September had been tough. School, work and a spontaneous trip to my hometown in Bohol (no, it's not for a vacation). Thankfully, the squad was also too busy to go on a trip for the month because, yknow, FOMO.

Anyway, the plan to go to Mt. Tagapo started when Tin sent a blog post about it on our group chat. And our stressed out selves made this an inspiration to get through the following days. Also, Tin and I had this big fantasy for talahib shots, we were determined to finally achieve it.

The plan started out with about 20 people (or more), most were Tin's blockmates. Then, the week before the hike, we were left with 8. But, the trip must go on!

Mt. Tagapo

Talim Island, Laguna de Bay
Major jump-off: Brgy. Janosa (Talim Island) Binangonan, Rizal
LLA 14.32° N 121.23° E, 438 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-2

Source: PinoyMountaineer

On October 2, around 6-7AM from (everyone's favorite meet up place) Cubao, we left for Pritil Port in Binangonan, Rizal. I kept thinking how bad it was that there weren't any port near our place since Laguna Lake is only a few steps away from my house and Talim Island is just across the lake. Sighs 



After waiting for other passengers,we finally left for Talim Island. The boat ride went on for about an hour or so.

We reached Brgy. Janosa at around 10am and started climbing once our guide was available.

[caption id="attachment_600" align="alignnone" width="3264"] Bamboo Trail[/caption]

The trail wasn't so difficult which explains why the mountain is recommended for beginners.



Although some parts of the trail were shaded, it's still best to keep your skin protected against the sun.

[caption id="attachment_596" align="alignnone" width="5184"] This is me in my natural habitat (according to my very nice friends)[/caption]

Before proceeding to the summit, we first ate at the campsite. There was a tree that provided shade for those who want to rest.



Even before we arrived at the campsite, we already encountered the talahib trail which made me squeal because, Finally!



We found the perfect spot to take our ~meadowy~ shots on our way up the summit.



The trail to the top was surrounded with grass. It can get really itchy if you don't cover up. The guide told me that there would be some time in the year that they would burn or cut up the grass.

Not really sure of the burning part, but years ago I saw some part of the mountain burning from my bedroom window. Yes! My room has the best view in the house.  It was around 7-8 at night when I noticed that there was like a patch of orangey red on the mountain. I thought it was a accidental wildfire so I was like, searching for the news about it that night. Anyway, the guide said it usually happens around holy week when the mountain would be crowded.

[caption id="attachment_590" align="alignnone" width="3264"] Hi Kuya Sean![/caption]

Once we reached the top, we were able to see 360° view of Laguna Lake. It got a little cloudy though that's why the surrounding mountains and land wasn't clearly visible. I wasn't even able to use the binoculars which I borrowed just to see Sucat from up there.



From the top, you could see the fences of the fishponds on the lake. They looked like stitches to me.

We didn't get to spend too much time on the top because it looked like rain clouds were on their way to us. Once we got back to the resting place near the campsite, we started taking our talahib shots.

[caption id="attachment_690" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Jin&Tin © Sean Michael Amador[/caption]

[gallery ids="696,695,694" type="rectangular"]

[caption id="attachment_691" align="alignnone" width="2048"] We'll release our movie, someday. © Sean Michael Amador[/caption]

After taking our group picture, we started our way down. Once we were back at the base camp, we freshened up and ate merienda from the lugaw stall nearby. It tasted good enough for its price.



We took the boat going back to Pritil Port  around 4PM. We were able to witness the sunset as we traveled through the lake. Too bad, my phone wasn't nice enough to let me take nice sunset shots.

On our way home, we weren't sure where to find the jeepney going back to Manila, so we walked from Pritil Port to the nearest fast food chains. We planned to eat there but there were too many people. Anyway, we walked somewhere to find where the fx/jeepneys would be but we really couldn't find them. So, we took a tricycle to the terminal of the FX going to SM Megamall. How doid we fit 7 people in a tricycle (excluding the driver, ha)? We had Kuya Sean sit on the very front of the sidecar :)

I totally recommend this hike for those who want to get a quick escape from the stressful Manila life with a low budget. P500 would be the safest budget for this. Excluding food and other stuff, the total expenses for the fares, registration and guide took not more than P300 for us.

