Barrio (said to be the site of the first Ibaloi settlement) via an exhausting (for city dwellers, that is) 15 to 20-minute uphill hike over concrete road, a dirt path, a small stream and over fallen rocks (due to a landslide the day before) and on a patch of grassy knoll. Overlooking a raging creek (yes, creeks in Benguet can be considered rivers by lowlanders), Tenongshol is a huge, three-storey-high boulder with holes carved out by ancient Ibalois for wooden coffins to be stuffed in. According to our guides, there are six or seven coffins in the cave. Unfortunately, the coffins are placed high up the boulder and the only way to reach them is by climbing a makeshift ladder. Nobody dared clamber up the rickety ladder and risk falling down the imposing creek. 

Well, so much for our supposedly first encounter with mummies. The path to heaven is long and narrow, so they say. In our case, the path to the mummies was long and super-bumpy. No thanks to landslides that dotted – and blocked – our path, what was originally a two-hour route to Timbac Caves turned into a circuitous albeit scenic seven-hour trip that took us right into the heart of Benguet’s peaks and mountain ranges. In hindsight, while our bodies – and butts – were being battered by the rough roads, our minds and spirits were soothed by the majestic sight of either tree-lined (albeit sparse in some areas) mountains or terraced vegetable farms, our senses filled with the combined scents of pine and rain-soaked earth. The only fly in the ointment though were, well, the flies...hundreds of them, in fact, as our vehicle passed through the farms. Blame it on chicken dung, which the locals use as natural fertilizers, says mountaineer Rei Ann Cayetano. 

The long road to nowhere, however, gave us a chance to process what we’ve learned so far. Our visits to the two caves, as well as to Kabayan’s National Museum where four mummies are displayed, opened our eyes to the impressive way our Ibaloi ancestors were able to preserve their dead. From what we’ve gathered, the Benguet mummies are said to be more than 500 years old and the mummification was done by the Ibalois, Kankan-eys and Kalanguyas. The practice, however, stopped when the Spanish came and while there had been attempts at doing the process as late as the 17th century, it slowly died down. 

The mummification either begins shortly before or right after the individual dies. A large amount of salt dissolved in water is introduced into the body of the person supposedly to flush out bacteria and preserve the internal organs. The dead person is then undressed and bathed in fresh water before being made to sit down and tied on a "death chair" with the corpse’s palms either touching the knees and/or cheeks. Pounded leaves of the diwdiw tree (supposedly to tighten the skin), besodak shrub, kapany vine and native guava are rubbed all over the body continuously for preservation purposes. The body is left to dry under the sun and, at night, is placed under a low fire to quicken the drying process. A jar is placed under the chair all throughout the drying process to catch the fluids draining out of the body, for what purposes we dare not conclude. The outer skin is also peeled off by the elders and tobacco smoke is blown into the body through the mouth (the ears and nose are plugged to prevent insects from getting in). This whole process could take months, or even years, depending on the resources of the family. According to our guides, only the elite members of society could afford the mummification. 

In contrast to Egyptian mummies, Benguet mummies are found with their internal organs intact and are placed naked in log coffins. What’s also unique about these mummies is that they’re in a crouching position. Due to the lengthy mummification, a mummy would end up weighing about two kilos on the average. 

With all this information running through our heads while taking in the sights and sounds of Benguet, it was easy to understand the local people’s utmost respect for their dead. Kabayan Mayor Ernesto Matuday’s words, as he reminded us and NGC Asia senior marketing manager Richard Silaraks about the importance of paying our respects to the dead, echoed in our minds. Little did we know that we would be learning more when we finally reached Timbac and got to chat with Timbac Caves caretaker Musi Malsino. 

Reaching a high of 2,710 meters above sea level, Timbac can get quite chilly during the rainy months. With temperatures going down to as low as three degrees at dawn, a person not used to this kind of clime could end up emulating the mummies’ crouching position. Over a dinner of pinikpikan and shots of tapuy and gin, we learned that Musi has been taking care of the Timbac Caves mummies since 1980 and, at the same time, tending over his vast vegetable and flower farms. The Timbac mummies, he says, were discovered in 1948 by his grandfather who, later on, would relate of hearing noises and voices talking, singing even, inside the caves. His lolo believed that these came from the spirits of the dead. 

When asked about the fluid collected from the dead body, Musi said Ibaloi families keep the fluid under their houses in the belief that it would bring them good luck. "There used to be 30 mummies found in Timbac Caves but four were stolen. The last we heard, the mummies were sold to collectors and shipped abroad," says Musi who, at first, was reluctant to show us the mummies for fear of disturbing the spirits. He says he needs to perform an ibunong, or a prayer to ask permission from the spirits to open the coffins and show the mummies to us – a ritual that everyone would be witnessing early the following morning. 

With temperature running low at 10 degrees and a nippy breeze hitting our sleepy faces in the morning, we followed Musi down the 260 or so stone steps of Timbac, gingerly stepping over mossy stones and slippery soil. Once in a while, we would glance at the magnificent view of Mt. Pulag to our left and have a quick yet hazy view of Baguio City to our right. The first cave (we didn't have enough time to see the rest of them for lack of time) was bolted by a metal gate and it took some minutes before Musi could open it. It was a small cave with room for only one person; whatever space left was occupied by wooden coffins firmly stacked in the cave’s nook and cranny. A solemn silence filled the air as Musi opened a bottle of gin, pouring some into a shot glass before drinking it. He refilled the glass and poured the fluid to the ground at the mouth of the cave while uttering a prayer in his dialect. One of our guides took out three cigarettes, lighted them and placed them on a rock at the cave’s entrance. All of these, evidently, were offerings to the spirits. 

The mummy Musi brought out was that of a female in the familiar crouched position and mouth agape. Her skin – or what was left of it – was leathery, proof of a successful mummification. What was remarkable, though, is how the toenails were preserved. 

A peek inside one of the larger coffins, however, made us back out for a second. It was eerie but, while peering over the opened coffin and meeting face-to-face three ancient mummies, one couldn’t help but feel like a trespasser. It was as if we were treading on sacred grounds and invading the privacy of these mummies. Well, in a way, that was what we were doing, though for quite harmless reasons. But we consoled ourselves with the thought that we were allowed to view the mummies by the spirits themselves even for just a brief moment, that we were there to respect the culture and did not, in any way, mean to wreak damage or malign anything. Maybe, just maybe, these spirits saw how we braved dangerous roads, ignoring physical discomfort, and taking everything we learned about these centuries-old mummies as well as local beliefs and traditions to heart, and decided we were worthy of the privilege to finally meet them face to face.

Mount Kabunian (an old photo in 2003)