Mt. Halcon: Conquering My First Knife-edge // March 8 to 12, 2017

Mt. Halcon. A view before the wooden ladder

I frequently encounter several discussions in the hiking community, regarding this mountain located in Oriental, Mindoro.  Some claimed that this is the toughest mountain to climb in the country for being a rain-forest; a kingdom of fearsome limatik (blood leech); and of having an extremely cold climate at the higher altitude.  There's a rumor that the mountain is selective.  Not all who climb will succeed, and not all who summited will be rewarded with an amazing view.  Despite these facts, one thing is certain; it is a burning desire of most hiking enthusiasts to reach the pinnacle of Mt. Halcon.  

I'm already aware of this hike since December 2016, few days after our climb in Mt. Pulag.  In the last 2 months, I strengthened my endurance; almost weekly I had a climb.  After experiencing the agonizing sapang uwak trail of Mt. Pinatubo, and weeks before the climb proper, I truly doubted if I can make it. Aside from a minor back injury, I acquired from that last climb (I didn't disclose this fact to the doctor when I asked for a medical certificate... peace doc!), I worried if I trained myself enough.  At the end of the day, I decided to go.  I said to myself that whatever might arise, I will be back up by a group of old-school mountaineers who already garnered "centuries worth of experience" in the exciting field of mountaineering.  It was Rommel who initiated this 5 days' event and arranged the overall logistics via Lantuyan trail.  

Day 1
The first day was allotted mainly in travel; buying of foods for the whole climb; registrations; courtesy call to the municipal mayor of Baco; hiring of tour guide and porters; and a 1-hour assault to the first water source near the Mangyan Village.  The group decided to compress the itinerary to have a side-trip to Puerto Galera.

Arrival at the municipal hall of Baco, Oriental Mindoro (me, Skyy and Pong)

  During the Registration at the tourism

Rommel presenting the climbing permit, medical certificate, and climb certificate to the tourism officer

The team while waiting

Courtesy call to the municipal mayor

Hon. Reynaldo A. Marco

The municipal mayor is truly accommodating and has a passion to talk.  He discussed the history of his political ladder and prior profession; Mt. Halcon during the old days; the Mangyans; some insights about the people who climb a mountain; and many more.  We were served with sweet potatoes and brewed coffee.  The discussion last for an hour.

At the police station

Registration at the police station.  It is mandatory to leave a valid ID.  This is the last phase of the registration process before proceeding to Lantuyan.

Arrival at Brgy. Lantuyan 

The jeepney is only limited up to this point.

At the hanging bridge to Lantuyan

A drug-free community

Registration and Securing of Guide and Porters

At the registration site

Group shot before the 1-hour assault

Dinner.  Few limatiks are visible in this area.  Paulo and Jerico got their first nasty treat from those bloodthirsty creatures when they went to the water source.   

Day 2

During the second day, we experienced a series of assaults.  The initial plan was to reach either the summit or Dulangan River; however, we only made it up to Aplaya.  Good thing that "Bathala" ruled in our favor and granted us fine weathers throughout the climb.  We only encountered few limatiks!  I learned that they are inconvenient being in a hot environment and only highly visible during the rainy season/nighttime.   

Picture taken before the assault, and after the prayer led by Pong (John Paul).  Time check: 6:30 AM

The trail to Aplaya

Take 5 at the water source

Moving up.  This area is said to be heavily infested by limatik.  Fortunately, most of us got no bites

Taken during lunch time.... what lies ahead?

Resuming the trek after the lunch

Ngiting fresh pa rin

Loose soils.  I met new faces on this climb and some of them are professional BULLIES (:P).  The topnotcher was Mher Adia (A.K.A. Mr. Pink).  Being the person who was at the rear (Yes! I was the slow pacer during this hike.... ang bibilis nila), he tagged me as "baby boy". Every time that we crossed our path during the trail, he constantly saying (along with Hubert, Memz, and Jerico) the phrase: Baby boy, be careful, scared, take 5.  Be careful and scared.  Most of the time during a steep descent,  or other circumstances like what is depicted in the image, I see to it to always land at a secured ground.  In their case, they already obtained the mastery in dealing with such kind of terrain; everything is like a walk-in-the-park for them (di rin pala! nadudulas din sila kung minsan!!!).

Tita Skyy at her signature stance.  She was our sole muse (huwag niyong lolokohin.....mabilis tumakbo yan pababa promise! :D)

Mang(Tay) Manolo.  A 67 years old Mangyan who became our guide during the climb.  Kapag tinatanong ko siya kung malapit na, lagi niyang sinasabing tatlong oras pa.  Tay ko po!!!

At the mossy forest.  

20 minutes to Aplaya.  In the absence of fog, the summit of Mt. Halcon can be seen at this point.

Tent pitching at the Aplaya Camp.  Time check: 5:00 PM

Lights off at 9 PM

Day 3
We commenced the trek at 4 in the morning.  We dropped the plan to camp at the summit and just back-trailed to Aplaya at night.  We only brought some trail foods and water.  If I'll be asked reasons on why I should go back to Mt. Halcon? One of those things is "to catch a glimpse of the Dulangan River during the day".  I taught that I'll make it during the afternoon's sunset, but, It was already 9 in the evening by the time Mang Manolo, Au (one of the porter), and I reached the river in going back to Aplaya (naginuman na yung iba sa taas at huli naraman ako).  

The trails during the 3rd day comprised of continuous assaults in uneven terrains; waterfalls' chasing; and some portions of rock climbing.  

