Twin Hike: Mt. Espadang Bato ft. Mt. Sipit Ulang
Mt. Espadang Bato
Located at Rodriguez, Rizal. It is 455 masl, minor hike with difficulty 3/9, trail class is 1-2, good for beginners.
Mt. Sipit Ulang
240 masl, difficulty 3/9, trail class 1-4.
"Basic"
The first word coming out from my mouth when we reached the peek of Mt. Sipit Ulang, we got there before the sun rise, and at first I didn't believe the tour guide that it was already the peek, until he pointed the sign.
Well I guess that's all for Mt. Sipit Ulang it happened so past and I can't believe it myself that it is already done.
Some pictures
We wait on its peek for almost an hour to witness the sun rise and have a clear background for a group picture. After that we proceed to Mt. Espadang Bato.
The upper trail is more on limestones and rocks, but before that, it is like to the normal up and down trail, also we've been to this trail that had a bamboo ladder, a passage to another world, just kidding, it is just to get over on that giant rock.
While on the trail, I asked our tour guide, why they called the mountain "Espadang Bato" I got curious but never search it on internet, because when I care about it I'm already in the mountain and there's no signal in there.
The tour guide said it is because of the stone that looks like a sword. I can't have an image in my head, I can't imagine how it looks like.
He also told me that it is the most visited peaks among the mountains in Rizal.
The Espadang Bato peak
When we get there I saw a hiker on top of that rock and wonder how'd she get there. A few more seconds a person's head pop out at the back of the that rock and guide the mountaineer to go down, and that's when our tour guide told me that there's a metal ladder at the back of that rock.
A metal ladder was installed for those who wish to stand atop Espadang Bato. It is now easy to go up, but be careful especially if it's windy, on the day we go there the wind is very strong, as of for me who has a small and thin body, standing on top is very dangerous, I might die falling from there. Also the "one legged pose" is not allowed but I still do it and apologized on the tour guide after, they told me they can lose their license because of my act, but they didn't told me ahead that I can't do that pose. But the other tour guide said its ok, many hikers do that, but I still apologized to the other one who is more strict.
Other photos
That's all for my Twin Hike, but after hiking since it's to early to go home, we still have a lots of time we decided to go to falls, our coordinator told us that everyone can come but those who are already tired they can sleep on the service or they can just rest while waiting for us.
This is not planned, but since we got time and we're already there, we pursue it.
To Payaran Falls
Additional tour means additional cost haha, we're actually on an open tricycle there, and the fare is 50php/head, but we don't care, we want waterfalls haha. After 20 minutes ride, reached the starting point, starting point to waterfalls, we walked for over half hour before we witness the beautiful waterfalls.
And since we're already there, we all take a bath too haha
Okie bye.
Thank you for taking time to read 😊
Mt. Mapalad (Naol)
One of the easiest mountain I've ever been.
Located at Tanay, Rizal. With the difficulty 3/9, beginners friendly, with 750 masl, like other mountains its trails gives beautiful scenery.
Since my very first hike, I fell in love with the beautiful views on the mountain. My first hiking was with my sister and her live-in partner, and then with my younger brother, next is with my sister's workmates that was my first time joining other group of people for mountain hiking, that happened twice, and in this hike at Mt. Mapalad I joined other group, but one of them is one of my best friends, since he knows how I loved hiking he invited to join him. We became buddies since we were in high school, we're best friends for ten years until now. After that hike, we go for another four mountains together but the pandemic stopped us.
This is TJ, the guy in black. We are originally four buddies we are actually like F4 of Meteor Garden. But the other two doesn't like mountain hiking they keep saying they have something important to do but the truth is they just don't like to get exhausted, because they're not physically fit, they get tired easily.
My stolen picture with the most beautiful backgrounds, but guess what? I wasn't looking at the majestic view of the mountains that time, I was only looking at the other mountaineer, watching them laughing and enjoying the view is also one of the reason why I liked mountain hiking, they're spreading good vibes, normally you only find good people in the mountain, it is either the other mountaineer or the tour guide and sometimes the people living in the mountain, they're all kind I've been in so many mountains but I never encounter a mountaineer getting mad at others, that's why for me mountains are one of the best place to unwind.
Mt. Mapalad had this "stage" thing in its peek, it is shaped like a hand, I don't know the reason why and I didn't make a research about it but the first time I saw it, I think that it is because of the mountain's name.
By the time we reached the peek, the sun is already high, we missed the sunrise and also there's no sea of clouds which is one of the main target of every hikers when they go there. But even without the sunrise or sea of clouds we still enjoyed the views.
I make some new friends in every hike, at first I'm not good in talking to others but ever since I joined other group of hikers, I learned so many things on how to interact with others, when I was new in the group I barely talk, I just always nod my head but later on I became one of the talkative, even the people we just happened to meet on the trail we greet then start something to talk about other mountains, like sometimes asking them if there's any mountain they can recommend. And of course we ask on how's their experience on that certain mountain.
I'm gonna end it here now but next time I'll share again about my other hike with my other friends.
Thank you for giving some of your time for my article. If you want to know some basics about hiking you can check my article #2. Thank you again and God bless.
