Mt.Daraitan Climb for a Cause Leg 2. So why Leg 2? Because there was a leg 1, see it here and know why these climbs are special. Continue reading “Mt.Daraitan Climb for A Cause II”
Category GirlsWhoAkyat
Photographed: Leg 3 of Conquer Trail Adventure Series 2016
As I wanted (for so long) to try Trail Running, my other commitment(s) keeps on conflicting with my weekends
so I do not really have that time to try Trail Running. I’m keeping my weekends dedicated for long runs as per RUPM on October 2, 2016 – Yay 42km! Mag ma-marathon si Ati! But as my curiosity arise, I just wanted to see how the Trail Runners (future me, hello!) prepare for their Run, the Do’s and Don’ts during the race day, and what to expect on the trail so I approached my Trail Runner friend JAI that I wanted to take photos on his next Trail Run and he agreed and said his next Trail Run is on April 17,2016 The 3rd Leg of Conquer Trail Adventure Series and he also (later on) informed the Race Director of my assistance in picture taking. Of course trail running is literally running on a trail, what I’m more concern is the practicalities as a (future) Trail Runner myself. I’m really excited on this event!!
Continue reading “Photographed: Leg 3 of Conquer Trail Adventure Series 2016”
Mt.Batulao Climb for A Cause
![BTLW1[1]](https://rosnof.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/btlw11.jpg?w=352&h=234)
Mt.Batulao welcome sign
Mt.Batulao, A Very Special Climb – This Climb was organized for NHTA beneficiaries – less fortunate students whose number of classroom is not enough with their growing counts. We (Jai & I) were approached by our officemate Tin Sismundo (which is also our gym,hiking and running buddy) and asked our help in organizing this Climb for A Cause for the said beneficiary(ies). We talked about what, when, where and all other concerns about the climb at the office during breaks, at the gym while working out or while running outside. We planned the hike supposedly on April 1, 2016 but we all have other commitments made so we moved it to April 9, 2016, a two weeks preparation is just enough. We then contacted our van master Faye to make our transportation hassle-free! Continue reading “Mt.Batulao Climb for A Cause”
Greetings : International Women’s Day
Happy International Women’s Day!
Thumbs up to all the strong girls!
Twin Dayhike: Mts.Pamitinan & Binacayan
The Weather Was
February 28, 2016
Sunny in the morning but started drizzling late in the afternoon.
How I (We) Travelled
Met up at Sta.Lucia Mall along Marcos Highway and rode a jeep bound to Montalban, Rizal. Alight at Eastwood Residences (Rizal) and a 10-15minutes tricycle ride going to Sitio Wawa.
Joined: Women’s Open Category 7-Eleven Trail 2016
Event Host Details
7 Eleven – Trail 2016, February 21, 2016 SUNDAY at Timberland Heights, San Mateo Rizal and 1500 Bikers joined the Trail event.
Continue reading “Joined: Women’s Open Category 7-Eleven Trail 2016”
A Day Hike : Mt.Ulap to Sta.Fe Traverse, Ampucao, Benguet
The weather was
February 7, 2016. Sunny day. Ideal for hiking.
How I (we) travelled
Rented a van from Cubao straight to Barangay Ampucao in Benguet.
Where I went/ What I saw
Day hikeable, Mt.Ulap in Ampucao, Benguet. 1846Masl.
MAP
What / Where we ate
Typical hiker lunch – Tuna Paella and/or packed lunch bought from Leeza’s Restaurant – stop over in Pangasinan on our way to Baguio.
Special Purchases
None.
Souvenir stores present at Sta.Fe Traverse
Unforgettable Moment / What I enjoyed Most
Doing the Mt. Ulap’s summit Trail twice!
Upon arriving at Gungal Rock formation, a whole other group was already there and we opted to just continue the Trek in the summit and just be back in Gungal since most of our groups where left behind (too far) and looking at Mt. Ulap’s summit is closer than them reaching us at the Gungal in one hour. After pictures taken in Gungal with the whole group of 40-50 pax, we were informed that one of our service got flat tire and the guide advised us to do the Sta.Fe traverse completing the Ampucao-Gungal-Summit-Gungal-Summit-Campsite-Sta.Fe loop. Everything there was lovely why not do it thrice or more! Exceed yourself! Hike pa more!
