Mt. Mayon/Mayon Volcano great escape

March 23-24, 2013 (Palm Sunday! Post birthday Climb <3<3<3)
***when you are thankful, you'll be blessed***

with XTMSI - Thanks much!!! <3<3<3 Breaking the previous record of 8 people (Portuguese) to reach the summit, with 16!!! Only 16 (plus Solene and Victor) out of 25 made it to summit/crater because of the cut off time. Filipino climbers rock!!!! To our friends who all made it to George step, congrats!!! Sayang at may cut off.. :) lahat sana tayo nalanghap ang pinagmamalaking Sulfur ni Mayon hehehe <3<3<3 First time ko ang mag assist at hindi makapasok. Worth it! Hindi ka basta gala, sooooo memorable ka! <3<3<3

https://www.facebook.com/events/501193266583162/
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151343872951048.1073741827.752826047&type=3

with XTMSI
Arnel Austria-XTMS Team Leader
Timothy Roy Vergara
Jay Felix
Alvin Amben Mendez
Gino
Elmer
Annabelle Frias Jairo
Rica Panerio
Ryan
Bimboy Villalba Resare-Lucas
Paul (Anthony Monge Isidro)
Mark Jemil Cable
Aaron
Bong Damian
RJ
Bunso
Leo
Andrewz Maximus Pioquid Minglana
Arjay Leonardo
Glen
Jay
Cris Dioso Casidsid
Erwin
Elvin


Day 0 - March 22, 2013

19:00 leave Makati
19:30 leave EDSA P30
21:10 leave DLTB Alabang #1003  P850
22:20 Franklin Baker
23:30 1st stop


Day 1 March 23, 2013

04:20 eat lugaw :D P30
05:30 Naga
07:30 Legaspi terminal
08:15 leave terminal
08:25 breakfast at Jollibee P140
10:25 to Cagsaua Ruins P30 jeep and P10 entrance
11:25 leave Cagsaua Ruins
12:30 lunch at Office
13:05 leave tourism outpost
13:45 end of hi-way - drop off
14:00 start trek
14:25 proper jumpoff - first stop
15:05 (3)fork - choose middle (the left twice)
15:40 camp 1
22:00 lights off


Day 2 March 24, 2013

02:20 wake up call
03:15 start trek
04:04 camp 2
08:50 crater/SUMMIT - with hours of stop
19:05 camp 1 - Solene Durmois
22:10 trek down
23:10 jump off


Day 3 March 25, 2013

06:30 leave Tabaco Albay
21:45 arrived in Pioneer Mandaluyong - Robinsons
22:00 safely home


Few days after Mt. Humarap with the BackPackers, Tim asked me if I wanted to go to Mt. Mayon. A dream come true! At first, I intended to reserve for Leonhard, a friend who's going back to Germany after the 2nd week of April. As promised to him that we're going to Mayon before his flight. Two days before the climb, he said that he can't make it. So I decided to go instead.

Here comes the day! Of course, I have to come to office still. I am trapped in EDSA because its Friday and its really hard to hail for a cab! Geez, I don't have a choice but to ride an ordinary bus. I prefer ordinary for a roller coaster ride! lol! :D And with that, I forgot my MMDA helmet, face mask, and gloves!

Whew! When I arrived at DLTB Albang, I wonder if I am the only 'girlalu in town'. I really look for girls. I may not be so sure but I am relived when I saw two girlalu with trekking outfits. LOL! At least, because whenever I return and my friends will see the pictures with only me as a girl in the group, they will tease me again that I am a boy! Geez! :D

For more than 10hrs of travel, we then arrived at Legaspi terminal. At Naga area, Mayon Volcano can be seen already. And while on our way and upon seeing Mayon, I told Arnel that it is the Mayon Volcano, he doubted because it seems like with a lower height that what they know. At least, I can still remember the shape and the Mayon Volcano from afar / from the distance (road).

