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.

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