My 2013 Journey

The First thing I thought as I begin composing this article is, that I have not written my 2012 year in review. I should do it sometime within next year, that year had a load of emotional/physical struggles that is not worthy writing for me.

Annus mirabilis is a Latin phrase that means “year of miracles.” If ever there was an annus mirabilis for me and my travels, it should have been 2013. I should say miracles really do happen.

2013 was a big year of travel and climbing for me. This past year,2013, I became more aware of my life's journey. 

My year started out slow with some health conditions that i should always put first if ever i will travel or climb. I then took a much needed break and forced myself to relax my feet at home for 2 months, then after making sure that I'm fit to travel, right away i pack my bags and begin my journey.

Here’s what happen in 2013, each one characterized by a highlight of the tour.

***Cordillera Region tour

I meet and eat with the locals from banaue batad, mayoyao , hapao, and hungduan. I explore the natural environment including a visit to the rice terraces clusters which is a UNESCO World heritage site and waterfalls.I witnessed one of the most dramatic looking sunsets in Batad and challenge myself for a great hike after my near death experience just 2 months ago. When I'm not exploring the villages i just stay at an old ifugao house drinking a cup of coffee. I don’t want to give too much away, i'll just say i’ll be back again exploring the mountains,soon.

***Tarlac and Pangasinan adventure

Nothing in Tarlac and Pangasinan impressed me enough till I reached Patar in Bolinao. I experience the province's diversity, lifestyle and warm hospitality. I get the opportunity of visiting old churches, waterfalls and enjoys their delicacy.I laso get the change to do a solo climb up Mangatarem's untouched mountains.

***Exploring tinipak river and daraitan caves

It wasn’t a hike, but the highlight of the day was seeing the raging river ,and defeat my fear with caves. 

***Revisited Ilocos Region

Finally Im back aftr 4 yrs.. I missd ds place so much.. I miss d coffee facing d whtesand in pagudpud. Time flies rily fast, alot of changes hapen n d place but d memories is still intact,can still rmembr my 1st visit in ilocos waybak 2001..then my nxt visit in 2003,2005,2007 an lastly in 2009 b4 my weddng. D experiens of vigan,ilocos, d sinking tower,old churches,d lighthaus,viaduct,falls an my 1st tym adventure to tugegarao.. Hay i miss ds place..

***Fallsineering Adventures

it has been 10 years after my first visit to mt famy, now commonly known as mt romelo.THis is my 2nd mountain after mountaineering was intoduced to me.Thanks so much master jc batayola for this opportunity and to my best climbing/adventure buddy jackie mildew.. it is really great... chasing waterfalls at Daranak, Batlag, Maybunga, Matabungka and Buntot Palos

***Visita Iglesias 

Got to visit several old churches in Rizal,laguna and Quezon.

***My Pinatubo revenge,Mt Maranat and the hidden Falls,Mt Pico de Loro, Mt Humarap , Mt Romelo, San Jose Circuit, Mt Balingkilat and my yearend climb to Batulao.

***beachineering 2013

Cagbalete, san felipe, Borawan, Patar and Pagudpud. Nothing compares to the views of the sunset and sunrise at beach front.

In 2013…

... I climb 13 mountains and 8 waterfalls

... I visited 1 century old lighthouse

... I gain more friends

Somehow 2013 did not disappoint me. I learned so many lessons, not just about me , but with other people and the surroundings. I'm proud to say I have grown as a person. 

For now, I’d like to thank each single person who been a part of my Journey. Especially to jackie and kennet who been very good to me. To sir Jojo and rochelle. Thank you guys for being my climbing/adventure/travel/kumare/kumpare buddy. I really appreciate all your support throughout 2013 and I hope to see you and travel/climb again next year. 

Like I said before , 2013 was an amazing year for my  travel and climb, and there is still so much more that I want to do and share with all of you.

I dont want to plan because it may not push through. Like i always said " i living each day as if its my last day". Living your life means you are going where no one has gone before. Make your life a wonderful journey.

Enjoy travelling!!

Batulao: Before the year ends

Time goes by really fast.Before I knew it 2013 was over. With days dwindling down on 2013 I have been looking back on what has been the hardest year of my life.With all the ups and downs, all the fun and hard times, all the good and bad stuff. What a great year it has been.Hiking has been the glue that has helped keep my sanity in these times with quiet moments to think and reflect. I had time for one last hike this year and headed to Mt batulao with my best climbing/travel/kumare buddy Jakie.In the end I can say my climbing had some major ups and downs as well, but indeed 2013 is a great year.But 2013 must be even better. How? Just climbing even harder throughout the year. Find more good friends.Enjoy family.Love.

Scrambled the peak via new to old trail traverse route hiking along the beautiful ridgeline. There are eight "false summits" ( i Lost my count) all the way to the summit. The new to old route is a a bit scary but easy. Overall it was a great peak. tired, but the view of the Cascades (all of them from Mt. talamitam, mt pico de loro and mt maculot ) is breathtaking. It doesn't get much better than this.

We started at 8:00am and reached the summit at 10.15am. we took the old trail for our descend and enjoy some buko along the way.

It was a good day.

daraitan exploration... spelunking 103

exploring tinipak river and daraitan caves!!