After more than 30mins of waiting for Gino and Elmer, At 08:15, kuya pick us (I, Tim, Jay, Amben, Annabs, and Glen) from terminal for us to eat our breakfast first because the 1st batch already left to the outpost.

There is so much anticipation in me. I don't know what I am feeling as the time to trek to Mayon is fast ahead. Am I excited, scared, or something, I don't really know..? All I know is that this is it! My ever dream before! My dream to see Mayon only to its footsteps is now real, and for real, not only to its footsteps but to its crater! God is so great to give us all this chance to feel also its trail right on our own.

I use to take pictures of the LCC Mall, the tower/monument just around the circle and even made it to pray to St. Jude chapel nearby the outpost/office, where the jeepee stays. Thanks God! It's palm Sunday tomorrow so I have to pray hard to keep us all safe and happy. IT time to leave the outpost should be 10:00. Unfortunately, Something's wrong so we head to Cagsaua Ruins while killing the time. Unfortunate again that when we reach Cagsaua, rain showers welcomed us and the Mayon show only half of its shape. Positively thinking that tomorrow, or while we are trekking to him, and specially at the summit that he will show his beauty and will give us a beautiful clearing! :) <3<3<3

After almost an hour of waiting for him to show up, we head back to outpost because he didn't. 12:30, we took our lunch together to the outpost because the jeepee head to vulcanizing. Geez! 13:05 when we leave outpost. We are dropped by the jeepee at the end of hi-way. I don't really know whats the name of the place. Hehe! We fix ourselves and started trek at 14:00 to the jumpoff, 20-25minutes away from the hi-way.

Mayon is really amazing!!! I always remember that Mayon was once a part of the 7 Wonders of the World because of its perfect cone! I always remember that when I was in primary school, I always wonder when can I be with this beautiful creature with the wonderful scenery along with this Cagsaua Ruins! I always wonder if this Cagsaua Ruins looks like a haunted house since it is covered with vines, just like when I first saw it on postcard pictures with great Mayon on its background. I really thought Cagsaua Ruins is beside Mayon Volcano!!! lol Geez!!!

Now that I am here, all of my questions has now been answered. And thanks always dear God for always giving me not what I want but what I deserve! I may think that I don't deserve to be here but I am always thankful dear God for letting me experience what mostly mountaineers have longed to be with.

I booked and organized for Kanlaon as supposed to be my birthday climb with Team 5C Travellers but You failed me. Despite all of that, I am still thinking positive with my day. As a result, I climb Hill 522 -  a very historical Hill in Palo Leyte and find my own trail to traverse it! lol! I didn't know that, I just want to climb and I just knew when I search for it, with what was there of Hill 522, why it is famous in Palo, and Mt. Humarap of Paete after with The Backpackers, a historical Mountain also. Well, I must admit, I am still thinking of when to go to Bacolod again to climb Mt. Kanla-on. Probably not this year since all my leaves are consumed already. :) Oh well, this is great because now I know why He didn't allow me to go to Kanla-on because all this time, He was preparing Mt. Mayon for me! Thanks God, always! I am really reserving a slot for Leonard Hofbauer, a German mountaineer friend. But because of his schedule, he can't make it and of course, I grab the opportunity! <3<3<3

I am amazed by Mayon as always... When we are preparing for hike, Mayon is covered by clouds. But as we got near him, its footground, the view becomes clearer and clearer! While walking towards him, I always prayed to keep us all safe and bless with the most beautiful scenery and weather as we climb and got near him specially during our real climb for its crater! Mayon is an active volcano. It May not erupt for years but anytime, it may bring earthquake and worst, may erupt! I am deeply keeping my faith that we will all make it to climb Mayon and positive thinking!!!

