Majayjay...cold but sweet!

Majayjay Falls

 I have always remembered Majayjay adventure whenever i would have a cold shower in the morning. There are times i really enjoyed having a cold shower even when its not really hot. Yes, only to remember the times we had so much water that is so cold in a mountain. Majayjay, which is located in laguna, is not really a hiking type of adventure that's why we call it another fun climb. A 15 minute walk is all we need to be at the camping site!

Fun Climb at Mt Famy

Mt Famy or Mt Romelo in Siniloan Laguna is just two hours ride from Manila and the closest place we have ever been in hiking last 2002. For beginners, this was mostly recommended because it is considered an easy or minor climb.

Famy is different from our other hiking experience since Famy has so many falls and rivers. 

 

The most memorable place to me in Famy is in Batya Batya. The picture of Batya-Batya at the side, which is one of my treasured photos, reminds me of our group strategies in order to have our way through the top of that rock not by swimming, coz most of us are not very good swimmers, but by just holding on to the stones at the side of the river and another is holding on to a fat stick while the stick is being held by Nads and Norman. Our two men are our heroes!

 

Finally at the top of Batya Batya but there's more coz we have to cross another river to go up to Sampaloc Falls. Another river is located at our back in the picture.

Here is a picture from the jump off point. Look at my Montanara red bag... he is my best hiking buddy ever! Also in the picture are four of my keppel officemate and my former pna colleague. It has always been more girls than boys especially if it just a fun or minor climb. 

This is our complete group picture at the top most hill of Mt Famy with extra.. a dog! I remember we labeled the dog as a picture of our guide and protector coz we have been saved from a group of robbers if not for some blessing in disguise. The blessing in disguise? We are supposed to leave Manila at night but one of our group members is late! We hated being late especially when it comes to our itinerary because we will definitely miss out our planned schedules. Because of the late, we missed the last trip and we have to wait the first trip in the morning else hire a private jeepney just for our group. We have several discussions and fiery exchange of comments until we decided to just spend the night in the office waiting. We then took the first trip in the AM and headed to Mt Famy. It is still dawn when we arrived at the jump off point and I felt the pressure around. Some of us are not already happy even before we started the climb. We are worried that our campsite might not be that good since we are late from our itinerary schedule and therefore loose the best camp site. Silence only gives in at the top hill of Mt Famy. We heard that a group of hikers just before our group has been robbed and many things were taken and some of them get hurt. We immediately realized that if not for the “late” drama we will be the group that has been robbed. It was a real blessing in disguise! This realization immediately changed us and our group is back on trail! Fun climb will always be a fun climb!

p.s. next easier than Famy...Majayjay 

Mt Maculot Dayhike

It has been raining these past days and it is just perfect for me to reminisce our only day hike in 2002. The group policy is “no climb” when it’s raining that’s why we always check the weather update days before the climb and on the climb itself. It was not always perfect and we underestimate our day hike that turns into night.      

“You can never conquer the mountain…you can only conquer yourself.” - James Whittaker

It was a beautiful weather in fact there is no sign or report of any low pressure area and we believe that our Day hike in Mt Maculot would be just perfect. Itinerary has been prepared and it is much different from our ordinary climb coz it would be a traverse trek in just one whole day and that’s a real challenge! 

This dayhike was our second climb in Mt Maculot in 2002 and it is when I have conquered my fear of Mt Maculot Rockies and eventually enjoy the spectacular view at that dangerous rockies spot. Our half day itinerary was filled with our ascent using the regular Mt Maculot trail and rockies adventure. We still set up our only tent at the campsite but I remember that due to some time constraint and itinerary schedule, others just prefer to be there watching our things while waiting for us to come back from rockies. We ate our packed lunch together at the campsite and have some sharing on our Rockies experience and again on our Mt Banahaw experience. Other Mt Maculot stories are also on the sides. While we are having our chit chats, I saw a small shell near the tent and I remember having also to found a medium sized shell in Mount Banahaw. We just concluded that if there are shells in Mt Maculot then it has same story as Mt Banahaw where once maybe on thousand years ago, this mountain is also submerge in water. We never run out of stories and enjoyed it but we still have time to catch up and immediately we packed our things to prepare for the descent.  