Please watch this video taken and edited by Kuya Sean :)

https://youtu.be/2QVtF99alhs

 

 

[caption id="attachment_689" align="alignnone" width="678"] When you want to hike but also pass your exam for the next day :) © Sean Michael Amador[/caption]

An irrelevant side story (but I still want to share because I think i'm such a genius)

Like I said, September had been really busy for me. I was trying to pull my grades up to pass Finals, especially in my Economics class. So, the week after this hike was our Final exams week. Because I had to work in the afternoon, I really didn't have enough strength to study anymore at home. Yes, that's why my grades were not up to my standards :(  But I really wanted to be in this trip, so I studied my Econ while on our way to Mt. Tagapo. I was memorizing the Agrarian Reform Law while on the jeepney and boat and then, I was reciting it aloud on our way down.

Anyway, I'm so happy I managed  to pass the semester :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, how does it feel like to witness someone roll down the hill?

Geocacher-Hikers Meet

After our Batulao hike, Tin and I was itching to go somewhere again. We introduced Geocaching* to some friends we had met from Batulove and decided we could invite them to hike Mt. Gulugod Baboy - a mountain where 5 caches hide.

*Will write about Geocaching in a separate blog post soon

So, early-August, I asked if anyone from the GeocachingPH community wanted to find the caches on Mt. Gulugod Baboy. Two weeks before the actual day of the hike, I created the event on the Geocaching website.

[caption id="attachment_345" align="alignnone" width="3264"] Logsheet of Gulugod Baboy Cache #4[/caption]

Geocaching on the mountain was definitely one of the best experience in my geocaching life. Since most of the caches I found are within the city, Makati and BGC to be exact. The caches were mostly of the same type and the GZ's were kinda full of muggles.

Our geocaching experience in GB (Gulugod Baboy  in Jin's dictionary) was definitely how I imagined to be when I first read about it on the novel.

Tin wrote a more detailed experience on her blog.

Mt. Gulugod Baboy

Jump-off point: Philpan Dive Resort, Anilao, Mabini
LLA: 13°42’55″N; 120°53’43″E; 525 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: Half-day / 1-2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-2

Source: PinoyMountaineer

Tin and I thought that the event was gonna push through with just the two of us. Luckily, Richard (which we call by his GC username, neoren) and Miko (new geocacher from Batulove), joined us. I also decided to bring my younger sister, Clyra.

The plan was to meet up at DLTB Buendia at 3AM on August 28. Since it had been raining the night before, Tin's mom was actually reluctant to let us leave at 2 in the morning (and to hike, actually). We had to sneak out of her house.

We also arrived 2 hours late at the meet up place because we woke up late. I remember I was woken up by the dream I had - we were already meeting the others at the bus station. If it wasn't for that dream, I wouldn't be able to wake up at 2:30Am and wake up Tin and Clyra.

Since we were late, we had to take GrabTaxi to Buendia. We were lucky to find a driver at that time and the fare wasn't so bad.

When we arrived at Buendia, we found Miko and Richard already talking to each other. Take note, they haven't known each other before that.



Because we were going to geocache, we didn't bother having a guide.

The first part of the trail was totally exhausting. It was on a cemented road that goes uphill. We weren't even halfway yet when we decided to already sit on the ground and eat some breakfast.

[caption id="attachment_366" align="alignnone" width="3264"] No, this is not the cemented road I was talking about. Just some cemented part of the trail :)[/caption]

After the cemented road, we had to take the trail that led us to the first geocache. We then followed this trail going up the summit. We searched for the other caches along the way.



We decided to not find the 3rd cache when our mobile data went unstable. We then proceeded to the summit.