Xtreme, I am always thankful that you accommodate me, a guest in your group in Mayon climb even if you didn't know whether I can make it or not. Thank you all for everything! Your socials,,,, Geez! Anna and Rica, I really think you didn't drink?!?!?! I am much confident of it but I failed, only you guys make me drink!!! Waaaah! You guys are great team! :)

Here comes the wake up call of 03:00, geez, few hours of sleep, and 30minutes advance wake up call. lol! I make it at the second group to ascend but advanced with the first group with Jay, Arnel, Leo Bunso and kuya manong guide. Hike at the forested area is just fine. Even if I am bothered because of my height and with my not long-legs, I have to grip at the branches and tiny trunks of the trees because of the deep areas where you have to take a big step to get up from the low ones.

The trail, since it is still dark, is not really visible. What makes it visible is the light of course. As always, night trekking is better specially when you have fear in height because you wont barely know  the trail you are taking with. I only noticed that I we are trekking with all concrete stone-ground and that I have to grip with also the stones! :D

As the dawn breaks, the trail is getting visible and the surroundings is getting amazing, thrilling, and steep! Kuya manong guide, I forgot his name, Nads?! He didn't let us gone too far from the group after us. So we have lots of waiting for the coming group. I don't really get his point. He said, the other guide will be pissed off if we proceed and will be hours away from them. Yeah, He has point now, lol. He said, we have to be together becasue of the falling rocks. Yeah, lots of falling rocks as we go farther. I forgot my helmet, I forgot as well the mask! Geez, so much excitement maybe. We meet along the way a British /German mountaineer who ascended at 01:00 at the Rabbit's ear area. He had gone 3/4 of the trail only because he had to cope up with his flight which is at 11:00. Unfortunate for him. The guide said, the mountaineer is kind of afraid also because of the wind blow on top. They got up to the Boulders only. What's funny is, that mountaineer, right when he arrived at camp 1, I asked him "how was climbing Mt. Mayon so far?", he answered, "Marvelous!"! But, at the trail where we meet him again that morning, I asked him again, "how was climbing Mt. Mayon now?", he answered oppositely from his first, "worst!". wahahaha! How did he find climbing there difficult? Maybe in my case, I must say, at the trail right before the rabbit's ear, I have a litlle hard time ascending the trail since I am a small person and obviously, I am not a long legged! lol! I have hard time stepping to the big stones going up! Not lucky enough, lol!



The sunrise is amazing as ever! The sun is like hiding from the clouds and cirrus-like clouds covered the area and gone after some minutes and the Bicol region become visible as well! So cool!

ok to be continued ulit...wehehhe! busy busyhan daw ang diwata... dami pending posts... :(((

Thanks sir Arnel! :)
"congratz to 25 bravest climber on earth who conquered mayon volcano buwis-buhay make ur own trail... i am sorry that i have caused you extreme exhaustion during climb and severe pain on d post climb however u defeated fear, u have defended urself from shower of rocks as heavy as 20 pounds, u have cheated death, u rock climbed 90 degrees loose and knife sharp lava rock walls and boulders, u have achieved the ultimate satisfaction, self confidence and love in nature. after 50 major climb in my back i hereby certified you as x'treme trekkers!!! woooohaa. difficulty 8/9, danger 11/9. highly recommended that you invite your enemies to climb this. hehehe..."  -  Arnel Autria-3/26/12 11:06

Mt. Humarap - Birthday

with the Backpackers and other guests:

Mon Sarmiento

Ivan Laurence

Henry Heinz LopezAlvarez Jr.

Weng Topasi

Timothy Roy Vergara

+Byaheng Jologs Weng C Bulaon

Reggie Kenji Revolteado

Jovy Duremdes

Angelica Cawaling

Paul VIncent Sarte

Cecile de Castro Alviz

Anne Aujero

Ray Mhar Mau Tanyag Mauleon

Gi-Anne Marie Ghie Agoncillo

Ralph Flores

York

Nixon

Dee Pee Piano

Aris 

Leslie

As I return to Manila from Tacloban, I am torn and don't know what to do. I still would like to proceed in going to Bacolod for a trip with Team 5C Travelers even if I won't be able to climb Mt. Kanla-on as long as I am with them as planned. I don't know what to think of specially that I am the one planning for climbing Mt. Kanla-on in Negros (Bacolod) then Guimaras and Iloilo. I already spent more than 10,000 just for the fare alone because of rebooking my trip for times because of some uncertain changes and events.

