Luzon 3-2-1: The Dark Night in Tawangan- Pulag

November 2, 2012

Mt. Pulag
Tawangan, Benguet

Define Crazy? A bunch of stupid guys who dubbed this climb as Tawanan sa Tawangan. The Tawangan trail to Pulag was anything but fun. I can still imagine the ordeal that we have to go through just to reach the summit. 

We started the trek at dawn without knowing what was stored for us that day. For those who don't know this is probably one of the toughest trail that exist around this part of the Cordilleras. There is a part whereas one has to cross rivers. Also, there were areas that the soil is soft that has a tendency to have holes. 

Then there is my personal favorite the limatiks or blood leeches. That is why the trail is dubbed as the bloody trail. This was my first encounter with these blood suckers. Instead of thinking about it too much, I did not bother removing them from my body. It turned out to be a terrible idea as I had many marks around my feet area.

Wounded by the limatiks

This time, our guide was Josiah, who is the son of sir Santiago. I never met Josiah but I am aware of his reputation as a trail runner because I read him in one of the blogs I regularly follow. Also, he was an informative and entertaining guide as well. He shared his knowledge of this parts of the mountain while we were trekking.

Most part of the trail was mossy. It is just covered by trees and grasses where the limatiks are hanging around and waiting for their prey. That probably made the journey much longer due to the non-stop interference of our unwanted "guests". 

This 14-hour trek is not for the broken-hearted. My legs and knees were virtually broken when we reached the grasslands. One should be physically fit when trekking this trail. I learned that the hard way.

The sun was already gone when we reached the saddle camp. We started while it was dark and ended our trek into the dark night as well. I was so tired that I slept immediately. But when the ever reliable Noli had prepared our dinner, I woke up to eat. Damn, it was cold out there. I was chilling and freezing the same time but I can't wait for the sun to rise the next day.

To be concluded...

Thanks to sir Vic for the wonderful photos. 

Luzon 3-2-1: The Epic Saga Begins

Prologue

It was March 2012 during my Akiki-Ambangeg climb in Mt. Pulag when I first heard of the Luzon 3-2-1 event. This consist of hiking the top three highest mountains of Luzon namely Timbak, Tabayok and Pulag. Coincidentally, they are all in Benguet, thus, making it possible to do. Then a crazy idea struck in my mind, I am doing this adventure later this year.

Fast forward or seven months later, here I was together with six other insane mountaineers embarking perhaps one of our hardest climb ever in our young lives as nature and adventure seekers.

Oct. 31, 2012

Imagine the irony of starting of that could be the scariest adventure of our life was on Halloween. In addition, due to a long holiday vacation, there were sea of people in the terminal. Fortunately, we already booked a ticket, one week ago. However, two of our companions had theirs on a much earlier departure time so they will wait for us in Baguio city.

Upon arriving in Baguio, we immediately felt the cold weather. Sir Vic and Kiko were already in the terminal when we arrived. Afterwards, we met our guide, sir Santiago.

November 1, 2012

Mt. Timbak
Atok, Benguet

As part of our Luzon 321 epic hike, we first conquered Mt. Timbac. Even though it is around 2,700 MASL, we had't trouble doing it. Actually, the jeepney we were riding almost brought us up to the top. From where it stopped, around 100-200 meters were done by foot. 

At the summit, there are three crosses symbolizing Calgary. Also, there is a grotto having an image of Mama Mary. The view there was great. The different mountains around Cordillera were visible in the naked eye. Because we have still a long day, we have to leave soon. 

After a long intense ride due to the rough roads, we went to the house of our driver so we can eat lunch. His wife prepared Pinikpikan for us. Unfortunately, I did not eat so much because of another climb that very afternoon.

Probably it was not a good idea but it turned out to be good as a hole. Compressing a 4 day saga into a 3 day epic is really an idiotic plan of mine but fortunately there were 6 other idiots who agreed to this not so brilliant plan.

Mt. Tambayok
Ballay, Benguet

At 2,800 something Meters Above Sea Level, we trekked it for about four hours. The trail was not the same as the normal path I usually take as it was small and lot of branches were on our path. Carrying a pack would make a trek here much harder, it was good that we left our bags on our jeepney. 

There were a lot of different plants and fruits around the area. Our guide even play with us offering a black berry that supposed to taste sweet. However when I taste, sweet was not traceable because it was bitter. Some who tasted it more said it was too spicy.

At the peak, there's nothing much than the trees covering it. There were no view unless one will reach the view deck.

