TraveLORE: Conquering MT. MACULOT ~ Year end Climb 2015

Mt. Maculot is famous for its sought-after views; but several news breaking accidents happened in its vicinity thus, delaying me for hiking this mountain. However, as they say it, hiking isn’t about conquering the mountain but one’s self. I’ll forever have this craving and endless curiosity; I need to seek the glory of this mountain. Thus, before the yearend of 2015 I made a spur-of-the-moment invitation to my hiking buddies.

“Tara, hike tayo! Mt. Maculot!”

I was fortunate that four of my dear friends said yes with no further ado. We gathered at Alps Bus Station Edsa Cubao to ride a bus bound to Lemery, Batangas. It was 5AM in the 31st of December and the people kept on coming. We transferred to the DLTB and found it with fewer passengers. It was half past 5AM when we set on the road; the travel was smooth and quick, by 7:30AM we were already dropped off to the 7 eleven store of Cuenca, Batangas. From there we found a tricycle that brought us to the Brgy. Hall where we registered ourselves in the cost of PHP 20 each. The tricycle waited for us because the jump-off was still a long way from there. After leaving one valid I.D we were introduced to our guide, Mon. The rate for the guide was PHP 800 for the traverse climb (rockies-summit-grotto). 

When we reached the jump-off, we paid the tricycle PHP 20 for each person. We met there the two ladies who asked to hike with us because it would cost them expensively if they would pay for PHP 800 guide rate. The guide charged us then PHP 1000 for 7 pax (the the two ladies included) so we would only have to pay PHP 150 each. That was quite fair enough. Before we set off we offered a prayer to guide us all the way to the mountain, and later to our descent. With our new found friends, Vanessa and Raquel, we started the hike in the cold, misty morning of December.

We have three first time hikers with us so we had to stop and rest every now and then. It was my first time to hike on a December and it was refreshing, feeling in your skin the blend of chill and sweat. I wore a long sleeve top just in case the sun burn us later. There was a buko palamig for PHP 10 in every stop over. Though the weather wasn’t scorching, we were often in need of a drink and the buko juice was always a taste of heaven. Mon entertained us with his stories about the Maculot (though we were unsure if all of it were facts or some were just bluff). 

WAY UP THE ROCKIES

We reached a spot, where the view of the Taal Lake was almost complete. We took some rest there while expressing our admiration to the beauty laid before us. From there we had to climb a steep part but thank goodness for the rope that was placed there for support. The soil was dry and slippery; the clouds were threatening us with an impending rain. I just couldn’t imagine then, sliding my way down through the mud. But we were traversing anyway so I hoped the other side was better. 

We stopped at the campsite to have a quick lunch. The pancit canton there was as precious as gold, believe me. Make sure you have packed foods when you hike if you want to save some bucks. After eating we proceeded on our trek going to the rockies.

“Huwag kayong madidisappoint sa view sa rockies ha.”

Mon told us as we were nearing the infamous rockies of Maculot. Of course he meant the opposite because we literally dropped our jaw when we reached the spot. The rumor was true; it was beyond beautiful. Many hikers were still enjoying their times on top of the rockies so we waited some few moments before we climbed. 

The way up was a bit challenging because of the big boulders that we needed to climb. But it would all be worth it on the top. 

It was a complete view of the Taal Lake on one side, and the towering height of the Mt. Maculot on the other. It was like being in between of two Gods; but of course we only have One. We were lucky that despite the cool December, the day then wasn’t much foggy. Rockies is a stretch of mass, rocky land, that was chilly on one end while hot and humid on the other. Couldn’t explain the reason but it was how it felt up there. The nature's hues were gentle in the eyes – with the cloud-reflecting blue lake, trapped artistically in a Godly moulded crate, and the fertile greenery that covered the mountain of Maculot – were all too much to behold but you wouldn’t mind having an overdose of it all. 

UP, UP, UP TO THE TOP!

