Trekking Cinco Picos

Mt. Cinco Picos, Subic Zambales

31 March 2012

Jump-off point

Cinco Picos (Spanish words meaning Five Peaks). 

Long and exposed trail and hot weather that can drain ones energy down to the last drop and fantastic landscape views. 

These are two major things that await every adventurer at Mt. Cinco Picos in Subic province of Zambales. 

It was a rainy Friday in Manila when I decided to join a hike at Mt. Cinco Picos in Zambales. I was actually having a second thought in joining the hike because of the weather condition. 

Onboard two private vans, we left Mc Donalds El Pueblo for Subic in Zambales at around 1AM. There were 18 of us. Julian, Darren and Lance were leading the hike. 

Exposed trail

We reached the town of Subic and registered at the municipal office at around 4:30AM. After registering at the municipal hall, we head on to the jump-off point. 

River crossing

We were a bit lost on our direction but finally, we were all at the jump-off point at around 7AM and prepared for the hike. We started hiking at around 7:30AM. 

I was so excited because the weather at Subic was good. In fact, while inside the van, there was a very nice sunrise above Subic bay. While trekking, we were all amazed by the fantastic landscape views. 

Mountain landscape

The surrounding landscape looked like the summit of Mt. Pulag with the golden-colored grass. The trail is very nice. It is long and exposed with dried tall golden-colored Cogon grass covering both sides of the trail. 

Since the trail is exposed, after an hour and a half of trekking, I started to feel the intense heat of the sun. If hikers shiver in the cold temperature at Mt. Pulag, we shivered in the intense heat of the sun along the exposed trail going to Mt Cinco Picos. 

Cinco Picos ahead

It was the hottest trail temperature that I ever experienced since I started climbing mountains. Most of us had to stop along the trail after every 30 minutes of walking to rehydrate and rest. 

There was a portion of the trail that was burning when we arrived at a place near a small water stream. We all had to stop and observe. Many of us were a little worried about the fire knowing that dried Cogon grass and trees cover most of the trail and can ignite easily. 

Trail covered with dried Cogon grass

After 30 minutes, the smoke slowly disappeared and we started trekking. It was good. The fire did not progress. After about 4 hours of trekking under the intense heat of the sun, it started to turn cloudy and several dark clouds started to emerge in the sky and the wind started to get colder. 

Most of us reached the summit (peak 1) of Cinco Picos by 1PM and had lunch.

The peak is small. After having lunch and rest, most of us decided to descend to a flat ground below the peak in order to give space for others to have lunch and enjoy the peak. 

Overlooking Subic Bay

At about 2PM, we had all descended to the flat ground and prepared to descend to the jump-off point. We had group photo ops. Just after having our group picture shots, it started to rain and it was a downpour. 

We started our descent at 2:30PM. Four of us Julian included, were back to the jump-off point at 5PM. The second group were back to the jump-off point at around 5:45PM and last batch guided by Darren at around 7PM. We left Subic at around 7:30PM. 

It was another challenging day hike!!

====================

Photo gallery

====================

-----o0o-----

Trekking Mt. Manalmon

Province of Bulacan

24 to 25 March 2012

Bianca invited me to hike Mt. Manalmon in Bulacan. Since my calendar was still open, I said, we will join if she is joining. Pinsan Mountaineers - Borz and Ravi were the organizers of the climb.

Mt. Manalmon is located in the town of San Miguel, province of Bulacan. it is part of the Biak-na-Bato National Park and the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. At an elevation of 196 MASL, many mountaineers consider Mt. Manalmon as a "Hill" rather than a "Mountain" like Pulag or Apo for instance. 

Monkey Bridge

The mountain may not be as towering as Mt. Pulag or Mt. Apo, but it is a hidden paradise that awaits to be enjoyed and explored by outdoor adventurers and explorers like us. Highlights at Mt. Manalmon trek include: Swimming at Madlum River, Spelunking at Madlum Cave, Diving, River Rafting, Crossing the Monkey Bridge and many more.

On car pool, we left Manila at around 5:45AM and drove north to Bulacan. Past 8AM we stopped at a wet market in San Miguel Bulacan to buy things that we will be needing for the trek including groceries for our meals.

Bianca and I thought that it will be a day hike. It was too late for us to retreat as we were in San Miguel Bulacan already when Borz informed us that it will be an overnight adventure. Earlier, I was thinking why were they in full trekking gears.

Luckily, Borz brought one extra tent so Bianca and I were both happy.

Trail

We arrived at Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul community past 9AM. We had our group registered and availed a guide. We rested for a while and prepared for Lunch. It was a feast for the eyes to see the majestic white rocks surrounding a nice greenish pool with clear waters.

