Exploring Mt. Madjaas (Holy Week Climb) // April 11 to 17, 2017

An open slope surrounded with mountain's range

Savoring the solemnity of holy week in a faraway mountain of Antique is truly unwinding and worthwhile.  Climbing Mt. Madjaas, the crowning glory of Panay highlands, beckoned my foray into the peaks of Visayas.  A natural wonder, which features panoramic views of mountain ranges and nearby islands; extensive areas of wetlands and mossy forests; and encounters with different forms of wildlife.  

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We took the Philtranco bus ride to Iloilo.  The long queuing time at seaports (Batangas and Roxas City), were some factors of delay.  Similar to most of UGAT's climbs, it turned out to be an open scheduled trip.  

At the roro going to Calapan

It was already 4 in the afternoon by the time we reached Culasi.  After the registration process and other preparations for the climb, we were accompanied by a group of habal-hahal drivers to Brgy. Flores.  We spent the night in one of the houses and prepared for the next day climb.

Touch Down

Culasi at dusk and the Malalison Island

Preparation of dinner

The Climb (April 13 to 15)
We commenced the hike at 5 in the morning, as suggested by Josue (guide coordinator), to avoid the scorching heat at the open slopes.  The first part of the trail to Camp 1 is composed of grasslands with moderate assault, followed by forested trails with uneven terrains and thorny plants (Rattan).  

The Open Slopes

Take 5

Aling Simang at the grasslands

The landscape of the open field

A lagoon.  The last part of the open trail

The Forested Part to Camp 1

A shaded part with continuous assault

Joy, The Lady of the Forest :o

Camp 1
It was only 11 AM by the time we arrived at Camp 1.  Initially, our plan was to reach camp 3 to have ample time for the side-trip.  Josue said that we can't make it to camp 3 and suggested to resume the hike at dawn the next day.  We just settled at camp 1 and the remaining time were used for socials.  

One of our guides on the 3 days hike.  He was able to join us up to the summit; a very agile new found friend.  

Tent Pitching

Discussion with Josue and cheering moments with other hikers

Food Preparation

Into the River
After consuming a bottle of Alfonso, the cold flows of river enlivened the day... 

Clear Running Water

Jerico at the natural bathtub 

Beside the river

Day 2 (April 14)
We resumed the hike at 5 in the morning packed-light.  The plan to exit via old trail was altered; instead, we passed through the same route (new trail) during our descent.  

The trail during the second day is more challenging; a continuous 4-wheeled assaults in mossy forest.  There are parts where we need to pass on edges of precipice.  A stunning scenery awaits at the higher ground (provided that there's a clearing).  

Rope Segment.  There's only one segment in the entire trail (around 20 to 25 ft.).  Our guide mentioned that they made a new route, to avoid the steeper one.

Libog Falls taken at different time.  According to the local, Libog means "honey or mahal" in their dialect.

The Three Musketeers.  They were the fast pacers of the group: Luisa (Pot), Darwin, and Trixie

At a view deck (there was no view!)

Wetland
Most of the trail from this point until we reach the summit comprised of wet soils and mossy forest.  

A garden of moss near the summit

Rommel the Treeman

The Flora

Wild Plants

At the Summit
We had no clearing but still, it was a successful assault.  The summit can only accommodate few climbers; it is a steep point with loose soils.  In a better day, there is a 360-degree view of mountain ranges.

Group Picture at the summit

Rommel at the other side (tree-top)

Late lunch at Camp 3.  Time Check: 1:00 PM

We arrived at the campsite before nightfall.  My knee injury from  previous climbs struck once again (same with Pat and Pau :P); but despite of this, I brought down with me another priceless and joyous memories 

Day 3 (April 15)
After logging out at 11 am, we went to the nearby Malalison Island as our side-trip.

The Descent

Group Picture at the Grassland

Gold Eagle.  A classic drink after an arduous hike

UGAT conquered Mt. Madjaas!

Last picture with "Chupuppy", our 15 years old guide.  See you in other times!  (kapag hindi ka na makulit :D)

On the way downtown

Malalison Island
A common destination after a climb due to its proximity.  The island has an extensive beach front of white sands and generally less-crowded.  Taking the approximately 1.5 hour hike to a hill is another activity, where one can have scenic views of the entire island and encounter with pitcher plants (we already had enough lolx).  

