MOUNT BATULAO

MT. BATULAO_M02
Second Minor Climb
02.26.12
Nasugbu, Batangas
Jump-off point: Evercrest Golf Course, Nasugbu
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.
Source: Pinoy Mountaineer  

     My Pico de Loro experience was a blast! It is true that when you started something extraordinary and you liked it, you will be addicted to it. A couple of days after Pico I can't take off my mind in thinking for another hike. I want to hike on February! Well, that would be the most precious gift I would ever had if I would climb a mountain again. February is my birth month and I want to hike in this month. When Nikkiderp shared that she wanted to hike again too....in February, I had a positive sense of having a group hike! It is impossible to hike on my birthday because my birthday landed on Monday, therefore, maybe a POST-BIRTHDAY CLIMB will do. Kuya Von heard that and, luckily, he is willing to accompany us. Then, all of a sudden, the whole Pico de Loro pack is joining too. Wow! haha....ADDICTS! Well that is all started to our journey to MOUNT BATULAO...FEBRUARY 25-26, 2012!!!

THIS IS OUR ITINERARY***

Mt. Batulao New (Nasugbu) - Old (Balayan) Trail Overnight
Feb. 25-26 2012

Old Trail Optional*

Day 1

1st Batch (TM Ninya,TM Rhem and Metal Outdoor's Group)

1200 Meet up Phil Stock Exchange Car Park
1300 ETD Manila
1500 ETA JOP Evercrest,Start Trek
1630 Tata Pidyong's Hut (Refresh) Resume Trek Via New Trail
1730 Camp 8 Registration. Resume Trek to Camp 9 Peak 10
1800 ETA Camp 9 Pitch tent
2000 Dinner/ Socials

2nd Batch (Von,Oli,Stine and Tessa)

2300 ETD Manila
2430 ETA Evercrest, Start Trek
0130 Tata Pidyong's Hut (Refresh) Resume Trek Via New Trail
0200 Camp 8 Registration. Resume Trek to Camp 9 Peak 10
0230 ETA Camp 9 Pitch tent
0300 Lights Out

Day 2


0600 Wake-up call
0630 Prepare breakfast
0700 Breakfast
0800 Break Camp. Assault to summit. Take photos.
0900 Start Trek Via Old Trail
1000 ETA Registration Hut (old Trail) Resume Trek
1200 Tata Pidyong's Hut (Buko Halo Halo Refresher)
1330 ETA Evercrest Trail Head (Wash Up)
1500 ETA M&M Bulaluhan, Late Lunch .Sight Seeing Taal Lake
1800 ETA Manila

"Estimated" Budget: P600/pax*
For VOIM Peoples, I'm accepting payments as early as Feb 15th.

*Inclusive of Transportation via chartered Jeepney,
Registration Fees
Breakfast
M & M Bulalo Dine in
Guide Fee



Things to bring:

MUST:

Headlamp/flashlight (NOT FOR SHARING)
Tent
Personal Foods
Mesh Kit (Spoon,Fork,Plates)
Extra clothes
Jacket
Mosquito Repellant
Extra Money
Garbage Bag *Water Proofing Purposes.
Alcohol
Wet Wipes
Tissue
Personal Medicines
Malong/Kumot

STRICTLY!

Atleast 2 liters* water for girls and 3 liters* water for boys.

*1 Liter ea for Group sharing and the rest is for Personal Use.


Optional:

Poncho (May nabibile na pocket size disposable raincoat sa ACE Hardware P29 each

     Tomorrow and the day after tommorow is our trek, and I am looking forward for a good weather, good trip, and wonderful bonding. I'm very positive that this will be great!

GOD...please let this be!......AMEN!

BON VOYAGE!~~~

..........*****

THE SECOND PACK!



     We started our trip via last minute contracted chartered jeep at 12md, thanks to Kuya Von! We are ten. Kuya Von, Kuya Allan, Kuya Alfred, TL Roselle, Ate Tessa, Nikki, Vine, and Oli (me).  At 1:15am we are already in Tagaytay. It's cold but very relaxing. Smooth trip! In Tagaytay, though it's very dark, I've noticed that there's a lot of "bulaluhan," maybe because of the cold temperature there. We enjoyed the trip because we are not crowded. At 1:30, we are in the middle of nowhere but I know we're getting nearer yo our destination because the road is zigzag.  It's very dark, good thing the road was well maintained. We can only see subdivisions and resthouses. Fortunately, there's no traffic so we reach Evercrest at 1:40am then we started trekking.

