Mt. Batulao - My First Mountaineering Experience (Nov 19-20, 2011)

MT. BATULAO Nasugbu, Batangas Jump-off point: Evercrest Golf Course, Nasugbu LLA: 14.0408 N 120.8011 E 811 MASL Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-4 hours Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3 with 60-70 degrees assault

My first mountaineering experience was in Mt. Batulao. (Actually nakarating na ako dito a couple of years ago for a pilgrimage. I didn’t expect that I’ll come back to this place to explore it.) I was super excited that time coz finally, I’ll be fulfilling one of my dreams to – to do mountaineering. I was with my new found friends in Cavite.

We left Dasma, Cavite pass 12 in the afternoon (November 19, 2011). After a couple of hours, we reached Evercrest and registered our names. Then we started our trek. We took the OLD TRAIL (East)

To regain our energies, we had several stop overs (Mabenta sa amin ang Mirinda at buko juice) That was also our time to chit chat and make fun of ourselves.

Super love ko ang sunset. Habang binabagtas namin ang daan paakyat ng bundok, na-amaze ako sa sceneries.

We paid Php20 and registered our names in a logbook. We stayed overnight in station 5. Salamat kay Miong sa isang masarap na hapunan (Sinigang na baboy – my favorite!). Naglaro kami while having our drinking session (empi light with iced tea).

The following morning, picture taking agad ang inasikaso.

Since injured ang isang kasamahan namin, kaming mga girls lang (me, Joan and Mel) and Macus lang ang nag-decide na i-try akyatin ang summit. Funny part, dinaan ko sa charm para makahingi ng tulong or alalay from other trekkers pati na rin ang magpa-picture sa kanila.

Sad to say but we failed to reach the summit. Sa pagod, brunch ang inatupag namin pagbaba. Parang picnic lang ang set up pero ang saya. After eating, pahinga naman ulet - welcome siesta.