Later at (15th) night, I decided to be going with sir +JC SABIO and Cecile to Mt. Cinco Picos since I am already invited and just tagged myself to "maybe" since I am not certain yet. But as I tried to contact JC, He is can not be reached and I can't text because of my sims network problem. By then, I posted in my wall and sir Mon inveted me. Since JC did not reply to my texts using my other networks sim, I confirm my attendance to sir Mon. and cancelled my "going" status to :maybe" again to Mt. Cinco Picos event.

I am not so excited about the hike. I would just like to climb. and maybe, if +Byaheng Jologs did not invite me and confirm that shes coming with the Backpackers instead of the Sabit-sabit Mountaineers with JC and Cecile, I would have gone to Cinco Picos instead because I only knew Ivan, Mon, Hienz and Angel. 

Well then, going with them is worth it. We stopped by the Paete Church and wait for sir Kenji and others before going to the jumpoff. I wanna protest and don't know what to think of when what welcomed us is the church where the graduation rights was held. I am against it but I don't know what to do. They should not do the rights inside the church. There are big open area outside the church why should they still make it inside? I consider myself as tourist because I am not a local or I don't live there. Much as I wanna protest, I don't know how.

as

Palo Cathedral - Palo, Leyte

March 15, 2013,

McArthur Park journey- Palo, Leyte

March 15, 2013, upon arrival at Tacloban Airport at around 06:00, I am thinking of maximizing my stay while waiting for +L-Mer Jake Valle and my trip to Naval. Since I am hungry, I choose to eat downtown at +McDonald's  just across the passengers boat port. McDonald's and Jollibee are the easiest to access fast food since it is just along the way. There are also 'carenderias' found nearby. I choose McDonald's since I want to see the sea/port.

While waiting for Yaku, I am thinking of going to San Juanico Bridge and McArthur. But if I go to San Juanico, I think I can't go to Naval earlier as I am thinking of getting there on time of the wedding. So I decided of going to McArthur only.

I met Rafael Suarez (if I remember his name right), a man with a daughter of 30+ yrs old and a grandson of 6yrs old? He's fun to be with. We talked a lot about hotels, businesses, sceneries, beautiful places in Cebu, Tacloban and Biliran. I enjoyed talking to him because he has lots of stories that is also informative. After waiting for more than an hour, I decided to go alone to McArthur.

Rafael said, McArthur is for sale already?! My, I panicked, protest and reminisce the days while I am in the area years ago. I am thinking how, it is a tourist spot and a historical place of the Philippines?! It can't be.. I feel so sad! I don't know how and I hope not!

Riding minicab just in front/nearby McDonald's with a signage of 'Campetic/St. Paul's/Marasbaras' for P10.00 to BIR at around 08:00. McArthur is just 30-45 minutes away from downtown. You will be dropped at Petron gas station. Just cross to BIR. You can choose to ride pedicab(P10.00) or tricycle(P8.00). I choose to ride the pedicab. At P10.00, I can feel the nature and the mild wind blow naturally.

The place is still solemn and beautiful. I don't know if swimming in the seawall area is still allowed but it still looks the same for me just like I saw it years ago.

Way back 2004, on my last trimester in PWU(graduating), I choose to go to my homeland and transfer to SPBS in Campetic to join my friends who studied there also. I enjoyed my stay in my last years in college in SPBS even if it takes another almost 2years to complete my course. Here in McArthur park, every Valentines Day, all the singles came here and jokingly say, "punta tayo doon magpa firing squad!". We do cheerdance practice here, Junior Jaycees(Candahug) meeting and other school and extra curicular activities here.

