When On Mountain-Tops

    Hey! It's been a while since my last blog appeared to your feed. And I am back for another travelog that I am excited to share to everyone. Previous blogs were about crystal clear waters and white sands while today's travelog is all about summits and some hiking essentials and reminders you need to consider before getting go for a mountaineering activity.

The Montalban's Trilogy I

    Of course! How could the province of Rizal miss the list? Rizal province is such a home to mountaineers, either beginner or pro. Its mountain ranges attract a bunch of mountaineers and let them experience what it has to offer like sea of clouds, stunning view of its neighbouring mountains and provinces. Let's not go further and have the Trilogy version I of Montalban included in the list. The said trilogy is composed of 3 neighboring peaks namely, Hapunang Banoi, Pamitinan and Binacayan. Actually, the three, as for me, share the same view at the summit so here’s one I took when we hiked Mt. Binacayan early in the morning.

S U N R I S E  A N D  S E A  O F  C L O U D S  A T  T H E  
S U M M I T  O F  B I N A C A Y A N

    Did you know? Banoi is the Filipino term for Philippine Eagle. Long ago, there used to be a number of eagles taking its dinner at the peak of Hapunang Banoi and that's where its name was derived from. Pamitinan, on the other hand, came from the word Pamitingan or basically place "where meeting is held." During the revolutionary years of the Philippines, some katipuneros used to hold meetings in one of the caves of Mt. Pamitinan. And as time went through, the Pamitingan turned Pamitinan and was arbitrarily used by the locals to refer to the mountain that was once a home to our heroes. Sounds historic right? And lastly, the Mt. Binacayan. It came from the Tagalog word “Akay” or an act of guiding someone or something somewhere else. The natives used to bring and guide their children up the mountain for a purpose. Siguro tambay lang or pahangin mga gano’n. Hahaha! 

    The mentioned peaks above are all rocky (lime stones) that are pretty sharpy and edgy. So I highly recommend to everyone wearing proper mountaineering gears like hand gloves and stuff. You have been warned so you better be careful when you try to hike here. But trust me, these mountains give you a combination of both chill and challenge.

Travel Guide to Mt. Binacayan

    I got to try 2 travel options going here since I finished the three already. Option 1 will be riding a jeepney in Commonwealth Public Market with a signboard “Pabahay ni Erap Rodriguez.” The trip starts at 5 a.m if I remember it right. Tell the driver you are alighting at ‘crossing’ where you can hail tricycles or jeepneys bound to Brgy. Wawa. Or you may want to try Option II. From Cubao, ride a UV express bound to Rodriguez, Rizal and tell the driver to drop you at the tricycle terminal going to Brgy. Wawa (just by that signal, drivers already know where to exactly send you off since they get that alot everyday).

The Dragon's Back

    Mt. Batulao (etymologically Bato sa Ilao) of Batangas is a must-try mountain near Manila. At a height of 800+ MASL, it is still considered as a minor hike but the trail is not a joke for beginners especially the old one. There are two trails going up to the summit, the old and the new one (the easiest) so it depends on which trail you prefer taking to your way up to the summit. When I came here, I do not know what came to my mind and suddenly figured out the mountain like a dragon's back. Hehe! Weird. But at the top, Batulao gives you a 360 view of Batangas and neighboring mountains such as Mt. Talamitam, Taal Volcano, Mt. Macolot and a lot more. Indeed, Batulao never disappoints.

    If I remember it right, we paid 7 registration fees. Some parts of the mountain trails are privately owned, that’s why.

Travel Guide to Mt. Batulao

    Going here is so easy. Ride a bus bound to Nasugbu, Batangas at Baclaran (or you may check bus companies offering a direct trip to Nasugbu, Batangas) and tell the conductor to send you at Hillcrest where you can charter tricycles going to the jump-off point.

An Alternative Hike to Pico de Loro

    To conquer Pico De Loro is one of my biggest dreams as a beginner. This one is such a must-hike because of its famous monolith that's commonly tagged as Parrot's Beak (Pico de Loro). However, it is temporarily closed to the public due to several trail renovations(?). But worry nothing because an alternative has been entertaining and accommodating mountaineers for a couple of years already. None other than, the Mt. Marami (Literally marami or many rocks).

    The beginning of the trail is quite easy but passing the other half, assault goes continuous and can make you gasp even more especially if you are not used to hiking. But don’t you worry, in this blog, I’ll bring you up to the summit like it’s so easy! Hahaha!

    My favorite photo of all the shots. What a scenic view plus the weather when I came! Pico de Loro was within the reach of my sight from the summit so were the provinces of Cavite and that sea over there. I forgot what they call it. Hehe!

Travel Guide to Mt. Marami

    Ride a bus bound to Naic, Cavite and tell the conductor to send you at the Naic Grand Terminal but here’s a funny thing. Not all bus drivers and conductors are familiar of the way to the said terminal but by telling them about it, they’ll drop you at the tricyle terminal near BDO or McDo instead. There, you can charter a tricycle going to Naic Grand Terminal. Reaching the terminal leaves you two options going to Brgy. Ramirez. First, you may charter another trycicle to send you directly at Brgy. Ramirez while the other one is riding a jeepney that passes Kanto Ramirez which is way cheaper B U T you will still have to ride another tricyle at Kanto Ramirez to bring you to Brgy. Ramirez. Be reminded that jeepneys do not go right away unless it’s completely filled with passengers. I am not just sure about the first trip but if you plan to hike earlier, I think a private car or hailing a tricyle will do.

    These are just some of my hiking experiences that really got my heart that is why I chose them to recommend to everyone who’s looking for mountains they can give a try. Mountaineering requires preparations. For beginners, especially first timers, here are my recommended hiking essentials and reminders:

1. Hiking Bags. It’s necessary to have a hiking bag when trying this activity because this is where you put your valuables and stuff. Sometimes basic school bags are enough to have your things gathered together. Just make sure it’s durable enough.
2. First aid kit. The basic first aid kit includes your personal meds (if you do have), pain killers, ointments, band aids, betadine and everything you think you should include in case of emergency while you are in the middle of the trail.
3. Toiletries and clothes. Toothbrush, shampoo, body soap and stuff like that. Extra clothes are also important so you can change clothes, especially if you sweat too much, after the hike.
4. Heavy food and food trail. Others don’t bring heavy food with them especially when it’s just a dayhike but in my case, dayhike or not, I bring heavy foods with me aside from food trails (peanuts, junk foods, biscuits and the likes). Also, bring 1 liter of water and rehydrating drinks like gatorade.
5. Hiking gear. There are mountains that require you to have extra mountaineering gears such as hand gloves because of its rocky features that require a bit of crawling on it. If you’ll start trekking at dawn, headlights or simply flashlights may do. So it really depends on your plans. Your foot wear choice also matters because there are proper footwears that make mountaineers, especially beginners, walk on trail with ease.
6. Familiarity to the hiking location. Just check the travel guide on the internet so you know how to get to your destinations and how to get back to your cities.
7. Have the weather checked before going. When it’s rainy, some trails get really muddy and it causes a change in difficulty level of mountain trails. Checking the weather update also prevents you from cancellations of your tour and provides a more unforgettable mountaineering experience.
8. Sun screens, sun blocks etc. If you are the type of person who’s taking care of your skin complexion, it’s a must to bring sun screen or sun block lotions especially when it’s sunny. If you’re not conscious of your skin colour but afraid of having pretty painful sun burns afterwards, it’s still necessary to bring the following with you.

“Leave no harm to the place but memories worth reminiscing.” 

    Should you, guys have any question, reaction, suggestion and recommendation, feel free to leave it down below the comment section.