Countryside Notebook: September 2018

A week before Typhoon Ompong wreaked havoc in Northern Luzon, I've joined a team in visiting the Cordillera. Our goal was to twin-climb Mt. Timbak and Mt. Tabayoc, but someone in absolute greatness has only granted us a single path. It was not a warm welcome. To begin with, as we reached the land of berries, heaven has started to shed tears, some roads were blocked, and debris from previous landslides was still around. In the end, it turns out that nature was only testing us. At the peaceful village of Ballay, after setting up our camp, gray changed to blue, and eventually, a huge floating fireball has revealed itself and smiled down at us.

The campsite beside the mystical Lake Tabeo

At the Campsite

Some closed their eyes and fall asleep

The hands of the Gourmands have filled the craves

Some moved around and made some clicks

Others just watched the passing of clouds

Reaping the fruits of their hard works. Farming is the fundamental source of living of native inhabitants. Crop production is highly focused on carrots, potatoes, and cabbages. They are applying organic fertilizers in boosting. I don't like the smell of that hummus!

Freshly picked carrot. What's up, doc?

Playing outside, doing several things under the blue sky, and returning home with mud-stained clothes. It's so nice to encounter children who are still having an ideal childhood; disconnected from the realm of virtual reality.

It was around the afternoon when we have started to move and visited the other lake...

I've already seen a lot of terraces in the other places of Cordillera. Still, the one located in Ballay is another man-made masterpiece to see.

The marker of Lake Bulalakaw - a wooden lion's head

It is said to be the second cleanest inland lake in the Philippines. The first on the rank can be found somewhere in Mindanao. Just out of curiosity, I asked our guide if I can drink from it, then he answered, no! Hmmm, so how it becomes a clean lake?

Capturing the moment at Lake Bulalakaw

It was getting colder when we came back. In a short while, a veil of cold-fine mist have wrapped the campsite, it moved slowly, as it touched the surface of the lake and rolled over on the surroundings' hills...

At the golden hour, streaks of red, blue, and orange lights have started to show up across the wide sky, they illuminated Lake Tabeo

The Night

Then here came darkness and swallowed the golden sky

Stars from above have boasted their twinkling lights

A loop was formed beside the mystical pool
And the hush was broken by the Hoho of all

Deep in the night, where most are at peace
Melodies of chains have started to play around
Nature was calling, Oh! nature was calling!
But someone was lurking, I got afraid to heed

Day 2
The following day, the spell of the morning dews have made the soil damp and the surroundings bone-chilling. Before we started to march, in silence, we have sought the guidance of the stars.
Mike wasn't able to join us and he just stayed at the campsite. For what reason, I'm not so sure... :o

The Pacers

Three transformed into jaguars and boosted their speeds

Two into kangaroos, they have springs on their feet

Three remained at the tail with the light of the trail

But one is also a beast just hiding its teeth

The mossy forest of Mt. Tabayoc

Within the woodland

A newfound hiking buddy. Someone who is at par with my speed. Mt. Tabayoc is her first peak. Since we both ended at the rear, during this climb, we established the Slow Pacers Mountaineer. Will it last?

Jezer, our trail light

After 3 to 4 hours of "chill-climb" (Pine), finally, we have reached the summit of the 7th highest peak. The place is shaded by the branches and leaves of mossy trees. There's a man-made view deck at the summit, where one can see an overview of the nearby ranges, but previous storms have damaged it. Although some of them were able to step on near the edges, I didn't dare to move further.

The summit

Landscape from the view deck. The Cordillera that I greatly love!

Most hikers are considering their first peak as their mother mountain. But, I affirmed with the self-concept of Cheryl Owen, stating that a mother mountain must be the peak which is closest to a hiker's heart. It must be the mountain where one can seek inner peace and feel a surge of nostalgia, every time he/she will climb on it. I'm glad that I already found them; they are the mysterious and sublime mountains of Cordillera. I will climb them all!

I would like thanks Mike for organizing this climb.

Worth Remembering (Moments and Thoughts to look back)
- Rekindling Abra's myth of 7 inches
- Stories in green while descending back to the campsite
- ayyyy, ayyyy, ata eh,,,,,
- The speed maniac-reckless driver. I'm hoping that we will never cross-paths once again!!!
- "Ruf-Ruf" stew. I was quite disgusted
- Chill lang yung hike noh? - Carloiskie

Other Photos Taken