Once we got out of the foresty part of the trail, we were greeted with a scenic view and cool breeze.

Tin and I realized how perfect the day was for climbing (and geocaching). We just knew how regretful it would have been if we cancelled the trip.

[gallery ids="376,375,374,373" type="rectangular"]

Rolling down the hill

I've never really thought that it's possible to trip and roll on a mountain and still live. (or I may have been exaggerating too much)

[caption id="attachment_364" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo taken by Tin[/caption]

Since it was my sister's first ever hiking trip (which I only brought her just so parents would allow me to go), I was being extra careful. I was being really paranoid. I kept telling her to be careful and not get injured. I mean, how would I go home and explain to parents if anything happened to her?

And, something did happen to her!

 

After our lunch at the summit, we decided to go look for caches #4 and #5.

The GPS was pointing us to an area somewhere just down the summit. Miko and Tin went off trail to go down to this tree which we thought was the one being referred to on the hint.

The rest of us thought they were already close to finding cache #5, so we followed them.

It was a little challenging going down since there's no trail and it was kind of steep. The only thing that made it easier and less dangerous were what I believe were the footsteps of cows.

I was walking ahead of my sister as we went down. Then, she said, "Ate, ang bagal mo naman." (Sis, you're so slow.)

Suddenly, she started running and went ahead of me. My overprotective-paranoid-elder-sister mode was triggered.

And then, she TRIPPED AND ROLLED!

Panic level: 999%

Seriously! I didn't know what to do. Thank God, she was able to stop rolling before she could go into the bushes that was on the edge of a cliff-like area. (Though, it wasn't really high but she would have fallen down to twigs/branches.)

If she hadn't laughed as she stood up, I definitely would have thrown a fit (or cry and never go home).

We went back up the trail after checking Clyra for injuries. And we didn't find a cache on that area.

On our way up, I saw what I thought was soil which I remembered got ruined after my stepped on and where she started log rolling. It wasn't really  soil, it was dried cow dung.

I just started laughing at her because I'm that kind of sister.

[caption id="attachment_363" align="alignnone" width="3264"] Yes, that was her before her unintended stunt.[/caption]

Once we were all back up, we went to the store nearby where we decided to rest for a while. The owners were really kind.

We also realized that it's possible to go up the mountain without so much effort, by car or bike. Coming from a different way, not the ones usually taken by trekkers. There was a parking space to where the toilets were and we saw some vans parked in there. The mountain was good for people who wants a great view without breaking too much sweat.

Since I was worried on how my sister would be able to go down with her foot, which she said was hurting, the husband of the store owner offered to take us down to the beach (with no entrance fees, just pay how much you like for the cottage) where there were jeepneys we could take to get to the bus station.

[caption id="attachment_367" align="alignnone" width="3264"] Found her like this after we got back from searching cache #4 and #3.[/caption]

[gallery ids="370,369,371,372" type="columns"]

Mt. Gulugod Baboy would be a great place to camp, watch the sunrise and sunset, and stargaze. It's also budget friendly, 600PHP at most (excluding food).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday morning rain is falling ♫♪♫

After I swore that I wouldn't climb again (because it's just not for a lazy kid like me), I found myself agreeing to my friends on joining this overnight hike event on Facebook.

The event was pretty exciting since one of the highlights is viewing the milky way. We didn't really get to see this because of the bad
bedweather. We were also thrilled by the thought of meeting new people.

So, there we were to Batangas with people we didn't know.

Mt. Batulao

Jump-off point: Evercrest Golf Course, Nasugbu, Batangas
LLA: 14.0408 N 120.8011 E 811 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-4 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3 with 60-70 degrees assault

At 1am on July 30, we met with the other attendees of the event in Cubao. There were around 30 of us that had to fit (with our big hiking bags) in 2 vans.

