Nature-ral High

Nature-ral High
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail

September 2, 2015

Pantingan Peak Traverse to Tarak Ridge - A climb that is more than I expected

It was only a chance find. I was looking for a mountain to climb since I haven't climbed a  for a while. I had been to Tarak ridge and I know that Pantingan Peak exist. But it was only on my research that I found that both these peaks of Mt. Mariveles can be traversed.

  Pantingan peak is less popular than Tarak ridge. It is also more difficult to reach via public transportation. Pantingan peak consist of the following point in order of ascent.


  • Jump off - Starts at  Guide's (Kuya Rey) house at a few minutes walk from the main road
  • Banayan River - the first river to cross. The start of the trail is already forested, with minor stiff trails after passing the river itself.
  • Marlboro country - an open field which is full of Kugon grass. The place is under reforestation. Ideal to reach this place before the sun is at its zenith. We trek early morning and the place was already very hot and humid.
  • Dannys Gate - The gate entry from the marlboro to the forest area again. The place reminds me of the boundary between Fangorn forest (of LoTR) and Isengard. The plains meeting a very forested place.


From Danny's gate its all uphill up to the Pantingan peak summit (1405masl). The trail was stiff, small and thickly forested. The place reminds me of Mantalingajan in Palawan. It was gloomy so we had no clearing.



View at the Trail head


Even at the start, the forest is very dense

A big bug

Banayan River



View in Marlboro plains

Danny's Gate. The last water source before Bakwat river.


A weird mushroom

Limatik (tropical leech)

An orange colored millipede

The only view of caldera on the first day

Slugs on the summit

Our guide Kuya Rey at the summit

1400masl is the highest point of Mt. Mariveles . This is at Pantingan peak



The next part of the hike was the traverse trail. Our Itinerary was delayed due to the INC tantrum rally, many member of the team was stuck in traffic. Another reason is a story for another day, which requires another blog post. 

Only one guide knows the trail, plus the fact that trail is very misleading. All in all due to this delays, we end up trekking at night. Basically the trail starts at the Pantingan ridge and then descent the caldera where Bakwat river is located. The trail was very hard to negotiate. You have to  hold on to roots, small vines or anything you can hang-on. The soil is very loose, the trail is mostly vertical - add also that it rained a few hours before our descent. Plus it was already dark!

Limatik was very abundant on the trail. The main characteristics of the limatik here is that they seem to be more immune to isophopyl alcohol. It will take a while before they let go of your skin after spraying, and also takes more amount.

we reached Bakwat river a few hours after starting our descent. We made camp here. The place is very cramped. It can only hold a few tents and hammocks. Good thing there was no rain all through the night.

The second day was another labourous hike. The trail was more dense, still very stiff and all climb assault. We reach Bintana peak (1050 masl) around lunch and then move to El Saco peak (1260 masl). In all these peaks, the Mt. Mariveles caldera is viewable. The weather was good, the mountain gods I guess was happy as oppose the previous day. Descending from El Saco,  the trail will connect to Tarak Peak.

The cramp make shift campsite. The grass on the left of my hat was actually poison ivy. I accidentally touch it, as of this writing my hand is still burning.


Limatik bites. I only notice it after reaching the camp. Since it was already dark and safety is more of my concern.

Hydration!

Bakwat river falls

Can you find the hikers? This is how dense the forest is.  

There is one portion of the trail that is easier to climb if there is a rope.

Weird mushroom 2

Finally a view of the Caldera


Ridge view. Shows how high the place compared to the Caldera

Entering El Saco Peak. (Is there a trail?)







Mariveles version of Kiss the Wall. The left side is a complete drop

Rock en Roll to the Mountains! 


The trail via GPS. I just found this on the internet.
Credit to the owner.



Hiking Girls

Another casualty. Proof on how difficult the trail is.


I know that this trail was hard but it was still more than I expected. This trail earn much respect and deserve to be called Junior Manta.



5 comments:

  1. Meron po kayo number ni kuya rey? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. Magkano po lahat ng nagastos nyo?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Depende yan sa dami nang team nyo. Ang gastos nyo dyan mainly ay pag hire nang jeep at ang bayad sa guide. Medyo mahal ang guide at 2000 a day, pero walang limit sa pwede isama. Noon umakyat ako, si Kuya Rey lang ang guide sa area. Not sure ngayon.

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