Something that caught my attention was the monkey bridge made of metal wire cable tied on a rock on opposite banks of the river. I enjoyed watching adventurers crossed the river through the monkey bridge.

Madlum Cave

Just before lunch, there was a group of ATV enthusiasts who visited the place and had lunch. There were around 30 of them. We enjoyed posing on the ATVs and taking pictures.

Past 1PM, we started trekking Mt. Manalmon and passed through the Madlum Cave. From here we trekked down on massive rock formations then to an area that resembles a beach - with a river bank, sand and rocks.

Rockies

We were supposed to camp at the peak of Mt. Manalmon, but we decided to camp at the Madlum river bank instead so we can wash and take a bath. We reached the river at around 3PM and while we were pitching our tents, it started to rain. It was not a downpour but the rain was continuous.

Camp Site

After pitching our tents, we had socials and dinner at 7PM and it was still raining. The following day, Bianca and I woke up early. Everyone was still sleeping so we decided to scout the river.

We had breakfast past 7AM and then we trek to the summit of Mt. Manalmon. Few stayed at the camp site and waited for us. It took us 20 minutes to reach the summit and 15 minutes to go down the camp site.

Manalmon Summit

At 196 MASL, the view atop Mt. Manalmon is spectacular. Mt. Arayat can be seen very visible at the summit. The stretch of Madlum river is also spectacular. Opposite Mt. Manalmon is Mt. Gola.

We all headed back to the jump-off point at 10AM and just in time for lunch, we were at the jump-off point few minutes before 12PM. We left the place back to Manila past 1PM.

====================

Photo gallery

====================

-----o0o-----

Trekking the Rice Terraces

Batad, Ifugao Province

17 & 18 March 2012

We traveled more than 10 hours from Sampaloc in Manila to the heart of the Cordilleras in the province of Ifugao on board bus bound for Banaue.

Just like everyone else, I was so excited to see the locals of Ifugao province, taste their food, learn more of their culture and of course, see and walk along the stairs of the world renowned Rice Terraces.

We reached the town proper of Banaue past 8am and we took our breakfast at a nearby restaurant. While having breakfast, a friend photo enthusiasts Lito Ramos and I was enjoying the view from the window overlooking a winding road going to the municipality of Batad.

After an hour, we were all ready to travel to Batad. On-board a heavy duty jeep, we traveled to Batad for more than 2 hours passing through paved and rough winding roads. There are several on going road works along the way. By 11am, we were at the saddle point.

Residential Place near the Batad Rice Terraces

Before trekking down to Batad, we regrouped. We started trekking down to Batad past 12noon. The trail going to Batad is well defined and maintained. There were several huts along the way selling refreshing drinks and several items for souvenirs. Trekking down to Batad is quiet easy and it took us at least 45 minutes to reach Batad.

We were all amazed looking at the Rice Terraces at Batad. According to the locals, the only thing that differentiates Batad Rice Terraces from all other Rice Terraces in Ifugao is that the walls of the Rice Terraces at Batad are made of stones.

Three things that saddened me though, first was the landslide from the upper portion of the mountain affecting the upper middle portion of the Rice Terraces. Second was the sad news that the new generations of the Ifugaos were abandoning the Rice Terraces and preferred to work at the city thus affecting the tradition of the Ifugaos that started thousands of years ago and third was the construction of modern houses right at the middle of the Rice Terraces amphitheater. I was suggesting to Manong Simon, owner of Simon's Inn, that the local government should have regulated the construction of houses near and within the Rice Terraces to preserve its original features. I would love to see the Rice Terraces again with only native houses built near or within it.

 

This portion of the Rice Terraces, I think was part of the area enlisted by the prestigious UNESCO as World Heritage Site.

One good news though is "Bachang". In filipino, it's Bayanihan. Bayanihan in restoring the landslide affected portion of the Rice Terraces. I've met few climbers saying that they have rendered free labor of helping the locals restore the damaged portion of the Rice Terraces. I also heard that few companies like Canon have visited the area and donated equipments that can be used in restoring the Rice Terraces.

House on a Cliff

We were encamped at Simons Inn. The lunch was so good. Chicken Tinola and organic rice are my favorites.

After lunch, it was free time for all. Most of us played games and had socials, while I preferred to roam around and enjoy the places more, taking shots of anything that looks good to me.

Walking along the Rice Terraces

By 5pm, we visited our guide's place. Our guide gave us a short lecture on the making of Ifugao local wine called "Rice Wine". I find it very educational and interesting. Our guide also explained why Ifugaos chew "Momma" which is made of four ingredients known as Gawed (green leaf), Bua (Bitter Nut), Apog (White Powder made from burnt snail shell) and Tabako (Tobacco). According to the Ifugaos, chewing "Momma" can prevent tooth decay and can warm up the body. The Apog gave the red color of the Momma.

