Ternate, Cavite
Jump-off: Magnetic Hill
664 MASL (meters above sea level)
Pico de Loro is located approximately 85 kilometers southwest of Manila, within Cavite and Batangas. It is located where the Caraballo Mountains are in the north, Nasugbu, Batangas in the south, Maragondon on the east and the South China Sea on the west. As Cavite's highest point, it serves flamboyant 360 degree view of land, water and air bodies. You can also see the mountains Batulao and Talamitam. This three mountains -Pico de Loro, Batulao and Talamitam- comprises the Nasugbu Trilogy.
I haven't been that familiar to trekking until last summer OJT. My supervisor, Arch. Ian Parayno, shared his experience in trekking Mt. Pulag the last year (2010). I saw their pictures and I was like "I want that experience with nature!" Coincidentally, my friends were also thinking of a new experience to plunge on and some were already thinking of conquering a mountain. After a couple of short conversations, we were already planning and researching for mountains good for first-timers. Another good thing, one of our Engineer friend had previous experiences in trekking and he suggested Pico de Loro.
It just happened that this restless souls met, jived together and there. The epic first trek was held last May 28, 2011.
We hired a L300 van and went all the way to Cavite. We stopped over at Ternate, Cavite City Hall to search for a market and buy foods. I admit, we do look like campers (haha!) not trekkers. We brought a lot of foods as in real food; 5 kg of rice, fresh tilapia, itlog na maalat with tomatoes and onions and a lot of canned goods! But after that trek, we learned our lesson to bring lighter bags!
First thing, we posed at the DENR outpost before trek. The dogs wanted to be included in the photo-opps. If you could just imagine the weight of our bags there, it was a major mistake in the first place because it was a major pain!
Registration fee is Php. 20.00 per head and parking fee is Php 50.00. We hired a guide and that's Php 300.00. We started our walk to Magnetic Hill jump-off at around 9am. It's nice walking on the road because cars and other vehicles were rare.
I read something interesting about the Magnetic Hill. True to its name, the hill was claimed to be magnetic. Try putting the vehicle's engine in neutral or off, it will still climb up. If we knew it then, it would be another experience. We'll definitely try the next time we go back!
We were welcomed by the green scenery in the Magnetic Hill jump-off, providing a sneak peak of what lies ahead. Greens!
After somewhat like less than an hour, we reached the first basecamp. Rest! We recounted (we're still complete!), registered and paid another Php 20.00. There is a bukal so you can refill water bottles here.
We continued the trail and I saw this tiny creatures.
Are we there yet? At last, there is a sign!
We can see the future! I mean the peak! Wah, still a long way!
Alibangbang Park yo! Closer, closer! We were told that there's a campsite close to Alibangbang park.
We were joking about whom will make the Unang Sigaw, the one who will ask for rest first. We were laughing and singing along the trek, good thing we did'n't wake up the fairies of the mountain! These bamboo trees were signs that we are near the summit!
True to the guide's promise, with steep slopes come the Summit campsite! I was so happy when I was able to see the sunlight reigning ahead. (The mountain is covered with a lot of trees that gave shade in the trail.) We were shouting and cheering as we step on the summit campsite!
We weren't even in Peak 1 or Peak 2; and yet I felt a surge of pride, happiness, and great feeling flooded over me.
After having some lunch (we reached the summit campsite before noon), we are ready to conquer Peak 1. It was another more or less than 30-minute assault. The path to the summit is so,so steep (as seen in the picture). I just hold on grass-to-grass (how i pray they won't be uprooted for I am giving them all my body weight) just to reach the summit! Actually, I am the only girl in the group who braved to reach Peak 1. How brave of me, really? I was really nervous back then but I don't let my fear conquer me! While braving that steep slope, I look to the left and can see my friends down there the campsite and at the right there is nothing but a cliff! Oh, good heavens permit! I can feel the air in face and I can see so close the clouds passing by!
The view from left (while ascending Peak1). See them?!
And the view from right. Cliff!
It was such a great ease when I reached Peak 1! It was just a small place and yet my friends managed to have a jump shot there.
I was welcomed by the amazing, flamboyant, awesome, astounding (insert more adjectives here) view! Beaches, mountains, forests! I just felt the liberating feeling like "Hey, I am ,like, 600 meters above sea level!" Just what my picture says! The view up there just wiped away all the exhaustion and muscle pains. If I would have to climb mountains just to be a witness of this beauty of nature, I would! It's all worth it. The air you feel on your skin and the sunlight; it's sweeter. (I can't help but describe it this way! haha) I can touch the clouds literally! There was a storm reported back then the time of our trek but we are not moved. Well, nature heard us and give back the centerstage to the sun. But then, I am not able to climb Peak 2. It was not yet the time but I would definitely finish what I have started! We'll meet very soon, Peak 2!
After a few minutes, the clouds passing by my face gets darker. Oh, rain! We quickly descended before getting caught and make the steep slopes slippery! Descending, I had to hold on again in my new best friends (the grasses and their roots and the trees of course). And oh, there's an altar near Peak 1!
We made our trek back to the campsite near Alibangbang Park. My feet sore like crazy and one true great friend offered to bring my bag for me. How heroic! (haha) After reaching the campsite, we rested and then we start setting up our tents. We can see the peak of the mountain with the dramatic fog setting.
Just a few minutes away the campsite is the waterfalls! You just have to be careful going down because the rocks are slippery. We feasted at the tiny droplets of water (the falls is dry in summer). We also refilled our bottles (water is safe for drinking). It is a bit yellowish but hey, it comes from the nature! (haha)
We recalled our girl and boy scout skills in the preparation of our dinner. We brought a mini stove and we also made an improvise grill for the tilapias. We just picked those bamboos along the way and we brought the charcoals.
We made bonfires from the small branches we got along the way. It provided light and warmth in our dark and cold night!
We talked, laughed and drink around the bonfire. Definitely, it was one of the best nights of my life.
As we make our way back to the civilization, we stopped over at KFC SLEX. Wah! It's as if I haven't tasted chicken for years! We were really from the mountain, so excited to grab a bite! :D
