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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| (c) Francis Balgos of pala-lagaw.com |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| The Monolith, or the Parrot's Beak. |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