The unlimited Uphills and Downhills
Mt.Ulap itself
We reached Mt. Ulap summit around 8:40am and there was hardly a cloud formation near us and around 9:40am, back in Gungal, the mist started covering around us and a fine view of cloud formation hugging Mt.Ulap summit was seen.
Mossy Forest
Far from mossy forests features of Cordilera Mountains, Mt. Ulap stands out for it has nothing to do with mossy forest. The Mountain views feel like Mt.Batulao’s (Batangas) brother except the low temperature in Benguet.
There was a mossy part during the hike, just before arriving at the foot of Mt. Ulap summit, that we trekked and lasts for 30 seconds.
My Feet Hurts!
Half way from Summit to Sta. Fe traverse, my feet started to hurt. My toenails banging inside my shoes every time I step. The steep trail is like to Mt.Apayam’s Trail without the man-made-stairs. There were no bushes or tree around thus the only way to avoid slipping is just to control every step.
Drought?
Three bridges were crossed from summit to Sta. Fe traverse but all of those do not have water flowing underneath.
Hiker’s Note:
A short 1.2km from Ampucao Elementary School brought us to the jump off and started the trek after 10 minutes of trekking, a sketched map / trail of Ampucao – Sta. Fe Traverse where the guide discussed the trail and said that we will just be in Gungal and won’t be reaching Mt. Ulap’s summit.
We protested against our guides and settled down in giving the decision to them if our group / which among our groups can reach the summit and do the traverse. The guides implied that Sta.Fe traverse is much harder but a shorter trail than doing the back (longer) trail.
Almost 30% to 40% of the trail (traverse hike) is a single-line-trail cliff / bangin akin to Mt. Batulao’s but in higher MASL, so you might wanna take extra careful of your steps especially if another group is approaching you. I don’t recommend this hike for those who have acrophobia – fear of heights . I don’t have fear in heights but I felt uneasy in my steps here, it even makes the AmBANGIN (Ambangeg) Trail of Mt.Pulag looks like a baby.
I imagined myself enjoying (if ever) I slipped and rolled in Ambangeg before I die but I can’t see myself enjoying the slipping or rolling experience here in Mt.Ulap so this might be the last place I wanted and imagined me to die.
Refreshments – There were three sari-sari stores we encountered from summit to Sta.Fe traverse and No water source along the way from Ampucao to Summit.
Don’t forget to wear layers of clothes and jacket. You don’t wanna catch a cold.
PICTURES
Being the scribe of the group, here’s what I logged before, during and after the hike:
Day 0 – Feb6
10:25pm Van ride out from Farmers, Cubao
Day 1 – Feb7
2:00am Arrived at Pangasinan, Leeza’s Restau for Breakfast and packed lunch
2:45am Van ride out from Leeza’s Restau
4:00am Stop over at PMA in Baguio
4:40am Arrived at Brgy. Ampucao
Register, Guides, Wash room
5:30am Walk – out from Brgy. Ampucao
5:40am Start Trek
7:55am Passed by Gungal Rock Formation
8:35am Arrived at Mt.Ulap Summit
Picture taking
9:00am Start descend from Summit to Gungal
9:40am Arrived at Gungal
Picture taking, rest
10:30am Start trek out from Gungal
11:00am Arrived at a fork that divides foot of Mt.Ulap summit and traverse to Camp site.
11:10am Arrived at Campsite traverse to Sta.Fe
Lunch taken, rest
11:50am Start descend out of campsite. Sta.Fe Traverse
12:35pm Arrived at 1st tindahan
Cr, rest
1:00pm Trekked out from 1st tindahan
1:20pm Arrived at 2nd tindahan
Rest, Shower, Wash up
2:25pm Trekked Out from 2nd tindahan
2:40pm Arrived at Sta.Fe jump off
2:45pm Van droves out of Benguet
7:25pm Arrived at Leeza’s Restau for dinner
8:15pm Van drove out from Leeza’s restau
Day2 – Feb8
12:10am Arrived at Cubao
Summary of our actual time of the hike :
Hope this might help as a guide especially in checking the percentage of the trek.
