Mt. Talamitan - Mt. Apayang Twin Hike // June 25, 2017

Last weekend, I joined an organized Mt. Talamitan and Mt. Apayang twin hike.  Sometimes being done as trilogy climb (including the nearby Mt. Batulao), each summit offers a rewarding 360 degrees view of grassy slopes and nearby ranges.

We commenced the hike at 4 am after a briefing and short prayer led by Kae.  The team utilized a buddy system; I was partnered with the talkative and energetic Rona.  Her knack in establishing a rapport is truly amazing and I didn't have a hard time in dealing with her (hmm.... yeah!).  

The Hike
The trail is comprised of dense grasses; mossy soils which made it slippery; and open fields.  Overall, it is fair.  

Mt. Apayang at the background

Rona, Gelo and Nath on the way to Mt. Apayang

Mt. Talamitan taken at the summit of Mt. Apayang

The fast pacers which will soon be called "Team Ligaw" (Mga nagmamagaling kasi :P)

The entire team at the summit before the descent

Descent
Five of us got lost during the descent.  We started running when we reached the open field.  Rona said that our guide told her to always turn right (which supposed to be left). We ended up exploring other trails. 

We took some fruits from this Mango Tree

Exploring a trail under the sun

We went back when we came across a soil filled with water.  It seems that no one is passing that trail.  Tatz and Nath used their GPS and they noticed that the right path is at the other side (yari ka sakin mamaya manong guide :P).  Rona was already exhausted during this time and she asked something to eat.  Nath offered her an egg.  He asked Rona if she wants a brown or a white one (I thought he was only joking).  It was already past 12 by the time we reached the falls; others were already done taking their lunch.

Mt. Talamitan took at the open field

Grassland

Rona what are you playing? :O

Lunch at the falls

Layong Bato (Mini Falls)

Boodle fight with the organizer Kae

Dentor.  I learned that he is a great swimmer; an aspiring Olympic champion.  wow! :o :P

We stayed at the falls for 3 hours then proceeded to Calaruega as our side trip.

Calaruega

Group Picture (insert me)

Group Picture 2

At the hanging "Tete"

Prenup shot at the old church

The Inside

Team Ligaw (I, Gelo, Tatz, Rona, and Nath)

Real beauties are not hidden; they can easily be seen.....at the top! - JSC (June 2017)

Actual Itinerary
June 25, 2017 (1:00 AM): Meet up McDonald Greenfield
June 25, 2017 (10:00 PM): Home Sweet Home

Event Fee (Organizer)
850 per pax (Kae Lagrimas)

Worth Remembering (Moments and Thoughts to Look Back)
- Series of Fart
- Our guide story regarding the brownies given to him by his guest.
- Sabi ni kuya kanan lang daw lagi wag daw kakaliwa - Rona
- Pagpitas ng manga sa puno
- Brown or a white egg?
- The GPS gurus (Tatz and Nath)
- Exploring the other parts of the mountain
- Team Ligaw 
- "Tete" - a kapampangan word which means bridge.
- Hanging Tete
- Ebun
- "Rambutan"
- The 100 php avocados
- Dinner at Mahogany (bulalo, unlimited banana, and coffee)
- Anak ni Mayor and the espasol vendor
- The 200 php crablets
- 300 Php 
- Allergy Series

Photo Credit to the owners :P

End

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Mt. Oro - Mt. Sipit Ulang Twin Hike // June 17, 2017

I checked the time and it was already 5:30 am.  I was thinking what will I do at the office.  Still adjusting.....then suddenly... ************!!! I'm late!!! I'm supposed to be at the meeting place at 4:30 am.  We have planned a twin-hike to Mt. Oro and Mt. Sipit Ulang in Rizal that day.  I chatted She in her FB account.   Fortunately, they were still at McDonald in Greenfield... I hurried up!