A few steps from the camp site, we could already see the tall and sharp grasses that covered the trail and Nads told us that it seems that the trail has not been used for a very long time or rather a few hikers only tried to take the Mt Maculot traverse. We had a slight hesitation to continue and what happens to be a joke at first becomes a reality!

I didn’t remember going up from the campsite because of that tall grasses not until we saw that we are on a much higher ground and a steep descent is coming our way. When we reached the peak, the rain already started to pour down without any signs and as expected, we have no raincoat. We are day hikers! We had visualized a perfect day so we didn’t prepare for this kind of weather! I can’t count the number of times it rains then it stops for a while then it rains again.

First few steps down were already a challenge since we have to use a rope because it is almost a vertical descent. Sometimes, we also have to use our half body to get in touch with the ground just to make sure we are safe in passing through that slippery and muddy trail. Our two men started to get injured. One got sprained and many times he slipped thru the trail and the other, our sweeper, had his knee pain. We stopped from time to time because of their injuries and to make sure everyone is in sight and nobody is left behind. I was already praying Psalm 23 coz it’s already been two hours or so of descent and we are getting nowhere. We didn’t expect that it would take this long to go down from Summit campsite. We even encountered a two trail that requires decision on which trail to take. Is it left or right? There is no sign in fact, most visible is the right but we decided based on our Mt Banahaw experience that when in confusion of trail going down, always take the left road. Maricel took the courage to take a look of the left trail and indeed she shouted us that there is a trail.

We are already hearing conversations echoes and we felt that we are almost near the jump off point with just a few more steps. However, we realized that we are still at the top when we saw another mountain across and that’s even after so many hours of descent. We are so frustrated and it is already dusk and we have only one small flashlight and estimated to last for a few hours only. We begin to make inventory to check if we can stay there but it is not safe since it is not a campsite and we just trust that little flashlight and the bright moon could lead us back down and return home safe and sound. What made us hopeful is the Grotto across the mountain. We had a short visit to the Grotto and prayed silently that God will see us through in this difficult and seems to be unending trail. The trail from Grotto going down is exposed and has cemented stairs so we don’t have problem on the trail tracking even though it is already dark. We do not need to worry about the time but our two injured men so we have to stop from time to time.

It was very late at night when we reached the jump off but it was really a great relief! Yes, it was another freedom! We decided to go to Maricel home in Taal instead of going back to Manila so we can have our rest and fix our self. We are tired and hungry and the first thing we do upon arrival in Maricel’s home is to get a good shower and change our wet and dirty clothes and hung it dry. We still manage to share on the day experience with Maricel’s family and told us that we are lucky that we didn’t get lost. Maricel and Nads also shared their creepy experience during our descent.  Maricel really didn’t found the missing trail all by herself but she somehow saw someone who passed by in the middle of the tall grasses that made her realize that there is really a trail. Nads also shared that while being a sweeper he saw a light focusing on our way but he knows that there is no one at his back. Maybe there are mountain spirits but I believe that Angels are spirits too! I just thanked God that although there are injuries, we are still safe and sound! Even if our Day trek turns into night…the night has its moonlight! 

p.s. In my next blogs, I will post some pictures of our “fun climb” in Famy and Majayjay and hope some other climbs too!

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Mount Maculot...Fun and thrilling!

Mount Maculot is located in Brgy Poblacion Cuenca Batangas. We have two or three climbs up there in 2002 simply maybe because the climb as we often call it is always a "fun climb".  Rockies is my favorite spot. The picture tells it so! It was a shot made after we have overcome a cliff and a moving rock. "I AM FREE!!!", a shout I would never forget!  

