This four year old has already climbed forty mountains!
Wyatt Maktrav started climbing at only eight months old when his parents, Ed and Kaila, brought him on his first climb: up the mountains of Pico de Loro. Since then, Wyatt has joined many other climbs, including what are considered “major” climbs up 10 mountains!
These include Mt. Apo, Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Dulang-dulang, Mt. Amuyao, Mt. Ugo and Mt. Mayon although for Mt. Mayon, the parents no longer joined the summit but only reached Camp 2 because that would have been too dangerous with a child. Wyatt also joined the climbs for Mt. Ulap, where his parents remember Wyatt ran around a lot because the trail is not too dangerous; as well as the climb up Mt. Talomo, their most difficult climb.
Moutaineer Parents
It helps, of course, that Ed and Kaila are both mountaineers. In fact, they met during a climb before climbing into each others’ hearts and getting married.
“I realized that the reason we are successful in bringing Wyatt up the mountains and bringing him with us on climbs is probably because we (the parents) both love mountain climbing. We probably would not have been successful if only one of us was into it,” Ed shares.
He admits that there were some parts like Kitanglad in Mindanao that were hard to trek and difficult to climb because you pass through a ravine. It was also muddy because it rained.
“There are some climbs that only take a day; there are others where you need to camp out overnight,” he explained. “Minor climbs take only 2-3 hours but major climbs sometimes we walk for 10-12 hours straight. For Mt Apo we climbed for 5 days and 4 nights.” he explains.
Nevertheless, Ed and Kaila took advantage of the opportunity to start Wyatt early and they were able to bring him up the mountains. “It became our means of bonding,” Ed shares. “When we are one with ourselves, one with the family and one with nature, we are happy. It is as if we are also one with God. That’s how it should be.”
Tireless
In fact, during climbs, Wyatt seems to be tireless. “It’s true,” Kaila says. “When we rest, he says, ‘C’mon, let’s go!’ He won’t rest. But when he gets tired he asks us to carry him!”
Climbing has benefits as well for the toddler. Kaila shares, “I noticed that his stamina is stronger. Wyatt has never been hospitalized since birth. He is rarely sick, not even the common cold or cough. He is really strong.”
“On our part, he takes away our stress!” she adds.
But the parents always make sure they are always prepared for the hikes, especially for baby Wyatt. First, when Wyatt was younger, they would put him in a bag that would be his carrier, which weighed at least 18 kilos. This would be carried by either of them. For overnight hikes, they would also be carrying a tent; for cold mountains like Mt. Ulap, they would also bring insulation, sleeping bags, and a cooking set.
Strong
This wonder kid is really living up to his name: Wyatt, which means ‘strong’; and Maktrav, which is short for Makiling Traverse.
Kaila explains, “I had a hard time conceiving. So we consider him a miracle baby. Then, without knowing that I was pregnant, I even climbed another mountain, Mt. Makiling. But he clung on tight. True enough, he has proven to have a very strong personality.”
Bonding
The parents don’t see themselves taking a break from climbing anytime soon. It is their passion and their love for nature – and they hope to pass on this passion and love for nature to Wyatt as he grows up.
Not all climbs are easy, Ed explains. “Sometimes it is sunny, sometimes there are too many trees, sometimes it is too steep; other climbs are gradual, with long walks. But whatever it is, you always see the different sceneries and you appreciate nature. You appreciate God’s creations. Then you realize you are not doing a routine; you are not doing the ordinary. You have a sense of fulfillment that you are in a totally different place; and for yourself, a sense of fulfillment that you got there, that you achieved the climb, that you did not give up.”
Kaila adds, “Aside from being fun, this is our family bonding. We see that Wyatt is so happy when we bring him because at home he has no playmates; he is alone. So when we do a climb, he is so happy, so that also makes us happy. It takes away all our stress.”
Amazing
“When you get to the top, when you are at the summit, it is so refreshing. It is such a great feeling,” Kaila says.
Appreciation for nature is truly a great legacy to leave our children. A lesson in life and an experience that is truly AMAZING.
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