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)

Mt. Maculot (At long last)

Mt. Maculot is one of the popular dayhikes in the country. It is no wonder even on a Sunday, there are alot climbing the mountain. However, the irony here is that it took me almost twenty climbs (19th to be exact) before I reached Maculot. My group had been here last year but I was not able to accompany them because I was in Albay. Early this year, I had an invite but had to passed due to my work obligations. So when I plan a hike on this mountain on the first of July, I had no hesitations even though I had problems at work. 

The trail to the Rockies is not easy nor difficult. It is quite a moderate trail. No guide is required but there is a fork along the trail that you should take the left side onwards to the down trek of the mountain. Then another fork will be met and one should take the right side. The rest is a direct path towards to the mountain.

unloading the spaghetti while still going up

The view at the rockies is splendid even some portion is blocked by the mountain's peak. The Taal is seen in front and it was both elegant and scary at the same time. Elegant because the view was a close encounter with the volcano and it is also the reason why it is scary.

Celebrating Freedom at Mt. Gulugod Baboy

Just hours after an overnight climb in Tarak Ridge, I am again on an adventure this time at Mt. Gulugod Baboy in Anilao, Batangas. This climb is a minor climb just towering 525 MASL. As a trend in my hiking activity, I am with a new set of group most consist from the other departments of my office. The said climb was intended as an ocular inspection for the first climb of our newly formed mountaineering club in the office.The meet up time was five in the morning at a fast food chain in Buendia cor Taft Ave. I arrived just in the nick of time. It took another hour before we left Manila.After a couple of hours we alight at the terminal in Batangas CIty. We took a jeep en route to Mabini but offered addition fee so that the driver can bring us to the Philpan Dive Resort.

The Traditional Before the Climb Photo at the Jump-off point in Philpan Dive Resort

The hike was a contrast from the day before. The former was gloomy while the latter was sunny. Fortunate for me because I had no gears for the rain. The reports from past climbers here were accurate in sharing that the hardest part is the cemented route towards the mountain. It just commenced but I felt tired already. I almost beg a local to let me hitch in his motorcycle.

Single file at the pavement road

Alas, after a struggling uphill climb we reach the entry point of the mountain.  Of course, We rested before  restarting our climb. Compare to the initial assault, the trek was moderately easy. In fact, along the trail, one can find locals residing in the mountain itself.

In one of the resting station along the trail

Finally, after the residential part of the trail which also served as resting stations we emerged in the grassland that follows the summit of the mountain. It was like walking in a farm. The only catch is that it is over 500 Meters Above Sea Level.

A Farmland at the top of the mountain

Our trek coincided with the Independence day so we had an additional agenda at the summit of the mountain.Sir JR brought a flag so we had use it as a prop in honoring the freedom bestowed to us by our forefathers.

Oops, wrong tribute

There you go, much better (with Pico de Loro supposed to be at the background)

Notwithstanding the garbage along the trail, overall, the mountain is an eventful climb for both beginners and experienced ones.

(acknowledgment to Sir Dada De Silva for the photos)

EMPE LIGHT's First Major Climb in Mt. Tarak Ridge

It was a perfect Sunday for any Sports Junkie like me. The Belmont Stakes in the early morning. Then Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. Just after that Manny Pacquiao will fight Timothy Bradley. In the evening, Ginebra will be against Petron. The day will be cap by the French Open Final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

I'll have Another, who won the first two Triple Crown legs, failed to participate in the Belmont so there will be no Triple Crown winner for this year. The Heat won against the Celtics. Bradley won over Pacquiao via a controversial split decision. Mark Caguioa scored seven fourth period points and finished with 19 points in a Ginebra win over Petron. Then a rain delay halted a historical final between Nadal and Djokovic. Nadal won an unprecedented seventh Roland Garros Title the following day.

All of these sporting events happened without me watching anyone of them. Not even one. It was a sad fact I have to deal with. Wait. Where was I when all of this have transpired. Ah, yes, I was with my so-called friends\ mountaineers who forced me to climb Mt. Tarak in Mariveles on that special day.

Me and the guys, who I still blame why Ninong Manny lose to Tim Bradley

 The day started as The Belmont went under way. We all met at the Five Star terminal in Cubao. Like the race, our travel to Bataan took awhile. it was past 9 am when we arrive in the jump-off point in Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan. We went first ti the barangay hall just across the highway to register and pay the 40.00 fee. One of the officials asked me why we were climbing on the day of a Manny Pacquiao fight. So I answered them that I also asking that question to myself. They even offered me to stay and watch the fight with them.

Start of our epic journey

 The climb was in part of the Freedom Climb 2012. Thus, we had an outreach activity of providing school supplies for the kids situated in the mountain. Right before the trek began, we distributed in Nanay Cording's place. The old couple who claimed they own Tarak was hospitable to us so we return the same with them.

Group shot with the group shirt

 The first part of the trek was gradual indeed like the blogs that i have read. It was an uphill-downhill then uphill-downhill  again towards the river. There was a rock climbing part that one has to use a rope to cross the other side of the trail.

Ala Tom Cruise daw

 The first part of the trek was gradual indeed like the blogs that i have read. It was an uphill-downhill then uphill-downhill  again towards the river. There was a rock climbing part that one has to use a rope to cross the other side of the trail.

Thumbs up! Hindi halata sa edad. Halimaw daw ang pacing ng pacer namin

 Just we are about to reach the river, I received messages about the boxing match. As I have read it, frustrations and depression followed suit. I just wanted the trek to continue so that i could forgot what have had transpired. I ultimately ran towards  the river. As i reached the papaya river, I was like Hermes and brought the news to the other mountaineers resting in the river.

We had our lunch in the river. It holds the only water source of the mountain. As a result, we refilled our bottles in the river. after taking our lunch, we rested for an hour. Then we push on to the mountain. That was I thought. Again, like last year, I got lost. I was confused with the trail signs so I unintentionally get ourselves lost. However, when I assured myself that we are not in the right track I admitted it to my members and back trailed where we started.

Creating a new trail that leads to nowhere

 Fortunately, we met two hikers from Bataan who directed us the right way. As many hikers who conquered Tarak had claimed, the assault to the ridge is grueling if not punishing. It was a tough of couple of hours for us. Probably due to the load we carried. It rained but the group led by Noli already reached the campsite and my group was on the grassland already when it poured.

Parang sa bahay lang

 The dinner was prepared of course by our Idol ko sa Kabundukan, Chef Noli Hequibal. Due to water shortage, the rice was not cooked properly but it was still edible. The evening ended with the ever reliable emperador light brandy. As the Nadal-Djokovic affair was stopped, Kuya Bogs, Noli and I called it a night.

 It was foggy when we woke up. So I had an idea to test the guys. I kept on claiming that there is no view at the top so we should not go to the top. However, they still insisted to pursue the summit so I gave up and let them have their wish. It was a self-gratifying moment for me to see their eagerness to conquer the mountain minus the view. Thus, when they reached the summit, I handshake them and congrats to a job well done for their first major climb.

 I gave an irreplaceable sacrifice but I was happy that we had our first major climb as a success. Given the fact that we have a first timer conquering Tarak was an icing on the cake. Although I had no clearing that would mean that I have to return here but all in all it was a very meaningful and fulfilling climb in Mt. Tarak.  Noli, Oliver, Mae, Randy, Iris, Lee, Kuya Tootz, our guest mountaineers, Sir Dada and Sir Joroz.