Mount Maculot climb is our second climbing experience, a month after the first BIG climb at Mt Banahaw. We have now our guide who usually climbs Mt Maculot even on just a day hike. Yes, you can climb Mt Maculot even on a day hike! It was just a two hours trek up the mountain if you will be using the usual trail to the summit. I admit that I am still ill-at-ease at that time coz the fear of what just happened in my first climbing experience still creeps within. But this time, we are prepared!

We have checked our things, I have brought my first ever Montanara red hiking bag. Helen also bought the same bag with gray color. Those first timers, our officemates who had been curious enough to go because of our Mt Banahaw stories, are bringing backpacks. We had a pre-climb meeting and assignments and checklists are also given. I remember almost every essential things that are needed in the climb were mentioned, the tents and how many can it accommodate, the hiking stove, a swiss knife, an extra shirt, sunblock, bottled water at around 2 liters each, canned goods, rice, trail food. It is also my first time to hear about the earth pad and the proper way to put all that in your hiking bag. Purpose: Distributing weight and for comfort and safety. 

It was really a fun climbing experience at Mt Maculot. No stiff rock just slippery trail because of the dry leaves scattered around the trail. We had a great time climbing up especially when I see the reactions and actions of the first timers. What's really fun about our going up is that Janet, who is very consistent in her beauty regimen, wears make up and I think she also brought an umbrella. (",) Well, you know the rest is history! We also had a great time at the summit, stories and many more stories! The view at the top? It is breathtaking! I could really appreciate the beauty it shows! The view of the other mountains, Taal Volcano, the river, the green fields, the birds, the breeze of the wind...and the voices of the people in the summit! Everything is beautiful!

Rockies is one of my Mt Maculot challenge. My first time to go there was not a success because I was overwhelmed by the fear of falling and my feet slipping. All I have to do was to just watch their courage as they go to the most beautiful Rockies spot. After that first fun climb, I regret about it! I failed because I have not tried at all! I then promise myself to at least give it a try and trust that my feet would bring me to the place safely. My second time try, was a success! The picture above was my second try. All along, while I was going on that cliff, while holding my companion's hand, my heart was beating fast and I could almost hear it. After that, all I could do was shouting...I AM FREE!!! I am free because I know I have overcome my fear of heights...I have overcome my fear thoughts...I have overcome my weak myself!

Next...Day Hike at Mt Maculot!

;Des

      

finale...Durungawan

Six hours! Six hours passed before we finally finished the climb up to Durungawan. The first thing that I expected to see is the store with overflowing food waiting for us to devour! It was a promise meant to be broken! No food and no stores! But still we are fortunate that a group of young students stayed for a while at Durungawan and they are currently cooking their food! We shared our food. We still have canned goods left, the remaining food we reserved for the summit. I actually don’t remember eating the canned goods but for the first time in my life….I ate rice with salt and grilled onion! I never mind my food but just to satisfy my hunger. Immediately after we ate, others started to lie down in the tent of the young students. I saw a buddy sitting at the edge of the cliff looking at the majestic view of the Mt Banahaw summit. I sit beside him and stared at the beauty of the mountain! The cold wind and the surroundings ease my body pain and for a while I forgot all the hardships we’ve been through while climbing up. I also lie down to rest but just for while since the group of young students started to inform us that they will be going down to Kinabuhayan in a while and have to packed their things including the tent. I didn’t hesitate to respond that we will also be going down with them but others in our group still wanted to continue resting. I insisted on joining with the group of students since they know the trail going down to Kinabuhayan and besides they have their strength to guide us through. Finally, we will all be going back to Kinabuhayan!

Going down is as hard as going up. I have to use my knees to control my steps. The pain almost stop me most of the time but a young student told us that we should not be minding it so I started to run down the trail thru my buddy’s help. It is effective! The more I enjoy it, the easier my steps become. I even saw the young students playing around and fell but they are just laughing about it. What a sight! Life is still beautiful! It’s already getting dark and we have only one flashlight and a “gasera”, which was given by an old man we met while climbing up. The two things lighted our way down but still the creepy sound around bothers me and my buddy even adds up to my fear when he told me that a certain tree in Mt Banahaw is a home to “Kapre”.  I started to pray in silence and believe that no one can harm us because my Lord is the Lord of all lords…God of the living and the dead! I believe and have faith that He is good and is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and no matter how I have been so busy minding my own life…God is just right there seeing me even in the dark or maybe even walking with me in the midst of darkness until I would feel him again.

