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
                     

   



 

        

Salomon Trail Run 2015. A sweet revenge.

Joining the event last year was a humbling experience for me.  I experienced my first ever DNF in running.  I was able to finish the 32K run though, but 30 minutes beyond the 7 hours cut-off time. While on our way home that day, I tried to think what have gone wrong. In my mind, I had two things.  

First.  I lacked the right amount of training.   Honestly, I was just banking on my mountaineering experience and a number of road runs.  I was new to the sport having joined a single event.   It was finishing the Love a Tree Trail Run 2014, under 32K distance category, that gave me the confidence to register for Salomon Trail Run 2014.  I was so wrong into thinking that because I was able to finish the former, I will also be able to finish within the cut-off time the latter.   I failed to consider that each event is unique and has its own level of difficulty.  Prior to the event, I was only doing jogs (not even consistent) on flat and cement roads when what is better is to actually train on trails.  

the elusive medal

Second.  I failed to study the event, location, and the trail.  Come race day, I was clueless of what to expect trail-wise.  I was again so wrong into thinking that the trail would be just like my first trail run.  I was caught off-guard of the series of steep ascents and descents.  I was not prepared for the intense heat.  I was not expecting to run on the sand.  All these, I could have prepared myself have I done a research.  It was only after, that I learned that it was already the second staging of the event on the same location (Hamilo Coast, Nasugbu) and that Salomon trail run is known and has a reputation of giving its runners a hard challenge, that Salomon trail run is not a walk in the park.

Realizing all these, somehow eased my mind.  DNF happens.  A runner should not be discouraged but be motivated to train harder.  It was for me a learning experience.   I promised to come back this year more prepared and ready to take on the challenge.   

This year, the event was held on a new location at the Anvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan.  Again, the event was well attended with many of the elite Filipino trail runners present.  I was also happy to see some of my friends in running and mountaineering joining the event.  Some, their first time.  

friend Rosalyn, Adrian,& Javee                     (c) Javee

Trail-wise.  If I have to compare, the trail of Anvaya Cove was less challenging than that of Hamilo Coast.  Runners would not end up whining about a series of steep ascents and descents because the Anvaya trail was mild on it.  The numerous river crossings was annoying though but a relief when we started to feel the intense heat of the sun.  The 3 kilometers shoreline was another annoying part of the trail.  How can someone run with speed on rocks and boulders and sand.  But it is part of the Salamon challenge that runners have to endure.  This is not to underestimate, but if I have to rate the Anvaya trail from the scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, I would give 7.  It is still challenging especially for runners who came unprepared.   However, as compared last year, this year's percentage of finisher was high.

                  reaching the finish line          (c) RP

As usual I stated slow.   Normally I recover from sore legs after about 5 kilometers of running.  However, last Saturday it lingered for a while.  It was only after 8 kilometers that sore legs was gone.  Recovering, my pacing improved catching up with some runners.  The first few kilometers of the trail was a combination of cement road, dirt road, and farmlands.  My game plan was to spent at least 11 minutes per kilometer so that I still have a buffer of 1 hour.  After 2 hours of running,  I have covered more or less 15 kilometers of the route and was averaging 8 minutes per kilometer.  I was pretty well on my game plan.  During the first two river crossings, I was removing my trail shoes.  I was afraid that I might get leg cramps and blisters while running on wet shoes.  However, later on I found it time consuming and decided not to remove it anymore.  Thank God! No blisters nor leg cramps the entire run. 

After 4 hours of running, I was down to the last 8 kilometers of the route.  The 3 kilometers of this was a shoreline.   This was the part of the trail where I spent much time.  I can hardly ran on rocks, boulders, and sand. I think I spent almost an hour on this part.  It was big relief when I was able to get to the other end of the shoreline, a kilometer away from the finish line.  Exhausted, I still managed to run on a very slow pacing.  After a total of 5 hours and 40 minutes of running I  reached the end of the route.  I felt redemption.  


What have I done right to finish the run within the cut-off time this time around?  Well, I trained not just on road but on trail as well.  I study the route through available information online though no actual recon.  I devised a game plan and followed it.  Lastly, I was determined on my goal to finish it.

Congratulations to all finishers especially to all my friends.  I'd like to thank and acknowledge some dear friends, my fellow codErunners Adrian and Rosalyn who trained with me.  Lastly, thank you to the people behind Salomon Trail Run 2015 for another challenging trail running event. Until next year!

my running and mountaineering friends                                   (c) Ella