We were done with the mountain at around 5 pm and we have more time to visit lake Bulalacao. The lake was solemnly quiet and peaceful. We had a glimpse of fish there. It was almost nightfall so head back to our transportation. 

Then we head off to Tawangan town to stay there for the night. We stayed at the Tawangan Coop house for just a hundred each. 

Mt. Batulao with the USAP Mountaineers

October 21-22, 2012

Mt. Batulao
Nasugbu, Batangas

Just days from my Boracay Weekday Getaway,, here I am climbing again. This time in my favorite mountain, Mt. Batulao. This will be my third time this year and sixth time overall. I really love Batulao because it indulges my appetite for mountains so to speak. Also, this hike was intended for a pre-climb preparation for our Mt. Pulag hike the next month. 

There were also first timers that joined us so I was happy because we all share something in common. Then I enjoyed this climb because I brought my director's chair with me.

The hike itself was like the usual. No new story to narrate except this was the first time I camped in the new trail campsite. And the weather is different this time of year as it was windy that not bringing my jacket was really a bad idea.

The club's initial plan was to reach the summit by sunrise but it did not fell through due to some circumstances. Nevertheless, we were able to reach it even though some of the members had a hard time. However, the most difficult part was trekking from the summit up to camp 8 of the old trail. I could not believe it took an hour to do it. Normally, it is only an 8 to 10 minute trek.

Beyond that point, everything was smooth sailing (or trekking). The hike from the old trail up to the jump-off was quite normal and fun as well except for some time when the sun is scorching with heat.

We took our lunch at my favorite side trip i.e. Mahogany Market where we ate Bulalo. (It was a pity I only consumed three bowl of rice)

Weekday Getaway in Boracay

October 16-18, 2012

Boracay Island
Caticlan, Aklan

A six month in the making. That took so long for this much awaited vacation. Together with my office mate RC, we booked a flight last February for a much needed escapade. Finally, it came and we were excited. This is what I needed to be away from work as well as in the mountains. 

Our flight was destined for Caticlan so it was okay that the time was on the afternoon. But after experiencing the trip, I well promised not to ride small planes anymore because of the turbulence I experienced that I can compare from fast buses in EDSA. I only feel safe and secure after we landed in the airport. 

It was kind of getting dark when we check-in our hotel so we never find time to enjoy the sunset. After settling in, we look for somewhere to eat then we walked around the shorelines of the island.

The island was not packed as it was only a weekday. There were a bunch of foreigners there, mostly Koreans. The sand was crisp and fine but I liked the sand in Caramoan better. After some drinks, we called it a night.

The next day was full of activities for us. I woke up early, went straight to the beach and swum as it was no tomorrow. An hour later, I returned to the room and prepared for the day's scheduled of activities.

The first of which is parasailing. Oh boy, i have been to a lot of high places but this 150 MASL experience was like an out of the body experience. It was windy so I really felt we have been higher than that. However, I was thrilled to do it but vowed not to do it again.

The next thing we did was riding an ATV. At first I thought it would be difficult but turned out to be easy like riding a bike. The first stop was a mountain, yes a mountain. It was an easy hike because it had steps like a stairway to heaven. Then the final stop is an animal farm that features a huge crocodile. Too bad it was sleeping. 

After taking lunch the agenda was island hopping but I passed that chance so that I can take a rest and sleep for awhile.

When evening came, again we drink some refreshments. It even ended at the wee hours of the morning. As a matter of fact, I even take a dip at the beach probably wasted.

The following day was the inevitable. It is the last day. The day we return to Manila and return to our usual selves. Our flight was in Kalibo so we have to leave the island by noon and ride the boat to Caticlan and the take a van to Kalibo. We arrive early there but had lunch in the mall and went straight and waited in the airport. 

A life away from problems was short lived but I hoped to have an opportunity to do it once again.

Kuya Tootz Birth Day Climb in Mt. Maculot

                                             
October 7-8, 2012

Mt. Maculot
Cuenca, Batangas

It took long before the EMPE LIGHT group made their comeback to the mountain but it was worth the wait. This was also a birthday climb of one of its member, Kuya Tootz. Being a good cook, I expected a lot of food to eat.

And of course, I was not disappointed as he brought tons of spaghetti with him. Oops, I was being fast. It was just that I've been there and nothing to talk about more about the mountain. The only new thing was the route we took. We took the Tambo exit bus and rode a jeepney enroute to Cuenca. We were there less than a couple of hours from Buendia.

Upon reaching the jump-off by noon, we had our lunch nearby. An hour later we went on our trek. There were seven of us and so it was just a manageable group to handle with. Still, Noli was our pacer even though he was carrying a 65 L bag for the first time while I was the sweeper who only packed light for this adventure.