We reached Kinabuhayan faster than expected. We didn’t expect that we can still have our things intact in the tent since it’s already very late at night and somebody might have stolen our things but God is good! Nobody touched our things and our tent! No trace of someone getting in to steal! Indeed, it is a holy mountain! It is still God’s place! We immediately packed our things and went back to Manila. We are so exhausted as we travel back to Manila. Everyone is quiet and asleep until we reached Manila.

The pain was still there the next morning but I was happy that we are alive and nobody was hurt. I took a day off and that’s when my mother visited me at the boarding house. She told me that they are very worried about my whereabouts because they cannot contact me and then awhile later she called my father to tell him that I’m ok. We have our lunch together and there I started to tell my mother about my mountain experience. The story telling doesn’t end there. We shared it to our officemates and friends. We have a post climb meeting where lots of realization came in. One major realization that I cannot forget from an atheist hiker friend is that…it is God’s providence that saves us! I don’t know if they were converted by the experience but I just want to believe so because they started to speak about God. It was very unlikely that…we met the hikers going down using the path going up and become our food source, an old man we met that gave us “gasera” that we thought we don’t need coz it is still morning, and a group of young students in the summit still cooking their food and as if they are angels sent by God to feed us and guide the way down. All these are blessings that only God can plan and provide! I thank God so much because this became the start of my deep longing to renew my spiritual life.

Do you think this experience stops us from climbing again? No!  especially knowing after that Mt Banahaw is one of the major climb! First climb… First major climb! It was a suicide we don’t know! We planned to climb another mountain again, this time with real hikers with hiking gears, itinerary, and warm ups. There are no failures only lessons learned! In fact, my experience in Mt Banahaw is one of my treasured memories. I have not written it until now. It was stored in my mind and in my heart! Every time I am experiencing life difficulties, I would always play the scene going up…no matter how hard my steps are… Don’t forget to breathe! Mind one step at a time! ...soon it will be over and I will reach the top! 

;Des

Thanks for travelling with me on my first climbing experience. Feel free to comment and become my climbing blog follower. Till my next climbing experience!   



Going up...Durungawan

The excitement from last night’s long talk and chitchats still lingers as we woke up and start to prepare to go up Durungawan. Being prepared to a climb to Mt Banahaw summit, Durungawan, was not really in the vocabulary of the girls group but we all entrusted everything to the boys whom we know are experts on this type of adventure besides this is our first time and we don’t have anything to contribute and give but trust them.  

We left our things in the tent. I brought some cash, some candies, a towel and nothing else. No trail food or bottled water. Cash would be our means to buy food and water along the trail same in Sta Lucia where several mini stores are along the way. I also remembered them packing the food from last night, bringing big bottled water so we can still save money. They also bought bread for our trail food which also serves as our breakfast.

We started to move up to the trail and we expect to be there at Durungawan in four hours. First expected stop is at Kuweba ng Diyos Ama. After an hour, we then ate our breakfast trail food but when I started to ask for the left over food last night, they told us that they have not brought them coz it’s already spoiled. Our trail food is already consumed and water is already half empty. We still have a long way to go but we promised to buy food and water once we see a store along the trail. After more than two hours of walk, unfortunately, no store in sight! Our money is useless! The leader of the group began to decide to go back but most of us pushed him to continue the way up to the summit. There were several discussions way up and each step is not anymore filled with happy faces but tiredness, paleness, and thirst. We don’t anymore see the beauty around us, we forgot to appreciate the mountain and I don’t remember the trail except when it’s stiff, it’s rough, or it’s hard coz we have to climb up the rock using a rope. There is only one thing that made me remain hopeful…the LORD is my Shepherd!