Ampucao to Gungal ~ 2 hours and 15 minutes
Gungal to Mt.Ulap Summit ~ 40 minutes
Mt.Ulap Summit to Campsite ~ 15 minutes
Campsite to Sta.Fe jump off ~ 1 hour and 20 minutes
Bit by bit pictures in my ig: nopeimnot
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Twin Day Hiked: Mts. Talamitam and Apayam Traverse
The weather was
September 20, 2015 A sunny day. Ideal for hiking.. 🌄
How I (we) travelled
DLTB Bus from Gil Puyat going to “Bayabasan” or Just tell the ticketing personnel to drop you off at Kilometer 83.
Where I went/ What I saw
Twin Day hike: Mt.Talamitam traverse to Mt. Apayam Side trip to Talamitam Falls.
What / Where we ate
Typical hiker lunch – Tuna Paella, egg, and served meals from sari-sari stores at the Jump off (after the hike)
Special Purchases
None but souvenir stores present at the jump off.
Unforgettable Moment/What I enjoyed Most
After the traverse, we enjoyed the falls.
Talamitam falls will be first passed by hikers. Walking 5-15minutes from the off road of Km83.
A series of mini assault steps before arriving to the grassy plateau just right before the assault to Mt.Talamitam itself. [I certainly not expecting any assaults]
Overgrown grass of Mt. Talamitam traverse to Mt. Apayam is great for picture taking.
Steep trail of Mt.Apayam !!!!!!
There were no traces of trails (yet) the time we hiked. Trail to Mt.Apayam was newly opened that time. Upon checking the log book at Km91, our group hiked Mt.Apayam traverse almost the 20th. No blog entries, No reviews.
‘We were lucky for that sunny weather. I really don’t know how to descend with Mt.Apayam’s Trail if it rained that afternoon.
‘Baging’ (some dried roots) on the trail (descent from Mt.Talamitam up to Mt.Apayam jump off) might cause you to go out of balance.
After the unending steep descent of Mt.Apayam, a long walk at wide and flat grassy land will follow.
Places to remember for next time
The unknown mountain beside (right side facing) Mt.Talamitam
Again – The Falls
Mt. Apayam to Mt. Talamitam Traverse
Hiker’s Note:
The traversed Mountain was called Mt. Apayang / Apayam / Apayap by the Locals the time we hiked. They certainly said that its ‘either’ of the given names.
Km 83 Jump off of Mt. Talamitam and Km91 Jump off of Mt. Apayam covering 8km on the Traverse.
A fork between Mt.Talamitam and a neighboring Mountain (no name and trail yet that time, at the right side facing Mt.Talamitam) upon approaching the foot of Mt. Talamitam – just right after a short assault.
Sari-sari Stores and shower rooms at Mt. Talamitam jump off.
Don’t be fooled by uploaded pictures! There are two assaults before arriving at the Summit. (1) First is the short assault before arriving to the flat area of Mt.Talamitam where the Hikers can rest before proceeding to the (2) second short assault approaching the Mt.Talamitam’s Summit.
-I certainly did not see those assaults coming! I read blogs, reviews, and experiences about Mt.Talamitam but none of those said about it. But still, its a must climb for beginners. 👍
-A hiker (in front of our group) just vomited at the first assault. She ‘might’ had a heavy breakfast that time plus the unseen short assault.
After the trail, just right beside the road, a sari-sari store gave us free cold drinking water and allowing us to use their wash room after finishing the long and tiring walk right after the steep trail down Mt.Apayam.
Contact numbers. Pardon my face.
Pictures During the Hike:
Enter a caption
Being the scribe of the group, here’s our logs:
540 DLTB bus from Leveriza to Km83 (Bayabasan) P129
745 Start trek (Km83 Off road)
P40 reg. Fee
930 Arrived at Mt.Talamitam summit
P40 buko juice
950 Start trek from Mt.Talamitam Summit to Mt. Apayam Traverse
1030 Arrived at Mt. Apayam summit
1045 Start descent from Mt.Apayam
1400 Arrived at Brgy. Mataas na Pulo.
Simbahan / Tindahan / Houses visible
Road present.
14:10 Reg to Brgy. Km91 OR PASONG KAWAYAN via Multicab
20 reg fee
‘Our group was lucky enough to ride a multicab on our way to Brgy for Free. A 20-30minute long walk from Off Road.