Some photos taken

Rommel and Choy (The Duos) at the last waterfalls

At a view deck (nawala nga lang ang view)

Paulo.  I remembered that he once called me "Boy Saklay".  This is due to a fact that I'm more comfortable in using a trekking pole.  Look who's talking! :o  Pabigay na rin kasi yung isa niyang tuhod dito :P

Group pic

View before the ladder

See of clouds during the day

Truly rewarding

The Knife-edge

Perfect clearing

The Wooden Ladder....

I think the ladder is around 10 to 15 ft.  This was the time when I proved that my fear of heights are now gone.

And Beyond.....

Joselito at a distance

A memorial plate of Neptali Lazaro, may you rest in peace...

Another knife-edge

At the Summit (Skateboard)

Yehey! I made it.... Yung mga oras na ito iniisip ko na kung ilang oras ang aabutin para makabalik ako ng Aplaya.  Sigurado kasi na maiiwan naraman ako T.T

Other photos taken at the legendary skateboard.  I heard that it was Jerico who initiated the jump shots. (Upper L-R: Melvin, Paulo, John Paul) (Lower L-R: Jerico, Rommel, Choy)

Photo ops with Mher.  Most of his things are in pink.

There was an event that occurred shortly after my arrival at the summit.  I will not further elaborate what actually took place, but that instance led to another occurrence which I would like to call "The Aplaya Marathon".  It is said that the nature's spirit of Halcon might sometimes play the moods of some climbers; utmost patience in climbing the mountain is a must.

I reached Aplaya at around 10 in the evening; roughly 2 to 2.5 hours behind from the rest.  Tay Manolo found the yellow comb of Pao along the trail which he handed to me (paghahanapin ko pa sana si Pao, kaya lang pagod na ko yung nakabalik na kami sa camp).  I was not aware that Au was carrying with him the foods that we had during lunch.  Tay Manolo only approached me when we were already near the Dulangan, if we can already eat those foods :o (that time, I already consumed 15 Hany bars amounting to 1,050 calories, definitely I was already full).  We stopped for 30 minutes at a water source where they had their dinner, before we resumed the trek.  We almost got stuck at the Dulangan River.  The current became strong and the water level went up.  Tay Manolo found some shallow portions (palalim na rin) at the end of the path where we managed to cross.

Lights off at 11 PM

Day 4 to 5

We descended at 7 am and reached the jump-off at 2:30 PM.  While waiting for Kuya Pardo (the jeepney driver) to fetch us, some waded at the stream, others just sat still at the waiting area.  Joselito already went back to Manila after we logged out at 5 PM in the tourism office.  The rest joined the side-trip to Puerto Galera.  We had a beer party at night!!!

Photos taken

Breakfast at Aplaya

Ngiting Tagumpay happy dahil pabalik na

Moving forward

At the falls where we had our final lunch

Stepping Stone

Chasing Waterfalls

Photos Taken in Puerto

Solo shot

Group shot.  We love Puerto Galera; We survived Mt. Halcon! O Yeah!

While waiting for the Pump Boat

Before boarding the boat

I'm not yet strong; but, I'm on the right track - JSC (March 2017)

Conceptual Itinerary

 Day 0

4:00 am Manila to Batangas pier
8:00 am Calapan Pier
8:30 am Calapan Market
11:30 am Baco municipal hall/secure permit
12:00 nn Lunch in Baco
3:00 pm jump off Latuyan/secure guide and porter
4:00 pm free time/set up camp /prepare dinner
10:00 pm lights off

Day 1

3:00 am wake up call/prepare breakfast
5:00 am start trek
12:00 am mossy forest/lunch along the trail
1:00 pm resume trek
5:00 pm Aplaya camp site/prepare dinner
10:00 pm lights off

Day 2 

3:00 am wake up call/prepare breakfast
5:00 am start trek
6:00 am Dulangan river crossing
12:00nn lunch along the trail
4:00pm knife edge ridge
5:00 pm summit Mt. Halcon / sunset
5:00 pm setup tent and prepare dinner
11:00 pm lights off

Day 3

3:00 am wake up call/ prepare breakfast
5:00am sunrise Mt. Halcon
7:00 am start descent
12:00nn lunch along Dulangan river / swimming
2:00pm resume trek
4:00 pm Aplaya camp site/prepare dinner
11:00pm lights off

Day 4

3:00 am wake up call/prepare breakfast
5:00 am start descent
12:00nn lunch along the trail
3:00 pm jump off Lantuyan
5:00 pm Calapan pier
11:00pm home sweet home

Actual Itinerary (with side-trip to Puerto Galera)

March 8, 2017 (4:00 AM): ETD Manila to Mindoro
March 11, 2017 afternoon: End of hike side trip to Puerto Galera
March 12, 2017 (3:00 PM): ETD Puerto Galera to Manila
March 12, 2017 (7:00 PM): Home Sweet Home

Things to bring:

Permit for the climb
Valid Identification Card
Major hike certificate / BMC certificate
Medical Certificate (Fit to climb)
2-3 liter water (water source are present in most parts of the trail)
Tent 
Sleeping bag 
Cap
Armsleeves
Warmer 
Whistle 
Headlamp 
Trail foods
Camera 
Jacket 
Cooking and Eating Utensils
Extra clothes 
insect repellent 
Alcohol
Toiletries 
Medical ket First aid
Garbage bag 
Slippers or sandals 

Safe budget for the whole climb (with side-trip to Puerto): more or less 4k

Jeepney for rent: you may contact these numbers.  

Sir Jojo (Point person): 09198821442
Sir Pardo (Our driver): 09081183072


Photo Credit: Mher Adia, Melvin Moradillo (Memz), Joselito Miguelito

End

- JSC