Revisiting Mt. Maculot

Enjoy each climb and have fun in the trail.

That was my thinking for Climbing every mountain, a mind set i had set for myself when i started mountaineering. Along with climbing partner Jackie ( my adventure/climbing / kumare buddy) , Mam Nyrene and Sir Jc, I set out on what would be one of the most physically challenging adventure after a long time.

From the beginning, our speedy paced climb toward each stations in Maculot was painfully strenuous and it didn’t help that we have to stop for 1 hour on every station for a long break.

Short, and difficult, was the climb to Maculot .With careful negotiation and navigation through the Rockies of maculot i was blessed with a scenic view of the whole Taal Lake including the world famous Taal volcano. Awestruck by the spectacle of Rockies of maculot, i found myself in the middle of the bolders and high cliffs.Mesmerized, i turned to witness the beauty of Taal slowly appearing then breaking away and disappearing because of heavy fog.

The reason why I wanted to go back in Maculot is its majestic view from the Rockies. And, Maculot has plenty to offer beyond the Rockies, from the campsite, one can continue to the peak and the Grotto on the other side of the mountain.

Mt. Maculot is a very nice climb, and its popularity is understandable in Mountaineering Community. This is one of my highly recommended dayhikes Near Metro Manila.

MT. MACULOT

Cuenca, Batangas

Jump-off point: Brgy. Poblaction, Cuenca

LLA: 13°55’15″N; 121°2’30″E; 706 MASL

Days required / Hours to Rockies: Half day / 1-2 hours

Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-3

My Travelogue to amazing lighthouse edition 2 : Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

The lighthouse is situated on Vigia de Nagpartian Hill, an area so naturally beautiful and it’s begging you to explore on foot. But If you’re not up for the walk, the easy option is to simply drive up.

The lighthouse is just one more flight of stairs, and the reward at the top is worth it. You can see a panoramic view of the sea. 

At the top, spend some time to appreciate the beauty all around you and you can also step inside the lighthouse to learn about its history and significance.

The mixed eerie and amazing feeling that this lighthouse brings might be the reason why tourists keep coming back to Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.

This attraction is definitely worth a visit.

Fast facts that may help you on the trip:

1.Coming from Manila you have to travel to Burgos, Ilocos norte.

2.From Maharlika Highway you can walk to the lighthouse (though the walk is a bit long ).From the highway, there is a signage of Cape Bojeador which leads to the lighthouse.

3.Or, you can get there by getting a tricycle tour in Pagudpud.

Dayhiking Mt. Sembrano.. 04/29/12

Whether you wish to go solo or begin in a group, Climbing Mt Sembrano is a good option.

After pulag , i joined this fun dayhike climb with Master Jc, Jackie , sir Ace and some other happy go lucky mountaineers.

The past year has truly been a test of endurance in my climbing , and i want to see how I can get through some fears and achieve my goals, no matter what.

My bags were packed with enough water and food, ready and relaxed , wanting to finish the climb as early as possible.

Overall Sembrano experience was fantastic but if I were to do it again I think I’d opt for a sunset or sunrise experience. With easy and open hiking trail and a gorgeous waterfalls, this destination is ideal for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors.

I think it’s fair to say I Enjoy Sembrano…..!

Pulag : my surreal encounter

I was just coming off of a busy and tiring weeks at work and was feeling the need to relax.So, when my climbing friend Master Jc batayola invited me to join him for a weekend climb to Mt. Pulag via Akiki trail I jumped at the opportunity right away.

Pulag is known for their rugged high peaks, long hours of  hiking trails and epic mountain climbing experience.It's about the thrill of the challenge and the fun.I know for me at least, stunning scenery can be really distracting from denr all the way to akiki jumpoff , so just make sure to keep your eyes on the road most of the time.

We walked in silence all the way to the akiki trail visitor's center, our unspoken words shrouded by the damp,misty and cold air. Rain begins to fall as we arrive at the registration center, Would heavy rain stop us? Bad weather thwarted the start of our ascent, which is a bit of a letdown. I struggled to be more optimistic, because you never know what the weather might bring.

The heavy rain continues that night, our itinerary was at risk, our first night was spent at a school nearby. Sad, but our safety should always comes first. The next day the weather has improved! There was a chance now that we could start our hike and try to summit the next day. My hopes soared. We scrambled to get ready,started our hike early at 4 am,  then dashed off, feeling shrewd, like we could outsmart the weather. But no, weather had other plans. The weather changes, and after the akiki trail off to marlboro heavy rains begins to fall again.

After doubting myself climbing Mt. Pulag via Akiki trail again after several years, i was thrilled to accomplish each day’s itinerary. Akiki trail is a great way to feel a sense of accomplishment from strenuous hiking and to see the spectacular views starting from Eddet river all the way up to the Pine forest of the killer trail and off to marlboro country.

