43 MOTHER'S DAY CLIMB AT MT. PALAY-PALAY (PICO DE LORO)

Souvenir Items from Subi-neer Store at Base Camp 1.

Mt. Palay-Palay, popularly known as Pico de Loro or the Parrot’s Beak is located in Ternate, Cavite which lies near boundary of Nasugbu, Batangas. This mountain has two major jump-off points – in Ternate and in Nasugbu, Batangas that is both open for traverse. This said to be the highest point in the province of Cavite, soaring 664 meters above sea level. At the summit, Metro Manila and nearby provinces such as Bataan, Mindoro and Islands like Lubang and Corregidor can be seen from afar. It is also surrounded mountains like Mts. Mataas ng Gulod, Marami, Talamitam, Batulao and even Mts. Mariveles and Maculot are still visible.

Hike for Mother’s Day and for the Mother Earth. Pinoy Mountaineer conducted National Mountain Cleanup Day and we would like to support this environmental activity. It is scheduled on May 10, 2014. Unfortunately it will not work for us because everyone working night shift going Saturday. Therefore I opt to schedule it the next day which happen coincided to Mother’s Day Celebration. So I was kind of concerned if I’ll get people to confirm for this day hike climb. By the way, I asked everyone to bring at least one trash bag.

Goup Selfie? Haha.

There were only six people who confirmed for the scheduled hike so I just grabbed some itineraries rather than hiring jeep. Thanks to Mike of ww.mikelaagan.com for sharing your itinery. Surprisingly, I received phone messages coming from friends who just decided joining the event, and since it is open for everyone with no limitation, then it would be great. It turned out that the number raised to eleven plus a four-year old kiddo.

Bay 14 bound for Naic, Coastal Mall Bus Terminal

We met up 4 AM at the Coastal Mall bus terminal, and should go straight to Bay 14 bound to Naic, Cavite. Then you can tell driver that you will be climbing to Pico de Loro and asked to drop you off at Maragondon (Ariel’s Bus Terminal), and by the way that would be the end point so have nothing to worry if you take public transportation, fare is Php 81. Then there will be tricycle terminal piling on the side of the road when you get off and let them know that you will be hiking. And they absolutely know where to take you – to DENR. Trike fare is Php 225/trike and load up to strictly three persons only, therefore Php 75/head.

Arriving at the DENR, everyone is required to register and pay Php 25, and yep there is an increased in registration fee but no worry it will just be 5 pesos. Then you can prepare your hike there, photo ops and get up to protect yourself from sunburn. You can also buy trail food as there is small store where you can register.

(c) Francis Balgos of pala-lagaw.com

The Orientation with the LNT team.

We started our hike around 7 AM. The trail is pretty easy going to Base Camp 1. You will then pass a huge log blocking the trail and it’s perfect for photo opportunist. Hehe. Kidding. When you reach that dead tree, you’re near the Base Camp 1. It’s like about 30 minutes away starting from DENR. Registration is once again required, they are the local authority who maintains the security and cleanliness of the mountain, fee is Php 25.

There is a small store where you can buy souvenirs, food, and cold soft drinks. You can also refill your water bottles for free. In line to Pinoy Mountaineer Cleanup Drive, we were welcome with quick orientation how to help and maintain the beauty of our treasured mountains. Though I'm quite familiar with Leave No Trace practice, yet I encourage everyone to practice these training, not just for us but for the next generation. This orientation is conducted by LNT (Leave No Trace), a worldwide organization that teaches people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Please visit their website for more information, www.lnt.org.

After the said orientation, we then quickly proceed with our climb. Like I mentioned the trail is quite easy, very gradual except in the boulders part which is normal. Every mountain has base camps and there will be assault afterwards that will test your physical strength. Though this mountain is beginners-friendly it will still test your endurance for those experienced mountaineers. But overall, it’s a relaxed climb.

Our Spidey Boy, wearing Superman. :)

Look at our kiddo; he loves to climb assault trail than the gradual track. He loves to use his hands holding on the huge rocks and small trees. Although he is wearing superman, yet he said everyone should call him, Super-Spideyman. Look at his hand and fingers, gesturing like Spiderman throwing his solid webby.

