MT. PULAG REVISITED VIA AMBANGEG TRAIL

This Mt. Pulag climb was the final leg of our preparation for the Mt. Kinabalu conquer.  Together with guests from the real estate industry, we left the Metro for Baguio City at 11pm.  Some friends bound for MFPI Mt. Ugo Annual Climb shared our transpo… I was so envious because Mt. Ugo was originally in our Mt. Kinabalu prep list but because of the Mt. Pulag guests, Mt. Ugo was foregone…  Along our way, we were chatting and teasing each other --- Ugo, Ugo, Ugo.. then.. Pulag, Pulag, Pulag..

At 430 am, we reached Baguio City where our chartered jeep was already waiting… After we loaded our stuff, off we’re bound for DENR.  We thought we were early but several groups were already inside for the orientation.  Our orientation took longer than expected… well… It was already past 10 when we left the DENR but because of the paved road [with construction works on-going in several parts] we made it to the ranger station in only an hour. … I have split feelings about the road development in the area… Also, I witnessed how the “tours” have changed the management of the place.  Well…

2013 HOLYWEEK AT ANAWANGIN COVE, CAPONES & CAMARA ISLANDS

I thought the Anawangin Cove, given no commercial or resort developments, will escape the volume of long week-end holiday-tourists but even so, every corner was filled with camps... Yep, people young and aged, mountaineers or elite alike, flocked together to escape the Metro for awhile and have a quality time with family and friends.

MT. ROMELO DAYHIKE [2013]

This trip was another motorcycle ride and part-training of our soon Mt. Kinabalu climb.  We left the Metro at 10am and originally bound to Pangil, Laguna for a Buntot Palos Falls dayhike.  We learned at the registration area that a guide is already required due to previous issues on robbery at the trail or campsite.  We were told that the dayhike guide fee is P300 plus P20 per head registration fee.  Ahem... the P300 for just 2-persons was beyond our budget... With that, we diverted our training to Mt. Romelo.

After a quick lunch at Siniloan junction, we proceeded to Engr. Rodel’s place for our Mt. Romelo trek.  It was already 1:15pm when we made our river cross.  Barely 30 minutes along the trail, we were shocked by the sight of an open field with remnants of chopped trunks, twigs and leaves scattered by the side.  If my memory served me right, that area used to be the famous “kawayanan” where plenty of frightful stories has been told and replayed several times.  Well, I don’t want to judge... maybe the farmers are planting new breed, maybe a pest infestation occurred that necessitate the cutting of trees... maybe, maybe... ahhh!

OVERNIGHT CAMPING AT BITBIT, NORZAGARAY

Bitbit River is known mostly to mountain bikers and our trip was courtesy of a Pro-Trek member who biked this route a couple of times.

Bitbit in Norzagaray is partly home of the country’s famous dam system, the Angat-Ipo-La Mesa Dam that provides water to the Metropolis.  It is also known for the rock formation that adds drama to its scenery.

For this reunion trip, we just trailed our friends who were at the river early this morning.  After an hour of scuttle in the darkness of Norzagaray, we reached the Bitbit Bridge.  Then we proceeded to the river where we camped for the night. 

PAGSANJAN FALLS VIA THE VERTICALS OF CAVINTI

Our trip to Pagsanjan Falls via Cavinti was one of those last minute “call of nature” adventures.  To my dismay, my February ended with no out-of-town trip while hubby had a short Cebu-trip mid-Feb.  So as a relief, he treated me for a Pagsanjan Falls day tour.  He said he read an article featuring a budget-friendly adventurous way to reach Pagsanjan Falls.

We left the Metro around 6am via Rizal-Laguna route.  Unfortunately, the Pagsanjan Bridge was under construction and not passable to 4-wheel vehicle.  Our option was either to take the other route which will take about one hour or the P2 Balanac River raft-cross then commute to Cavinti.  We opted for the latter and we joked, “an adventure earlier than expected”.

At the other side of the river, jeepneys bound to Lucban and Cavinti are lined-up waiting for passengers.  We told the driver to drop us at the terminal for Pueblo el Salvador Nature’s Park and from there we took a tricycle for a P70 15-minute Pueblo ride.