Another Traumatic Experience at Pico de Loro

September 2, 2012

Pico de Loro
Ternate, Cavite

One of the mountains that is special to me is Mt. Pico de Loro because all of my climbs there were memorable and near traumatic experiences for me. This climb was as special as the previous ones.

The commute to Ternate was difficult because a bridge in Maragondon was damage and needed to be repair. Hence, big vehicles like buses couldn't pass it. So we alight in Maragondon and crossed the said bridge by foot and rode a tricycle enroute to Ternate. Then took another trike to the DENR post that serves as the jump-off point. We were early but the problem was we were waiting for four more. And so we waited for more than an hour or so before they arrived.

After some introductions, we were off to the mountain. The trek was a long one due to lot of stops caused by photo-ops. We even took our lunch at the fork between the falls and to Pico itself.

At last, we reached the campsite. Because it was late, we were the only ones there. Only me, sir Dennis and Noli made it to the summit because the rest were too tired to go up. Even it was my third time there, I was still able to climb it without any ease. However, the view up there is still breath taking like the first time but this was special because it felt we own the mountain with nobody were around but us.

Sunset was nearing so we were a little bit in a rush as we were racing against time because we have no flash light with us. But the inevitable happened, darkness came and we were still at the trail. As a result, we were lost. Fortunately an old man so us and led us to back to the concrete road. Of course, his help had a fee but id did not matter as long as we are safe and back to civilization.

Manabu Peak: An Unexpected Hike

August 18-19, 2012

Mt. Manabu
Sto. Tomas, Batangas

This was an impromptu  climb as it was unexpected at all. It was supposedly a climb in Mt. Mayon but due to a long story we were not able to do so. Stranded in Alaminos, Laguna, I made an initiative to climb Manabu Peak instead. It really helps to have keen sense of geography so Noli and I did not have any hard time to go to Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

At around 9 am, we arrived at the jump-off point. This is where we rendevous kuya Tootz and his friend. Aside from us, a bunch of students conducted a tree planting activity at the mountain. We took the traditional route so my companions could have coffee at Mang Pirying's place. Unfortunately the old man was not around but his brother was as hospitable as the former.

We pitched camp a little under the peak. As soon as we have settled before lunch time, we decided to reach the summit. At the peak, one can see a giant cross built at its center.

During the afternoon, Noli and I decided to have some coffee again and refill some water around Mang Pirying's place. Through a radio, we learned about DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo's disappearance. One of the disadvantage of this hobby is being away from current affairs. When we returned at the campsite, there are a lot of hikers had arrived.

Rain came when it was nightfall. It was hard and heavy causing mud all over the campsite. Luckily, it did not last long and we able to eat supper without any rain.

The next day when we woke up, nobody bother to watch the sunrise probably due to the cold weather during the night. Anyway, our group were the first one to leave the camp as we would embark at the grotto trail.

It was also easy like the other trail except their were also some steep parts along the path to the grotto. In addition, there is a part whre you can plant trees like the students the day before. At the grotto, there is a water source that one can use.

Due to the rain, mud was all over the place that made it much more harder to trek the trail. Just before noon we were able to return at the jump-off point. We ate lunch at Lipa before we left for home.

Manalmon - Gola Twin Dayhike

July 15, 2012

Mt. Manalmon
San Miguel Bulacan

The rate I am going I thought I would never had the chance to be woth my old buddies but fate decided it will not happen. My group LMS decided to spend our second anniversary at Mt. Manalmon in San Miguel, Bulacan. Only Raffy, Dennis, Mark, and Vina were my companions.

I've been there once so I was charge to take the lead. Our itinerary was a little late but did not matter because of the fast legs of my companions. The weather was a little bit chilly due to the rain the day before but the sun was also present during that day.

My former guide was busy handling another group but he was genourous enough to talk with the other handler to gave us a discount for our twin dayhike. The first mountain was Manalmon. It ony 198 Meters above sea level and we made the easy trail ascend to its top. However, the water in the river is almost knee deep high so we were a little bit wet crossing the river.

Reaching the peak was not difficult like the first time I did it, it was relatively easy as we only rest when we were taking pictures. After some photo-ops and little chat at the summit, we moved ahead to Mt. Gola. It is just located across the river and facing Manalmon. Again we have to cross a river and it is now knee- deep high. The trail of Gola is not hard except to the 90 degree rocky path.

Mt. Gola
San Miguel, Bulacan
At the top of Gola is not as beautiful like Manalmon as it only boast around 180 degrees of view. Nevtherless, it is fun to reached a new mountain around this area.

At around 1 pm we reached the jump-off and supposed to have a spelunking at Bayukbok. However, I was tired so I begged off and the others were not in the mood as well so they instead swam at the river. We

Batulao Overload

July 8, 2012

Mt. Batulao
Nasugbu, Batangas

After our climb in Talamitam, a few of us went to its sister, Batulao to spend the night there. Only a couple of months ago when me and Noli went here as part of a twin day hike but here I am climbing my favorite mountain anew. Noli, Ben and I were the first ones to arrive at Evercrest. We ate lunch there and minutes later Ben's two friends came. Then came Ben's idea of bringing ice and beer to the mountain. It was crazy but cool so we all agreed to the plan.

We all took are turns to carry the ice box until we reached the camp site in the old trail. It was not easy like we imagined. Still, the pleasure of having ice cold beer at the top was in my mind to ease the pain.

One usual stopover was the halo-halo break. I chatted with the locals and realized they have moved to a new location because it was not there when I came there the first time.

Two hours later and about sunset, we reached the camp and rested there. It was already dark when the second group had arrived. As it turned out, Tootz, Dada and Rein to have a night trek.

The next day was like yesterday in terms of weather as it was hot and sunny when we made our turn to the new trail as well as in our descend. Again, we made separate groups as the latter three decided to stay there for awhile.

After spending our lunch in Mendez, Cavite, we all call it a day and went home safe and sound.

USAP Mountaineers go to Mt. Talamitam

July 8, 2012

Mt. Talamitam
Nasugbu, Batangas

As I have been involve in this endeavor for this year, I have joined various affiliations because of my passion on hiking. One of which is a club formed in our company. It was dubbed as USAP Mountaineers. The first official climb was in Mt. Talamitam in Nasugbu, Batangas.

More than 20 from almost all departments participated in this hike. One-fourth of which are first timers. Some are novices and some are veterans.

I was the first one to arrive at the jump-off point and a half an hour later the whole group had arrived. The ever controversial bro. Teddy designated two guides for us. Incidentally, one is a fellow Bicolano. He allowed me to left my bag in a house thus, I and Noli were the only ones who had no packs to carry. (we had another climb in the afternoon so we had heavy loads that day) However, it did not take long as one of our group suffered illness so Noli and I volunteered to carry his bag.

It was hot and sunny that day which made most of us soaked with sweat. The mountain was so open that we absorbed the heat of the sun. Fortunately, an ice cream vendor came so the group quenhed their thirst through cold ice creams.  There are two trails to the summit, one is a hard steep path while the other is a gradual but surrounded by tall grasses. While the rest chose the former, I and my kababayan guide picked the latter because it was easy. Hence, I arrived first at the summit and waited for almost an hour.

Even though the weather is not cool, our group spend the lunch at the summit. We spend there for an hour before we decided to descend the mountain. We all chose the trail I did earlier so presumably nobody did not endure difficulty on their descend. All in all, it was a success and so I thought. (Most of the first timers who joined us in this event did not ever had a second time)