Fernweh : Hiking Adventure

Pre-Bday Climb at Mt.Timbak

Stairway to heaven! View from the 3rd highest mountain in Luzon; 9th highest peak in the Philippines.

My 22nd birthday is coming up and i've been wondering what to do, and since it has been our tradition to set a birthday climb. So this event has been created.

Major jump-off: KM. 55 in Atok, Benguet

Elevation: 2,717+ MASL (3rd highest mountain in Luzon; 9th highest peak in the Philippines.)

Specs: Minor Climb

Features: Fire mummies | Village life | Vegetable fields | Magnificent views of major Cordillera peaks

Mount Timbak is considered the 3rd highest mountain in Luzon and 9th highest peak in the Philippines

From Dangwa terminal Baguio City, we ride a van bound to Bontoc. Get off at KM 55 Atok Benguet.

There are no permits necessary to climb mount timbak and tour guides are also not a mandatory since you can ask the locals for direction if you are unsure of where to go.

From the jump off point you may begin your trek on a cemented road that will took 2 and half hours of hike, but you may also go directly to the Timbak Elementary school if you bring own private car or you can take a ride to a hitch. we were lucky enough we had a ride with one of the locals in the middle of the trek and took us from the Mummy cave registration (unfortunately Mummy cave was closed since May this year)

instead of 30-45mins of trek and it is a little bit exhausting.

From the Mummy cave registration, we start to trek again. We passed through a small towns where we met some of the locals with the glimpse of their daily lives in their farm.

Reminder: Be careful not to step on their crops!

Nakikita mo ba yun? Dyan ko tinapon yung pake ko :) #BitterHUGOT

View of the Cordillera mountains

We reach the summit around 10 in the morning and welcomed by a wonderful view of sea of clouds with a few nearby mountain. The summit itself is marked with three large white crosses. (I'm not able to take a picture on the Mini cavalry, due to religion beliefs) This is called the Mini Cavalry. we spent time on the peak and enjoy the cool mountain breeze on the top and enjoy seeing the different terraces of crops all over. Definitely an awesome sight to behold!

Back ride in a gas mini delivery truck!

We start to descend around 11AM, its a good thing that we took a backride on a mini gas delivery truck (first time to experience) since we're running out of time with our expected Itinerary.

Get off to the HIGHEST POINT PHILIPPINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM!

Dinner at the famous 50's diner at Baguio after hike

Rehearsal for fetty wap challenge at Burnham Park but first let us take a group selfie! :)

Arrived at Baguio around 4PM and roam around the city, took dinner at 50's diner. It is around 7:30 in the evening when we left the city

November Babies with not-so-candid shot at the Summit :)

Pabebe pose with my Highschool bestfriend.

Advance Happiest Birthday Kuya Pogi! :) Indeed it was a spectacular birthday climb for both of us.

And what's the climb thought me somehow? You need to make a life while making a living. So even though i'm so eshausted that day i went straight to office to do my job. (lol)

Its been 22 years existing on earth, I may not have the title nor achievement yet, hiked mountain for the 7th time around, been on the top of the mountain and i know someday I will be on the top of the stage where I could finally say " I made it!"

KM. 55: DAYTRIP FROM BAGUIO

0600 From Baguio City, take bus bound for Sagada or Bontoc

0730 ETA KM. 55, start trek

1030 Arrival at Timbak Elementary School. Head for summit

1030 Arrival at summit, talk with locals

1100 Head back to Timbak Elementary School

1130 From school, start descent

1400 Back at KM. 55; visit Highest Point in highway then/or await Baguio-bound bus

1600 Back at Baguio City

by Jobelle Villareal

5:41 PM
2 Comments

MT.ULAP TRAVERSE DAYHIKE

Hiking Adventure

MT. ULAP ECO-TRAIL
Itogon, Benguet
Entry point: Brgy. Ampucao, Itogon
Exit point: Brgy. Sta. Fe, Itogon
LLA: 16.2904 N, 120.6312 E, 1846 MASL (Mt. Ulap)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3 hours
Specs: Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3,
Features: Grassland and pine ridges, scenic views of the Cordilleras, burial caves

If you want to hike and escape away from Manila's heat. Mt.ulap will suit you well. Mt.Ulap Eco-trail is in close proximity to Baguio City , a less-than-an-hour drive.