Trilogy: Binacayan +Pamitinan +Hapunang Banoi
Conquering three mountains in a single day.
Started at Mt. Binacayan, it only has 424 meters above sea level (masl) with a 3/9 difficulty, good for beginners, estimated time to the summit is 2 hrs.
We started to climb at 4:00 am, our target is to catch the beautiful sunrise, anyway this is my first hike with other people, I am completely stranger to them, unlike them they have at least two (2) or more friends with them, we are seven (7) groups in total and each gkroup has (4) or (5) members. I was in "lead group" then to the "sweeper group", since I'm alone I can freely roam to other group.
I am not used to talk to others especially when they are older than me, but on the trail until our way going home they keep asking me about anything and make jokes, they don't want me to feel bored since I am alone, they are really nice people.
At Binacayan I joined the lead but after that I go to the sweeper group, some of them known my elder sister from work.
My sister has an urgent matter that day and can't go for a hike so she makes me as her substitute because she already pay for the slot and other expenses for that hike. In my case, I skipped school for that hike haha. I believe "Study is life" , in life we never stop learning unless we die, but sometimes "hiking is lifer" it is a good thing to unwind, it is relaxing and refreshing especially when you're at the summit.
At Mt. Pamitinan, I really enjoyed the "buwis buhay pose" thing, for every hike this kind of thing is my favorite, a lot of my social friends said it was edited, they say I'm good at Photoshop. Well guess what? That is 💯% true image. It's just look scary in the photo but is was really an easy shot, you just grab the rocks and you won't fall down, pretty basic as long as you don't have fear of heights.
When you hike for so many mountains and met so many hikers, you will know that those kind of picture is pretty normal, you'll see some who are afraid but normally they are the beginners, if you want to make those kind of pose you need to trust your tour guide, they will allow you if you can but you must follow their instructions, always remember they know the mountain better than you.
At Mt. Hapunang Banoi, with 517 MASL the highest of the three mountains, this mountain is still good for beginners but I don't recommend trilogy. Looking at the image, the "one leg pose" I'm shaking that time because of strong wind.
Tourists climb these mountains because of its natural and beautiful rocks, I recommend you guys bring your gloves because some rocks are sharp, some parts of trails that need to climb has sharp rocks, better be prepared.
It is also famous for its limestone formation that perfectly fused with the forest.
Other photos
If you're a beginner, you will need a whole day for that mountains, and that would be so tiring, but the experience you will gain are priceless.
That's all for my Trilogy adventure 🤣 I've been busy in the past few days and in this coming week, but after that I will publish my next article on other mountains.
Want to know some basics about hiking? Read my article #2 👇🏻
https://read.cash/@MervsDaExplorer/some-things-you-must-know-before-going-out-on-a-mountain-hike-4943fd79
Exploring Mt. Pinatubo
One of the most expensive trip for hikers in Luzon(Philippines), unlike the common mountain for hiking where you only need to pay for tour guide and administrative division fee, this is different.
Also the Taal Volcano is a bit pricey, in this one you need to ride a boat before you can start hiking. Though I never get a chance to try this because when I set more plans for hiking the pandemic came out and we become prisoners in our own house.
I don't know if there's another like these two in Luzon area but they're very different from the usual set up, in my experience I may add.
Before we can explore Mt. Pinatubo there's a jeep that is required to rent for five thousand pesos (5,000 php). Everyone is required to avail this because Mt. Pinatubo is very far from every administrative division. Camping is not allowed, so walking can never be an option. While in Taal, they required the boat but I think they can except you if you have your own service, like you have your own boat or you have a yacht or anything you can use, you can swim if you like if you can haha
Though they're expensive (for me), the views of every mountains are priceless.
We walked to starting point
On the image above we started to walk but, that is not the actual starting point. We walk for over five kilometers (5km) due to heavy rain at night before our hike, the heavy rain caused the lost of tracks for the vehicles and can't go through the river. So if you guys want to go there, it is better if it is not rainy season to avoid this kind of stuff.
But in the afternoon when we're going home there's a lot of jeep in the starting point, they manage to cross the river, they make a new way, good news to us we don't need to walk for another five kilometers.
On the starting point we got more excited, saying "the real adventure will begin" haha it is really funny that we're a bit tired before we even start. Knowing that there's another 5 kilometers ahead to reach the destination, we take a short break to charge up and of course take some pictures. Don't forget to take many pictures, it is so nice to have them, you'll remember lots of exciting moments just by reviewing them.
On the trail, you must be very careful especially when the rocks are wet, there are some parts on the trail that we need to cross the small river, so before going out to the mountain you must wear a proper shoes/sandals for hiking.
The trail is long but easy, coz you just need to walked, it is not like other mountains that full of ups and downs, the only challenge here is the river and the stairs on the crater of the volcano and also the budget.
To go down to the crater there is a stairs, and trust me, that stairs is most tiring part.
And the rest station, take a short break again, drink small amount of water and take some pictures again😂. Every rest station normally holds lots of people, other rest station has a mini store but some doesn't have, that's why you bring your own foods so you can charge yourself.