Our trek started at around 5am. It was still a little dark and cold. By the time the sun started showing, we could see (somehow) the surroundings enveloped in fog. The trail was also too muddy.



Since we weren't on a hurry to reach the summit, we climbed at our own pace, which made us less exhausted.



We took the old trail going up. I made the mistake of saying that it was easier than our Batolusong climb when we were on the easier parts of the trail. Once we reached the assault, I felt like regretting my life decisions.

[caption id="attachment_269" align="alignnone" width="960"] Photo taken by Tin during the rope segment.[/caption]

The summit assault was no joke, especially after the rope segment.  I already imagined how my mom would react if ever got injured (or worse) during the climb. Thank God, I got home safe and whole.

[caption id="attachment_260" align="alignnone" width="3264"] At the summit.[/caption]

We arrived at the summit at around 9am, as far as I remember. We didn't stay long though. It was kind of crowded and too hot for my liking. I also wasn't a fan of bugs that kept flying around. I'm really maarte.



Anyway, the view from the summit was definitely wonderful, if only it wasn't so foggy.



After the summit, we traversed through other peaks to reach our campsite.

[caption id="attachment_274" align="alignnone" width="3264"] Doggo <3[/caption]

We took our lunch after we set up our tents. I was really happy that I got to bring one, not knowing that I wouldn't be able to use it anyway.



Right after our socials, some of us chose to stay up til the wee hours. Those of us who were supposed to sleep on my tent were lucky (or not really) that we didn't sleep earlier, else, we would have woken up drenched from the strong rain.

We were (and still are) totally grateful to our new found friends who were kind enough to let us sleep in their tent.

One thing I learned from this hike is the importance of waterproofing. I got too reliant on my bag's rain cover that I forgot how much of a fail it is.

It was raining as we trekked down on the new trail. Since I love the rain and hate (bringing) umbrellas, I didn't bother covering myself from the rain. I was going to take a shower once we get down anyway.

What I didn't know was how soaked my bag was. The rain cover didn't save any of my things from getting wet.  Thank God, again, I brought a summer dress. I didn't know why I did though. It was the only clothing I had that could dry easily.

Lesson learned: Waterproof your pack. ALWAYS.

[caption id="attachment_296" align="alignnone" width="1920"] BatuLOVE on July 30-31, 2016[/caption]

Although there were some things I did regret, like waterproofing my things (yes, i'll repeat this over and over again, JK), I was glad that we decided to join this event.  We never got to see the milky way but we did experience a lot of things, like a stormy weather on your way down a mountain and almost doing a mudslide (literally). It was also nice to travel with people you barely know and then become friends with them.

[caption id="attachment_276" align="alignnone" width="3264"] Another adventure together![/caption]

July 30-31. The weekend right after my prelim exams, when I totally didn't do my homework for my Econ class, just so I could enjoy this hike. I didn't regret almost failing my midterms.
Kind of.

[caption id="attachment_297" align="alignnone" width="1920"] So, here I am, trying to model for the lampa queen, who wasn't able to use her camera because milky way didn't show up.[/caption]

And a series of bad decisions starts!

When it's set to actually happen..

I've always wondered how possible it is to climb a mountain.  Some time in 3rd year college, Tin and I stayed at the dorms. There, we met a roommate who's a mountaineer.

I still remember when she showed us her photos on Mt. Pulag and Mt. Pico de Loro. That how I started to think that I want to try to reach a summit.

After several mountain blogs and a long list of places we wanted to go to, Tin and I finally had this plan set. Yes, we finally got the time and budget to make it happen!

[caption id="attachment_135" align="alignnone" width="3264"] View from the summit.[/caption]

Mt. Batolusong

Major jumpoff: Brgy. San Andres, Tanay, Rizal

LLA: 645 MASL / 780 MASL

Days required / Hours to destination: 1 day /1.5h (Mapatag); 3-4 (Susong Dalaga Peak)

Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3

So, why Mt. Batolusong?

Because, SEA OF CLOUDS!!

