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Sunday, June 12, 2016

MT. BATULAO

Mt. Batulao - Nasugbu, Batangas

Mt. Batulao : 811+ MASL
Specs : Minor Climb
Difficulty level : 3/9
Trail class : 1-3
Day Hike : 2-4 Hours
Date Climbed : June 12, 2016
"Old to New Trail Traverse"


Mt. Batulao is said to be a perfect training climb for those who wanted to start hiking, "for beginners" as what they call it, but as what I always say "Mountains have their own unique features, so don't under estimate each of them." easy? yes, but will become risk if you get too excited.


MT. BATULAO FEATURES:
  • "Old trail" with 10 peaks and "New trail" with 12 peaks.
  • Both trails includes rope segments and rock climbing
  • Open trails (exposed to Sun/very hot during summer),
  • Rolling slopes (up and down trails)
  • Remarkable scenic views of mountains and trails like Mt. Marami, Mt. Talamitam, Mt. Apayang, Mt. Pico de Loro, Mt. Susong Dalaga and Toong Trail;
  • and the most awaited "Halo-halo" at it's peak.

Mt. Batulao's - New Trail (View at summit)


According to the locals, there is a natural phenomenon happens in this mountain every end of the month of December. It's when the sun nestles exactly between the two highest rocks on it's peak creating a mystical disc of red light that's why batangeƱos called it as “ilaw sa dalawang bato” or “bato sa ilaw” and now it is simply called Mt. Batulao - The Illuminated Rocks.


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OUR ITINERARY


A week after the Clean-up day our team decided to go to Mt. Batulao. Weather is getting worst, but this morning God gave us a good weather for today's hike. It's a perfect weather actually.

We started walking from the jump off point around 7 in the morning, a bit late on our ITI.
The trail starts with a rough road approximately 30 to 45 mins normal pace and there are few store-huts where cold drinks like buko-juice is being sold for only Php 25.00. It's still advisable to bring your own liquid aside from it's a necessity it's also for you to save money.


One of the locals source of livelihood in Mt. Batulao - must try

From a far, mountains like Mt. Talamitam (Susong-dalaga), Mt.Pico-de-Loro, Mt. Apayang and other mountains in Batangas range are visible in here.

A panoramic view of Mountains around Mt. Batulao

That quick rest serves as a preparation on the mountains rolling slopes (ups and downs), you won't be lost and you barely need a guide in this part of the trail for photo ops because Mt. Batulao's peak - New trail is perfect to be taken photos in here.


Mt. Batulao's New trail - at my back

Camera shy type though lol. As what is usual, it is advisable to wear sleeves like this, bring your cap/head cover for sun protection and most importantly wear something that makes you comfortable.

Rolling slopes of Mt. Batulao

Mt. Batulao's peak is always visible. It is like a Lighthouse guiding mountaineers to reach her peak for the whole trail.


2nd Registration

Till we reached the 2nd registration and paid P10.00 each, it's covered mostly by mango trees and ri ght there and then locals offer fresh picked mangoes, they were a bit tasteless maybe because of the none stop rain. Anyway it's for free so just enjoy eating! haha


We took rest for almost 15 minutes and photo ops at the same time. After here, In another 10 to 15 minutes we reached Peak 1 or the Camp-site where lot's of mountaineers stayed overnight and peak 1 is the best camp site for an Overnight camping.

Here's how it looks like ...

Camp-site with view of Mt. Batulao's Peak

Sad part is, here in Peak 1 there's another registration fee and we paid this time P20.00. Now we know why there are mountaineers wanted to boycott Mt. Batulao.

As what I read on some blogs and comments online about this mountain, locals are taking advantage of the influx of mountaineers who wanted to hike Mt. Batulao. There are additional fees like 3 registrations and a totally unreasonable price for Tour Guides which is why the mountaineering community wanted to boycott Mt. Batulao. But since it's our first time here, we have nothing to compare so instead of dealing with it, we just enjoyed and made the most out of our experience here.

Peak 1-6 is more on walking in a rolling slopes/hills up's and down's. Peak 7-9 are more challenging because of Assault, steep and exposed to sun trails.


Ready for the Assault - Team DRP

As I told our guide it's a good thing trail has a lot of rocks. It makes us easier to do the trek and then he answered "The time that Mt. Batulao became popular and open to public it gave us a hard time preserving it. Before it's more rocky, more rocks compare on what your seeing right now so before it's much easier."


Old Trail of Mt. Batulao


Rappelling





Before reaching the summit there's this rappelling that causes traffic but, if you are not comfortable using the rope you can just do rock climbing on your bare hands, just ask the tour guide for assistance.

