Mount Daraitan: Tanay, Rizal and Gen. Nakar, Quezon (739+ MASL)
Major jump-off : Brgy. Daraitan (Village Center), Tanay, Rizal
Minor jump-off : Sitio Cablao, Brgy. Pagsangahan, General Nakar, Quezon
LLA : 14°36′48.5"N 121°26'19.5"E, 739 MASL (+600)
Day/s required/Hours to summit : 1 day/ 2.5 to 4 hours
Specs : Minor climb, Difficulty: 4/9, Trail class 1-3
Features : tropical forest, limestone formations, river trek
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2014/10/mt-daraitan-739.html
Tanay is 57 kilometers (35 miles) east of Manila. A typical commute will take around one to three hours depending on traffic condition. It is bordered by Antipolo City in the north-west, Baras, Morong and Teresa in the west, General Nakar, Quezon in the east, Pililia, Sta. Maria, Laguna and Laguna de Bay in the south. Tanay is also situated at the southern tip of Sierra Madre range.
It's
been so long since I organized another climb. My weekends became
workdays also... Mount Taraw Cliff in El Nido was our last. Finally,
may natuloy din kaming akyat...
We
met with the group at Starmall in Shaw Boulevard. It is where the
jeepneys going to Tanay Public Market are located. And from Tanay
Public Market you need to flag a trike going to Brgy. Daraitan with
Php100/person fare. There are also vans going to Rizal and we
negotiated with Php2500 good for the nine of us, hassle free and more
comfy.
We walk our way through Tinipak River from Barangay Hall and will pitch our tents there and leave some things. It will be easier to climb mountains without those heavy loads at your back.
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| on our way to campsite |
The group is in a hurry because it is already late to summit. But we are here to take pictures so I slowed down and captured the views.
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| It is here we got our drinking water for two days. My stomach is already used to natural drinking water, haha=) |
Tinipak River is located within the border of General Nakar, Quezon so we paid another Php20/person for registration fee.
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| campsite at Tinipak River |
If you are on a two-day itinerary, it is advisable to pitch tents first and leave some of your things here. We had our early lunch before proceeding to trek.
Packed with drinking water and some trail foods, it's time to reach the summit. Let's go!
The Mount Daraitan trail is an "overflowing" assault trail. I am so used to hiking mountains but Daraitan trails hurt my legs the next day. It will not be a 4/9 difficulty mountain if rain pours. It is just an ordinary day but trails are muddy, wet and slippery. The good thing is that we left our heavy things at the campsite in Tinipak River and it is really advisable to pitch tent first especially if you will spend the night here.
We bumped into DJ Durano while going up. Medyo pasaway lang ang kumuha ng picture kasi muntik na talaga ako hindi macapture. Hayyyyyz!!!
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| Karen and Carlo on their way up |
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| the trail with Php25 softdrinks in every stop |
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| Selfies in limestone formations <3 |
The views at the summit are the Sierra Madre mountains, Daraitan River and Laguna de Bay
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| Group 6, one hiker group we met at the summit =) |
After so many photo ops, we finally hike down. It took us one and a half hour to reach Tinipak River again.
A little tired, we decided to eat again? Haha! before proceeding to the cave. Super tagal namin magluto inabot na kami ng dilim. And also waiting for Gerber, our guide, to come back. Kasi pinabili namin sya ng condiments at sa barangay hall pa yata sya bumili, huhu!
It is already 7pm and we proceeded going to the cave. May mga nasayang lang na views that were not captured because it is already dark. But going inside the cave, whether night or day time, it is still dark inside so bringing a headlamp or a flashlight is a must. We were not also able to capture the old balete tree outside the cave. By the sound of the river, it is telling me that the views here are amazing.
With Gerber our guide, you will only hear "Ingat po, Ingat! Sa gilid lang po!" and it is okay to hear it a hundred times than to be sorry. The rocks are slippery and just one wrong move will throw you to the huge rocks and to the river with strong current.
From where we camped in Tinipak River, it took us 2o minutes to reach the cave. There are lots of wooden ladder along the way and the rocks are really slippery.
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| the jacuzzi of the cave |
Went back to our campsite and finally freshen up. There is an unlimited use of comfort room at Php25. Time to rest and sleep...
Good morning Mount Daraitan!!!
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| break camp! |
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| with Gerber, our guide.. Thank You Kuya... |
After breakfast, we immediately proceeded to Brgy. Hall where our hired van is already waiting...
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| more photo ops on our way back to Brgy. Hall |
Day 1
6:30AM to 8:30AM -Starmall to Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal
8:30AM to 9:00AM - Registration at Brgy. Hall of Daraitan
9:00AM to 9:30AM - Brgy. Hall to Tinipak River
9:30AM to 10:00AM - pitch tents
10:00AM to 11:00AM - breakfast, chika, picture taking
11:00AM to 1:30PM - Tinipak River to Summit
1:30PM to 2:30PM - Summit, picture taking
2:30PM to 4:00PM - Summit to Tinipak River
4:00PM to 6:00PM - long rest with lots of eating
6:00PM to 6:30PM - Tinipak River to Cave
6:30PM to 7:00PM - at the Cave
7:00PM to 7:30PM - Cave to Tinipak River
7:30PM - freshen up, dinner, socials
Day 2
6:00AM - Good Morning!
6:00AM to 7:30AM - Breakfast and break camp
7:30AM to 8:00AM - Tinipak River to Brgy. Hall
8:00AM to 10:00AM - Brgy. Daraitan Hall to Starmall
Other interesting places in Tanay:
1. Calinawan Cave and Ranang Pass
2. Batlag Falls, Kay-Ibon Falls and 14 meter high Daranak Falls
3. Masungi Rock Formation
4. Mount Batolusong
5. Parola
6. Tanay Church
