MT. NAGUILING YEAR-END CLIMB

We joined the Katribu in their year-end climb at Mt. Naguiling.  I would say that it was a blunder-filled adventure but we managed to have fun…

Mt. Naguiling as viewed from Jaybanga Rice Terraces

Early on, we failed to reach the meet-up time at Pasay Terminal.  So to catch up, we rode separately at Cubao then regrouped with the others at Lipa, Batangas.  We were at Lipa on time but the supposed 9am kick-off slipped to 11am.  As we haven’t read nor heard about Mt. Naguiling, we just went with the flow.  Also, I have somewhat mastered the art of worrying less in travels.  Hmmm…

Read More

Mt. Butalao Dayhike Plus an Overnight Camping at Burot Beach

I’ve always preferred to climb Batulao early morning especially for dayhikes but as always, I constantly end up savoring the heat of Batulao… I don’t know what’s with me coz no matter how I’ve known how fiery it could be, my shield frequently comes shorthanded.

Anyways, for this dayhike, the thought of a rewarding beach after this blistering trek kept me going… Beach, beach, beach….

Actual itinerary as follows:

7am to 9am – travelled from Manila to Evercrest

930am – start of trek via the new trail

11am – finally reached the registration area after countless stops to take cover

1130am – resumed trek to summit

1215pm – reached the summit with trail bottles drained

1220pm – started descent via the old trail

115pm – reached the old trail registration area

3pm – back at jump-off, regrouped with the team and prepared for Burot Beach

Read More

MT. GULUGOD BABOY REVISITED PLUS A CABAN COVE SIDETRIP

It has been a habit of me to take macro-shots of the fauna and flora laying around.  This time though, Mt. Gulugod Baboy hid away those beautiful colors... I only had six subjects.. well....

For this climb, we had more stops than walk.... The supposedly one-hour climb became a three hour hike.  An hour at the "ice candy" hut, 30 minutes at the Bignay tree and another 30 minutes for jump shots and funny poses.. LOL..

Read More

MT. MALIPUNYO – MANABU TRAVERSE

As we near Batangas with the sight of Malarayat ranges along the road, flashback and memories of my last Mt. Malipunyo summit attempt more than 14 years ago with my then college mountaineering group stroke in.  Back then, Manabu Peak was a shade away from a hiker’s waddle to the highest peak of Malarayat ranges with Susong Dalaga as a side-trip. 

Today, we will dare the less-ventured traverse of Malipunyo and Manabu Peaks with a prayer of a safe weather amidst the storm looming our way.  

It was past 10am when we tramped the trail of Mt. Malipunyo but during our break at the last sari-sari store, a heavy downpour greeted us.  With no sign of the rain coming to a halt, we continued our trek by the muddy trail with water streaming along.  We reached the river at 12:20pm lagging behind our IT.  With that, we pursued the summit trek missin’ out lunch and notwithstanding the torrent blinding our way.  Lucky for us, hubby and a friend decided to stay guarding our packs and had prepared our meal as well.

Read More

MT. MACULOT’S NEW TRAIL

As part of our weekly training for the Mt. Kinabalu climb, we ascended Mt. Maculot via the new trail before the holy week break.  

We started our trek at 11:20am and shortly after 5 minutes we were welcomed by trail signs directing the new trail. My personal observation of this trail is that aside from a shoe with a good grip, long arms and a flexy legs is of an advantage. 

Wooden stairsteps are in-placed especially in peebly-like or loosy-soil areas to ease the trek but obviously, some if not most didn’t stood up to its purpose.  Also, another noticeable change was the rise in “buko juice” stations that are positioned at rest stops.  Well…

Read More

CINTAI by CORITO’S GARDEN -- Balete, Batangas

With a visit to Bali far from reality, the sound of a Balinese-inspired resort named CINTAI by CORITO’S GARDEN right here in the Philippines popped up my senses and any invite especially if free is definitely a must grab.

According to Wow Batangas website, the word “cintai” is an Indonesian translation of “love” plus “corito” the wife of the owner.  For more of Cintai’s amenities, visit Wow Batangas with full narration of the resort amenities and directions.