Going to the Island

Arrival

Cheers

At the beachfront

Random Pics

Going Home

Random Pics

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. – Robert Frost

Actual Itinerary
April 11, 2017 (12 midnight): Departure Manila (via Philtranco) to Culasi, Antique
April 12, 2017: Travel time, registration, overnight at the village
April 13 (5:00 AM) to April 15 (9:00 AM): Climb Proper
April 15, 2017 (Afternoon): Side-trip to Mararison Island (Overnight)
April 16, 2017 (10:00 AM): Departure to Manila (Via Ceres Transport)
April 17, 2017 (12:00 PM): Arrival Manila

Some Major Expenses
Guide Fee: 600 Php per day
Porter Fee: 500 Php per day
Habal-habal: 150 Php per head
Terminal Fee and Environmental Fee (Malalison): 30 Php per head
Pump Boat to Malalison: 750 Php per ride (good for  8 to 10 pax)

Worth remembering (a personal thing to look back)
- Candy at roro going to Roxas
- Darwin Rocks at night (Malalison)
- Roderick circled the tree (Malalison)
- Bangkero's Night
- The repeating phrase: "Simang/Kath Mahal Kita" (Malalison)
- "Nasa Cubao na po" - Trix (Malalison)
- The hypertensive Paulo 

Safe Budget for a group of 10: more or less 5k per head (including the side-trip)

Photo Credit: Aling Simang, Rommel Dalisay, Mary Joy Tan, Paulo Marte

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Mt. 387 (Batong Amat) Traverse // March 19, 2017

View from the summit

A hiking ground that is recently gaining the interest of climbers, is Mt. 387 (Mt. Batong-Amat) located at Carranglan, Nueva Ecija.  The area is within a 65,000 hectares' watershed, wherein 387.9 hectares are comprised of mountain's range.  At the summit, one can see a cluster of hills which quite similar to the Chocolate Hills of Bohol; for this reason, it is called "The mini chocolate hills of the north".

Jerico and I joined an organized climb by the group of Cristel Fontarum, that would later be called "Team Halo-Halo", as it composed of participants coming from different hiking groups.  Before the climb, we were given a trail's overview and a brief history of the place.  We learned that the place became an execution site of captured Japanese soldiers during the World War II; and each year, a group of Japanese people is visiting the place to make some offers.  

We commenced the climb at around 6 in the morning and decided to do a traverse hike.  

Photos Taken

The trail to summit consists of minimal assaults

A view from a shaded area while having a stopover

My first successful climb at a tree.  I had difficulty in moving down; perhaps, this was my first and last time in doing such thing :P

Near the summit

Jerico (Pat). the next Rommel Dalisay?

One of the landmark at the summit.  

At the Summit

At the other side after the summit

A rainbow

Jump shot

Tian

Looking at a distance

Group picture

Going to Aloha Falls (Traverse)

There will be a continuous steep descent over there!

Descending in a bamboo forest.  The trail in this part is not yet well established.

This part is the main obstacle in doing the traverse.  A very steep trail in an open field. 

Going down.  Sliding in grassland, I forgot to bring my gloves!  

Aloha Falls

The Aloha Falls

At a different angle

We had our lunch at the Aloha Falls.  Some waded, some just sat still while enjoying the views, and there was this group which had a "cheering moments (Drink of the day: lambanog from Laguna)"...

Ayun si Jerico nalasing na.... 

We went back to the jump-off at 3 in the afternoon.

Last group pic taken while waiting for the truck.  It was a successful hike for a cause!

We can do no great things - only small things with great love - Mother Teresa

Actual Itinerary

March 18, 2017 (11 PM): ETD Cubao to  Nueva Ecija
March 19, 2017 (11:30 PM): ETA Cubao

Note:

1. One of the participants claimed, that she saw a medium-size snake along the trail while descending from the Aloha Falls to the place of pick-up.

2. There is  water source at the Aloha Falls

Photo Credit: Cristel Fontarum, Christian Anievas, and Jerico Tabuzo

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