This year, I did something I've always wanted to do for so long - mountain hiking!
Planning the first hike wasn't easy. Other than the usual first-timer whims and doubts, my mom doesn't want me to hike due to the pronounced smell of danger. Second, I'm a 6-day work slave which makes weekend trips difficult. It's either I take a Saturday off or suffer a busy, after-hike Monday with sore limbs.
But alas, the odds were in my favor! I was able to work on a solid plan and the Mt. Batulao (click the link for more info about Mt. Batulao by Pinoy Mountaineer) hike pushed through.
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| Batulao's charm is working on you, right? © Pinoy Mountaineer |
It was a dayhike traverse. Elie, a friend who's also into hiking, accompanied me. We chose Batulao because it's a good training hike for beginners and the mountain itself is one big spectacle. The peaks are like jagged teeth and a 360-degree view of Batangas and its neighboring towns are present almost all throughout the trail. The moment you see it in pictures, a part of you would definitely wish to be there.
Before the hike proper, I made a pact with myself:
1. I will finish the hike no matter what it takes.
2. I'll ask for minimal assistance from my buddy.
3. I'll never let my buddy bring my things.
4. I'll return home... ALIVE.
I was nervous - I have no prior experience and I'm not a very active person. To make it worse, I brought a tote bag instead of a backpack because I sneaked out of home (my mom eventually found out but that's a different story).
Elie and I met in Tagaytay, had breakfast and headed to Evercrest. Instead of hailing a tricycle that would take us to the jump-off point, we decided to just walk and start the trek from there (itinerary below).
We started with a normal pace. I was adjusting, trying to feel the friction between the fine, loose soil and my rubber shoes. Majority of the mountain is not shaded, making its trails exposed to the scorching sun - you'll thank the heavens for sunblock.
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| Mountain Dew in the mountains |
The trail is well established and is not confusing, but sometimes gets dreadfully narrow and steep (at least for me). The first few peaks are pretty straightforward consisting of continuous ups and downs. Tired hikers can always seek refuge in the huts where locals sell coconut juice and Mountain Dew (very mountain-ey!) for a few padded bucks.
After Peak 8, hikers will encounter a shaded portion which leads to a rock formation from which the name Batulao (Bato sa Ilaw) came from. The assault to the peak continues as we got back to the tree-less trail. By that time, I swear my legs were already wobbly. I remember holding on to anything I could, even squatting when nothing's out of reach. Elie would usually ask me if I'm okay and he wouldn't get any response from the enervated me. He just blurted out a "Alam mo, ako ang natatakot sa hakbang mo."
But heck,my fighting spirit was higher than this mountain! Adrenaline kicked in and I eventually made my way to the summit after scrambling and gripping on to ropes. No matter how tiring the ascent was *cue Miley Cyrus' song*, the view at the summit was breathtaking - I'd run out of adjectives to describe it.
Aside from the muscle-wrecking experience and the grandeur of the summit, there are little things about Batulao that fascinated and disappointed me:
Batulao is one abused and commercialized mountain. When we went there, a group of men had burned a portion of the mountain down making the trail dry and barren. Also, who would've thought that you could buy drinks at the summit? As much as we're trying to avoid using the mountain for profit, who could resist sugar in their veins?
Elie and I had our super late lunch at one of the carinderias in jump-off point where I got to talk to this little kid. I asked her whether she'd like to climb Batulao when she grows up and she replied with a firm no. Why? It's because she saw the body of the ill-fated hiker who fell to her death last 2012. This is not to scare first timers as this is one isolated case. However, let this be a reminder that we should always be careful and follow safety precautions to avoid accidents.
One basic mountaineering etiquette is to greet everyone you'll meet in the trail. Say a pleasant greeting to the locals and send encouragement to fellow hikers.
Lastly, always keep in mind the golden rule when climbing mountains: "Leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time, take nothing but pictures, keep nothing but memories."
'Til next climb!
*This is the hike's itinerary:
0500 - 0700 - Travel from Cavite City - Tagaytay City
0700 - 0730 - Meet Elie at 711 Tagaytay
0730 - 0800 - Breakfast at Jollibee Olivarez (Tagaytay Junction)
0800 - 0830 - Travel from Tagaytay City - Nasugbu (Evercrest)
0830 - 0900 - Walk from Evercrest up to jump off point.
0900 - 1230 - Ascent via New Trail
1230 - 1330 - Summit.
1330 - 1630 - Descent via Old Trail
1630 - 1700 - Late late late late lunch
1700 - 1800 - Wash up
1800 - 2100 - Travel from Nasugbu - Cavite City. Home sweet home!