Even if I am here alone this day, my day is already overwhelmed by the place, McArthur Park!!! Thanks God for bringing me here again! <3<3<3

Diwatang Gala - God's beautiful creation

Amang nasa langit, ngayon po ay ika labing anim ng Marso, maraming maraming salamat po sa lahat ng pagkakataong ibinigay Ninyo sa akin. Hindi Nyo po ako binigo kahit kailan. Sa lahat ng naging karanasan ko sa buhay, hindi po Ninyo ako pinabayaan. Kayo ay laging nakaalalay sa akin. Buong buhay po akong nagpapasalamat at humihingi ng gabay para sa aking sarili, kaibigan at higit sa lahat, sa aking pamilya, lalung-lalo na ang aking mga magulang.

Ngayong araw na ito muli po Ninyo akong binigyan ng pagkakataong masilayan ang napakagandang gawa Ninyo. Dalangin ko po na sana ay makilala at matutunan Kayong tanggapin ng buong puso ng mga taong hindi Kayo kinikilala.

Muli, ako po laging nagpapasalamat sa Inyo muling iniiaaalay ang lahat ng kung anumang meron ako. Sa lahat ng kapaitan at kagalakan ng buhay, lubos po ang aking pasasalamt!

Sa lahat ng mga bumati sa akin, maraming maraming salamat po sa inyo! hehehe! ♥♥♥

Sa aking Hiking Buddies, kayo po ay may malaking bahagi sa aking
mga pangarap na natupad nitong nakaraaang taon ng aking buhay :) higit na sa Team 5C Travelers at K.O.G. Mounteneers (Kalog Outdoor Group) 2011! At sa Sabit-Sabit Mountaineers at Lakbay Diwa Mountaineers, lalung-lalo na sa mga freelancers na nakasama ko. Napakahaba na ng aking isang talata :D wala na po akong babanggiting pangalan. Alam nyo na po kung sinu-sino kayo.

Ngayon po, ako ay mamumundok uli kasama ang BP. Iniisip ko na sasama sa Sabit-Sabit Mountaineers sa Cinco Picos kagabi. Kaya lang, sa loob ng limang araw, limang oras pa lang din ang tulog ko. Kumusta naman, kaya noong ako ay yayain ni ginoong Mon ng BP at malaman ang oras ng pag alis, binago ko na ang isip ko para naman makatulog ng kahit ilang oras bilang pagbawi ng tulog.

Hindi ko man po nakasama ang Team 5C Travelers, at hindi man ako magbibirthday climb kasama sila dahil sa mga hindi inaasahang pangyayari, masaya pa rin po ako at natuloy silang lahat. Hangad ko po ang kanilang masayang paglalakbay ngayong araw na ito pagbaba nila galing sa bundok/bulkan ng Kanla-on.

Kapayapaan para sa lahat!!!

Hill 522 Traverse - Guindapunan Palo Leyte

with
Mayie
+L-Mer Jake Valle

Last night, I am Late with my flight back to Manila. My flight is 20:00 but I arrived 21:00. At 03:00 in the morning, kuya Walter called up Ronald and asked me to stay with him to his boarding house instead of staying at Leo's lodge alone.

Around 08:00, I meet yaku Jake, Mayie at Ronald's boarding house while I am searching for a place to go to while killing time before my flight. I supposed to go to Sohoton Cave at Basey Samar but can't make since yaku can't accompany me because of lolo's wake.

Leaving before 10:00 from Downtown Tacloban, I, yaku Jake, and Mayie arrived at Don Carlos Rivera St at some barangay in Palo at 10:00, just beside Palo Cathedral. At 10:30 we start trekking through a concrete road to Hill 522. We arrived at the foot of the hill just 10 minutes of walking. Our purpose is just get to the top of the "calvary" and how it look like on top and what would be the views that can be seen.