Group picture at the registration area of Mascap before the climb (Dave, Franco, Fr. And, CJ, She, Aries (Dr. Love), and Ate Leah (our guide).. Insert Me

Mt. Oro (Gold)
One of the strangest mountains I've climbed.  All of us, including our guide, experienced an unexplained exhaustion.  It seems that something is hindering us from reaching the top.  Is it true that nature spirits played us? or there's a strong magnetic field existing in the place?  Whatever happened at the end, we've overcome the hurdles and conquered its peak.  
The Trail
Mt. Oro is more on a hill than a mountain.  The trail is comprised of open grassland and very minimal light assault.  At the summit, there is an overlooking view of the Sierra Madre Range.  

The beginning of a short hike

An open grasslands.  Cogon grass are starting to bloom; the wet season has officially begun

Gradual Assault

Having a break at the foot of the summit

The Calvary

Final Assault to the summit

A goat at the summit?  I was horrified!  I remembered some verses  in Matthew regarding the sheep and the goat...."He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left".........."Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels"  :o

The Summit

At the summit

At the other view

Descent
We back-trailed to the jump-off via rough road and had our lunch at an eatery near the Brgy. hall before proceeding to Sipit Ulang.

Kristoffer Dave Domingo, a trail runner in the making (kaya mo pa kaya?)

Newly born calves

Mt. Sipit-Ulang
Due to time constraint, we climbed Mt. Sipit-Ulang via Banayad Trail.  Ate Leah told us that the mountain has now 3 existing trails: Paniki, Banayad, and the super trail where rock climbing skill is a must.  We reached the summit in less than an hour.

Beautiful Bamboos

Almost there

Franco at a rock formation near the summit

My second encounter with the claw-like rock formation of Rizal

Photo Blast

Yours truly at the bottom of the summit

CJ, welcome back!

She on the other side of the peak

Other Side

The Original Rodriguez Trilogy: Mt. Binacayan, Mt. Pamitinan, and Mt. Hapunang Banoi

Group Picture at the summit minus Franco and me (#photographerduty :P)

Andy's Creed

Andy made his own declaration of hiking principle; I found it worth sharing...

"Mountaineer's Pledge"
By: Andres Rebato (Andy)

By the sweat of my brows,
By the bites of thousand grass,
By the fire of scourging sun,
By the arrows of blinding storms,
By the thorns of unmoving stones,
And by the hands of my companions,
I will climb high and proud,
I will walk by day and night
I will seek the path, embrace the cold,
If ever I shall fall, let no one mourn
Just bear the pain and bring me home
This is my pledge, this is my fate
Let Earth be my witness

And God, my only Guide

- Andy

Actual Itinerary
June 17, 2017 (7:00 AM): Meet up McDonald Greenfield
June 17, 2017 (6:30 PM): ETA Farmers Cubao

Safe Budget
500 (for a group of 7)

Major Expenses
Tour Guide: 500 per mountain (5:1)
Registration Fee: still 50 php per head

Going There
1. There are available jeepneys in Ligaya and Cubao going to Montalban. Ask the driver for a drop-off in the Total Gas Station near Eastwood. 

2. From the Gas Station, enter the street in front where you can find the tricycle terminal going to Mascap (150 per ride).  

Worth Remembering (Moments and Thoughts to Look Back)
- The unforgotten 1500 php story of Aries Andrada (Dr. Love)
- I remember that Dave told the group to pray before proceeding to Mt. Oro; I rebutted by saying that the mountain seems like a "station of the cross".  We are already praying as we climb. (coincidence?)
- Strange moments at Mt. Oro
- Supernatural stories shared by Ate Leah Zonio
- Marami pong ginto ang nakabaon dito sa Rizal (Ate Leah $$$)
- Halo-Halo moments at the sari-sari store
- It is now the season of Avocado
- Sir gusto mong payong na pang golf (Franco) :P
- Malaki ang kinikita ng mga pari sa mga donation dito sa Manila - Fr. Andy (a former seminarian)
- Parang wala tayong dinaanan kaninang sampayan (Me to She)
- Future plans for acquiring house and lot
- Future plan of climbing Mt. Ayaas and some of the newly opened mountains in Wawa
- Dinner (post-climb) at KFC Starmall