After this, I immediately took out my smart phone to take pictures. This panoramic view of Mt. Batulao's new trail looks like a Mt. Guiting-guiting (G2 - trail) it was established year 2012 to add spice for this hiking activity.


Mt. Batulao - New Trail

In just less than 2 hours I reached the summit (Peak 10), unfortunately I left my friends with me. Peace :) haha! not that I'm excited but I feel that it's more tiring to do the climb when your always waiting for someone to move forward step by step. It kills me. Let our guides do the job. My bad haha

At the peak of Mt. Batulao

While waiting, I took time in doing photo ops at the peak.


View at the Peak of Mt. Batulao - NEW TRAIL

"The exceptional views of high rolling plains, tree less-peak summit and grass that gracefully swayed looks like rippled sand on the shore that follows waves of fresh cold air stole my sole. It makes me fell in love, deeper in love. It's really beautiful and impressive!"


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Then, I met new friends at the summit and also had the chance to take a picture with them.


Ms. Marielle Magramo's Team

This group (mostly runners) are accomplishing their Penta-hike. Conquering 5 mountains in a day. Hardcore's indeed!






One of the girls approached and called me "Our life saver!!!". Then I realized she was the girl waiting for her turn on the Rapelling where I offered my umbrella cause it's damn hot that time, I'm not using it anyway, so might as well let her use it. I'm such a gentleman though hahaha :)


- with Ms. Marielle Magramo






Then after a long wait, finally our team arrived at the summit safe and complete. Most of these Gals are newbies/first-timer's and  instead of quitting, they completed the task reaching the summit. Maybe, they don't have a choice haha just kidding. Honestly, It motivates each other because you'll hear them saying "DERECHOPA! Kaya naten to! Woooh!" laughing and shouting a lot. Kudos Guys!
An instinct of a mountaineer "There's no turning back".

Team DRP - at the peak of Mt. Batulao

After a long rest, photo operations and eating a refreshing halo-halo at the summit (Peak 10).
We started descend in the more challenging New Trail of Mt. Batulao and off course these gals are getting the hang of it and learned some techniques that made them move fast.


#NoBadWeatherCanStopUs




After the challenging New trail, we've reached Ate Maris house were we had our quick lunch because heavy rain is approaching. But no bad weather can stop us so better take a groupie ...













And here comes the heavy rain!!!

Heavy rain experience at Mt. Batulao

It is really advisable to always bring Rain coat/Poncho or umbrella who knows? this might happen to you. We all went back to the jump-off point wet but most importantly we're all safe.




END OF ITINERARY


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"Take only pictures leave nothing but footprints and

don't change the mountain, let the mountain change you"





MT. BATULAO - Old Trail - New Trail Traverse - ITINERARY:

  • 0300 - Assembly Time @ Ministop Farmers (in front of jollibee)
  • 0400 - ETD to Nasugbu, Batangas
  • 0600 - ETA Evercrest. Start trek.
  • 0630 - Arrival at first registration
  • 0730 - Arrival at Camp 1, second registration.
  • 0800 - Resume trek to summit
  • 0900 - Arrival at summit. Photo ops. (Halo-halo, cold water/soda, and ice drop available at summit)
  • 0930 - Descend to New Trail Campsite (Peak 8)
  • 1000 - ETA Peak 8. Third registration.Take early lunch.
  • 1100 - Start descend to jump-off.
  • 1330 - Arrival at Evercres. Wash up.
  • 1400 - Depart to Tagaytay.
  • 1500 - Choice of Bag of Beans or Bulalo food trip. Photo ops at Tagaytay view deck.
  • 1800 - Leave Tagaytay
  • 2000 - ETA Cubao



Tour Guide : Mr. John Paul

You may contact One of our Tour Guide:
Name : Sir. John Paul (Kuya Jaypee)
Contact Number : +63 930 484 0925
(You can also hire him for Mt. Apayang and Mt. Talamitam (Susong-dalaga) 








THINGS TO BRING:

  • Trail food and at least 2 litres trail water
    (depends on your consumption)
  • Packed lunch
  • Extra clothes
  • Rain jacket/rain coat (optional but recommended)
  • Sun protection (arm sleeves, sunblock)
  • Trek pole (optional and if needed)
  • Trash bag
  • Toiletries and other personal effects
  • Camera
  • Powerbank
  • Extra Batteries
  • Extra money for personal expenses





If you wanna be here, lemme help you

How To Get Here?



Directions via Google Map (Van Transpo). Click here.

via Google Map - Farmer's Plaza to Evercrest Club Resort (Jump-off point)



2 comments:

  1. Just saw this after a long time! Nice seeing you "life saver!"

    ReplyDelete