Three Mountains, One Day

It’s been a while since I had my last entry to this blog.  It’s about time that I should update and share my adventures.  How about starting with the latest?

 Last June 15, 2014 together with friends Rosalyn and Rogemar,  we embarked on a three mountain, one day challenge.  This is actually in preparation for some running events in the future.  Our original plan is to hike Mt. Batulao, Mt. Talamitam, Mt. Marami  & Mt. Pico de Loro.  Yes, 4 mountains in a day.  The proximity of the mountains to each other gives us confidence that we can do it.  We ended hiking just 3 and missing Mt. Pico de Loro.

We agreed to meet as early as 3 am at the Integrated Bus Terminal (Coastal Mall).  We are supposed to start at Mt. Marami, then Mt. Pico de Loro, then Mt. Talamitam and Mt, Batulao being the last one. Upon learning though that the first trip to Magallanes( the jump off to Mt. Marami)  from Naic  is still 7:30 am, we decided to start at Mt. Batulao.  We boarded a Nasugbu bound bus which departed at the terminal at around 3:45 am.  After about 1 hour and 40 minutes, we were already at Evercrest (jump off to Mt. Batulao).  Before we started, we had a quick breakfast at one of the carenderias. 

At exactly 6 am, we started our trek.    We opted to walk than ride a tryk from the highway to the foot of Mt. Batulao.  After 20 minutes of walking we reached the foot and started to negotiate the trail of the mountain.  We had a nice weather.  We reached camp 1 at around 7 am.  Hikers who camped at the area were having their breakfast.  We registered and paid 20 pesos each.  I also took some pictures.  We continued the trek and by 7:40 am, we reached the summit. 

at the summit of Mt. Batulao

We rest for a while and had our pictures taken.  After more or less 10 minutes at the summit, we started our descent towards the new trail.  We reached the camp site of the new trail after 20 minutes.  We registered and paid another 20 pesos each.  After resting for a while, we commenced our descent.  This time we were running on the trail. 

the rugged peaks 

We encountered hikers on their way up.  We stopped at one of the kubos and asked for buko to rehydrate.  After consuming the buko, we continued our way down walking and running.  We completed the hike in 3.5 hours.  Not bad! 

the nearby mountains 

To continue, we boarded a bus going to Nasugbu and had us drop at Brgy. Bayabasan (jump to Mt. Talamitam).  It was past 10 am when we registered and paid 20 pesos each.  After registering we began our trek right away.  We are already feeling the intense heat of the sun.  Thanks God the early part of the trail was covered with trees.  I was also delighted to see mango and java plum trees bearing fruits.  In fact we had several stops under java plum trees and munched on its fruits. 

Java Plum bearing fruits

  By 10:40 am, we were at the grassland slope.  We slowed down a bit due to the heat of the sun.  After a little while, we reached the 60 degree trail leading to the peak.   At exactly 11:15 am, we reached the top.  The group who were at the top already descended when we arrived.  We had the peak all to ourselves!  From the top we can see the surrounding towns and nearby mountains.

at the summit of Mt. Talamitam

  After taking pictures and resting for a while, we descended.  We ran our way down the slopes.  We passed by the other group who were resting under a tree.  We were at the jump off at around 1 pm.  We completed the hike in 2.5 hours.  We proceeded to one of the carederias at the jump off to have our lunch. 

at the grassland of Mt. Talamitam

After our lunch, we rested for a while before boarding a jeepney to the tryk terminal at Amuyong.  We paid 15 pesos for the jeepney fare.  We then boarded a tryk that brought us to Magallenes and paid 100 pesos each.  It was a long drive of almost 45 minutes.  Traditionaly, the entrance to Mt. Marami is at Brgy. Ramirez, but we opted to enter at Brgy. Talipusngo.

the wide and open trail of Talipusngo

  After we registered and paid 20 pesos, we started the trek at around 3 pm.  The trail was wide open and flat.  We walked and ran under the sun.  It seemed that trail is longer compared to the Ramirez trail.  We had several stops along the trail as we’re feeling tired already.

 my friends Roge and Val trail running 

 We encountered locals and hikers who were a bit surprised seeing us just on our way to the summit at that time of the day.  We just continued our trek and by 6:30 pm, we were at the summit.  Unfortunately, the fog began to envelop the summit denying us of any view.  We did not stay long at the summit as it was getting dark already.  It was also by this time that we decided not to continue the trek to the last mountain.  Traversing the unfamiliar trail from Mt. Marami to Mt. Pico de loro at night would be risky.  Also, considering the time if we will push to the last mountain, we will arrive at the jump off (DENR) very late or worse early the next day.  So we called it a day.  We trekked back and exited at Brgy. Ramirez.  It was already past 9 pm when we reached the community, exhausted and hungry.  The trail of Mt. Marami seemed to be twice or even thrice longer than that of Mt. batulao and Mt. Talamitam.    It took us 6.5 hours to complete the hike.   We had to stay overnight at the Brgy. as there was no more vehicle that would bring us to Naic. 

the foggy "silyang bato" of Mt. Marami

It was never easy and it was tiring.  Our limits were tested.  One thing is for sure though, I liked it!   I’m not closing to the four mountains, one day idea.  I know it’s doable.