Mt. Halcon

I thought it would stay a dream forever but thanks to my friends in mountaineering for making it a reality.  Mt. Halcon has always been on top of my (and I guess on every mountaineer's list) list of dream mountains to climb in the country.  However it was only lately that the mountain has opened its doors to mountaineers anew.  When a friend invited me to join an event, I did not think twice.  It's now or never.

Ms. Terry spearheaded the team from the booking of the climb to providing the needed documentation requirements to arranging our transportation means in Mindoro to securing our permit. Our group, composed of ten energetic individuals ( 8 of them I met in mountaineering, 1 a classmate in college, and Ms. Terry whom I met for the first time) are all excited to test and try the toughness of Mt. Halcon.

Located in Baco, Oriental Mindoro and standing at around 2,586 masl, Mt. Halcon is highly regarded as one of the most difficult mountains to climb in the country.  Adequate preparation before the climb is a must.  Now I can attest that yes, it is indeed tough and should never be attempted without preparation.  It took our group 3 days to complete the climb via Bayanan jump-off.

Day 1 (Dulangan Campsite)

After dropping by at the LGU of Baco (mandatory) to get our permit and settle the necessary fees, we proceeded to the jump-off at Bayanan where our guide and porters are waiting.  Our group opted to get three porter/guides ( 7:1 is the ratio per their rules) and each to carry  a maximum of 15 kls.  When every one was ready, we started the trek at exactly 8 in the morning.  The sun was up and it was a clear day.

                                                        sunrise over Mt. Halcon's summit                               (c) Chris Villapando

We started with a pacing everyone can catch up with.  As we progressed however, the lack of wind and the heat became factors that we made many rest stops along the trail.  After an hour of trekking, we passed by the 2nd Mangyan village.  By 11 in the morning, we reached a stream (water source) and decided to take our early lunch.  We then take an hour rest and decided to go by 1 pm.

As agreed, we continued the trek by 1 pm and our target is to reach and camp at Dulangan Camp site (Camp 2).  After an hour of trekking, thick rain clouds began to form.  Later on, we began hearing thunder storms.  Minutes later, heavy rain poured down on the mountain and on us.  Soaking wet, we did not stop and continued the trek.  Surprisingly, aggressive blood leeches (limatik) which is said to have a high  population in Halcon did not show its presence.

Nothing interesting about the trail nor great views until we reached the point overlooking Aplaya campsite (camp 1).  On that point, we had a full glimpse of the mountain and its thick forest and enjoyed taking photos.  The rain has stop when we reached the area.  From that view deck overlooking Aplaya to Aplya to Dulangan river was one the beautiful parts of the trail.  The area after Aplya with all the trees was reminiscent of Mt. Kanlaon's "Garden of Widow" except that trees are taller.

                                                              nearing Amplaya campsite                                       (c) Ivan Cultura

A little past 4 pm, we reached Dulangan river.  A big river with boulders and water so clear.  All of us took a dip but no body lasted long as the water was so cold.  We proceeded to the campsite up stream which was 15 minutes away .  We set up our tents and prepared our dinner.  Fried pork chops, hotdogs, corn soup, and rice filled our hungry stomach.  And we called it a night.  No socials!

                                                    Dulangan River                                              (c) Ivan Cultura

Day 2 (Summit Campsite)

We woke up to a beautiful morning, pretty much like the day before.  After a quick breakfast, we continued our trek past 8 am.  This time, the trail involved a series of steep ascents under dense jungle.  Along the trail, we encountered climbers on their way down.  There were also climbers who camped at Aplaya that passed by us.  At around 11 am, we reached the last water source and decided to eat our lunch.

                                          one of the rest stops                                        (c) Chris Villapando

By 1 pm, we continued the trek.  The trail seemed to be an endless ascents and again just like the day before, there was a heavy down pour.  It was heavy that our guide decided that we camp at the first campsite which was about 30-45 minutes away from the summit.  The campsite had trees that served as shield from fierce winds unlike the campsite in the summit which was open. It was around 5 pm, when we arrived at the campsite. We managed to set up our tents before another heavy down pour ensued which drenched our tents.