1420 ETD of Km91 via Trike (kinda rocky road for tricycles)
P60/trip
1500 Arrived at km83
Lunch, Rest, Nap, Falls for Side trip, Shower
P20 shower
1700 Tidy Up, Pack Up
P500 / Guide
P200 per pax
1745 Ride bus to Pasay at Km83
P124 dltb bus
2120 arrived at Pasay
P24 mrt pasay to Cubao
Total Expenses during the hike: 593.00
Actual expenses from and to home: 750.00
Safe budget: 1000.00
Additional expenses like crackers at bus, refreshments (buko juice P40/200-300ml at Talamitam Summit), lunch at stores, showers etc.
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Twin Hike : Mts. Gola and Manalmon
The Weather Was
Sunny. Ideal for Hiking.
How We Travelled
Rented Van from Cubao straight to the jump off. (via NLEX). Care of our friend Faye – IG.
Where We Went
Mountains Gola & Manalmon at San Miguel, Bulacan
Where We Ate
We have our packed lunch and helped ourselves on readily available tables at the Barangay. Note: P50 per table and P5 for CR..
Unforgettable Moment / What I Enjoyed Most
Crossing the Monkey Bridge (W/ harness,Safety First!)
Be Back
For Cliff Diving, Caving / Spelunking – missed it due to time shortage. 😦
Wearables
For Cliff Diving, Caving / Spelunking – missed it due to time shortage. 😦 Avoid wearing cotton pants (cause of River crossing!). Sandals are advisable. Do not forget to apply sunblock and if the night catches you, do not hesitate to apply a mosquito repellent lotion or just cover your body since the changing / waiting / pack up area is near the river so expect some mosquito bites.
Hiker’s Note
View at Mt.Manalmon’s Peak was like of Rizal Mountains – Sierra Madre Range
River crossing experience like in Wawa Dam of Rizal. I actually asked the guide where is Mt.Ayaas (mountain in Rizal). I forgot that we were in Bulacan #RizalFeels #MissingRizal and the Guide got confused with my question. HAHAH!
I spotted a mountain that looks like Mt.Hapunang Banoi (Rizal) due to its rock formation.
2L of water is sufficient enough for the twin Hike. There is a fork that connects the two Mountain thus going to Mt. Manalmon from Mt. Gola (or vice versa) does not need the Hikers to be back at Barangay and NO water source along the way so be sure to Drink Wisely!
And here’s our actual Itinerary I logged during the hike (Yes, Im part time scribe):
8:25am ride out from PUREGOLD CUBAO
P250 Back&forth rented Van
11:00am ETA San Ildefonso,Bulacan
12:05am ETA Sitio Madlum / Sibul
P10 Barangay Registration Fee
1:00pm start trek, ASCENT, Mt.Gola
2:15pm ETA Mt.Gola’s Peak (with View)
3:00pm start trek, DESCENT
3:25pm ETA Carabao Area / near Fork to Manalmon
3:30pm start treak, ASCENT, Mt.Manalmon
3:45pm ETA Mt.Manalmon’s Summit
4:30pm start trek, DESCENT back to jump off
5:10pm ETA at jump off
– Caving, Spelunking, Swim, Monkey Bridge, Pictures, Shower, Pack up
P80 each (2 guides, 2 mountains for 20pax)
7:00pm ride out from Sitio Madlum
10:10pm ETA at SM North
10:15pm ETA at Cubao – Marcos Hwy.
Actual Expense: 340.00
Safe Budget: 500
Total Expenses: 400-ish due to refreshments bought, CR, Water, etc.
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Egg Post!
Just made this post to scream that I’m craving for eggs!
Well, I super love eggs! I don’t know why, they just satisfy my angry stomach. At breakfast buffets, I just go straight to their eggs’ station. I want to eat all of their eggs if only its allowed? (or normal)
I stopped (or more appropriate “consume less”) facing eggs since November, I think it is the culprit on my diet. So I’m on a less protein now. The last time I ate eggs was a week ago. I packed 8 pieces of hard boiled eggs during our hike at Mt.Pulag on November 28-30, 2015 but they got spoiled during the first day! I have no choice, even though it was against my will, I threw them away. I will not sacrifice my stomach’s state especially on the Mountains.
So now, I’m just a kid craving for eggs. I want to go to a buffet and eat just eggs but all of my friends are busy right now as of the Christmas Season is in the air. Guess I’ll just prepare it at home or grab otw.
Boiled, sunny side up, quail, kwek-kwek, penoy, balut, etcetera.
Saitama’s expression is what I’m feeling right now.