 

I began singing the Lord is my shepherd in tagalog. I clearly remember the lyrics since that is my favorite song when I was a member of a Chapel choir in our barangay during my high school days. I also started to think and reflect on what just happened that I deserve things like these. First, going out without the knowledge of my family means I might not be able to return as expected and nobody will worry for me. Second, of trusting too much and not even thinking of my own safety. Third, if Helen, my officemate whom I just invited, would be hurt then I will be responsible. Several more entered my mind as we quietly move up. Our strength slowly deteriorates, our feet and muscles aching. Just glad that my buddy partner never gave up my hands and continue to help me. I was so hungry that I shouted to the mountain… “Pabili ng Pagkain!”  A minute later, the buddy group in front of us found a bread still packed in plastic and they gave us a piece share. I only smell the bread then ate it right away. We would also have not survived the six hours hike to the summit if not for the hikers we met while they are going down to Kinabuhayan. They gave us their remaining canned goods, eggs, and biscuits. We have satisfied our thirst and refill our bottles at Kuweba ng Diyos Ama. The water was very satisfying and thirst quenching, so sweet and cold. But all these were not enough for us. The last hour to the summit was very difficult the only thing that we can hear is our breathing. I am already counting my slow steps. I just prayed that I or anyone else will not faint so there would be no additional burden. I began to fight for my life and listen to the motivating words of my co group in front of us shouting… “Malapit na! Nakikita ko na! Sa taas maraming pagkain!” Hope made us continue walking up the summit! I remembered being pushed thru my back during my last steps just before finally setting my feet to the ground of the Mt Banahaw Durungawan!

finale...next!
;Des

Kinabuhayan...

We have a long walk from Sta Lucia to Kinabuhayan. Most of the people we see that afternoon of Black Saturday are already on their way home but our group is different, we felt that it just started. While on our way to Kinabuhayan, we rest for a while in a “free coffee” along the way and an unusual conversation took place with the person in charge of the free coffee stand. When she found out that we are on our way to Durungawan, she initially asked our group, “Bakit kayo umaakyat sa bundok? Hinanap niyo ba ang Diyos sa tuktok ng bundok?” (Why are you climbing mountain?Are you seeking God in the mountain summit?). It was a challenge question that made us all silent for a while and made us think the real reason why are we going up the mountain. As for myself, it was indeed my quest! I hope to see and feel closer to God in the summit. The conversation also triggers another revelation from our new found hiker friends…most of them are an atheist. They are catholics by birth but they don’t practice it and they don’t believe in Christian practices. I haven’t felt nor noticed it from them coz most of the time they would participate silently when there are spiritual rites at Sta Lucia. My motivation and strength to continue climbing Durungawan started to slow down and fear grips me in again. Fear of something bad that might happen to us since most of our companion do not believe in God.  I wanted to back out but I have no good reason to say it so there is no turning back!

When we arrived at Kinabuhayan, we immediately set up our tent and cook our dinner. We started to talk of all the places that we will go through while climbing Durungawan. The Salaming bubog, Cristalino, Kuweba ng Diyos Ama, A river with two colors, one white and one red, and all the majestic sceneries above. Mount Banahaw is indeed a Holy Mountain with its places named after mystical names. I felt recharged again, my motivation? To see all these with my eyes! Can’t wait till tomorrow am to start the climb to summit…Durungawan.

Next going up to Durungawan...
;Des

cont...My First Hiking Experience (Sta Lucia)

It was a two and half hours ride to get to Dolores, San Pablo. We set up our tent and things as soon as we get in at Sta. Lucia and they began to tell us the dos and don’ts of trekking around Sta. Lucia. No shouting, respect nature and animals even the smallest and ugliest creature you can see. We will be in one with them. No picking of trees and leaves. Do not get anything from the mountain. Greet everyone on the road with “Good Morning Sir/Mam". Buddy system, where you have to walk in pair, should be always observed. They are not actually professionals hikers but they told us everything they know so we would not get hurt.