If only not for the itinerary that we needed to follow, we could stay there much longer. However, we were not ready to camp overnight so we had to go down before sunset. We went back to the campsite and trek straight to the trail opposite the rockies. It was the way up to the summit. Most of the hikers were only seeing the rockies then they were starting to go down. But not us – we, the daring, brave-hearted, strong legged women were set off to conquer the Mt. Maculot summit. The trails up were steeper assault but we managed, of course, kami pa ba? Hehe. We had a sweet company by the way, not Mon our guide (though he was cool and nice, really), but Tiger, the dog of the store owner in the campsite. He trekked with us and I kept telling him to go back because the hike would tire him out. Hard-headed as he was, he proceeded and even overtook us for most of the times. 

When we reached the summit, the sun was also at its peak. The view up there wasn’t as breathtaking as the view from the rockies, but still a breathtaking glory. The fulfilment was genuine when you were able to reach the summit. It makes you a conqueror, not only of the mountain, but of yourself, of the odds. And for it there was nothing that you could ask for at the moment. You would just want to stand there, stare, breathe, and stare again. 

I found a plastic cup there and I used it to give Tiger a drink. He was so thirsty and I felt sorry for him. I thought he’d be going back to the campsite but he still went with us on our way down to the Grotto. It was a stressful descent on steep, rocky slopes. A time came that I was engulfed with tiredness, feeling my knees trembling and losing their strong balance. Much more when reached the area where we needed to slide down through a rope. Bring hand gloves when you go in Maculot, it would be a relief for all those rope moments. 

Finally, when we reached the jump-off site, we just washed ourselves and went off to the Lomi-han. We had a good, cost-saving dinner there and rode a jeep to SM Lipa. In there, we rode a bus bound to Cubao and slept all throughout the travel. Muscles were soared, knees still trembling, but it was a worth it climb and we would keep on asking for more. 

Itinerary and Expenses:

5AM      Gather at Cubao Bus Terminal

5:30AM Rode bus bound to Lemery Batangas ~ PHP 124

7:30AM Arrived at Cuenca Batangas, rode tric to Municipal office ~ PHP 20 (per pax)

7:40AM Registered our names and left one valid I.D ~ PHP 20 

            Hired a guide PHP 1000     ~    PHP 150 (per pax)

8AM      Started the Trek

10:30AM Reached the Campsite; Had lunch (packed lunch)

11AM     Reached the Rockies

12NN     Started the trek to summit

1:30PM  Reached the Summit

2PM       Started the descend

4PM –     Reached the Grotto

4:15 –    Resumed descend

5:30PM  Got back at Jump-off

6:30PM  Dinner ~ PHP 100

7PM       Headed back to Manila, rode bus at SM Lipa Bus terminal ~ PHP 143

Summary expenses: PHP 557 :)

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TraveLore: AN ESCAPE FROM THE CITY: BATULAO MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

You can’t simply describe in one word the breathtaking scenic views at Mount Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangas. The dramatic sight of rocky countryside from the summit certainly makes for fantastic scenery to behold. The refreshing air melts away all the stress and tiredness you felt in going all the way up. With your eyes getting full of the entire landscape while enjoying a fresh Buko (young coconut) juice, you’ll surely find a way out of your complicated world and appreciate the simplicity of life in its finest. The Batulao Mountain Climbing activity is one of the most favored day-hikes near Manila wherein the hikers, beginners and experienced alike can experience a pleasant outdoor adventure with either of the Mount Batulao’s “Old trail” or “New trail”.

TRAILS TO MOUNT BATULAO – A PLEASANT SUMMER TREKKING

Our whole adventure began from Evercrest Golf Course – the jumpoff – there the group

started gearing up for the next 2-3 hours climb to the camp site. We arrived to Evercrest around 2PM because the plan was to travel the way to summit very early the next day to meet and greet with the anticipated sunrise. Mountain climbing Philippines exposed you in a scorching heat so wearing armband and cap during the trekking will protect you from too much UV rays exposures. The trails consisted of rolling slopes --walking at times in an upward hill then suddenly down to a steep trekking. It was a dusty road along the entire mountain hiking adventure making my newly bought black sandals turned pretty brownish.