One of my office close friends set this hike for his birthday celebration. From Manila, we rented a van going to Baguio around 11pm. We're on the way and my officemate didn't have any idea that we have a surprised for his birthday by 12mn.
(We wrote our greetings on a sticky note and put it on the jar with matching birthday cupcake).

Happy Birthday my frenemy Felmer 😘

We arrived in Baguio around 4:30AM in the morning. We registered first at the baranggay hall and started to hike at 5:30AM
A number of peaks and points of attraction are traversed via this relaxing trail: from the grassland slopes of Ambunao Paoay to Gungal Rock, and then to the highest point, Mt. Ulap

Hiking time is roughly around 4 – 5 hours, according to your hike pace and will return to the Barangay Hall after.

Im PINE here 😂 #HugotBundok

The trail was surrounded with pine trees, some still glowing with a youthful green color, their leaves bathed in yellow morning hue.

Groufie! Almost near to Summit!

We reached the summit around past 10 in the morning but got no clearing (Sobrang labo, parang tayo) We rested and took some “pang-profile pic” photos near a rock hanging of a cliff. “Onting usog pa, 200 likes na ‘yan,” I said to the amusement of others.

Sobrang Fog at Gungal Rock

Sitting on a cliff edge!

ITINERARY
21:00 Take van- Itogon Benguet
04:00 Arrived Itogon Benguet Baranggay hall
05:30 Start ascend
07:30 ETA Gungol Rock
10:00 ETA Mt. Ulap summit
10:15 Start Descend
11:30 Back to Baranggay Hall
01:30 Travel back to Baguio
04:30 Back in Baguio (Drop by in Baguio market)
06:00 Dinner at Goodtaste
07:30 Back to Manila
By public transport
Take bus from Manila to Baguio)
Take jeepney from Baguio to Brgy. Ampucao (P50)
ETA Brgy. Ampucao. Head to barangay hall. Register / Secure guides
Start trek
ETA Gungol Rock
ETA Mt. Ulap summit
Visit Burial Caves
Arrival at Sta. Fe exit point. Wait for jeepney back to Baguio
Back in Baguio City (and then to Manila)

6:14 PM
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Climbing is sweeter the 2nd time around

Hapunang Banoi

Major jumpoff: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal

The mountain ranges view from Mt.Hapunan Banoi

LLA: 14°44′25.3′′ N, 121°11′30.4′ 517 MASL (+460m)

Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3.5 hours

Specs: Minor, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 1-4 with limestone scrambling

Features: Limestone formations, scenic views of Sierra Madre and Rizal province

Source: Pinoy Mountaineer

Mt. Hapunang Banoi is situated in Brgy. Wawa in Rodriguez Rizal with estimated elevation of up to 517 Meters Above Sea Level. According to the locals the word “Hapunang Banoi” came from its folkloric seat as the place where eagles come to dine.

Whenever you're looking for a budget-friendly climb and just a quick ride away from the city. Rodriguez, Rizal would be perfect for you. Less than 2 hours away and a Budget of 500 pesos. You can now experience and conquer one of the attraction mountains in Rizal.

This is my second hike and I didn't expect that i will go back to mountains for the second time around (first hike was in Mt.Pulag). There is a whisper that i can hear that the mountains are calling me so i must go. So me and my bestfriend’s organize a climb last March 20,2016 with my Officemates.

Extreme Rock scrambling 🙉

NOTE:

*Mt.Hapunan Banoi is mainly a limestone climbing, Indeed it has a sharp cut edges rock along the trail, so it is highly recommended to wear some gloves, arm and leg sleeves. You might regret if you don’t have one.

*Be extra extra CAREFUL! (CAPS LOCK AND INTENSE)

One of my closest office friend had his first battle scar at his very first climb. We didn't saw what exactly happened when he lost his balance and slip thru the cliff. Some rocks are definitely far from other rocks to step or we must hold onto, So we must be very very careful and alert. Well, My officemate got nine lives (*lol) He was pulled by another group guide before he actually fell off the cliff. I got my knees trembling because of this.

The Summit groufie!

We reached the summit at exactly 8:30 in the morning. The summit welcomed us with open space and stunning unusual limestone edges.

We stayed for 20 minutes enough to took some death defying shots, and start to descent around 10 in the morning. We didn't stay too long as the sun heat were really intense. We reached the junction at exactly 12noon. We took a walk to the famous Wawa Dam and grab our lunch.

After all the scars, bruise, intense perspiration that we had getting splash to WAWA DAM was a relief!

