We were the first group of outsiders who have been given the opportunity of climbing this mountain and seen her pristine beauty, beyond the portal of commercialism.
The way to Malibcong
Logistics will be a major hurdle in setting up a similar climb. The mountain is located in Mataragan, Malibcong, a highly secluded part of Abra where even some of the military we encountered in the 2 checkpoints were surprised upon telling them where we are heading, and some of them mentioned that they still have not been to this place. From Bangued Abra, it was 6 hours of a long ride in the mostly unestablished road.
After the exhausting 13 hours of both van and jeepney rides, we finally reached the jump-off. Lunch is already served! |
The entire team |
A wooden chapel along the trail |
Ascending on a rocky trail |
Regrouping at Sitio Putol, a small community up there where most houses are made of wood. After a while, innocent faces started to show up. |
Crossing a rice field. I'm not sure if the crops are only intended for the food sustainability of the sitios. The perimeter of the field is not ideal for mass production. |
Different parts of the trail |
The campsite is wide enough to accommodate a good number of tents. It was a great night! |
Welcoming the sunrise at the view deck |
Nature became kind to us and granted a scenic landscape of nearby ranges surrounded with a sea of clouds. Truly rewarding! |
Mossy forest on the summit |
Skyy on the move for the sake of obtaining great shots |
Waiting for the others to break camp. It's time to go! |
Descending via rolling ridge and pine forest. A typical feature of the Cordilleran mountains |
On a steep trail bombarded with pine needles scattered on the ground. They can make you dance down the slope with the melody of affliction |
River Crossing way back to Mataragan. It was a successful exploration! |
I would like to thanks Mike and all the people involved in organizing this climb.
Conceptual Itinerary (provided by Mike)
Day 0 - February 15, 2019
8:00 PM: Meetup Mcdo Greenfield District
9:00 PM: ETD to Bangued Abra
Day 1 - February 16, 2019
5:00 AM: ETA in Bangued Abra
6:00 AM: Jeepney Transfer ETD to Brgy Mataragan (91.4KM)
12:00 PM: ETA in Brgy Mataragan JOP (Lunch)
1:00 PM: Start of Trek
5:00 PM: Camp Site (Water Source 30mins away from the Campsite)
6:00 PM: Dinner (Hosted Meal)
9:00 PM: Lights Out
Day 2 - February 17, 2019
3:30 AM: Wake up Call / Breakfast (Hosted Meal)
4:00 AM: Start Trek to Summit
6:00 AM: ETA Summit of Manmanok
7:00 AM: Start Descend
10:00 AM: ETA JOP (Wash Up / Lunch)
11:00 AM: ETD to Bangued Abra
4:00 PM: ETA in Bangued Abra
5:00 PM: ETD to Manila
Day 3 - February 18, 2019
1:00 AM: ETA in Manila
Actual Itinerary (based on my own log)
Day 0 - February 15, 2019
10:00 PM: Departure to Bangued Abra
Day 1 - February 16, 2019
5:30 AM: Arrival in Bangued Abra
6:00 AM: Departure to Brgy. Mataragan, Malibcong Abra
12:30 PM: Arrival in Brgy. Mataragan, Lunch
1:45 PM: Start of the hike
2:45 PM: Take 5 at Sitio Putol
3:00 PM: Hike resumed
5:40 PM: Regrouping at the suggested campsite (tent pitching is not feasible)
6:00 PM: Assault to Campsite (70 to 80 degrees)
7:00 PM: Arrival at the campsite (dinner and socials)
Day 2 - February 17, 2019
3:20 AM: Wake up call
4:10 AM: Start of the hike
5:20 AM: Arrival at Mt. Manmanok first peak, wait for the sunrise (the second peak is 15 to 20 minutes away from the view deck)
6:45 AM: Descent Back to the campsite
7:30 AM: Arrival at the campsite (breakfast and break camp)
9:20 AM: Descent via rolling ridge of pine forest
12:00 PM: Arrival Brgy. Mataraga (lunch) and last minute preparation
2:20 PM: Departure to Bangued
8:30 PM: Arrival at Bangued Abra
10:00 PM: Departure to Manila
Day 3 - February 18, 2019
5:15 AM: Arrival at Greenfield, Shaw (forced work day)
Something to look back
- Assault Syndrome
- Baboy Ramo
- Kaingin system
- May ari po yan ng kalahati ng Binondo - Mike
Contact
Dykath Molina: 09277725856
Abramazing Tour
Photo Credits to Rodel, Skyy, Bonbon, Dykath, and the Abramazing Tour
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Thank you for visiting our place. Hope you enjoyed hiking mt. Mammanok, also known as the virgin forest. Such a beautiful scenery, I just can't hold my breath looking at the photos. Thank you, from our hearts.
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