Mt. Batulao (Unplanned)

Every end of the year the sun sets around the peaks of Mt. Batulao. This creates a grand illusion of rocks lighting up. The locals calls it "Bato sa Ilaw" (Rocks within Light), which later became Batulao.

A climb friend who was vacationing from Canada asked us to organize a climb for him. Since he was on tight schedule we decided to go to Mt. Batulao on a day hike. Just a recap, the jumpoff to this mountain starts at Evercrest Golf course, upon proceeding you past by Barangay roads which is dusty in summer and muddy in the rainy season. The reason for this is that the locals also use this road for their livestock (cows, horse etc). We even saw several transporstation horses carrying several sackloads of indian mangoes. After this road next is the rolling trails that leads to the fork of the new and old trail. There are a few huts along this route that I believe sells buko during the peak climbing season (theres none during our climb). We initially planned to take the traditional trail going up and then the new trail going down. But since time is not on our side, we decided to take take the faster route (new trail which is the right side) The new trail has several stations markers that I recall numbers 1-10, with 10 as the campsite. The trail is also rolling but are steeper than the ones before the fork. Something new also is that a new trail had been created going to the summit. Its now shorter and easier, you dont have to go to the forested part. To use the new trail, right after the campsite there is another fork, you need to take the left side trail. These goes around the shorter peaks of the mountain.

My friend havent lost his touch in messing up our IT like in our past climbs with him (peace pre he he). But for some reason it turned out to be a good thing and on our advantage (same as in our past climbs too). We started trekking late, but this made us escape the scorching heat of the sun. We were already in the campsites hut when it drizzled for a few minutes. On the summit, theres was clearing, in contrast the last time I was here. And right after we arrived back at the jumpoff thats the time it started to rain 
hard. I call it Luck points.

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G2 like Jagged Edges




Summit View (Small specs are tents on the campsite)
Climb Buddies


Summit

MakTrav (Mt. Makiling Traverse)

I was finally able to join a MakTrav (Makiling Traverse) climb last ID12 2010 . There were two instances in the past I planned to join the climb to this mountain but due to untoward and unexpected incidents I had to backed out. Mt. Makiling will always remain close to my heart since this was my first climb at the tender age of 16. This was my first time of doing the traverse of Makiling. The jump-off starts at Barangay San Miguel in Sto. Tomas Batangas. The trail starts in a rough road that gives you a grand view of Makiling from the Batangas side.





Then you need to make a turn to a dry river bed.This is the place where all the hikers get lost. We also got lost that we asked help from some locals who were harvesting mangoes. It seems that the trail is forever changing and adapting defending on the season. Most of the succeeding trails are fully covered by trees. Except for some parts where cugon-an are present (and reforestation is happening). There is also a hut halfway where you can rest and refill your water rations. The first destination is Peak3, where almost all of the assault climb are present. But there are stationed ropes to help you a bit on the climb. A majestic view of makiling can be seen on this part of the trail. The view is so beautiful that some climber compares these to Avatars Pandora (but there is no Navi species :P). Upon reaching peak3, we took our lunch.
After Peak3 the next destination is peak2, the trail is a mossy forest where there are several fallen logs and narrow paths for a climber to get through.It must have been harder for our American friend who is tallest one among the group because we had to go through low-hanging branches and fallen trees . Also its a good thing its still the end part of summer, and there were few limatiks (tropical leech) on the trail. Or else I think this place would be very infested, and since the trail is narrow there was no way you can avoid leaves and branches touching you, the place where the limatiks attacks their victim.










Mabuhay ang Kalayaan! (with Pandoras view)

Upon reaching peak2 the trail was now on a descent. This is traditional trail that will lead you to UP Los Banos exit (with regard to the traditional trail click here). Except on the early part where its muddy and slippery, the traditional trail is very easy but is very long. I learned that from peak2 to UPLB its roughly 9KM. We arrived in the forrest ranger post at 7PM. We hiked for 11 hours! After cleaning up, we had our dinner then head back going to Manila.

Peak2 Group shot

Mt. Maculot Traverse 2010

I organized a MacTrav (Maculot Traverse :P) last June 26. This is not a traverse per-se as the mountaineers define it (please see my previous post for the details). Its just a dayhike and I organize this mainly for these friends.. A former officemate who wanna try hiking, an American friend who is a veteran in climbing but is new to the tropics and two old buddies who is on/off on their climbing career. The last time I've been here it was raining and now its el-nino so surely the trail is different. Its not just the trail that is different but also is the cleanliness of the place! There a lot of plastic trash along the grotto trail and onward to the summit. My hunch is that the trash was the result of the recent 'holyweek' which several Roman Catholics influx this site. Seeing no trash going down the traditional trail confirms my observation. The traditional trail is normally the route of climbers
Maculot will always be one of my favorite mountains. The climb is not that difficult but the view is more than rewarding. And what a day to end our trip with a visit from my friends aunt who lives in Cuenca. To our surprise his father was a native of this city, there are several stores in Cuenca which bore their surname. And then his aunt served us their bakery's 'monay' bread which their family is famous for. After eating several pieces, now I know why.