The trail does not need guide, it is straightforward. Just keep on the trail and you will never get lost. And have nothing to worry also because each turn has signage with some arrows that will guide you up to the summit. When you get to the boulder’s and bamboo section of the trail, you will then catching some breath, heavy breathing and sweaty faces will surely attained. And for beginners I know you will be asking how long this climb will last? Haha. I know everyone will ask for it, especially for first-timers, even experienced ones. That happen, its normal, just keep on climbing and you surely get a sweet prize from heaven.

With Sir Francis Balgos, after these trees, please turn right.

Though the trail is straightforward, but when you see these trees right after the boulders section; that is the right for you to turn right, yes turn right! But when you go straight you will see the other side of the mountain which has also a scenic view. And we lost the right turn part; we keep on moving without turning so we reached the other side. The trail is not that clear and but you can see that there is a path, and it’s quite shorter than following the exact trail to get to the camp site. However I advised to just turn right and follow the exact one so you won’t get lost.

This is the other side of the mountain, you'll get here if you didn't right.

We just carry on the trail and follow the uncertain path under the wild bamboo trees; we just use our instinct using signals like clapping our hands. And we also followed the voices coming from other mountaineers, and then we reached the campsite in just a couple of minutes. We take rest for a while and ready for lunch, I suggest for day hikers, bring carpet. The campsite is sandy! There is also a small store there where you can buy 5 gallons of water and cold soda in can in dollar price.

The Monolith, or the Parrot's Beak.

Inner Peace. Hehehe, Kung Fu Panda way!

After our lunch, we are ready again for another challenging getting on the summit, its full assault that would surely test your strength. We left our bags and just bring our valuable items. And then the prize of heaven is right in front of us when we get to summit. One big attraction; a paradise in heaven that you can’t find down the mountains. It’s all worth it; you can see how other provinces looks like from afar, together with Batangas’ best coves and the islands around it.

Our shot before heading to the monolith's top. (c) FrancisBalgos

Getting to summit is challenging, but getting to the Monolith is the most challenging. I know I have all the guts though I won’t deny that there’s always a second thought. However claiming Pico de Loro will never be complete without seizing the Parrot’s Beak. We were divided into two groups so someone would take a picture from the summit and vice versa. I belong to the first group and loud and proud to say that I am the first from the group who snatched the top. Now I appreciate how important the science of counting because one big mistake would surely end your life and always trust the rope. When I reached the top, the feeling is awesome, it’s breathtaking, it’s awe-inspiring, so proud of myself, feels like I am the King of the Kings! And I’m sure everyone feels the same.

The Proud mehh, or feeling mehhh. Hehe. (c)FrancisBalgos

And then everyone had these jump shots of our life. It feels like once in a lifetime over on top of the highest monolith. Thanks to Sir Francis for his power zoom lens.  We stayed there for couple of hours bare from the sun, we were all burnt so I suggest as well bringing umbrella. Then we rested for a couple of minutes after summit, and then proceed to descent.

You can wash up at the DENR for free; don’t worry for the trike that will bring you down to the bus terminal. The drivers are all waiting outside to fetch mountaineers. Also please be reminded that the bust last trip (according to locals) is 7 PM.

ITINERARY AND BUDGET (PICO DE LORO MAY 11/2014)

4:00AM :       Meet up at Coastal Mall Bus Terminal bound to Maragondon Cavite, hopefully we can leave by 5AM. 

7:00AM:        ETA Ternate, take tricycle to jump-off at Magnetic (Php225/3pax = P75/head)

7:45AM:        ETA DENR for Registration. Registration Fee (Php25).

8:00AM:        Start Trek

8:30AM:        ETA Rene Medina Place, another registration for Php25. 

10:00AM:      ETA Base Camp 1

11:45AM:      ETA Summit, Lunch, Photo Ops

1:00PM:        Start descent to Magnetic Hill

3:30PM:        ETA Jump-off point, proceed to DENR and wash up.

4:30PM:        Take tricycle back to Ternate then take bus back to Manila (Trike Php75/head + Bus Php81 = P152)

8:00PM:        ETA Manila.

                        Total Expenses: Php 362.00 per person.