I only want to go to Hill 522. but when we got there, nabitin ako. When I saw a trail sign, I asked Mayie and yaku if we can proceed and see what's in the end of that trail and or where that trail is heading. Wow, I am amazed of the story! as we go farther, traces of the history of Hill 522 is still present in the area. The only thing thats displeases me is a structure that is full of vandal and where I think serves as a hideout of the teenagers now. Beyond that, is full of mystery. There are holes, big concrete built stones, and other areas are covered by the grass but traces still remains.

I can't back out anymore as we go farther and farther from the calvary hill (Hill 522). I enjoyed what I discovered and I enjoyed tracing the untraced trail! lol! I asked my companions if they want to proceed. But as I asked them to, I am already ahead from them which makes them no choice at all but to follow me. Hahaha! A kind of trick but I have their real permission to proceed before we go to that steep trail of the hill. :D

Before that steep trail, we heard a very noisy sound. I panic when I heard it from afar and getting closer quickly! I thought for a rattle snake but wonder why it came from above. There, as it sounds very near, it is then a gangis as we called it in cebuano. Whew! that is so my first time to hear the sound of gangis. I often see the insect but didn't heard its sound yet until lately. God's creation is really wonderful. That insect looks so delicate but hard as a steel (exagerated) and now, its sound, its sound is very far from its physical look.

Anyway, as we push through, we encountered the teka-teka. I introduced them the plant, how it is called and why it is called that way by the mountaineers. They don't know also the name of it in cebuano/waray. Few minutes away, we trace the trail where the water trail is heading. Lucky enough that the end of the water trail is another trail sign. But a minute after, the trail is not traceable again. So I make way to make another one again until I find a way out of the hill.

We ended up to a land of a family packing up copras. We make a mountaineer sign of passing through at thanking them as well. As we nearly exiting their place, A father asked us to take a picture of their teenager which makes us go back. Thankful enough that we go back and accept the father's request. The eldest I guess offer us the young coconut (buko), a very big one! Of course, I am a very big fan of buko when I am in the province! I always request or even get myself a buko from our bukid whenever I am home. Thirst quencher! I so love being in the province of Visayas! The buko tastes great as expected, unlike the taste in the city of Luzon. It is so sweet like me! :D and its content is delicious as always and not matigas even if it is thick already.

Today is wonderful with my two companion! After that buko quencher, we head to Gerry's grill at Robinsons-Marasbaras and ordered sinigang na prawns, pork sisig, squid, veggie rice with 5 extra rice, two bottomless ice tea for the boys and a four season shake for me!

Thanks God always for everything! I never thought magbubutas ako today! Worth it! As we remember the trail, we laugh at, as we remember Ronald. What if he go with us, we all nod that he will going to cry for it, surely!

Mt. Cristobal dayhike Traverse - Dolores to San Pablo 031013

with
Joey Vergara
Jake Vargas
Rodney Yu
Xandrea Derige
Icel
Lala
Neil Biasbas
Chris del Mundo
Allan Cudal
Jason Flores
Ron Jalbuna
Gerald Ternola
Kat dela Cruz
Art


02:00 meet up at Jollibee Buendia across 7-11
03:00 leave Manila to San Pablo through Jam liner P127.00
04:20 arrived at San Pablo (jeepee P75/pax -15persons; P1000/jeepee)
05:00 leave San Pablo to jump off
05:30 jump off (tower)
05:50 start trek
06:18 Montelibano (snack, cr, rest)
06:40 start ascend
06:20 kiss the wall
09:45 Saddle camp
09:55 summit
10:00 descend
11:30 lunch, waiting for others
13:00 continue trek (abaca, banana plantation?grassland)
14:00 descend from Tayak Hill
14:10 registration - no fee
15:30 resort P75 (P400/cottage, P50 entrance fee, overnight-other charges apply)
18:00 jeep P17
20:00 bound to Buendia P122
21:40 arrived in Magallanes
22:30 safely home

Mt. Pantingan-Tarak Traverse - 2nd group to explore the trail

with
Jose Barcena,
Jay Marquez
Leo Ho
Freddie Fernandez


Day 0

23:30 leave Bataan Transit


Day 1 (9.5 to 10hrs of trek)

