Training Climb for Mt. Pulag

January 29, 2011

This climb will be our training climb for Mt. Pulag. An early morning trek will gave you an idea on trekking in a cool breeze. We started at 6:00AM and it was still dark. The trail was not familiar to me because it is not the starting point I remebered the last time I am here; it was also confusing for me because it was still dark. The group consist of me, Onin and Shirley. I am the only one who knows the trail, so I guess I am the tour guide here. My worries has been vanished when we reached the first station going to Grotto.

After a 30 minutes trek along the fourteen stations (I guess), we reached the Grotto which is the fifteenth station. We rested for a while and took some snacks. The last time I am here the area was still wide, however, this time it was full of tall grass (talahib). Thankfully it still doesn't ruined the view at the Grotto. Knowing that this will be the last view point until the summit.

We then continued our trek via the forested trail. This section of the trail is the most challenging (Grotto to summit). Steep trail with an almost 90 degrees. Maybe this will give you a feel of the steep trail of Akiki Trail. After more than an hour, we then arrived at the summit. You can have a peek of the Rockies here. If your itinerary includes packed lunch, you may eat your lunch here.

About an hour we then reached the saddle campsite which is 15 to 30 minuetes away from the Rockies. We rest for a while and take a snack. We also had a chit chat with the store owner, she sells any kinds of food/drinks/snacks and ofcourse very pricey. 35 Pesos for a small bottle of softdrinks, nice business. After taking our snack, we proceed to the Rockies. We just took pictures here and of we go.

We started descending via the traditional trail. It was hot already when we started descending. On the way down, we encountered many groups that are heading up Mt. Maculot. We descided to stop for a while to take a rest and eat Halo-Halo. A very refreshing one. About 15 to 30 minuetes, we arrived at the mountaineer store. We ate our lunch here and took a bath. Gotong Batangas and Loming Batangas for lunch, a rewarding lunch for us. After the lunch we then proceed back to Manila.

Nice one Onin and Shirley, training climb successfull. Congratulations for successfully completing the trail ahead of time. Hope this helps us on our journey to Mt. Pulag.

Septuple Birthday Climb

January 22-23, 2011

This climb was organized for the birthday climb of my seven friends; Onin, Jimi, Cyprus, Jaycee, Adam, Ian and Cindy. The destination is Mt. Balagbag at San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

I thought this will be an easy climb, but I guess it will not be fun if there will be no challenge. Instead of trekking the normal trail which is very wide that even a motorcycle can pass up until the summit, one of our friend suggested that we take the waterfalls trail going up. Literally speaking, we were climbing the waterfalls for more or less 5 hours I guess. Wet, steep, rocky and slippery; it was quite a challenge. I even had a bruises on my knees. The trail ends on a road which heads to the summit, about more or less two hours of trek and you will be arriving at the summit.

My assessment on the waterfalls trail is that it is much harder than Tarak Ridge's Papaya River to campsite and MakTrav's Melkas Ridge. If I am not mistaken, the trail we passed by the waterfalls was not a common trail mountaineers use. Well atleast I have tried using that trail.

We arrived at the summit before the sun sets. We were able to set camp before it gets dark. We were divided into four groups to prepare for dinner; our group (Team Ynna) prepared Sinigang na Baboy, Team Onin prepared Menudo, Team Cindy cooked Spaghetti Macaroni and Team Dante cooked Caldereta. It was a fiesta dinner, yum yum. A very rewarding meal.

Socials started right after the dinner. I decided to sleep when our Gran Matador (local brandy) were all consumed, they still continued with The Bar (local gin with fruit flavor).

The noise of my companions woke me up, when I get out of the tent, it is when I realized that me and my girlfriend were the last person to woke up. We get out of the tent and TANAN!, breakfast is ready. Thanks guys!

Break camp time, then we started descending. This will be a short descend. After less than 2 hours, we then arrived at the pick up point were the jeepney was waiting. On the way to Tungko we got flat tires (are we too heavy?). It is lunch time when we arrived at Tungko, the other planned on going home already and the majority of us were still planning on what to do. The decision, go to sir Rufo's house to take our lunch.

We stayed at sir Rufo's house until almost midnight. Thanks sir Rufo for your place. It was a very fun post climb/celebration. It was very fun thanks to sir Jimmi.