Kuya Allan and Kuya Von
When I thought that the second pack of this Batulao hike would be composed of Kuya Von, Ate Tessa, Ate Tine, and me. I got a little bit worried on who's gonna lead the pack and who's gonna be on the last line. We only have Kuya Von, and probably, he's gonna lead us. I don't want to be the last, there's still weak blood that flows in my veins. It's fine to be the last if it is day trek, but it's night trek! When it's dark, it is creepy! And my imagination is extraordinary when it it dark. There might be some soul following us though. I'm not afraid of anything, but ghosts is the only exemption! Fortunately, Kuya Allan joined us. I don't know him but he's trully a blessing. He's the last! And he's brave like Kuya Von!

Ate Tessa, Vine, Joyshee, Oli (me), Ate Tine, and Nikkiderp
These gurls really rocks! In the original plan it would be only Ate Tessa, Ate Tine and me. I am so happy when Joyshee has decided to join us. I'm a little bit worried about her because she has vertigo, but I'm possitive that she can do it! Vine and Niikiderp supposed to be on the first pack, but we need them so they joined us. We had a very cool trip! We just laugh and enjoy every minute together.

TL Roselle and Kuya Alfred
Though the first pack were composed of lovers, we also have lovers too. We waited for them because they were fresh from Bulacan.  I'd been with them in Pico. TL Roselle is more bubbly and Kuya Alfred improved a lot. He, now, can mingle with us. The last time with Pico, I haven't heard him spoke. Now, there's more reason to enjoy!

     The trek is really good. It was just a dark cold night. I was second to Kuya Von with my buddy, Ate Tessa. The path could cross by 3 - 4 persons, then it decreases to 2 up to 1. I was suprised whenever Kuya Von say that were on PEAK 1, 2, 3...etc...at 3:30 am we were at Peak 7...where we had our camp.

First pahingahan!



This is where the real journey begins!

...

     When we reached peak 7, we pitched our tent right away. We wanted to play but all campers were resting already so we just rested too. I didn't sleep because I am enjoying stargazing that time. It's been a month since I've seen the stars so close to me. The last time was in Pico. Another reason for not sleeping is that I wanted to witness the sunrise. I spent the dawn chatting with Niikiderp but she slept. LOL.

02.26.12 MORNING in BATULAO

The sun rises slowly and dramatically. It's a very cold morning.  From peak 7 you can see clearly the fog from afar.

This is Batulao.

PEAK 7

PEAK 8

Back to Peak 7
Peak 8 is very near to peak 7 so we mange to wander both peak to warm up.

Beautiful!

Camel's Back

I'M IN LOVE!
When I saw this, I started to fall in love with Batulao.
Pico de Loro's Monolith is great, but this one is spectacular!

EPIC BATULAO IS EPIC!
Batulao is very popular to hikers. That's why it's trail is like this. The soil is loose that's why it's slippery and the stones are so tricky.  

GETTING THERE!
I'm really near to Batulao's summit.
I took my self a picture because no one among my hike pack was near to me.
FOREVER ALONE!
LOL

BATULAO's SUMMIT

THE WHOLE PACK

OLD TRAIL
I wasn't able to take photos of the old trail due to my cam's life. But I'll be back and I will take lots of photos of it!

After our hike.....we eat in a~~~

BULALUHAN

     The most common sidetrip after conquering wonderful Batulao, aside from beachneering in the shore of Nasugbu, is the...Bulaluhan...in Tagaytay. There are lots of...Bulaluhan...in Tagaytay. Just choose your...suki! We arrived un this...Bulaluhan...really late, maybe around 7pm or 8pm. My sightseeing the Taal Volcano while eating my hot...Bulalo...was an epic fail for me. I was really disappointed, but a real delectable food can really cure a bad mood.

     I don't know if the food we ordered was pricey or not because it's my first time to eat in a...Bulaluhan...and I used to eat...Bulalo...that was cooked by my father. One order of...Bulalo...is good for 3 - 4 person so better if you order in group. Aside from...Bulalo...Tawilis...is also a popular delicacy in Tagaytay...so just try it when you get there.

---------------------------------------------------------

Tarak Ridge

CREDITS:

Itinerary: Von Ryan Castillo

Photos: ME.....^^....Alfred Dela Cruz Sumala, Ninya Victorio, Rhem Anneth Fabro, Roselle Sales, et. al.