After the short lecture and question and answer portion, we tasted a first class Rice Wine and chew a few piece of Momma. Everyone enjoyed the taste of the Rice Wine including myself.

Hut

The dinner was served at about 7pm and something that caught my attention was the locally made "Pizza" made from bread, thin slices of tomatoes and cheese.

At night, I was so eager to take a few shots of the sky with few stars appearing. It was a cloudy night so I tried my best to take shots of the stars, though not so good but at least I got few shots.

The following day was the more exciting day. We trekked to the Tappiya Falls passing through the local village and walking through the stairs up the Rice Terraces.

Star Trail

While we were at the village, we passed by a house of a native Ifugao dress weaver. We witnessed a short demo on how the locals weave their local "Baag" dress in colors of Red, Black and White. According to the weaver, the colorful Baags are for the rich or for those who belong to the higher class in the Ifugao society while the black ones are for the lower class people.

Ifugao Weaver

We continued trekking to Tappiya Falls and walked through the Rice Terraces. It was so amazing.

Tappiya Falls

We reached the Tappiya Falls past 11am. The water of the falls is crystal clear and cool. Most of us enjoyed swimming and taking pictures with many other travelers and foreign tourists as well.

A more challenging part of the entire trek was going up from Tappiya Falls back to Batad village as we had to climb up stairs of at least more than hundred steps of different elevations. We started trekking back to the saddle point after having lunch at about 2:45pm. We were back to Banaue past 4pm.

====================

Photo gallery

====================

-----o0o-----

Trekking Mt. Makiling (Traverse)

Sto. Tomas, Batangas Province
10 March 2012

Bianca and I were planning to have a one-day adventure at either Taal Lake and Volcano or Pagsanjan falls in Laguna on one Saturday until Borz of Lakas Mountaineers posted and invited us for a hardcore Makiling Traverse (MAKTRAV) dayhike. I've never been to Makiling so I told Bianca that we will join. 

According to volcano experts, Mount Makiling, is a potentially active volcano in Laguna province on the island of Luzon. It rises to 1,090 meters above sea level. Legends surround the mountain, many of which relate to Maria Makiling, said to be the 'guardian fairy' of the mountain. The contour of the mountain is said to be that of her in a reclining position. 

There were 13 of us who confirmed and we met at a Jollibee store in Alabang. Oboard a bus bound for Batangas, we commuted to Sto. Tomas market to buy supplies and packed lunch.

Sto. Tomas Market

From the market, we took tricycle to get to the municipal office of Sto. Tomas to register. This is also the jump-off point. 

Jump-off Point

We started trekking Mt. Makiling at Sto. Tomas past 7AM. The trail is nice and the weather is good. I was having a good time taking some shots of Mt. Makiling as the sun lit it up turning its summit with a golden shade.

Trail

As we go higher, the trail gets narrow and the tall cogon grass started to appear. The nice landscape below was amazing. 

Lanscape View

We had early lunch along the trail at about past 9AM before we started the summit assault. We started the summit assault by 10AM.

Summit Assault

Though quiet difficult, this is one of the highlights of the climb that I enjoyed. Climbing on a narrow steep trail and passing through 3 different rope segments. 

While climbing, I remembered my first climb on a rope getting to the summit of the rock beak of Pico de Loro.

Steep Trail

Rope Segment

After each rope segment, we stopped to enjoy the landscape view on a rock. After passing through 2 more rope segments, we finally reached the summit past 1PM. The summit of Mt. Makiling is plain with 3 crosses. 

Summit

Mt. Makiling trail is infested with "limatic" (blood sucking leaches) and I was bitten at my neck. While climbing Mt. Makiling was an awesome experience, going down is as challenging. The trail is still narrow, muddy and very slippery. I find my trekking pole very useful in descending along a slippery trail. 

Los Banos Trail

It took us about 4 hours from the summit to the Makiling forest park in Los Banos. Bianca and I were the first to arrive at the first station at Makiling forest park.

Refreshment

The buko juice was so refreshing. From the first station, we had to walk 2 more hours along the winding road at Makiling Forest park going to the entrance gate. 

Los Banos Rainforest Park

We reached the entrance gate at about 6PM and tidy up. There are two bathrooms and water is warm. We took a jeep from the Makiling Forest Park gate up to Olivares mall.

It was a very nice hardcore climb and I enjoyed it. Hiking and walking for more than 10 hours is worthy of the experience, getting close with nature, adventure, fun and of course meeting new friends and tagging them on my facebook list. Thanks to Borz for all the assistance along the trail.

---o0o---