DM 300 Ver. 4

Deadman's 300 or DM300 is a trail running event held in the sierra madre mountain ranges covering parts of Rizal province.  Organized by Meljohn "Boypi" Tezon a seasoned ultra trail and road runner, this event draw a sizable number of participants mainly because of the very affordable registration fee.  Runners can choose between 30K and 50K categories and shell out 300 pesos for the the former and 500 pesos for the latter.   With these amounts, runners get a trucker cap, event shirt, a well supplied aid stations, a medal and a post race meal. 

 What is more amazing about this event is that the proceeds from the registration fees are donated to a beneficiary school in the community where the event is held.  This year is the 4th year of staging of the event and I'm happy to be a part of it for the first time. I signed up in the 50K category.  As expected, a community of runners are present.  Trail friends and familiar faces in trail running all together.  

After the short briefing by the RD, 50K runners are released at exactly 2:30 am.  Starting and end point is at "The Rock" resort in Brgy. San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal.    We need to be backed at the starting line on or before 4:30 pm.  As always, I had a slow start.  But as soon as I get my rhythm I picked up my pacing.  I arrived at the first aid station at Sitio Macaengalan (Km. 10) after 2 hours.  

Days prior to the event, rain has been pouring.  This made the trail extra challenging.  Continuing the run after AS 1, a muddy and slippery trail greeted us.  Navigating the muddy trail requires extra effort which left me on the verge of getting leg cramp.  I was prompted to look for a salt upon arrival at AS 2.  

The ascent to the rocky summit of Lubog at around 600 masl is one of the highlights of DM300.  However, extra precaution is needed ascending the peak.  The trail to the peak aside from slippery has sharp rocks and boulders.  One slide and I will surely end up getting bruised or worse, injured.  I reached the peak at the break of dawn, unharmed.  Going down is a lot harder.  Halfway I slide and fall, butt first.  Thankfully aside from a scratch on my left arm, nothing more serious happens.

The rocky summit of Lubog

I was exhausted after Mt. Lubog but I needed to continue.  Approximately 7 kilometers further would be Matulid falls, the turnaround point.  While walking, I consumed two bananas I pocketed from AS  1.  Somehow, these helped me navigate the ever muddy and slippery trail leading to the falls.  Honestly,  at some points I'm cursing.  I looked for a wooden stick to support my balance.  At some parts sit down and slide, the safest way I could think of.  It is a test of patience.

As soon as I get to the river, I cleared all the mud in my shoes.  At that point, based on my recon the falls is still far.  AS 3 is on the other side of the river.  There is nothing much in it but water, biscuits and very encouraging marshals. I'm prepared for more river crossings when I learned that the turnaround point will be a kilometer earlier.   Due to swelling water level, going to the falls is not safe.  

Going back, we need to navigate the lumberjack trail.  A trail that crosses the river a number of times.  If one did not conduct a recon will surely get confused.  I caught up with other runners and together we enjoyed the lumber jack trail  with all its river crossings and streams with gushing knee water level.  We stopped occasionally at some interesting spots for some group pictures.  There is a 12 noon intermediate cut-off back in Lubog.  No problem, as we are two hours safe.  

Matulid Falls - supposedly the turnaround point of the 50K runners

The sun did come out while we are at the rolling hills of deadmans but would hide in the clouds most of the times.  Despite not being sunny, it is still hot and the absence of wind is noticeable.   Our group of ten started to break into two.  I was at the lead pack.  We caught up with some 30K runners on the 2nd peak and more runners in the other peaks.

Familiar faces manned AS 4. It is a relief seeing them. I rehydrate and rest for a while. From AS 4, it is 8 km to finish line.  However this is the part of the trail that I'm not familiar with.  I am wrong in thinking that it's gonna be swift and easy. The trail that ensued is a series of another rolling hills with steep ascent and end up with a steep drop to another river.  The river though, is a welcome treat. We stay for a while to cool off.  We had 6 km to go and well within the cut-off time.  Other runners arrived at the river and joined us.