I already forgot the specific names of the place we have been through in Sta. Lucia except the 200+ steps from river to Sta. Lucia. It was a very tedious walk, a first time I could not forget but it’s worth it. Each of the places we have been through is sacred. Each of our steps is not a mere walk but rather a spiritual pilgrimage. We are not alone, there are so many devotees performing religious rites. But I would admit that there are times that we would not be silent enough to hear the sounds of nature but rather our own voices. Yes, we do laugh and giggle on small jokes and just enjoy each other company.

In that three days and two nights stay in Sta. Lucia, we have already appreciated the journey with them. I have confirmed that they really are kanto boys…most of them did not finished schooling, no regular jobs, and sometimes they really do engage in street fights. What so amazing is that these men, who are labeled by society negatively, are the ones we really felt have great concerns to us. They helped us conquer our fears and to continue on the steps trusting our feet to hold the ground, the rocks to help us instead to hurt us, and their hands to hold when we need help. They are really gentlemen. They respect people, nature, and views. They would not be hesitant to talk to us, for them mountain is the best place where everyone’s feet is on the ground. Everyone is equal!   I thought our journey would end there at Sta Lucia but there is something more. We have not planned it but it just came through our conversation. They told us about Kinabuhayan, Durungawan and all other mystical names that I myself had been curios enough to go there. We just have one and half more day left but I asked them if we can go there. And off we go to Kinabuhayan that Black Saturday and on Easter Sunday AM we will then go up the Durungawan.

Durungawan next...
;Des

My First Hiking Experience

My first experience in climbing mountain was in 2001 with my officemates. My former officemate invited me to join her friends who usually go to Mount Banahaw every year during Holy week. It was not an immediate Yes answer for me. In fact, she already invited me twice before and i would always give a “No” answer since i couldn't imagine myself climbing mountain with my so called "petite" physique. Oh! I could almost faint just imagining myself up in the mountain with my fear of heights and going into caves. But something happened in 2001 that made me say yes,  a yes to something I wouldn’t dare to do in my dreams. My purpose: a hurt I need to heal…a search I’m longing to know... a something I could find if I go with my friend and spend the holy week in a different way besides that year I already care less about myself. We’ll I’m just being myself disregarding anybody who cares even my family. Yes, they don’t know where I’m going that holy week.

I started to pack my things with mixed emotions, of excitement and of fear. I have an idea what the place looks like coz I saw Mount Banahaw featured  on TV just before we go on hiking. I felt I really should be going. It’s maybe something I really long to do. We are less than fifteen (15) persons in that climb. They are all in hiking gears except me, Lovelle (my friend who invited me), and Helen (my officemate). We are using an ordinary backpack with shoulder bags. It was also my first time to join in a group whom I met the first time, the first day of the climb! and what so funny about it is Lovelle also met them the first time. (“,) Lovelle’s friend who invited her was not around. We are strangers! Helen almost back out and having a second thought of joining since eventhough they are in hiking gears…most of them really look like “kanto” boys! Are we coming home alive with these people? Are they kind? Will they take care of us? What if they do something bad to us? We are helpless! So many doubts in my mind but that night, that first night of the climb was a turning point in my life. I began to trust people first before I get to know them eventhough they don’t look like one. I trust that Lovelle’s friend is good enough to let us come with them even though he is not around. Then..the journey begins!

Till my next blog…

;Des    

Climbing on foot or on wheels?

Climbing a mountain on foot or on wheels? I have experienced both but still the experience of climbing a mountain on foot is a learning experience. Each step counts! You must not stop until you reach the top...of course, you rest if you must...but the promise of the top brings back your feet to step once more...and another...and another...until you are finally at the summit!..It is a real joy to finally finish the climb especially when you know you have overcome many obstacles! Soon you will also realize that your body has been prepared for next big climb! So don't take shortcuts and never climb alone!(“,).

Till then,

D.E.S.

p.s. I'll be sharing more on my climbing experiences and almost all have done a great impact in my life.