Feb Ender: Mt. Maculot Traverse 1/2
February 28, 2015
It started with a friend's invite.
One of my closest friends, Elai, invited me to go on a day hike with her and her friend, Sam. Thinking that it'd be my first day hike, I didn't hesitate to join.The date was already set before they invited me and Sam made the itinerary days before the hike.So, everything was set. All I had to do was follow everything.I spent the night before the hike at Elai's house, thinking that it'd be easier for me to travel with them than to meet them at the jump-off. That sleepover was almost considered as a side-trip. I didn’t foresee that Elai’s house was farther than I expected. Take note: I traveled during the evening 'til midnight. It was thrilling and fun, though.
I woke up with tired eyes and sleepyhead the next morning. Our itinerary stated that we should be on our way by 3 AM. At exactly that time, we just woke up! Basically, we're behind our schedule.From Cavite City, where Elai lives, we rode a bus going to Buendia. From there, we were supposed to ride a bus going to Lemery, Batangas but unfortunately, the first bus already took off a few minutes before we arrived.The bus staff offered us an alternative route, instructed that we could take the bus (that was going to leave anytime soon) going to Lipa via Tambo Exit, and we could ride the Jeepney going to Lemery.We didn't have any choice so we immediately hopped in.
From Tambo Exit, we took a jeepney going to Lemery and alighted at Cuenca where our jump-off was. We left Cavite City at 4 AM and arrived at the jump-off around 8 AM. We started hiking at 8 AM. Before going to the jump-off, you have to register and leave one ID from your group. Sam was the one who left her ID. Then, each would have to pay PHP 20 at the registration counter. A guide is required before ascending. Rates differ depending on the path you choose to take and the number of the members per group. In our case, we were three and we chose to traverse the mountain, and that cost us PHP 1000.
Our local guide was Kuya Pepe. There were two other hikers who went first. They thought they could do some “morning walk” up the mountain without a guide. Though they were locals and familiar with the path, the officials still required them to have a tour guide. So, that’s how they ended up joining our group. They were friendly and quick. I forgot their names, though.
Our team warming up!
I believe this is a dried-up river.
On the first “pit stop”, we saw this. She sells Buko Juice. You’ll be surprised to see more of this up the mountain.
Breather.
The view from one of the “pit stops”.
Climb pa more!
Courtesy of seventhousandstars. :)
His name was Jack. He’s the only dog I saw along the whole traverse. He’s so friendly and knowledgeable about modeling. :)
Proof! Haha. He looks at the camera!
The view from the campsite.
Courtesy of seventhousandstars. :)
The view before climbing up the famous Rockies!