There were numerous hut stop-over points wherein mount batulao “café” were operated

by the locals, providing shades and seats for exhausted hikers who want to take some rest and indulge in a refreshing Buko juice for only PHP 25.00. The locals were all nice and accommodating, serving you with friendly smiles. They also offered delicious Halo-Halo and other refreshments like softdrinks and samalamig. There were available dishes if you want to eat a heavy meal before proceeding with the summer hiking and you can also try the sweet bananas in just PHP 1.00 for each piece.

The initial trails were rough roads and carved out within woodlands – where we were still protected by the gracious shades of the trees. The well maintained woodland with slightly rocky undulations finally led us to the campsites or stations marked from 1-10.

PERFECT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE FOR CAMPERS TROOPS

At the campsite there was a registration fee of PHP 20.00 per head to help in the maintenance of the whole place. Batulao is also one of the famous places for mountain camping making hundred of camping troops set there on weekends.  Batulao Mountain Climbing may not be the perfect trip for those who are seeking mountain peacefulness but it’s a great opportunity for the crowd seekers who are up to happy sessions with friends and other camper troops. 

Tents were built and there were 2-3 trees in the camp area where you can set up a canopy

for a relaxing swing while staring above the clear sky view. With our camping stove and ingredients all primed, the whole group happily joined forces in preparing our sumptuous dinner – rice with sinigang and fried hotdog. During the night, the winds blew in much colder temperature and stronger force so we took our jacket and scarves for protection. There were also the different sounds of crickets and other mountain insects who all crooned in unique harmony, such ensemble you will not hear in the metropolis.

 Night camping felt best while gathered in a circle, sharing stories and laugh trip moments over a cup of coffee.  One of the nice things about mountain climbing is that you get to break away temporarily from the chaotic, polluted cities. In the mountain, you get to communicate with the nature and benefits from its soul reliving energy.

REACHING THE MOUNTAIN SUMMIT – SUCH A BLISSFUL REWARD

Another heavenly experience about mountain camping is the moment to wake up when the dawn is just about to break. There you go out of the tent inhaling the foggy air while stretching your whole body with so much relief. 

Early in the morning, we started out in our trekking to the Batulao summit passing through the 9 Camp stations; Camp 10 is already the summit itself. The first 7 camp stations were all same slopes with few grassland paths while others were mainly rocky-strewn and steep. Reaching the station 8 almost takes you there at the summit, just 30-45 minutes away. 

Batulao Mountain Climbing is indeed a fun outdoor adventure but utmost care must be observed just like with any other mountain hiking activity. At station 8 was where the final climb began, the wind is much stronger from this point and the slopes are a lot steeper than the rest. There were loose stones and the soil are too dry and dusty to give a good grip to the shoes. The winds are too powerful that can set you off balance – but then it worth all the obstacles during the 75 degrees assault on steep trails as you finally made it to the summit. 

The dazzling sunrise peaked from the clouds like a shy little one and finally emerged and burst out in blissful rays of sunlight. That particular moment is definitely one of the heavenly minutes to cherish and remember. The scene was quite theatrical as we all stared and awed in exorbitant appreciation of such a meaningful and maybe symbolical show at the mountain’s top. 

Summer hiking became more than just an adventure but rather a close connection with the nature. The sights at the summit made for an excellent picture taking with the Cavite and Batangas plains on the background. Philippine geographical showed off for its perfect features with all the beautiful rock and mountain formations that surrounded. Full views of the neighboring majestic mountains, Tagaytay highlands and Balayan bays were just few of millions testimonies on His Highness’ grandiose works --such a remarkably magnificent moment!