Sunday, February 1, 2015

Mount Maculot Traverse (930 MASL)

Major Jumpoff: Mountaineer's Store, Brgy. 7 "Siete", Cuenca

Exit point (traverse): Brgy 5 (to Grotto), Cuenca

LLA: 13°55 N; 121°2 E; 706 MASL (Rockies) / 930 MASL (summit)
Days required / Hours to Rockies / summit : 1 day / 1-2 hr / 2-4 hr

Specs: Minor, Difficulty 3/9 (Rockies); 4/9 (Traverse) Trail class 1-3.

Features: Scenic views of Taal Lake, rock formations, forests

http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/mt-maculot-685.html

Bantog Backpackers just came from a difficult climb 4 days before Mount Maculot. We are on a Christmas vacation as well as the kids. I always wanted to do a year-end hike and I scheduled Mount Malarayat on those dates. With a 13 days vacation, I guess I need another hike before I get back to work. It rained during our scheduled Mt. Maculot day-hike and we will be going back home to Bataan that night. When a little sun showed before we planned to go home, I said to my husband and brother-in-law, Raymart "Tara akyat tayo!" Raymart immediately texted and called again our clubmates who are willing to join us.

How to get to Mount Maculot?

The terminal buses going to Batangas areas are in Cubao, Kamuning and Buendia. Take buses going to Lemery, Batangas, bus fare Php150. Get off to Cuenca's town proper and flag a trike going to Mt. Maculot jump-off, trike fare Php15/person.

The comfort rooms and shower rooms for a fee

There is a registration fee of Php20 at the barangay outpost and a required guide fee of Php400 for a group of 4 persons, additional persons will be charged Php50 each. This guide fee is only up to Maculot's Rockies which can be hiked for 1 1/2 to two hours.

I am not an arrogant or bragging person that I have climbed multiple mountains. But as a concerned mountaineer, Mount Maculot has an easy trail which can be easily followed even by beginners. I am so sure that they can't be misled by the trails and there are a number of hikers that you will encounter in about 2 to 5 minutes interval.

Mount Maculot has imposed a policy that all hikers are required to get a guide after the tragic death of Victor Ayson. The mountain has been also been closed for sometime because of the investigations.

The registration fee is okay with us but the required guides is a little burden and an additional expense to my fellow mountaineers especially those on a budget. Maybe you can require a guide for those climbing alone or for first timers but it will be their option to hire one. We have opted to climbed the traversed one so I guess it is middling for us to get a guide. Guide fee for the Mount Maculot traverse is Php1,000.

rest area

After 15 minutes of hiking, another rest area ...

Ang bundok na puro pahingahan, hahaha =)

After 5 minutes of hiking, another rest area ...

loves doing this with my kids

the view of Taal Lake from Mount Maculot

lunch at the campsite

The Rockies

groupie muna =)

that very dangerous rock formation ... where Victor Ayson fell

I didn't dare to sit at that area because the rock is not stable and it is where a mountaineer fell.... Kaya okay na ko dito =)

Uy! may maganda sa bundok!

Mt. Maculot's Summit as my background

The other side of the Rockies ...

the lovers Tephie and Ace <3

AMOC at the Rockies

After reaching the Rockies, the guide asked us if we will continue hiking up to the summit. We said "syempre!". He asked because the guide fee of Php400 is up to the Rockies only.

I've read in Pinoy Mountaineer blog that only 5% are continuing up to the summit and found it true. There are only three groups during that day who pursued.

view of the Rockies while assaulting the summit

There is no source of water throughout the trail so if you will hike up to the Rockies, bring at least two liters of water but if you will continue with the summit and traversing the mountain, bring at least 3 liters of water.

From the Rockies up to the summit is a little easy but muddy one hour hike.