Mt. Cinco Picos and Silanguin Cove II

   A few weeks ago I decided to comeback to Silanguin cove, but this time with a lot more friends and family. I also distributed the itinerary to three days to make it more relax and enjoy the hike and beach more. 
    The Zambales area has not been receiving a good amount of rainfall, this was very evident on the trail. It also seems less hikers were using the trail, there were parts were the path was not very recognizable. The grass were also higher that an average human (well at least higher than me), and getting through them scatters the polen/dust that they have. 
   Since it was early January, the campsite was colder than I expected. It was also very windy that its very difficult to cook. 


  
  We arrived at the beach a little  bit after lunch of the 2nd day. The last time I was in Silanguin we stayed in the middle part. Since the shoreline is very long (approx 3 kms) we opted to camp out on the right side (if facing the cove). The shoreline was wider and more beautiful on this part of the cove. Swimming was also very nice because the water was still not deep eventhough your already far away from shore. 
    We were also able to buy seafoods from local fisherman in the area, for our dinner. The third day, a friend and I decided to explore the area a bit more. To our amazement there was a big lagoon not easily recognizable. 


   The place is really good that we are already thinking of coming back again. =)


  PS: I brought my daughter to this climb. I think she is really a outdoor girl now. She didn't got tired and totally enjoy every minute of the trip. We'll except for the descent part, she's complaining here feet was aching largely because she outgrown her shoes. 

Passing the Torch

First CampNight

Silanguin Cove

The Gang

Dry River

Long and Winding Beach

Great shot

Fresh Dinner

Most Beautiful Sunset

Bumming Around

Still Waters

Artist?

The Secret Lagoon

Sphinx

Mt. Cinco Picos traverse to Silanguin Cove

After several cancellations, my long plan climb Cinco Picos that will traverse into Silanguin Cove finally went into fruition. I was really pushing for the climb to be spread into three days, the main reason was that I assumed that doing it on an overnight might put most of our time on the hike. Then have minimal time to enjoy the beach. But due to conflicts in schedule of the participants, we decided to go for two day hike.

As expected, the trail of Cinco Picos during our climb was very much different the last time I was here. It was the rainy season then and everything was green. It was even raining when we climb so it was cool during our climb. Compared to now, all of the surrounding were almost brown. And since the trail is between hills (valley like) there is no wind breeze, it was so humid and hot.

The traverse trail to Silanguin Cove starts from the Cinco Picos campsite. The start of the trail is very steep very much similar to nagsasa trail but is more decline. After a few minutes it will become a bit flat then later totally flat with trees covering the area. We reach the cove after around 10-11 hours hike with just enough rest in between. I even slept at the campsite since we arrived earlier than the time alloted in the IT. Since I was so sleepy due to the very early trek, I decided to take a power nap. hehehe. Thanks to our girl buddies who was surprising strong (though exhausted) that were able to stick to our IT.

To describe the beach, its much longer than Nagsasa (I think around 3KM) but narrower, well at least on the side that were at. The other side seems to be better (my hike mates went there to buy soda for 80 pesos!). Next time well try to stay on that side. The place is very much pristine, proof is that were the only ones during that time. We saw several rare sea creature, like a sea snake (c/o Tins olympus h20 cam). And there are sand dumpings on the beach from creatures we dont know and we didnt saw. Another proof that minimal people explore the beach is that we saw lots and lots of antlions. Which wont be able to thrive on sands that are usually step on.

I was really surprise we were able to enjoy the beach eventhough its just an overnight hike. I will surely go back to this place before it become another anawangin or nagasasa. Thanks hikemates for such a wonderful time.

The Gang

Bundok Dayungan

Hanjin Shipyard

ahhhhh...Silanguin Cove

The shore, beach and mountain

Reflections

Nice eh?

Mysterious Sh!t

Lots of them

Guardian Lion

Beach Life!

Mt. Cinco Picos

I had been monitoring the Tropical Depression (TD) forming up last friday (Sept27). I am worried that it might enter the Philippine area of responsibility. Luckily, the storm which started in the South China Sea was heading WNW and base on my knowledge of Philippine storms if they are headed that direction they would'nt go back unless is pushed by a more powerful typhoon.

Having this information, I decided to push through with our Mt. Cinco Picos climb. If you had been following my blog, Cinco Picos is one of the popular mountains in the Cawag settlement so the jumpoff is just the same. cinco Picos got its name for having five peaks if you view it from a distance. But only three peaks have been scaled, and currently only two can be reached. Though the TD was outside the PI, I am expecting there will be rain. The first hurdle is crossing pinaglabanan river. The rain from previous night had caused it to swell that its normal size. Fortunately there was another group who were also climbing Cinco Picos, they brought in ropes and we were able to cross the river with them. I believed the river can be crossed un-assisted, but its still safer if you had something to hold on to. Thanks to the U-Trek for lending us a hand.

After the river was mostly wide trails that according to our guide was created for mining. Its basically flat trail that is carved in the bottom-mountain side, with several brooks along the way. Looking around, will give you the grand view of the mountains along the area.And because its the rainy season, everything is colored green. Constrasting when its summer that everything is brown.

After a short river trail, you'll go around peak1 and then do an assault of peak2. The trail is very slippery due to moss, surely its more difficult going down. A few minutes of flat walk after the assault of peak2 we reached the campsite. Its a lot smaller compared to Balingkilat, but its not that open and there are a few trees to block the wind coming from the sea. We arrived at the campsite around 2pm and at 3pm started to rain on/off until morning. From what I know Silanguin cove can be seen from the campsite, but its very foggy so theres no visibility. The guides told us that Peak3 (summit) cant be climb. Rarely climbers go there and the trail is not that established. They said also that it might take another day just to go to the summit.

The trail

The view

Onwards to Peak2 summit

Summit shot

Because of the all night rain, the senior guides advised us to take the less taken hunters trail(our guide was a kid). But after going down peak2, it became sunny. So we opted to take the traditional trail. Our analysis was correct, even pinaglaban river was smaller compared to yesterday. We were even able to take a dip before heading back to the jumpoff.

After the rain

Group shot

Meditating

Swelled Pinaglaban, but still not as big as Yesterday

In two weeks we are heading to Mt. Kanlaon, the Kanlaon climb was actually the purpose of this climb (training climb). And with the rain in all, I guess I was able to push ourselves the limit. So whats next? I plan organize another Cinco Picos climb but one that will traverse to the untouched Silangin Cove. A few have done it so I think its time to do it before it become another Anawangin and Nagsasa.