Our Contact
Leah Zonio: 0930-011-0331 (this is her husband's mobile number)

Related Article
Mt. Sipit Ulang Hike

Photo Credit: She Joy Malatuba

End

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Maysawa Circuit and Nagpatong Rock Formation (1st Tower) // September 25, 2016

Picture taken from one of Mt. Binutasan's Summit

A sea of clouds, grassy slopes, a glimpse of nearby mountains, and trails comprised of bamboos and tall grasses.  These are some of the things which a new place in Tanay, Rizal can offer to hike enthusiasts - "The Maysawa Circuit".  It is under the supervision of Brgy. Cuyambay; the same locality in charge of Mt. Paliparan.  The entire trail is composed of 2 mountains: Mt. Sapari and Mt. Binutasan.  If the twin hike is not yet enough to satisfy one's wanderlust, a side trip to Nagpatong Rock Formation is a feasible day tour combination.       

The Hike 

We made a comeback 2 weeks after our Mt. Paliparan Hike.  In order to include the Nagpatong Rock Formation in our itinerary, we left Manila at 2:00 am and arrived at the Brgy. Hall of Cuyambay at 3:45.  The registration fee for the 2 locations is 50 pesos.  The jump off of the Maysawa Circuit is located at the other side of the highway.  At 4:15 we commenced the hike.  We preferred to go first in Mt. Binutasan to catch-up the sea of clouds.  

Muddy Trail

The trails on both mountains can become very slippery and muddy during the rainy season; added to the thrill is the existence of limatiks in the first part of the trail.  

Mt. Binutasan

We reached the series of peaks of Mt. Binutasan at 6 am.  Overall, it has 4 peaks.   The name Binutasan was originated from a man-made tunnel a long time ago.  According to our guide, hikers and even the locals of the place are forbidden to explore the area due to safety.

Group picture: Aries, She, Me, and Santy

Descending from peak 4

Batis

This is the place where most hikers are having a stop-over.  The cold running water and the serenity of the place is truly a great reward after the hike.  There is a nipa hut located at the upper part.  Coconuts can be avail at 25 pesos; other snacks are for sale at higher prices :p

The Nipa Hut

are those berries edible?

We stayed in the place for an hour and went to Mt. Sapari.  

Mt. Sapari

Our guide mentioned that the mountain was named after a priest who once resided the place.  In the end, he was assassinated.  The summit of Mt. Sapari has a small rock formation.  Honestly, I appreciated more the scenic views of the nearby mountains on our way up.  

Santy (where is love?)

                                             

She at the summit

Another rock formation located on the summit 

We took some photo-ops and went back to the jump-off (highway).  Along the way, we encountered some horses that are available for a ride at a cost of 150 pesos until reaching the habal-habal terminal.  The habal-habals are charging 30 pesos per head up to the highway.  We decided to walk.   We had our lunch in the lomi house located at the beginning of the trailhead.  Prices of meals are ranging from 30 to 70 pesos.  Souvenir bag tags and shirts may be avail at the shop.   After 45 minutes, we proceeded to the jump-off point of the Nagpatong Rock Formation.  

Nagpatong Rock Formation

The jump-off point of the nagpatong rock formation is located at the other side of the highway.  It consists of 2 towers.  The first tower is an hour away from the jump off.  The other one which is more difficult to climb is 30 minutes away from the first tower.  The trail going to the rock formation is consists of bamboos (with new sprout), razor-leafed grasses, and rocks scrambling.  Good thing I brought my gloves.

A community in the jump off point

Is this a fruit???

I did not reach the peak of tower 1 since I had problem with my shoes.  It became very slippery when I step on stone.  I just stayed on the base of the tower.  The other 3 made it on the top.  (Better luck next time)...

The summit of tower 1

Aries and tower 2 at the background

We did not go to tower 2.  Aside from an impending rain, it is more on a technical climb (more on rappelling) compare with tower 1.  A rope is highly needed.  We started our descent at 3 pm.  

Overall, it was a great and exhausting hike.  I realized that I still have a very long way to go.