12:30 arrived at Bataan
01:30 fetch by the tricycle to the guides house
04:30 arrived at the guide's house, coffee break
05:30 start trek
07:00 dannys gate
07:30 flat hill, stop for pictures
07:45 reached the fork of peak and water source
09:35 tatalong pako
10:00 flat surface; kuyakoy; prep lunch then lunch
12:00 back to trek
13:00 Pantingan peak
19:30 Batwat river cama; pitch tent, dinner socials
23:00 lights off


Day 2 (8 to 8.5hrs of trek)

0500 wake up call; break fast; kuyakoy; break camp
09:00 start trek
10:30 daang COWBOY
14:00 sky wall ; late lunch
14:30 back to trek
15:30 Tarak Peak; taking pictures
16:00 descend from Peak
17:45 Papaya River
18:30 jump off.

Originally planned should be with Ms. Sharon and her bf and Ella Dorado. Unfortunately, girl thing for Ms. Sha and Ms. Ella "gone to India". :D

Ka Fred, Jose and Leo drive ourselves to Bataan transit along with others just to get in the bus by all means for us to arrive at Bataan on time. Left Cubao at 23:30 and arrived Bataan at 01:30 at Bataan transit terminal. While waiting for the trike to come, we stayed at 7-11 waiting area outside. Soon as the trike arrive to pick us, we left to the guide's house. Trike is worth its rent though because of the distance from 7-11 to the guide's house. At the guide's house, ka Jose cooked an instant noodles and heated water for their coffees while I took a half bath. :D

We started trek at 05:30. From the guards house passing to the streams, trail is just fine. after crossing the river, the trail is continuously going up but not steep up to Danny's gate. From Danny's gate to the fork which leads to summit(left trail) and water source(right trail)-15-20mins away from the fork, the trail is just fine. Beautiful views Mt. Natib, Cinco Picos and another mountains can be viewed.

a cloudy weather of Mt. Pantingan area as viewed from our place before Danny's gate

a fine weather of Mt. Tarak area as viewed from our place before  Danny's gate

At Danny's gate 

resting at Danny's gate

Mt. Cinco Picos as our backview

bald area of Bataan

10mins away from Danny's gate to the fork trail

left trail-summit/peak; right trail-water source

 While ka Jose, ka Fred and Mang Bakwat(tribe's name of our guide kuya Ruel) are filling our empty bottles of water to the water source, Leo and I 'steal' a nap while Jay is busy browsing some of the pictures(unknowingly taking us pictures while napping).

 Geez, just 2 meters high on top of trees from where we are is the house of a honeybee(beehive). Mang Bakwat told us before we leave the area which make us leave the area quickly.

2 meters away from us is the beehive-from this big tree

About 10-15minutes from Tatlong Pako is a flat surface where we take our lunch. Of course, we cooked/prepared food first. Wehehe

Mating butterflies on the left and the kind of trail to be passed through from the water source with the logs (below)./

on top, sir Jay while capturing the area of "Talong Pako" - on the right with the tree where the three nails are buried. Mang Bakwat while 'stealing a nap'. :D

And By the way, highway, superway, segway, railway, PLEASE STOP VANDALIZING! Along the trail of Daang Cowboy after the Skywall, there is this beautiful rock formation with vandals. And in Tarak I saw several "BAET" written to stone bench and other areas (unfortunately, I don't have pics of it). The last time I've been to Tarak, this vandal is not present. This is my 3rd time in Tarak and I love it there minus the vandals and others wastes!

a trail from skywall to Tarak peak-its right side is a cliff

Tarak is beautiful (so as other mountains), please don't destroy its beauty! Could it be you are a local or a hiker please love nature as you love your loved ones specially yourself. RESPECT PLEASE!!! You are not the creator of nature/things you're destroying.



Pantingan-Tarak album:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/edit/a.10151266098781048.449614.752826047/