Finally! I’ve thought of something to post so suddenly.

Although the photographs don't do the trip justice, a picture is worth a thousand words, so the photographs will tell most of the story.

We visited many areas,emphasis on this particular trip will be on the more adventurous aspects of what turned out to be a remarkable journey. Along the way we met some mountaineers , friendly locals,saw giant insects, crawled on our bellies through underground caves, raging rivers, witnessed what nature can really offer to us. 

It wasn’t a hike, but the highlight of the day was seeing the raging river , crossing it and doing the cave 103.

The stunning limestone mountains that tower over Daraitan are riddled with caves of all kinds. Some are large with spectacular stalagmite and stalactite formations, while others are so small you can barely squeeze inside. We only entered the first cave that was rather easy but it’s definitely not for claustrophobic people!

The campsite was a real paradise. It was a beautiful location on a clear and fast river with high forested bluffs lining each side of the river. After a swim in the river, we rested and relaxed . We had a nice bath and swim and settled down for lunch before our trek back through the jungle. The rocks formation were impressive. It was a great day.

San Jose Circuit

It was a party weekend. Yes, I could have gotten dressed up and gone to parties. Yes, I could have gone watching movies. Yes, I could have gone to trinoma. I could even have gone to Tagaytay since LM invited me.But that’s not the way i do things after i agreed to join the san jose circuit with sir Jhunie.

It was another rainy day, but that wasn’t going to deter me anymore. The hike was short, straightforward, and delightful, and thanks to my cousin reynald who joined me in this climb. 

The long scenic drive from Tarlac city follows the san jose proper going to barangay san pedro with the 3 peaks in full view most of the way (eventhough We see clouds elsewhere in the sky). Today, I experience a special day and will be a lifetime memory.The air is much cooler when we hop from the jeepney and the scent of moist rainforest hangs in the air like perfume.

That morning we left jump-off at 7:30 am, clouds appear along with brief showers.Visibility may be low due to heavy clouds and afternoon rains are common. This climb was steep and very muddy thanks to the overnight rains. Throughout the day it continued to rain, off and on, and iam totally soaked.Thank god for the plastic bags I packed that save my camera.

The effects of rain and mud can be very strenuous on the body. Correspondingly, chances of unsuccessful 3 peak summit also decreases. But the majority of the group decided not to complete the circuit and just be contented with the 2 peaks. 

The ridge around san jose was wide and amazing.By the time we reached the summit of Mt kawayan the cloud was breaking up and glimpses of the peaks were appearing and then disappearing. It was a pretty awe-inspiring experience and made me realize how lucky I was to experience such amazing scenery. We did not hang around for long , after our lunch we started another hike going to mt bungkol baka. As we travelled back along the ridge, the cloud swirled in and out and I wondered if the summit at mt bungkol baka would give us a clear view of Tarlac province. As we drove up, the skies were dark and threatening, not something we’ve ever encountered before. Just as we walked over the top the clouds reveal an amazing view of Tarlac and the neighboring province ( dont know what ??) and the barangay where we started, which serve as our jump-off. We took some pictures,and I've never felt more alive than when I'm sitting perched on the very peak of the mountain, but then rain started to fall. Again, something we are expecting. I wasn’t looking forward to spending 5 more hours in the rain (We were, however, prepared for it.) Unfortunately it was going to be a traverse along the ridge and then retrace our steps back again then pass Mt tangisan going back to jump-off. At 3 pm ( exhausted and hungry ) we were hiking along the ridge just as the rain began to fall again (heavy rain this time). The climb and walk back down is much easier but still requires plenty of concentration. While climbing backwards down the muddy rocks. With all the previous climb I have done recently, I felt short on this climb, going down the ridge feels unending.Unluckily for us, heavy rain is with us on our way down which make it more harder. Typical! Oh well maybe it surpass my muddy experience with romelo and daguldol. Nothing can be dried at this point. But despite the cold and dampness I kept pace better than I thought I would. I’m definitely the slow one in the group, but I thought I’d be a lot slower. Some parts of the climb were really scary so I had to mentally push myself (river crossing (plenty of it!!) – I HATE river crossing and the slippery rocks you’re required to balance on to cross them). Again, thank god for my hiking poles that eventually give up ( SAD!). We reached the jump off around 7 pm and right away group is getting ready to go home. 

Climbing San jose circuit is one of the best things to do in Tarlac. It is exhausting, exhilarating, and leaves you with the ultimate bragging rights. But those bragging rights come at a cost – the 2 mountains (bungkol Baka and kawayan is not an easy mountain to climb. It involves rain, muddy trail and spending most of the trek in the river. Oh yeah, and back, knee, and foot problems.

As terrible as my other climbs, I would do it all over again. This climb is the ultimate test of endurance and I’ve never experienced such extreme rushes of adrenaline for a long time, the feeling is highly addictive. I’m going to cherish my san jose circuit memories for the rest of my life. 

I pushed myself to the absolute limit and it was clear that the this is what others did too (i think , except for sir jhunie and sir toto .. harkur si sir!!:) ).

For those who favor a less crowded climb i highly suggest san jose circuit. Climbing San Jose Circuit (DAYHIKE ) takes a lot of preparation. i must say climber should begin planning their trek in advance and must be physically and emotionally ready.