olidbully: 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.