Bantog Backpackers: Batangas

Showing posts with label Batangas. Show all posts

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Jump-off point: Sitio Bayabasan, Brgy. Aga, Nasugbu (KM. 83)
LLA: 14.1158° N; 120.7577° N; 630 MASL
Days required/ Hours to summit: 1 day / 1.5-2.2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3 with steep assault (100m)
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/mt-talamitam-630.html

It was a gloomy Sunday and we were really itching to climb. We are already in Amadeo, Cavite area and it will just be less than an hour bus ride from Tagaytay to Nasugbu.

After arriving at Sitio Bayabasan, we went at the registration site and paid Php40 and a required guide of Php300.

Talamitam has a reputation of being a hot mountain because of being treeless but I hope that the locality has its plan to rehabilitate the mountain and have trees planted.

The rain just poured to its most powerful level and we just stayed first for an hour at a roofed area and when the rain subsided, we proceeded with the hike...

My brother-in-law, Raymart, have hiked Talamitam before that's why even if it's raining, he said "Saglit lang yan akyatin!"

The rain temporarily stopped and we continued with the hike. The trail is so easy especially during cold seasons. It will only take you 2 to 2 1/2 hours to reach the summit.

crossing Talamitam River

The first part of the trek is crossing the Talamitam River. The bridge is made of slippery bamboo so caution is advised.

There are plenty of cows and horses along the way. Be very observant on what you are stepping on.

Around 70 to 80 percent of the trail is just plain flat, the only thing that will make this hike difficult is direct exposure to sunlight because of the shade-less trek. You can bring umbrella to protect you from the unforgiving sun.

dad with Ayen and Marlon

Caviteño hikers we've met along the way, hello guyz <3

At the half of the trek is a mini store selling coffee, bread, noodles, buko, softdrinks and chicheria. They sell coffee at Php25.

jump shot at the foggy mountain

the most difficult part of the trek

There is a little challenge along the trail. It is the 60-70 degrees slope summit assault and will take you around 20-30 minutes to reach it.

the family who hike together

If it is not foggy you can see Mount Batulao to the southeast, Mount Pico de Loro and Mount Marami to the northwest . You can also see Mount Makiling from the peak.

Josh and JP at the foggy summit

wet and rainy hike

Going down will only take you one and a half hour. It was a very relaxing hike since we went on a rainy season.

wet but happy =)

picture with Rey our guide

enjoy the views by staying here for a while

Team jayshelle <3

my second born, Josh, with an amazing view as a backdrop =)

JP enjoying selfies at magpapicture sa mommy with Talamitam peak as a backdrop =)

one last groupie pose

one last shot na talaga =)

Things to Consider:

No water source throughout the trail
Overnight is allowed
trekking during dry season will drought you, bring 3 liters of water for a dayhike
estimated budget is from Php700-800 if Mount Talamitam is your only itinerary
cooked food can be bought at the jump-off

How to get to Kilometer 83, Sitio Bayabasan, Brgy Aga, Nasugbu?
Nasugbu bound buses are in Buendia and Coastal Mall. Tell the conductor to drop you at Mount Talamitam jump-off in Sitio Bayabasan. A/C bus fare is around Php 180.

We came from Tagaytay and from there we rode the bus up to Km 83, bus fare is Php40.

Dayhike Itinerary:

6:00 to 8:00 - Coastal Mall to Brgy. Bayabasan, Nasugbu, Batangas

8:00 to 8:15 - Register and hire a guide

8:15 to 10:00 - Jump-off to Summit
10:00 to 10:30 - Stay at the Summit
10:30 to 12:00 noon - Summit to Jump-off
12:00 nn to 2:00pm - Nasugbu to Pasay

Proceeding to Mount Batulao for twin dayhike or a sidetrip to Tagaytay is a great idea!

Contact our guide Reynaldo Yu at 0975-6236917

Sunday, February 1, 2015

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.