PICO de LORO

PICO de LORO_M01
First Minor Climb
01.2223.12

Ternate, Cavite

Major Jump-off:  Magnetic Hill, Ternate

LLA: 14º 12.855 N; 120º 38.785 E; 664 MASL

Specs:  Minor Climb / Difficulty:  3/9 / Trail Class:  1-3

Source:  Pinoy Mountaineer

   
     It's SEOLLAL, a Korean new year. January 22 - 24, 2012. This holiday means so much to me because this is a 3-day holiday. Since I am working in a Korean company, we follow Korean holiday and not the Philippine holiday. At first I planned to go to Pagudpud to spend this holiday but time can't afford it. Luckily, my VOIM co-teachers decided to hang out, not just hang out, but hike. Sound exciting right? When I first heard that, I'm in!

     It's my first time to hike, and I am so excited! This hobby is quiet expensive due to the equipment and things you need to have. But these all worth it. I promised you that.

ITINERARY

Pico de Loro (Maragondon-Maragondon) Overnight (with sidetrip to Boracay de Cavite)

Day 1

1100 Assembly @ Caltex Boni (Right after MRT BONI Station,In front of Robinsons Pioneer) 
1200 ETD MANILA
1430 ETA Magnetic/DENR Settle Registration fee P20/pax php Start trek.
1530 Rene Medina’s place.(BASE CAMP 1) Water source. Register P20/pax 
1610 Fork area. Left to waterfall. Right to summit.
1620 ETA Alibangbang Park. SINGKO (rest)
1630 Assault to campsite. 
1730 Tricky boulders part. Many climbers lose their way here. The continuation of the trail should be downward and to the right. After 20 meters of descent, it’s a rolling terrain and bamboo starts to appear. You may hear voices from the campsite when you’re near. 
1800 Campsite. Take photos. Pitch tents. There are two water supplies nearby.first is a weak water source at the cliff campsite. But this could be dry during the summer.second is taking the descending clear trails beside the Kawayanan campsite (about 10 minutes) which leads to to a small brook.Bring clean cloth for filtering purposes.
1830 Prepare Dinner
2000 Dinner
2100 Socials
2300 Lights off

Day 2

0600 Wake-up call 
0630 Prepare breakfast 
0700 Breakfast 
0730 Assault to summit. Take photos. Climb the monolith (risky and optional).
0830 Back at the campsite. Break camp 
0930 Start descent.
1030 ETA Alibangbang Park. SINGKO (rest) 
1130 Back at Rene Medina’s place.(BASE CAMP 1)
1230 ETA DENR/Caylabne Road. (wash up)
1300 ETA Little Boracay De Cavite SWIMMING!
1330 Prepare Late Lunch
1400 Late Lunch
2000 ETA MANILA

ESTIMATED Budget: P500/pax* 
*Inclusive of Transportation via chartered Jeepney,Dinner,and 2nd day breakfast 
Registration Fees P20 x 2 = P40.00

Things to bring:
MUST:

Headlamp/flashlight
Tent
Personal Foods

Extra Money
Extra clothes 
Jacket
Mosquito Repellant
Garbage Bag *for upuan and sapin purposes.
Alcohol
Wet Wipes
Tissue

Personal Medicines
Malong/Kumot
Atleast 3 liters* water for girls and 4 liters* water for boys. 
*1 Liter ea for Group sharing

*for boys (nasa Must! to ah :)) )
1 liter gsm blue / 2 pax or kung ano Pref nyo >:) Malameeg sa Pico :))
1 tang strawberry sachet

Optional:

Poncho (May nabibile na pocket size disposable raincoat sa ACE Hardware P20

 

Prepared by: Mr. Rhai Castillo a.k.a VON :D

     In our itinerary it is only 2 days. It is good that we were able to rest on the 24th. And I can see myself on bed the whole day of the 24th.

--------------***

GETTING READY!

    
      My bag is a half old of my age...my parents bought it to me when I was in grade five for a camp. Old but still good. My bag is so heavy....and it hurts my shoulders....GOD!

     The jeepney trip was quite cool because it's open air and the driver is kinda reckless...haha...I think that's cool! Pico de Loro is located in Maragondon, Cavite. They said that it is a boundary of Cavite and Nasugbu, Batangas. I have no idea how far it is. I haven't been in Maragondon but I know Nasugbu, and Nasugbu is quite far from Manila. The weather was a blessing so I think there's a lot of fun awaiting for us.

