MakTrav II

January 15, 2011

After three months, I'm back at the trails of MakTrav. I have never thought that I will be back here in just a short period of time. Atleast I was able to see the beauty of MakTrav again, and it will surely be my favorite dayhike. MakTrav never fails to amaze me; the steepness of the trail after Haring Bato, the technicality and the great views of the Melkas Ridge, and the denseness of the Wild Boar Trail.

Three months have passed, the trail seems to have changed. Well, that proves that mountains are alive. I cannot remember some part of the trail, and was thinking if we pass by those trail the last time we were there. It's good to see this mountain in a different mood.

Actually, no one from the group is familiar with the first part of the trail (the trail after the dead creek). Luckily we haven't got lost, we met some locals and pointed us the right direction. Also, we got advise from friends who are familiar with the trail, and I have read some article which states that the way to MakTrav is North East (NE).

We then reached the "bahay kubo" (nipa hut). From here and on, I'm already familiar with the trail. I'm already complacent that there is a very minimal chance for us to get lost. Our next stop is Haring Bato, this is one of my favorite spot. The view are great with clear sky. Nice place to take pictures.

We decided to take our lunch at the Melkas campsite, after resting we then scaled the Melkas Ridge. This part seemed to be more difficult than the last time, or maybe because I was the one leading the group. It is good to see that there are newly installed ropes in some segment of the ridge. After reaching Peak 3, we then stopped to take a rest after proceeding to Peak 2.

We then entered the Wild Boar Trail, in contrary to the Melkas Ridge, the Wild Boar Trail seemed to be more easier than the first time I was here. However, it seems that there are too many thorny plants this time.

After more than an hour, we then arrived at Peak 2 (1080 MASL based from my watch), the highest point of Mt. Makiling National Park. We met some teenagers, they will be spending their night here at the summit. After a few chit chat, and a quick rest, we already start descending. It is getting dark already and the fog is getting thicker. It was very hard, my headlamp won't pass through the thick fog which gave me minimal view of the trail and brought me to dead end trail.

The rain started to fall when we are about to reach the "kalsada" (road). It rained hard before we reach the Nursery, it was very hard for me trekking in the rain because I have already changed from my shoes to my old pair of slippers (slippers that is slippery when wet).

After taking a bath, we then proceed to the town proper. Here we ate our very late dinner then grab two bottles of beer for our reward. Well it was a tiring day, but it is worth tiring for. Hoping for more MakTrav to come.

Old to New

December 18-19, 2010

I organized a climb for my college friends who wanted to try hiking. Our destination, Mt. Batulao. I first planned it as a dayhike, when some of my mountaineering friends suggested to make it an overnight climb. Well ofcourse it's fine with me, however, how about my college friends who cannot join the overnight. Well I guess this will not be a problem.

A supposed to be 5:00 AM departure from Manila turned to be 7:00 AM (courtesy of Dean and Gessy), PEACE guys! Hehehe! We were 2 hours delayed on our itinerary, well the show must go on, then of we go.

We took our breakfast in the stores outside Evercrest, Bulalo, hmmmmm (however, it was expensive! Hehehe!). Because of the delay on the itinerary, we decided to take a trike to the jump-off rather than walking which will eat up our time.

The plan was take the old trail to the summit and descend using the new trail. I decided to take this trail for my college friends to have a complete Batulao experience. Batulao is slightly familiar to us Letranites (not by the name), this was the mountain visible during our retreat at Caleruega (if they can still remember).

Actually, this is my 4th time in Batulao, however, I haven't tried going up the summit using the old trail. This will be my first time. My assessment was the trail going up the summit in the old trail is much more difficult rather than the new trail.

We took our very late lunch at the summit. We were very lucky, the weather is great up until we reach the summit which means there is clearing. However, the rain started to fall when we started to descend, which make it difficult for the first timers (actually most of my college friends were first timers). We reached the new trail campsite and it is still raining, we started setting up camp while the rain is not too hard.

After the camp was set, we set off to accompany my college friends who were not joining the overnight. We joined them up until the diversion between the old trail and the new trail because it is getting dark already and we need to prepare for our dinner.

This was the birthday climb of my girlfriend and she prepared carbonara for our dinner, and it was delicious, knowing that this is her first time to cook carbonara (and take note; first time to cook carbonara in a mountain). While the dinner was being prepared, we started the socials. This is to lessen the coldness, it was very cold that night. And, dinner is set. Yum! Yum! Carbonara for dinner.

The socials was finished early with 2 bottles unopened. All of us where already sleepy, we decided to stop the socials and sleep. Lights off please!

Our plan was by 9:00 AM we were supposed to start descend, however, 9:00 AM seemed to be a wake up call. We need to get back at Evercrest at fast as we can, they were planning to climb Mt. Talamitam that day. Well I am out of that plan.

After lunch, we parted ways. They went to Mt. Talamitam, while me and my girlfriend head back home.

I hope my college friends were not traumatized by their experience in Batulao. I hope seeing you in the mountains. Let's do it again another time.