Here lies two mountaineers... Jus Kidding!!!




Resting at the 'Grotto'



Rope a Dope


On the way to saddle


Group shot at the Rockies

Magalawa Island

As a self proclaimed nature tripper I had been in constant search for a place I can go and enjoys Gods creation, and if possible share my knowledge on how to protect it. For this year I went to Nagsasa cove and last weekend (May01) to Magalawa Island.
Magalawa Island can be found along the outskirts of Zambales too. From the mainland you just have to take a short boat trip to reach it.I brought along some of my climb and trip buddies to share the place and probably bond together.
So how is the island like? First off, the place is surrounded by several other islands so the water is very calm. I did'nt regret bringing my snorkling gear and there's even a designated and protected place where you can snorkel. The island also resides near a fishing community, so snorkling even just on open water will lead you to view several sea creatures (good and odd looking hehe) Secondly, the shoreline is quite long and the sand is fine. Definitely an A-class beach. Camping wise, there are several trees on the island so you dont have to worry about pitching your tent in the open sun.

But since its summer I'm expecting there will be lots of guest. Not just from far flung Manila but also from near localities. But it turn out there are more than I'm expecting, probably because its a long holiday. (labor day). Good thing is that the influx of guest came when were about to leave.
All in all its a very good place, I will probably come back here on a off-peak season. To enjoy the place to the next level.




The island



The Beach



Campsite



Snorkel Man!


Snorkel Man meets SeaWeed kid.


Superheroes at work






Newly arrowed fish



Grill them!



"Lato" (edible seaweed). Yum yum.



A hermit crab.



Starfish are everywhere (be careful not to step on them)

Mt. Nagsasa Traverse to Nagsasa Cove : 3rd Time's a Charm!

You may call me a climb addict. But yes, I returned to Nagsasa again last weekend. And the decision was very much worth-it. We had a PERFECT climb - the weather was good, we were the only visitors on chiefs Ogos place, the beach was calm and the food was great. Since its the cove that I dont have much entry on my previous blogs, this is the one I will discuss (I didnt enjoy the beach much on my previous trips, one of the reasons for the return trip)

• the sand is better than Anawangin. Much finer, that one of colleague told me if it was white sand the place would look like Boracay.
• the water is clearer.
• the place still pristine due to less visitors compared to Anawangin. Less visitor means very quiet place. Very nice for relaxing.
• there is a chance to buy a newly haul fish from fishermen.
• your 70-100 pesos payment of the place is very much worth-it. Locals are very willing to assist you if you need help. And you can use their equipment if in case you need any (stove, water container, etc)

And dipping to the crystal water of Pinaglabanan river is an added bonus.

Dara our guide dog.



the beach


campsite


water up to my knee


water up to my waist


our kitchen
sunset!


our pulutan (and became breakfast too!)






our dinner
why so serious?



jump for joy!


sad to leave.... =(


pinaglabanan river

Mt. Nagsasa Traverse to Nagsasa Cove Part Deux

After my typhoon trip to Nagsasa last September its inevitable that I will return to fully appreciate the place. Since Nagsasa Cove is a new place for outdoor lovers (especially the trail way), I proposed to PALMC to make it an official climb of the club, with me taking the job as the EL.
I won't go much into details on how to go to the place since I've already done it in my previous entry to this blog. For starters, its already summer and the most noticeable difference from last time is that the trail is very dry. With almost everything colored brown. Most of the rivers don't have water and what you can only see are big chunks of stones. The very opposite the last time. Its still recommended that you trek very early morning so that you can escape the scorching heat of the sun. And be at the cove around 09:00am before the heat of the sun peaks.
There are parts of the trail which had been burned by locals. According to our guide some locals do this to refresh the grass(new grass will grow for cows). Some parts was still burning when we passed by that we can still feel the burning heat. The cove is now starting to be commercialize. There are several picnic tables now and several bathrooms have been erected. There are a few sari-sari stores too, with the price of goods double that of SRP.
The next day there are participants of the climb who took the boat. We were scheduled to trek back, other than I don't want to ride a fishing boat for almost two hours, I also want to dip at Pinaglaban River. A big river that almost look like a small lake, where water is continually flowing. The only problem with trekking back is that you cant escape the burning heat of the sun. We left the cove around 11:00am, just when the sun is directly above us.

I have several experience in organizing climbs but this is the first time I have this much participant (25pax). And most specialy this is the first time I've been an EL for PALMC official climb. I never imagined it was this difficult hehe. But it was a very succesfull climb. I learned a lot from this experience, and hopefully I can use it if ever I'll be an EL again.





Balingkilat on the background

Dry Trail

Nagsasa cove from top of Mt. Nagsasa

Can't believe its this dry

Nice Sand

Pinaglabanan river