Climbing this mountain is definitely a serious trek. I can feel my aching muscles and it was like my first time. Since it took me 2 months after having my first climb in Mt.Pulag as my new year’s climb!

We headed back to the City at 5 in the afternoon, we are all deadly tired and slept all along the way.

Congratulations for your first hike workmates!

Take 5

Shout out to my buddies behind this climb (Rose Mae,Cyrille) and to the first time hikers (Felmer,Mark,Ninafe,Jhunel,Jecel), especially to my best friend who organize this climb! It was a successful event! Kudos! :)

ITINERARY

4:00: ETD Cubao Farmers Market

4:45: Arrived at Brgy. Wawa DENR (Register)

5:00: Breakfast/ Warm Up

6:00: Start Ascend

7:15: Junction

8:30: Summit! (Picture taking and Nature Appreciation)

10:00: Start Descend

11:30:Junction

13:00: Wawa Dam (Lunch/Swim)

17:00: ETD

19:00: ETA Cubao Farmers Market

-Sara Sallador (My Best friend) Itinerary

My Bestfriend, Sara. Thanks for this event!

*You may also take a look of her blog about this hike : sarasallador.blogspot.com

11:44 AM
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Mt.Gulugod Baboy hike

Hiking Adventure

I'ts been a month since we had our last hiking adventure. The sun is brilliantly shining and before the summer ends , my hiking office buddies and I
decided to organize a summer hike with beach side trip. Originally we planned for a summer beach outing but ended up the other way around.
Around 8'oclock sunday morning (Saturday shift ended since we work in a graveyard shift. In short we didn't have sleep at all) When were heading off to batangas , I noticed that my wallet is missing. I tried to find it and realized that I left it in the restroom, to make the long story short, I thank God that I found my wallet. Of course, due to the unexpected things happened that morning, we didn't manage to follow our itinerary.

So we took a bus from Ayala going to Buendia LRT and the group meet up in Jacliner Bus station where we ride a bus going to Batangas Grand terminal. Since its a Sunday it just took us an hour and a half ride. From there we took a jeepney going to Phil Phan Dive Resort. Upon reaching Phil Phan dive resort the jumpoff point of Mt. Gulugod Baboy, we went straight to the registration site.

Mt.Gulugod Baboy is also known as Mt.Pinagbandirahan

This Photo was taken after reachin the summit! we're not able to took a picture since we started an early day-hike

Since it was a bit late already the group decided to just rent a room at Aguila beach resort (just a 30minute ride away from the jumpoff) and we asked a tricycle driver to fetch us before dawn then we'll start the hike.

Stayed in at Aguila Beach Resort, Anilao Batangas

The cottages are quite pricey, until we agreed to pay 650 pesos/ head. We just set our things inside the room and had a walk and swim in the beach till sunset.
Here are some pictures taken while stayin on the resort.

Me, enjoyin the sunset in the beach

We're back to the resort when the heavy rain started to fall, and it lasted for several hours the struggle is real, when the rest of the team prepared for dinner and had a black out in the resort and got electricity back up after 2 hrs, its really a better idea to stay in the resort rather than camping on the top mountain with this kind of weather, At last we had roasted Liempo and Chicken for dinner. Yum! It was followed by a quick socials before lights off. The calming breeze made us sleep and hoping for a good weather tomorrow for our hike

As we checked the weather outside it seems to be a good weather ahead, Around past 4 in the morning, we packed all our things and prepared for an early day hike.
We start to ascend around 4:30 in the morning, For the security and safety of all hiker, every group are required to secure a guide and pay a minimal reg fee and we got 2 local guides

Along the trail, rest areas are provided and maintained by the local guides association. Trek here may take around 2 hours or more depending on one’s capability and the weather condition. Locals also sell soda

TAKE 5 : If you get tired, dont quit. Just take a rest!

We reached the summit around past 6 in the morning, A view from the summit will be the chasing sea of clouds, sun rising from the horizon, A breathtaking view up above and we took pictures before heading down

We did not have difficulties going down for it only took us half an hour to descend. We went back to the resort and had our breakfast, packed up all our stuff and left the resort at exactly 10 in the morning. We took a tricycle ride from Anilao port going to crossing where we can take a Jeepney ride going back to Grand terminal. We arrived at the Terminal around 1 in the afternoon and rode a bus going back to the City! After all the challenges/hardships (you choose) God guided us all throughout. It was a spontaneous weekend getaway with the most awesome friends i have. Looking forward to more hiking adventure with this squad!