We moved along very carefully (as in very very careful..being the sweeper of the group together with master JC and Sir Tolits) finding and holding our own pace, and turned up the killer trail. The path was defined and fresh with amazing pine trees, and it awarded us with a reasonably amazing views of the surrounding peaks. Over the next five hours, with my knees weak from the weight of my packs, I'm still happy and content, if not forced, to stop every other hour (may kasama pang power nap na 1 hr sa trail).

Eventually we arrived at what would be our campsite for the night which is at the saddle camp: an unassuming and designated campsite below the summit. It offered us a place to set up our tent (luckily for me my tent is set up already when i arrived at saddle, courtesy of my porter) and had inspiring views of the surrounding peaks. Once settled in, i immediately went inside my tent and started the much needed rest and good night sleep after a very long hike.

But I’ve come to realize that just because I did not make the summit doesn’t mean I failed. There’s so much more to it than that. And, I believe that i just conquered myself rather than i conquered Mt. Pulag.

My Tapulao Experience

When people talk about mountain climbing, Mt Tapulao is on everyone's topic. Discussions usually involves the long trek going to the peak, expose to sun trail and the near zero temperature at the summit. I did not go on my first hike to Tapulao until 2010. I could blame it on some facts i heard from others who experience the deadly trail.  Having never gone and tried tapulao, I didn’t see the value and always declined when asked.

Since my decision to climb Mt Tapulao came at the right time with the right people to climb with i consider myself lucky completing the climb.

With so much at stake , I was being extra dedicated , careful , not to get injured or get sick completing this climb.

I had a lot of fun on our climb with great friends. Thanks to jackie, Kenneth, Gang2 , sir Jc and sir Marlon. It is a perfect warm up for climbers wanting to go to Pulag or for someone looking for a challenging climb.

I fell in love with climbing Mt Tapulao and with the life lessons i will keep in my heart forever, the experience was exhilarating. I hope to do it again soon.

Mt. Balagbag via Licao

I first heard of Mt. Balagbag in 2010 while preparing for a Pulag climb. Back then the mountain was not really famous with mountaineers itself, and I had to ask info's to find out much about the place.

This mountain is part of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, a great destination since its near my place. The trail is easy but as you ascend uphill you are expose to the sun which for me is the hardest part of the trek.

Additional attraction of Mt. Balagbag include some waterfalls and small rivers along the way. The summit is also good for Bikers.

Thanks so much Kenneth, Rowell and Pia for joining me in this climb.

MT. BALAGBAG
Rodriguez, Rizal
First jumpoff: Sitio Karahume, Brgy. Macabud, Rodriguez
second jumpoff: Sitio Balagbag, Brgy. San Isidro, Rodriguez
LLA: 777 MASL (unverified)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1-2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-2

I love climbing...

Hiking is one of my passions. There seems to be a point on every hike i make where fatigue sets in. Much like life, i can either turn around easily or push through the difficulty. Choosing the latter, i receive the payoff by reaching the peak and basking with our god's creation.

Why do you climb? A frequently ask question on my every climb.

Climbing draws allure and mystery of life to me. When i was growing up in North view , filinvest i went to school passing through some hills. That is where i grow up and made it. Now, those are not “mountains” when you compare them to the mountains on Sierra Madre or Benguet, but I remember hiking and passing through this hills in Filinvest for the first time in grade school and how it made a huge impact in my life. I think that is where my love for hiking and mountain has started.The sense of awe and wonder I get from being at the top of the hills has never gone away since that time.

Mountain top experiences are called just that for a reason,and  i want to prove myself that i can do anything i set myself to do.First there is the peacefulness of being at the peak of a mountain.Then there is the camaraderie of friends working up a mountain not as individuals but as a team.It also has some spiritual quality to it. I feel very blessed and close to God when I am in the mountains.And lastly, the challenge of making each step on a steep ascend knowing that a mistake could be deadly and the next step will be rewarding.

Although hiking comes with danger I think it's invigorating to do something dangerous and make it through. Also, thrill seeking may be a way to let go of one's fears, to face them and overcome them. Holding on to fear is letting something control your life. Doing dangerous stuff is letting go of that fear and I feel it lets me put things into perspective. I also enjoy confronting my fears and dealing with them rather than let them control me.

I have challenged myself to complete each climb eventhough sometimes it pushes my boundaries. What a huge difference it makes in my enjoyment of life. And, there is nothing like the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a climb. Now that I’m married with a family, i hope one day i can take my boys on a hiking adventures. I hope one day they’ll appreciate the beauty that is all around them and the satisfaction that come from experiencing God’s works.