Fortunately the rain stopped after less than an hour of continues pouring.  However, the challenge was to sleep on a wet tent on a cold night.  I wasn't able to get a good sleep that night. I can feel the cold biting my feet.  My tentmate was also chilling.  All of us woke up early the next day safe and sound though.  Thanks God!

Day 3 (Summit Assault and Descent to Jump-off)

We agreed for a 4 am call time for the summit assault.  However, it was so cold outside that no one managed to get out the tent on the agreed time.  It was 30 minutes later, when we started getting out our tents.  On a cold dawn, we head our way to the summit hoping for a good clearing.

                                                     the wooden ladder                                           (c) Chris Villapando

Minutes after we left the campsite, the darkness faded and the surroundings slowly brightened up revealing the vast Halcon's wilderness, the nearby mountain ranges, and even the distant mountains of Mts. Cristobal, Banahaw, Pinagbanderahan, and Lobo.  The trail to the summit, I would say was another beautiful part of the entire trail.  From our campsite we trekked under a forest reminiscent to that of Tapulao's mossy forest before emerging into an open part of the trail with terrain reminiscent to that of Mt. Apo before finally negotiating the "knife edge" a part of the trail which Halcon is known for and after a few meters was the very summit.

We made it all to the summit! After all those afternoon rains, we're lucky to had a very good clearing.  A beautiful sunrise on a very clear morning greeted all of us. Overwhelmed, we had all our cameras working instantly capturing our alluring moments with the splendid view offered by Halcon.  Standing on the summit, I was just so thankful for the experience.  We stayed for almost 2 hours in the summit.

                                               Mt. Halcon's Knife Edge                                      (c) Ivan Cultura

Back in the campsite, we had our quick breakfast before starting our descent.  We decided to push all the way to the jump off to have time for a side trip. Our descent was fast and smooth making it to Dulungan campsite before 12 noon.  We stopped at the campsite to regroup and to had our lunch.  By 2 pm, we continued our descent, however, heavy rained poured after crossing the Dulangan river.  The downpour was heavy that it created a waterfall in one of the gullies directly flowing into the steep part of the trail which we're hesitant to cross at first.  We had to put our rope as security before all of us we're able to cross. Other streams that we passed by also had swelling waters.  Reaching Aplaya we witnessed how beautiful Halcon even after a heavy downpour.  Multiple waterfalls can be seen from the mountain's gorges.  It was a sight to behold.  Simply stunning!  

                                                                  our group at the summit                                (c) Ivan Cultura

It was on our way down that the leeches showed its presence.  I got bitten twice while my other companions had bites as many as 20.  They seemed to be everywhere and since it was already dim, noticing them with naked eyes was a challenge.  We arrived at the jump-off past 8 pm, bloodied.

The descent from the summit all the way to the jump-off was long.  It would have been less tiring had we stayed one more night in Aplaya, however we had to stick to our itinerary opting for an overnight camp by the beach.

The climb experience would be one that I'll always remember not just because it was Halcon but for some other (personal )reason.  As always, I'm grateful to share the experience with people having the same passion.  No climb is ever hard with stories, jokes, and laughter shared while on the trail.          
  

Expenses:

Transportation:
     1.  Cubao - Batangas (Jam Bus, two-way)  -  350  
     2.   RORO - Batangas Port - Calapan Port, two way ) - 380
     3.  Terminal Ticket (Batangas Port) - 30
     4.  Terminal Ticket (Calapan Port) - 20
     5.  Jeepney Rental (Calapan - Jump Off - Calapan) (3500/10 pax) - 350   

Climb Fees:
     1.   Permit - 350
     2.  Guide/Porter fee (500*3 days*3 guide/porter/10 pax) - 450

*  food expenses excluded