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.

Mt. Maculot

I've been hearing and reading good reviews about Mt. Maculot ever since I became an outdoor enthusiast.   Mt. Maculot is a mountain in Batangas, a province south of Manila.  It stands at 930 meter above sea level, a minor climb which features scenic views of Taal Lake, rock formations, and forests.  The good reviews on this mountain gave me excitement that on Nov. 10, 2012 I did a traverse day hike together with my college classmates Ronie and Marie Rose.

Distant view of Mt. Maculot

Early morning of Nov. 10, we met at Ceres bus station in Cubao.  We boarded the bus that left at around six in the morning.  We reached the town of Cuenca in Batangas two hours later and paid 155 pesos each for the fare.  Cuenca is the town in Batangas where the jump off to Mt. Maculot is.  We dropped by at the police precinct to register and for our last minute preparations.  By eight thirty in the morning, we started the trek going to the foot of the mountain.  We opted not to seek a guide as we were confident on the research we did regarding the mountain days before the climb. 

at the foot of Mt. Maculot

After twenty minutes of walking, we finally reached the foot of the mountain.  It is from here where the real trek begun.  We started from a cemented road which disappeared minutes after.  Good thing the trail was partly covered with trees, that even if it was a sunny day we’re not bothered at all.  The trek continued gradually ascending until we reached a part of the trail where there was a kid selling buko juice.  We took a five-minute rest and ordered a buko juice.   We continued our trek, this time we seemed to be catching our breath.  Again in another part of the trail, we encountered a man selling buko juice.  We took another stop but opted not buy a buko juice and instead drink our trail water.  I noticed that we already gained a considerable altitude enough to give us a glimpse of the taal lake. 

in one of the rest stops

We resumed our trek after a couple of picture taking.   This time, no more trees to cover the trail until we reached the camp site.   We headed straight to the rockies as the camp site was crowded.  The rockies is Mt. Maculot’s charm.  It creates a very scenic view of the entire Taal Lake including of course the famed Taal volcano.  From rockies, other mountains in Batangas and nearby provinces are visible too.  Even parts of Mindoro Island are apparent on a clear day.

at the rockies

The trail going to the rockies was a bit challenging.  One should be extra cautious in negotiating it as there’s always that possibility to slip or slide with your body parts hitting the boulders.  When we got to the rockies, it was just beautiful that we spent almost an hour picture taking.  We explored its different parts, going up and down on its boulders.    We didn’t seem to care that it was already high noon and that we’re exposed to the intense heat of the sun.   We did enjoy especially when other hikers went down and we have the whole rockies to ourselves. 

at the rockies

Taal Volcano as viewed from the Rockies 

My companions were still in great joy with the rockies experience when I told them that we need to go down.  We headed back to the camp site and ate our packed lunch.  We rested for a while after we consumed our lunch.  At exactly one thirty in the afternoon, we resumed our trek this time heading to the summit.  The sun was high but fortunately the trail to the summit was forested.   Some parts of the trail were even concealed by over grown grasses.  There were also wild flowers along the way that catches our attention.  After thirty minutes of trekking, the trail became steeper reminding us that we are nearing the summit.  We made several stops to re hydrate.  We continued our trek until we hear the voices of the group that trekked ahead of us.   

thick forest leading to the summit

Finally after an hour and thirty minutes of trekking we reached the summit.    From the summit we saw a portion of the rockies and Taal lake.  Taal volcano and its crater lake were also visible.  We took several pictures before we decided to descend to the other side of the mountain leading to the Grotto.  We can still hear the voices of the other group hence, we followed them thinking they are trekking the right trail.  Minutes after we banded with them, I noticed that the trail seemed dead.  At the back of my mind, knowing that the mountain is popular and frequented by hikers the trail couldn't be like that.  We were lost.  We decided to backtrack to the summit leaving the other group while I was trying to recall what I read on the accounts of those who were able to traverse the mountain. 

the Grotto

We got back to the summit and surveyed the area.  We found the right trail concealed by over grown grasses.    In as much as we’d like to inform the other group, they were already far.  We were also looking at the time; we’re a bit worried that the night might fall upon us while still on the trail.  We hurriedly descended and minutes later we reached the rope segments.  We carefully negotiated this steep part of the trail and continued our descent with increased pace.   By four thirty in the afternoon, we reached the Grotto.  We stop for a while to take some photos.  It was a beautiful afternoon.  The sun was slowly setting down on a clear blue sky.    We followed the station of the cross on our way down until we reached the end of the trail.  

the sunset

We then took a ride to the police precinct where we freshen up and change clothes.  Then we proceeded to look for a place where we can have dinner.  We found one and the foods were delicious.  It was already past seven in the evening when we boarded a bus going to Manila.  All three of us were dead tired and asleep while on board the bus.  Who cares?  We did have a good climb.

my friends 

 

wild berry

taal lake

wild flower