Just a little over two hours we reached the campsite. After pitching the tents and settling ourselves there, we went to the Rockies just in time for the sunset.

Okay, going back to the food. Ai and Randy also made a surprised treat as they prepared pesto. See, we had a feast up there. In fact we also shared it to two other groups camping there.

Speaking of which, one group even join us in our sessions. The term "bitin" comes to mind whenever I remember them as our alcohol was not enough due to their presence.

The following day, we just prepared breakfast and then made our descend. It just took as an hour and settled for our while to tidy ourselves.

Mt. Manalmon the Third Time Around with the USAP Mountaineers

September 23, 2012

Mt. Manalmon
San Miguel, Bulacan

I've been here twice already this year and one might wonder why will I return here since that the last time was just almost a couple of months ago. This climb turned out to be the first ever subsidized hike by our company so it was not easy just to pass this opportunity.

Mt. Manalmon is like a hill that only boast a height of 196 MASL so I did not prepared hardly enough. Again I underestimated a mountain. Due to the rainy season, the water level of the river rose than before so crossing the river is much harder as the use of a rope is needed in order to reach the other side. Then the trail is much muddier than expected so I had hard time and even fell down a couple of times. One of the guides even lend me his sandals.

We took the gradual trail towards the summit so it was easy for the guys to make their ascend. Upon reaching the camp site, some went to the summit while the others like me made their rest.

After having lunch, we had the customary pictures at the peak and then went back this time taking the steep path. We took a break at the river separating Gola and Manalmon. Too bad they missed the butterflies that I saw the previous time I went there.

Just as about we reached the registration site, all of them except me made a stop at the Madlum Cave for some pictorials. When they came later, I took their pictures one by one each as soon as they approached me.

A few tried the monkey bridge and some went swimming in the river while others just refreshed themselves with "refreshments".

Before the we called it a day, one fellow hiker treated us dinner in a pizza parlor along the expressway.

An Idiot's Guide on How to Survive Mt. Amuyao

September 16-17, 2012

Mt. Amuyao
Barlig, Mountain Province

I could not even know where to begin my story. This adventure was not supposed to come in frution. Due to an ever persitent sir Dada the hike was able to push through even we were only four. Yes, four and that means public transport is our means of getting there.

The bus ride to Bontoc is a grueling 12-hour sojourn. I've been to long rides before but this one was different because it is my first time to get there. When we reached the provincial capital, we look for the terminal enroute to the town of Barlig. Luck was not on our side this time as we will wait for about four hours before the first trip to Barlig.

There were a lot of passengers so it meant that it is topload time for us. The weather is not so fine as it was noon so the sun was to generous in providing us too much heat.

We arrived at past 2'o clock in the afternoon and were a bit delayed because the trek is scheduled to be a five-hour hike but because it was already late that will take much longer. After registration at the local police, we started our journey without getting any guide. Of course, as warned by one of the policemen, we immediately get lost as we did not get into the right starting point but a friendly local led us to the right path. He instructed us just to follow the electric lines that will lead us right to the summit.

The peak holds communication towers of various broadcast channels so the path was more of designed for easy access by non-hikers. Some of the trail had wooden steps to ease the trek but it turned to be the other way around as it was slippery and wet that made us difficult to ascend.

Along the trail, there were also pine trees surrounding it just like in Mt. Pulag. The mountain was a staggering 2,700 MASL so the weather was cold and it was beginning to dark by the time we reached the view deck.

Even we were only four we were divided into two. Dada and I were the lead group while Sir Jau and his friend Michael were way behind. It turned out the latter suffered cramps and the former had to help him with his baggage.

Finally after the struggle of this night trek, we able to reach the summit around nine in the evening. When we arrived there, no one welcomed us and I should not elaborate how rude the kapamilya employees are when we got there. Tired and hungry, I went to the bunkhouse and tried to see if we can use it as a shelter for the evening. Turned out to be open so we force ourselves to occupy it. Without anymore energy, we went to sleep but an hour so we woke up when are two companions finally came.

The next day was one of my most beautiful mornings ever in my life. The sea of clouds formation all around the summit was breathtaking. How I envy those who work here as they can see this almost every day.

After breakfast, we hurriedly went back so we can catch the trip back to Bontoc. However, even the superfast sir Jau could not get there in time. But luck was on our side this time as a van going to Baguio will leave after lunch time. The driver agreed to let us ride with him. And we were fortunate to catch the 3 pm bus ride back to Manila.

Thank you sir dada for the pictures.