No more uphill to navigate for the last 6 kilometers.  When we get to the road, I jogged and caught up with Edward, a trail friend.  The finish line is already in sight but no rushing for the two of us.  We arrived to at the finish line with a festive atmosphere.  RD Meljohn is at the finish line to congratulate us.  Unofficially I clocked 11:55, happy and satisfied.

Kaparkan Falls

The intention of my visit to Abra is to cross out this province from my list of unvisited provinces.  It is a spur-of-the-moment decision taking advantage of the long weekend.  I've been wanting to go there many times so I gave it a go even without an itinerary.

After an 8 hours of travel from Manila, I found myself at the Partas bus terminal in Bangued, Abra.  It is still dark at 4 am so I stayed at the terminal and waited for daylight.  Thinking of what to do and where to go, I checked out google.  There are blogs narrating places of interest in the whole of Abra.  While reading, Kaparkan falls caught my interest.  Pictures of it seemed unbelievable, enough to satisfy my curiosity. I decided that I'm chasing it, however directions on how to get there is a challenge.

Tineg is the town where Kaparkan falls is located as mentioned in one of the blogs. I approached the security guard at the bus station to ask on how to get to Tineg.  Unfortunately, he had no idea but was certain how far Tineg from the capital Bangued is.  My next option is the tryk drivers stationed at the entrance of the terminal.  I asked one to drive me to the terminal where the jeepney plying Bangued-Tineg is.

  

water terraces

After a short drive, we reached not the jeepney terminal but actually a garage.  Upon inquiry with the owner/driver, I was informed that his jeepney is chartered by the tourism office of Bangued to bring tourists to Kaparkan falls that day.  He advised me to drop by the tourism office if I wanted to join the tour.

I went to the tourism office and inquire regarding the tour.  Dianne, one of the tourism officers accommodated me.  She gladly answered all my questions regarding the tour.  I learned that it is the tourism office who organizes tour to the falls usually on weekends.  I signed up and paid 800 pesos for the tour which covers the fare, tour guide and environmental fee. Food is not included.

It is already past 7 am when we left Bangued.  There are at least 25 of us stuck on the monster jeepney.  All are excited to see Kaparkan falls.  As I always prefer, I boarded on top of the jeepney which afforded me a very good view of the way.  It was a cloudy morning which dropped into a rain halfway of our destination.

enchanting cascade of water

The journey to the falls is a story of its own.  It took us almost 4 hours to reach the falls.  At first, I was enjoying atop the jeepney passing town after town.  The calvary started in Tineg when we branched out the cemented road and traversed the unpaved road leading to the falls.  The driver and his crew has to put chains around the tires of the jeepney which left me  wondering. Later on I realized how useful it is.  The way to the falls while scenic is in a very poor condition. We had to get off at some points and walk.  The rain made it even more challenging.

After enduring more than 4 hours of butt-numbing ride, we made it to our destination.  However, we had to trek for more or less 15 minutes to reach the falls.  After getting off the jeepney, I wasted no time and immediately started trekking.  The trek is easy. It's  all going down.  Nearing the falls, I can already hear the cascade of the water. It is so inviting!

Arriving at the falls, I can't hide my excitement.  Seeing the falls like how it looked  on photos is surreal.  My doubts are erased and I'm thankful I decided to chase it. Kaparkan falls is one of a kind.  It is enchanting!

choose your tub

After enjoying my lunch, I excitedly explore the falls.  The beauty of the falls is revealed to me more.  I was like a happy kid moving all around on a playground. The falls is just mesmerizing.  There is beauty every where I looked at - the water terraces, the trees covering it, the sound of its cascade. It is hard to believe that a place like that is existing.  It was worth the long and perilous journey.
  

After 2.5 hours at the falls, it is time for us to bid goodbye.  We had to leave while it was still bright.  Our stay maybe short but I enjoyed every minute of it.  Kaparkan falls is a must visit for those exploring Abra.  Simply breathtaking!


Interested in visiting Kaparkan Falls?  Contact information below might help you.

Tourism Office - Bangued, Abra
Dianne - 09277725856