3 FIRST OF DECEMBER 2013 GOES TO MT. MACULOT (ROCKIES)

After ten-months long, I finally had the chance to meet my long lost friends. I humbly missed hiking, standing on top of the earth, watching the beautiful atmosphere where the sky and the earth joint to formed its horizon. It really feel so bad as I was thinking of only one summit this year. It’s obviously not acceptable as I started to engage myself with this hobby. The group had organized climbs but I’m nowhere to be found, maybe because of busy schedule or I simply don’t have spare time to join the climbs.

Nevertheless the opportunity did not close out on me. I will meet them again, though a little bit odd dahil kung kelan naman magtatapos na ang taon dun ko pa naisipang sumama. Well if not "for a cause" I doubt myself joining. I already set my mind joining for next year’s climbs, at least more often.

So Mt. Maculot is the desired peak. I received invitation from Facebook events courtesy of TOSOC Mountaineers. No more hesitancy, I quickly click on “going” showing my participation and besides this will be my first ever day hike. Although I’m typically engaged to overnight climbs as perfect opportunity for group’s camaraderie and photo ops for sunset and sunrise. I'm a photo enthusiasts.

Now back to the timeline..

Normally if more than 15 people for south bound climbs, instead of taking bus, we normally choose of renting jeep for transportation – back and forth. This will be more comfortable rather than waiting time for the departure and arrival schedules. Part of the time-table, meet up will be at 7-11 along Shaw Boulevard. I was expecting of more than 20 people but only 16 made it. This is usual..hehe. No hurt feelings though. We left the area around 6:20AM.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Buendia Bus Terminal along Gil Puyat LRT Station is the best option that will bring you to Batangas. The sign board should be Lemery Batangas then you can ask the driver or conductor to drop you off in front of a huge Arch at the Town of Cuenca Batangas. There is a trike terminal there that will bring you to the Rockies jump off. Bus fare is not more than P200 and travels for nearly three hours.

En route to Batangas, the weather wasn’t good. It was already 7AM but the sky still dark. And then started to rain. I was worried about the weather, my most concern was the peak. I don’t care about the muddy trail. I know it is part of the challenge. Jeez how could I allow having no clearance view? Damn no way! Mt. Maculot is popular for its amazing view; 360 degrees of panoramic view – Taal Lake, the tiny Taal volcano that offers lake within a lake and the entire Batangas province. The weather wasn't friendly at all. Darn!

We arrived at the jump off almost after three hours ride. Dumaan pa kasi kame ng Turbina for breakfast and for pack lunch. Pagdating namin medyo umayos na yong panahon, nagpakita na si Haring Araw. I was wondering who brought the jinx. Hehe. Mike had to pay entrance for P10/head. No need for guide dahil wala namang ligaw.  Few minutes later, the group then proceed to climb after group picture at Herman's shower and eatery.

And by the way, please be reminded about the lady in red. Hehe. 

The group is composed of old and new faces. And I’m looking forward for growing TOSOC Mountaineers. There were first timers and climb enthusiasts. I’m glad that more people are affianced to mountaineering. Besides, this is a good activity to start for a new year.

Along the trek, most of the trails were assault. Though considered as minor climb, but still this mountain is a physical test. I know I found the trail easy with the exception of slippery and steep trail, but I still heard myself panting. Mike and I decided to stay as the sweeper. So I had all the opportunity to take rest and pictures for this blog. I am also amazed of the rope-thingy-ish, eventually ‘twas my first time to have this kinda rappelling as there was no trees or roots to hold on.

Along the trail we met other mountaineers heading down who spent overnight on top. Their main problem was the slippery trail. It is easier going up but not going down. Buti na lang makapit sapatos ko and less challenge dahil paakyat pa lang kame. Also the reason why I said that it is easy dahil maraming 7-11. So I don’t really recommend bringing more than 1 liter of water for day hikes. Maraming nagtitinda ng buko sa kahabaan ng pag-akyat.

One of the photo ops, the extreme side of me. For some reason I have the guts to climb this tree which is out of the trail and could end my life. Medyo delikado dahil pinasok ko pa yong magubat then bangin na ung likod ng maliit na punong ‘to. Hell yeah..ganto talaga when boredom strikes, I'm a bragging kid.

At last, we reached the final stop-over (well except the Rockies) after two hours of trek. I’m not sure how high it was but the provinces of Batangas and Mindoro from afar is within the visibility. It is a camp site for the mountaineers who spending overnight. When we get there, there were plenty of them preparing for the descent. They say heavy downpour last night so muddy trail was then expected. We took rest first before heading to the Rockies.

It will be another ten-minute walk from the campsite to the Rockies. And the ascent is favorable because of the huge rocks, as in HUGE. Oh well obviously ROCKIES. Darn! And you know for sure that it won’t be slippery as is however the challenge though is you will never know where to step your foot and hold your hands. Nauntog pa ung ulo ko. And because I was ahead of them. I wanted to say that below are two of my best shots. They were falling in line, and like what I said  earlier beware of the girl in a red dress.

At nang marating ang taas. Jesus Christ, who would have thought that Mt. Maculot has an amazing panoramic view? It’s beyond beautiful. It’s like a wow! Jeez. Kung may film lang ang camera ayayay ubos na. Everywhere is beautiful. Kahit saan..you have the 360 degrees view just point the camera to wherever you want, you certainly get a magnificent shot.

We stayed at the rockies for nearly an hour while everyone is busy for the photo opportunities. And so do i. We decided to eat our pack lunch there. The weather is good. God heard our prayers to have this wonderful clearance. I really feel overwhelmed. And I conclude that this is the best summit view I ever had except Pulag.

So we started our descent around 1:00PM. Nilagare na namin total eh pababa naman tsaka matigas na ang lupa dahil sa paglabas ni Haring Araw. Mike and I decided to still be the sweeper. Then before Ate Thelma’s house, Halo Halo is the best for refreshment for P30 only but I refused to because there will be a huge dramatic Lomi fiesta awaits.

Shower at Herman's..rates is P15/timba. We left Cuenca around 3:00PM and heading to the best Lomihan in town, in front of De La Salle Lipa.

The clean plates tell it all. I’m not sure what would the best hashtag caption for this. Oh #HelpMe!

DECLARATION:

This climb is through the effort of Sabit – Sabit Mountaineers in helping our fellow countrymen who were intensely hit by the recent typhoon and affected by the earthquake. TOSOC MOUNTAINEERS hereby declares its  willingness to support climb for a cause events. #Stroll4Visayas #Stroll4Bohol #OneNation #BangonPinas