At 55 years old, Beda Aspurias has climbed over 145 mountains in the Philippines and abroad, proving that age is no barrier to adventure.

Aspurias, a native of Barangay Banaoang in Mangaldan, Pangasinan took on her first climb in January 2020 at the age of 50.

Despite doubts, she successfully reached the summit of Mt. Ulap in Itogon, Benguet.

"Actually, nandun ako. Pero sa awa ng Diyos, nung nagpunta ako sa Mt. Ulap, nawala ako sa grupo, ako na pala nasa unahan," she said.

Her journey began as a personal challenge after struggling with health issues that made it difficult for her to walk.

Determined to improve her well-being, she pushed herself into hiking.

"Kung gusto mong maging malusog, ipu-push mo yung sarili mo sa isang bagay na gusto mo," she said.

Since then, Aspurias has conquered Mt. Pulag, Luzon's highest peak; then Mt. Madja-as in Visayas; and Mt. Apo in Mindanao, the highest mountain in the Philippines.

In January 2025, she reached the summit of Mt. Jade, Taiwan’s tallest mountain at 12,966 feet above sea level.

Her latest climb was Mt. Daraitan in Rizal on February 9, and she is set to scale Mt. Labi in Nueva Ecija on Saturday, March 1.

For her, mountains have become both a passion and therapy.

"Bundok is my medicine. Bundok is my life," she said.

Aspurias climbs up to four mountains a month, spending between P1,800 and P4,500 per hike, depending on the destination.

Her dream is to conquer Mt. Fuji in Japan and Mt. Kinabalu in Malaysia.

"Lahat ng stress mawawala. Yung health mo, 100 percent recharged ka," she said about reaching the summit of every mountain.

Her advice to aspiring climbers is simple: never give up. But more importantly, she believes in the power of faith.

"Everyday na magpi-pray ka, sabihin mo kay Lord... hingin [o itanong] mo sa Kanya [kung ano] 'yung dapat mong gawin para sumigla ka," she said.