Baler Day Tour – Part 2, What to do in Baler?

It was 10am when we reached Brgy. Ditumabo, the house of the Mother Falls more known as Ditumabo falls.  We forgot that most trippers were held indoor as well yesterday by the bad weather, so it was then that everyone was at the waterfalls.  We took a trike to the main jump-off which was filled earlier on.  We trekked for nearly an hour by the river crossing bamboo bridges, rivers and streams.  It was fun and the kiddos were loving it.

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SNAPSHOTS | DIGUISIT FALLS - Baler, Aurora

Diguisit Falls is a series of cascades that joins Diguisit River.  Also referred to as Cemento Falls by the locals, the waterfalls is located along the highway between the Cemento and Diguisit Beach.

A short hike up and you’re at the main flow.   The rocks splitting the stream adds charm uniquely Diguisit.

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Baler Day Tour – Part 1, What to Do in Baler?

After our Batanes Trip early July, the third quarter of the year was a freeze to our adventure spree.  We were held homebound for quite some time with several trips deferred or shelved off.  It was already mid-October when a Baler trip nicked the spell.  With six kiddos onboard, we hailed it a HALLEER BALLEER trip; a jolly-relaxed jaunt with no concrete itinerary, no must-visit list; sort of wherever our host Baler native led us to.

Amidst the pebbly highway, the journey went smoothly but just when we were about to enter our lodge grounds, the steering wheel broke unexpectedly.  Lucky for us, we arrived safely.  I whisked at once the idea of an untoward incident or the least, a grope in the dark highway should it happen while in transit.  Whew!

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MT. MARIVELES [TARAK RIDGE] REVISITED

Around 6am we left Manila for our Mt. Mariveles or Tarak Ridge climb courtesy of Karagumoy Outdoors.  Shortly after 9am we entered Mariveles of Bataan.  We stopped at the barangay hall of Alas-asin for the registration then had breakfast and bought some food provision.  The advantage of a private transpo, well,  bringing it all the way to the main jump-off where souvenir climb/group tarpaulins were displayed.

At 1030am we commenced our trek under the dry humid trail of Mt. Mariveles.  We crossed several parched waterways before reaching Papaya river at 130pm for our late lunch and water refill.  Then at 245pm we’re back on the trail for the summit ascend.  It took us 2 hours to reach the ridge with beautiful cloud formation welcoming us at the grassland. 

Tarak Ridge View at 525pm

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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.

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OVERNIGHT CAMPING AT BITBIT, NORZAGARAY

Bitbit River is known mostly to mountain bikers and our trip was courtesy of a Pro-Trek member who's been to 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. 

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PUNDAQUIT – ANAWANGIN TRAVERSE

We left the Metro at around 11pm via Victory Bus in Caloocan for our Zambales trip.  Then by 4:30 am we were crawling the dawn for our Mt. Pundaquit trek.

First was a long gradual trek at the sands of Pundaquit then slowly we entered a forested area until we surfaced the grassland.  The meadow welcomed us with strong winds with nuggets of stones and soils blinding our way.  But just in time for the sunrise at about 6:20am, we reached the saddle for a beautiful sight of the sun as it unfolds behind the mountain.  Then at 7am, we continued the descent where it took an hour to reach the pine trees area of Anawangin Cove.

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Anawangin Cove and Capones Lighthouse – Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales

After about 3-hours of travel from Manila, we reached the Pundaquit town of Zambales.  The sound of smashing waves along the shoreline is Pundaquit's way of welcoming its guests.

Anawangin Cove can be reached via a 30-minute boat ride from the Pundaquit proper or a traverse hike through its mountains and cliffs. 

The crescent shaped Anawangin Cove covered with pine trees has off-white lahar sand brought by the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in the 90’s.  Behind the trees is a stream flowing to the sea giving visitors another place to enjoy.

The absence of resorts or other developments has preserved the natural beauty of Anawangin that became a favorite relaxing destination for anyone who wants to escape the hustles of the city.  One can go for a day tour or camp for the night.  Anyone may bring along a camping equipment or have it arranged with the guide.  Take caution in observing safety, in preserving nature and in respecting the camper next to you.

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POTIPOT ISLAND - Candelaria, Zambales

Potipot Island is a small private island situated in Brgy. Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales and is accessible best via NLEX-SCTEX Subic Exit with a 5-hour drive.

Potipot Island

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Mt. Pinatubo TWIN FALLS -- Porac, Pampanga

After almost 9 hours of what seemed to be an unending lahar trek during our Mt. Pinatubo delta 5 climb, we reached a cascading waterfalls.  The base is a mini pond with a mini falls and as we ascended, another mini-falls.  Then finally the upper tier is the beautiful main waterfalls. Looking at this different panorama has brought relief and merits of the trek that we did.  It also inspired us to endure the challenges ahead and to haunt for more.  This sight also gave courage that the summit trek the next day awaits another beauty and wonder.



 I cannot search online the name of the said waterfalls so I called it Mt. Pinatubo Twin Falls.

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MT. PINATUBO VIA DELTA 5 TRAIL -- Pampanga (The Mt. Pinatubo Experience)

MT. PINATUBO - delta 5 trail 
Jump-off: Porac, Pampanga

From USGS: Until June 1991, Mount Pinatubo rose 1,745 meters above sea level but only about 600 meters above a gently-sloping apron and only 200 meters above nearby mountains that largely obscured Mount Pinatubo from view. The surrounding mountains are older volcanic centers and relics of an ancestral Mount Pinatubo ... The gently-sloping apron consists of thick pyroclastic-flow and lahar (volcanic mudflow) deposits.

Mt. Pinatubo (view from the summit)

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TARAK RIDGE -- Mariveles, Bataan (Lost at Tarak Ridge)

TARAK RIDGE
Mariveles, Bataan
Jump off point: Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles

Tarak Ridge

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