Thursday, March 28, 2013

Mt. Maculot

Mt. Maculot Summit (930+)/Rockies (706+)


Located at Cuenca, Batangas
our mission: To climb Rockies and Summit


Dayhike

6:00 am : Depart from Sucat exit (SLEX)
8:00 am: Lipa Exit
9:00 am: ETA Cuenca
9:30 am: register and start hike
11:00 am: arrival at Camp site put up tent
11:30 am: climb Rockies
12:00 nn - Lunch at Camp site
1:00 pm: depart from camp site
2:00 pm: reach Summit
2:30 pm: start descent from Summit
3:30 pm: Arrive Camp site
5:30 pm: end of descent
6:00 pm: bound to Manila


From Sucat-Registration

Me along with 4 friends aimed to reach first: Mt. Maculot's Rockies and Mt. Maculot's Summit this Holy Week. 5 of us met around 5:30 am at Sucat and at exactly 6:00am head off bound to Lipa taking SLEX and Star Toll. 

 Taking Lipa Exit, we Head off to Cuenca which was about 22km drive. You can actually see the view of the mountain which was said to be shaped like an "igloo". Upon arrival at Cuenca, Brangay Sieta "7" you will expect a registration site with a big white tent and Barangay officials who will have to check your luggage for inspection. Prepare Registration fee of 10Php and log your name then afterwards get stamped by the barangay officers. Since we brought our private vehicle with us, parking slots were available just before the start of the hike. This is safe because Brgy. postmen were assigned and parking was Free. 


Start Hike to Campsite

Throughout the entire hike until the campsite took us about an hour and a half. Expect about average of 9 stations where the locals sell the famous BJ "Buko juice" (coconut) for 10 pesos, water and snacks. Also there will be available chairs for climbers for resting and recovery. This Holy Week season was kinda crowded, since it was the peak season. 

The trek at the start will be easy since the trail was flat, but as soon you ascend further, there will be uphill climbs that will be difficult that needs hand skills to hold on trees, vines or what ever you can see to pull you up. Signs are posted for directions so that you won't get lost upon your hike. Expect that the old Rockie's trail is closed. The Trees of the Forest mountain will shade your entire journey, so don't worry about the heat by this time. On the 3rd station, "tungkod" or sticks are for sale for 10Php which can assist and ease your climb! 

Bushy area near Campsite.
What struck me was this Ice cream man who carried his "ice cream cooler" like a camping back-pack and made his way up and sold it for 10Php but he said that he it will cost 15Php at the camp-site. 

There will be parts of the climb that are slippery and very steep. On the 8th station you can appreciate the view of the Taal from here. This part get's a bit "bushy" less trees with wide view therefore you can now appreciate a good view of the crater's edge of Taal lake and summit of Mt. Maculot. 






Campsite

7-11 store
Camp site
 As soon as we reached the campsite, we located a nice space and put up our tent. Expect the "7-11 store" where you can buy local Pinoy meals for about 55-65 pesos. Tent for rents are available just in case you don't have one.

I suggest to bring your own tent and don't leave your valuables unattended. Rest and Recover and drink plenty of water to replenish. At the campsite, I suggest to leave your personally gears before climbing Rockies. Just bring your camera and your good start hiking up Rockies. 

Rockies

Rockies
From the campsite to Rockies takes 30min hike. this is located on the Left part of the campsite because on the right side facing the Summit of Mt. Maculot.
As we head started our trek, we had to line up since a minimum of 10 should climb Rockies. This controls the overcrowding of the mountain, Brgy. officials were there to control the avid climbers. 
View of the Rockies
The climb of the Rockies was challenging since you will have to deal with the rocks and climb yourself up to the top. But once you reach it, it is very rewarding. I think I fell in love with the beauty of seeing the entire Taal lake and the Taal Volcano. According to my friends, you can enjoy the "ass" of Taal volcano (back view) because we hang out a lot seeing the view from Tagaytay (front view). From Rockies you can also appreciate the tall buildings of SM High condominium which pretty much give you an idea of Tagaytay.

Just one word: Breathtaking!
Taal Volcano

at Rockies

Stepping on Mt. Maculot

Summit

Before we head to the summit, we had lunch at the campsite. and by 1:00pm we started packing up and head for our second mission: which was the Summit.

The trail going takes 1 hour ascend and 1 hour descend. The climb get's more busy and seems like your in the wilderness of the Forest. The trail is get's very steep and challenging, expect it to be slippery so a good pair of hiking shoes would be really helpful. I do encourage you to climb in attire. The hike towards the Summit was less crowded since this part of the mountain, only few climbers aims to climb than compared to the famous Rockies. 

Once you reach the Summit, shout out: "VICTORY!" 
At the top you can appreciate the view of the Rockies mountain, the campsite and the entire area of the Taal Like. you would really realise how far you climbed and the distance of being really high above. Compared to the view, I personally  think the Rockies had the best view than the Summit, reason for it's popularity. But this climb is worth it.
View from the Summit of Mt. Maculot
Summit

The Descend.

Yes expect it to be more difficult.
I had a tripple slides here and there. No other way but to use of hand skills and repelling moves going down. Total body workout indeed! 
From the Summit we decided to go back track instead of the "Traverse" heading to the Grotto trail since our vehicle was left down Rockies and it will take 2 hours down summit and 1 hour to Grotto then a tricycle ride towards our vehicle.
We opt then to do Summit-Rockies. Try to recover and once in while capture the scenery it get's rewarding every time heading down. 




Down the mountain, go take a shower/"Paliguan" area on the first station of the trail, to have a fresh feeling since it get's dirty and all sweaty cost only 15 pesos but prepare your flashlight since it gets dark by 6pm.

Just a piece of advice try to COMMIT! Prepare your mind and focus.
I think i had a lot of Buko Juice heading down and this tested my endurance and skills of getting the nature of the mountain. The descend will be crowded too since some climbers will be ascending while your going down.

I hope this could encourage you to try hiking & enjoy the life of climbing. 
There are many mountains that Philippines has to offer. 
Appreciate and try it out soon.

Because climbing is like next to flying!
go travel & explore there's too much experience to adore :)









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