Eco-tourism group Trail Adventours, together with Atom Araullo, recently conquered Mt. Nagpatong in Tanay, Rizal in support of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ global campaign “2 Billion Kilometers to Safety.”
According to the UNHCR, refugees around the world walk an estimated 2 billion kilometers every year to reach the first point of safety. The “2 Billion Kilometers to Safety” hence was established to call on people all over the world to cover this distance traveled by refugees through individual acts of solidarity.
Araullo, a UNHCR Philippines’ Goodwill Ambassador, joined Trail Adventours’ seventh hike in support of the campaign, with previous ones including an ascent to Mt. Everest’s Base Camp and in Mt. Pulag in Benguet. In all, the group has logged on 1,614 kilometers to the global target.
Mt. Nagpatong, also known as Nagpatong Rock, is a hiking hot spot that has quickly caught growing attention and curiosity all around the country. Nagpatong Rock consists of two towering limestone cliffs facing each other and is impressively layered with huge blocks of rock placed on top of each other, hence earning its name derived from the Tagalog word “patong.”
Filipino hikers and enthusiasts led by Trail Adventours co-founders Coby Sarreal and Guido Sarreal and Araullo, logged in their cumulative step count of 150 kilometers while triumphantly completing the Nagpatong Rock hike in 2.5 hours.
With a challenging path, bamboo ladders, and vertical climbs, the hike drew parallels between the challenge hikers endured and the difficulty faced by refugees to make it to a safe place just by walking.
It was a hike and a cause not made for the faint of heart or fear of height, or plight. It was a hike done with empathy, courage, and solidarity.
Citing the everyday struggle of refugees all around the world and displaced persons in our own country, Angie Sarreal of Trail Adventours shared, “Oftentimes we are intimidated by how big the refugee and displacement crisis that we can’t imagine how we can actually help make a real difference as individuals or on a local level.
“When the reality is that, anyone, anywhere, can make a difference even if it’s just to walk, run, or hike with thoughtful purpose to empathize and support someone in need. This shows that we care as a community and are doing something about it.”
Trail Adventours conducts a hike every third Sunday of the month. Proceeds from these themed hikes will go in support of the 2 Billion Kilometer to Safety campaign. To join future hikes, go to www.trailadventours.com. To learn more about UNHCR and Trail Adventours partnership visit stepwithrefugees.org/en-ph/trail-adventours.
Participants may choose to sync their fitness apps like Fitbit or Strava to automatically add their kilometers, but they can also add them manually by setting a target up to a maximum of 50 kilometers per entry.