Read More

MT. DAGULDUL - San Juan, Batangas

MT. DAGULDUL
San Juan, Batangas
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/11/mt-daguldul-670.html

We left the Metro at around 5am and arrived at Brgy. Hugom San Juan, Batangas at 7:30am.  After registration and guide arrangement, we had a quick breakfast before proceeding to Sitio Catmon jump-off.  Mt. Daguldul's previous jump-off was the registration area and trekking starts through the beach front leading to the jump-off.  Thanks to the recent road development, Sitio Catmon is already accessible by vehicle via a 20 minute rough ride.

Because this was a day hike climb, I thought the summit is just around 2-hours trek.  Some of us climbed the mountain more than a decade ago and memories of the trail already eluded our thoughts.  So when the guide told us that trek is about 4 hours (and for us, it might take longer with a child on the team), we glared at each other with a query look of “are we going to proceed?”.  Well, majority said we’re already here so we better get moving...

Read More

ISLA VERDE -- BATANGAS

Isla Verde, named after Capt. Juan Verde – the Spanish explorer, is located between Batangas and Mindoro and serves as the passage connecting Batangas Bay and Tayabas Bay.  It is accessible from Tabangao Docking Area or Leah’s beach of Tabangao, Batangas where you have a view of giant refineries from afar.

We joined Bulusok Mountaineer’s Mt. Dagit-Dagit climb for Year 2011 Climb Against Cancer with Verde Island Side Trip but with the kiddos on the trip, we were left enjoying the shoreline of the island. 

Read More

MANABU PEAK -- Sto. Tomas, Batangas

MANABU PEAK (Day Hike Climb)
Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Jump-off point: Sulok, Brgy. Sta Cruz, Sto. Tomas

http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/manabu-peak-760.html

Mataas na Bundok or “Manabu” is located beside Mt. Malipunyo of Sto. Tomas Batangas.  At Lipa City and if coming from Manila -- turn left beside the Floral Garden Cemetery, you will pass by Fiesta World Mall, Malarayat Golf and Country and several subdivisions along the way.  Then if you are bound for Manabu, turn left and you will reach Brgy. Sta. Cruz while if you’re bound for Malipunyo, turn right for Brgy. Talisay.

Mt. Manabu Cross Marker

Read More

BATANGAS | NASUGBU - Brgy. Papaya

We did this trip prior to the start of Hamilo Coast development.  We visited some private untouched areas through the coordination of the private guard on duty.  We were allowed to camp and explore the place for free...  I know the next visit will cost us more... Thanks to Tatay Bayani and his family for the warm accommodation and for touring us around Barangay Papaya beaches.  

Read More

MT. GULUGOD BABOY - Mabini, Batangas

MT. GULUGOD BABOY
Anilao, Mabini, Batangas
Jump-off point: Philpan Dive Resort, Anilao, Mabini

http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/mt-gulugod-baboy-525.html

Mt. Gulugod Baboy

Read More

MT. MACULOT -- Cuenca, Batangas

MT. MACULOT

Cuenca, Batangas
Major Jumpoff: Brgy. 7 "Siete", Cuenca

http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/mt-maculot-685.html

Mt. Maculot - Cuenca, Batangas

Read More

MT. TALAMITAM -- Nasugbu, Batangas

MT. TALAMITAM (Day Hike)
Nasugbu, Batangas
Jump-off point: Sitio Bayabasan, Brgy. Aga, Nasugbu (KM. 83)
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/mt-talamitam-630.html

Mt. Talamitam

Read More

MT. BATULAO -- Nasugbu, Batangas

MT. BATULAO (Day Hike)
Nasugbu, Batangas
Jump-off point: Evercrest Golf Course, Nasugbu

Batulao Trails courtesy of Pinoy Mountaineer

For this climb, we navigated both trails. Our ascend was through the new trail and though the old trail looked more difficult and longer, we still pursued with the old trail descend.  We just toyed, two is always better than one.

Read More