OUR WAY TO PICO DE LORO
     At first, we can see typical Cavite roads, residential areas  and establishments. But as our trip go on, we can see roads like this in the photo. This reminds me of Subic. Zigzag roads going up and down. We can only see mountains and a sea. WOW! This is ROAD TRIP!

    It's my first time....and I'm so excited! It's very tiring....but that's not a reason for me not to wear my SMILE ^___^

     Pico de Loro's trail is quite tiring, most of the time big steps are required.

THE VOIM  TEACHERS
I only have these words to describe my co-VOIM teachers... adventurous..simple...and...BEAUTIFUL ^^

THE SIGN
...are we there yet???????????..haha.....long way to go!~
This sign made me a big sigh. When I saw this I thought we were near but it's just the beginning!

WHEN DARKNESS CAME...
It's dark already. Our path were mostly big stones and cliffs. This time, I can only do 10 steps at a time. Gravity was our villain.

LIGHTS OFF
It's my first time see a lot of starts and they seem very close to us. This is a wonderful experience. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a picture of it. ><.....It's a very cold night. My legs started to ache, result of laziness. I can't sleep due to the strong wind blowing and Kuya Von and company were really noisy. Good thing, they are funny.






01.23.12 MONDAY MORNING

BLUE EVERYWHERE
This is the real GOOD MORNING. As I woke up, this view made me speechless. Though it's a foggy morning, the view is still really wonderful. The view looks like a painting with just shades of blue. Really AWESOME!

SUMMIT + MONOLITH = ^___________^
Now we can see clearly our destination.

Kuya Alfred and TM Rhem
I really like this photo, not because I took this one, but because this scene seems cute and romantic. Kuya Alfred is a photographer, and he is with his favorite model...TM RHEM...aayyyiiiiiiiiiiii~~~

Just SILHOUETTE!!!
LIKE A SIR!



We are a PACK of GOOD GIRL GINA!



Off to SUMMIT!


.......30 minutes later.......


THE GIRLS

The whole PACK

FRONT SITTING Left to Right: Shane, Ate Tine, Nikkiderp, Ate Ima, TL Roselle, and Kuya Alfred. MIDDLE SITTING Left to Right: Kuya Barney, Ate Jo, Kuya Fil, Ate Jeje, TM Rhem.
MIDDLE STANDING Left to Right: TM Ninya, Oli (Me), Ate Tessa, Kuya Elly, and Kuya Alfred. STANDING Left to Right: Kuya Arielle, Kuya Larry, Ate Madz, Kuya Ace, and Kuya Renz.

MY TARGET!
YOU'RE TOO HOT IN MY EYES....MY DEAR MONOLITH

Our way to Monolith

We're getting CLOSAH!~~~ yeah!

We're not there yet~~~

BRAVE!

With our JACOB......KUYA VON!



Who run the world~~~~ GURLS! 

So this is what am I talking about......

ZOOM it please~~~~

TADAH!~~~

..

YOU WILL NEVER REGRET THIS!

Now...

CHECK THIS OUT!

M_O_N_O_L_I_T_H

OLI....LIKE A BOSS!

The MONOLITH PACK
...From TOP to BOTTOM...
KUYA LARRY...OLI (me)
ATE JEJE...ATE IMA...ATE TESSA...ATE MADZ
KUYA ELLY...KUYA RENZ


(This photo was taken by KUYA ARIELLE. KUYA VON is with us also.)

This is what God made for us.

ENJOY!

The beautiful view at the back is Nasugbu, Batangas.

Over looking the SUMMIT...and EVERYTHING NICE!

I will always love GREEN!

I wasn't able to collect specific data, such us the exact time of how we meet our itinerary and the like, of what had happened in this climb due to the overwhelming experience I had. Hope next time I would able to do that.

Since it was my first mountain, though it was "just" a minor climb, the day after the climb I was just on my bed due to muscle pain. Haha!

FIN!

I WILL RETURN!

WAIT FOR ME PICO de LORO!

The next mountain would be........

MOUNT BATULAO

CREDITS:
Itinerary: Von Ryan Castillo
Photos: ME.....^^....Alfred Dela Cruz Sumala, Ninya Victorio, Rhem Anneth Fabro, Arielle Luis Alapide, et. al.

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