And finally the destination
The breathtaking view, all the sweats and long walks paids off, as I remember the first thing I said that time was "Thank you Bro" a simple message that full of meanings.
Mt. Pinatubo is really one of the most beautiful creation of God, it's just sad to think that many people died way back 1991 when it was last erupted. Others said it was a "beautiful disaster" , I also hear that from a movie, buy I can't remember what movie.
I hope you guys can go there too, it's really a beautiful place. You won't regret the efforts and the cost.
That's all for this volcanic adventure, if you want to know more about this Volcano, you can search it on Google.
Want to hike? Read my article #2 👇🏻
https://read.cash/@MervsDaExplorer/some-things-you-must-know-before-going-out-on-a-mountain-hike-4943fd79
SOME things you must know before going out on a mountain hike.
First you must know yourself, are you physically fit? Do you easily get tired? Don't worry you can still go for a hike.
Mountains normally has difficulty level, there are some mountains that are good for beginners where the trail is easy and short. You can check/search about its level before you go so you can prepare yourself for the activity, the difficulty level 4/9 is still good for beginners.
**Important things to bring.**
Water - make sure you bring plenty of water, it is very important, on the trail you'll get tired and thirst and water will save you on that situation it will help us to relax and cool down our body.
Foods - don't bring much, just enough, you're going on a hike not on a picnic, jelly and chocolate are the most recommended by lots of hikers and then eat rice after the hike, though you can bring rice if you want, others do that especially the beginners or when the trail could take the whole day.
First aid kit - just in case you slipped and got a small bruise, or the other does, make sure you have this so you can clean and cover the wound/s to prevent any infection. Normally we get small bruise when we go for a hike and sometimes we'll just find out when we're taking a bath, and that's normal.
Extra clothes - you'll normally get sweat on hiking so you must prepare for extra clothes, you need to change especially when you are with other people.
Personal hygiene - it is important to keep ourselves clean and fresh, do not forget to bring soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush etc.
Money - to save you from any unexpected things that can happen, like when your "plenty of water" or your "foods" runs out because you shared them with others. Or you unexpectedly forgot to bring toothpaste or soap or any other thing, money can save the trouble.
Camera - to capture every moment from fresh to haggard, to have a record with the beautiful nature, or a selfie with your crush/friends, to have a memories you can look back when you're home or when you grow old.
Before proceeding on an activity
Pray - to thank God for a new day, for the good health, for his unconditional love, for protection, for the struggles of any challenges, for everything. He made our life upside down and make us better than we are yesterday, we thank him.
Introduce yourself - especially when you're with other people, but even if you are with your friends you still need to introduce yourself, the tour guide must know at least what/how to address you, he/she also needs to know about your health and decide if you can do the activity, he/she knows the trail better than you.
Warm up - warming up is very important, it is to lessen the risk of having an injury, also to wake our muscles up and more prepared to do the activity.
Check your stuff - after warming up double/triple check your things, make sure you have everything you need before proceeding, you can't go back for your stuff once the hike started, be sensitive to other members of your group, unless you're alone you can ask the tour guide to wait, but at least give him/her a tip after.
Things you shouldn't do.
Take anything - like plants, do not take any plants from the mountain, they are good where they are, don't make them as decorations in your house, if you want plants as decorations, go buy on some licensed store or ask your neighbor/s but don't get plants from the mountains. If you can't protect the forest at least don't destroy it.
Also animals and insects, do not try to catch or feed them if you happened to find them, they are wild, they're not like the one in the city, you can't make them as your pet, they can be dangerous for you, they can attack you especially the monkeys, since a lot of people love monkeys, some others doesn't know the difference between tamed monkeys and the wild one, there are already some cases like that, when they feed the monkeys and they've been attacked.
Littering - all the stuff you have, bring them with you when leaving, do not leave your trash in the mountain, remember this saying "TAKE NOTHING BUT PICTURES, LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS".
Hope this can be a help to anyone, who wants to try hiking after the Pandemic, hope we can meet on some peek one day.
My first mountain hiking (Mt. Maculot)
Since this is my first article I'll write about my first hike.
Mount Macolod, also known as Mount Maculot, it is located in the municipality of Cuenca, Batangas in the Philippines.
And this is me ☝🏻👋🏻 standing in foot of the mountain.
Mt. Maculot has 930 MASL only and its difficulty is 4/9, this only means that if you're a beginner in mountain hiking, that is not a problem. In my case, I don't get tired that time I just enjoyed the views and the atmosphere is really refreshing.
Especially when reaching the peek, in my other hike, there were times that I got too tired, especially when I joined other group of hikers and we have this "meet up" at 2:00 am and start the hike at 3:00 am, I got wasted on the trail but everytime we reached the peek I gain my energy back and thank God for everything.
On my first hike I don't really get why a lot of people goes for mountain hiking, it is so hot and I see a lot of them being wasted, I don't get them until I reached the top. True, you can never get what it takes unless you feel it. There's always something on the top of the mountain, I don't know exactly how to explain it, it's just like there's something makes you feel so relaxed.
That's all for now, soon I'll write an article about my journey on other mountains. By the way, the photos are taken four (4) years ago.
@MervsDaExplorer