No need to go to Mt. Pulag! And, Rizal is pretty close.

When it really happens....

Tin and I tried to invite people from Newton on this hike. Only two were eager to join us.

Before the 'big day' came, Tin, Ian and I met after work to buy the stuff we'll need. Apparently, none of us had hiking shoes. Since the budget was tight, we couldn't afford to buy good shoes. I was told that sandals would do, so I planned to buy one at Sandugo. Turns out, the three of us will be wearing matching sandals!

[caption id="attachment_130" align="alignnone" width="4128"] Thank you, Sandugo! Photo grabbed from Ian.[/caption]

We kind of felt bad for Gerald who wasn't aware of the situation. But, yeah, he already had hiking shoes.

The night before the hike, my high school friends slept at my house. I didn't think we had enough sleep though. I finished preparing at around 12MN, we had to wake up at 3AM.

We planned to meet with my college friends at around 4:30am so we could leave early and be able to catch the sea of clouds.

We met at Cubao. We were supposed to leave by 5am but due to some common reason, we left at around 6AM.

Our plan was to follow the three ride commute to the jump off,  however, since we were already behind the itinerary we were trying to follow, we got attracted to the FX driver's offer to take us directly to the jump off. That's why our expenses were higher than expected.

Under the sea of clouds

We arrived at the jump off at around 7-8 am. I was feeling giddy since it's my first hike! I mean, there was a lot to expect, but,  which one do I expect?

[caption id="attachment_128" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hello, awkward bangs! Photo grabbed from Ian.[/caption]

Kuya JM, being the one with the most hiking experience, told us to greet the locals and other hikers as we trek. It felt good to be able to smile and to say 'Good morning' and 'Take care' to total strangers. And,  it even felt better  when they smile back at you.  Unlike in the city, either strangers would think you're a freak or you have bad intentions (or you're trying to get them into some shady business) when you smile or greet them out of nowhere.

On our way to the first stop, we passed by a rice field. Since it was still early, it was still foggy. We were sure that whoever were on the summit at that time were enjoying the sea of clouds. It made us more excited.



We were met with a rocky trail as the slope started. Our plan to create a travel vid was totally forgotten.

We totally cursed everyone who said that the mountain was for 'beginners'. (Sorry!)

I couldn't stop thinking that the climb was a bad decision.

We weren't even halfway yet through the trek but we, girls, already felt like giving up. Every resting area we reach was our best friend.

[caption id="attachment_161" align="alignnone" width="3264"] Breathtaking view from somewhere along the climb. So, proud of this shot![/caption]

Almost There

After the easier part of the trail, we were faced with another slope, which is the last one before the summit. I was totally enthralled *nose bleeds* by the tall bamboos along the trail.

[caption id="attachment_131" align="alignnone" width="4128"] #NewtonTeam at the Mapatag Plateau[/caption]



The little adrenaline junkie in me was woken up when we reached the rock we had to climb before the summit. Sadly, it was only a short climb :(

[caption id="attachment_154" align="alignnone" width="2448"] These feet just reached the summit!![/caption]

First Summit

After climbing the rocks, I was met with a glorious view.  It would have been a total waste had we given up.

We had our lunch at the summit, under the shade of the trees.

We didn't plan on staying too long, because the rain clouds were on their way. But, because I had to hide my geocache, the rain already poured  before we could go down.

Because the rocks got too slippery, our guide took us on an alternative way to go down from the summit. It wasn't less difficult though. The trail was muddy and also slippery (especially if you're not wearing proper footwear).

[caption id="attachment_122" align="alignnone" width="960"] Fam! So happy that these friends of mine got along well (through a series of 'hugots')[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_126" align="alignnone" width="3264"] Clouds!!![/caption]

[gallery ids="127,132,134" type="square"]

[caption id="attachment_123" align="alignnone" width="2048"] So much[/caption]

Disclaimer: Most of the pictures were from Tin and Ian.