Breathtaking Banahaw

This was unexpected.

Television and social media confirmed the presence of two (2) low pressure areas (LPAs) sandwiching our target mountain - Mt. Banahaw in Dolores, Quezon. We may be able to secure a permit but it would be useless if the weather gets worse.

Eve of August 10, 2013, Dex and I proceeded to Alabang to meet with fellow mountaineers. It was drizzling and later, it rained.

We took a bus bound for Lucena and got off at San Pablo City. From there, a chartered jeepney took us to Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon.

The Permit

Mt. Banahaw has been declared as one of the protected areas in the Philippines by virtue of  Republic Act 9847. It has been temporarily closed to mountaineers in 2004. However, locals and pilgrims are allowed to climb during Holy Week.

Today, climbing Mt. Banahaw has been regulated. Only those who have secured a permit are allowed to scale it. The representative from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that they encourage outdoor enthusiasts to conduct tree planting activities in the mountain to replace the trees that have been illegally cut. Clean up and back filling may also be done.

Orientation by the DENR Representative

Pipes were visible along the trail. The mountain is the water source of the residents at its foot. This is also the reason why it is necessary to maintain the cleanliness of the mountain.

We started to trek at around 9:45AM. Manong Dingdong led the way. We walked through a plantation of coffee and other sorts of plants. Vegetation is thick. Breathing has been so soothing to the senses.

MOSSY BASIN. Just before we reached the Kweba ng Dios Ama, our lunch area, slippery mossy rocks challenged us! We walked over it carefully and I slid slowly and happily I literally laughed my heart out after a successful slide! Let me take you there. Imagine a basin of stagnant water. The basin is made up of big mossy rocks. The challenge is to pass through it without falling, otherwise, I get my feet and knees wet. So I embraced each rock with caution. Then came one rock that is beyond the limits of my arms. Dex was able to cross it. I must too. I took off my bag, passed it to Dex. I sprawled over the mossy rock keeping my grip on my left then slowly, by Dex's command, I loosen my grip and slid to the other side. I made it!

We had lunch at the foot of Kweba ng Dios Ama. We relaxed for an hour, fetched water and cooked for dinner.

STUNG. My hands started to itch. It felt like I was being pricked over and over again. I was told I have been stung by poison ivy. Joela did the first aid. The invisible hairs of the plant were taken out by using a surgical tape (they recommend duct tape). Though the hairs were gone, the itchy and burning sensation remained. They said it might last for two weeks. Blisters are also possible.

CHALLENGE #2. The mossy basin was challenge number 1.

Rain has started to fall and we were about to start the next leg of the climb. An almost 90 degrees rope segment launched it. Came my turn. I rose a few meters, my left hand gripped the blue rope. Manong Dingdong was awkwardly positioned at my upper right ready to pull me up. There were no other holds. The only way up were the rope and Manong's hand. Dex climbed to my side to give me a push. It took me a while. My knees were shaking and my tears have started to cloud my eyes. I cannot stop. I took  a deep breath, my left hand tightly gripped the blue rope. I extended my right hand towards Manong Dingdong and quickly, pushed myself up.

TEKA-TEKA ETC. It took us a while to finish that rope segment. With ponchos on, we continued to trek. As we go further, the forest grows thicker. Chitchats and trail foods and teka-tekas made the trekking fun!

Teka-teka, as we call it, is a palm plant. It has thorns on its trunk and at the tip of its leaves. Its thorns are positioned backwards. It catches whoever and whatever it got contact with. I was lucky to have Joela on the lead and the other boys. Teka-teka struck them first! (evil laugh). So when it's my turn, the thorns have been hidden away from the trail.

We rose up quickly as the day wears out. The trail has gone steeper as we went higher. Every now and then, we check our level of elevation.

THE FUN CLIMB. I am a snail climber. That is a fact. Especially when part of the sweepers, I have the tendency to proceed slowly. As my "catch-up" plan, so that I won't be a burden to the group, I joined the lead team and whenever possible, I walk ahead of Dex knowing that he will just be behind me in a few minutes. So, lakad.. kwentuhan..lakad..pahinga... lakad.. kuwentuhan.. lakad.. pahinga.. lakad sila... pahinga ako mamaya nandiyan na si Dex... wala pa rin si Dex... magdidisappear na yung last element sa harap ko.. Oh no.. magiging mag-isa ako.. habol habol habol... dikit na ulit.. lakad.. lakad.. pahinga... lakad.. lakad. pahinga... pahinga... lakad sila.. pahinga.. wala pa rin si Dex.. magdidisappear na ang nasa harap ko!!! habol habol habol... nakahabol.. dikit ulit.. lakad lakad.. dumidilim na.. dikit na dapat... may kaluskos sa likod ko... lakad sila, pahinga ako... si Dex? Si sir Erick!!! pahinga rin sya.. tapos nagpaalam na mag advance na.. sige... pahinga pa rin ako.. nawala na si sir Erick!!! didilim na! lakad na ako!!! Tawag ke sir Erick, sunod sa boses nya.. lakad lakad.. nakita ko na... lakad lakad na talaga... pahinga pagpahinga nila.. lakad pag lakad na sila...

VHF RADIO. Light has started to fade and our gaps have grown wider. We stopped to wait for the rest of the team. Dex has not showed up yet. The next group arrived and Dex was not with them. Sir Erickson handed me my headlamp and told me Dex had muscle cramps and was far behind. With him are two others who got injured. My heart sank. I should have stayed with him.

Delta Charlie, do you copy?

no response. 

Delta Charlie, do you copy?

no response. I concluded that they are really far behind.

Few minutes later, someone buzzed in! Tango Kilo. Tango Kilo.

My heart leaped! I monitored them as they slowly scale the dark trails ahead of them. ♥

NIGHT TREK. 7:00PM. Intact again as one team, we prepared for the final assault to the saddle camp. Cautiously, we started to walk, checking the elevation from time to time. It has been almost 10 hours since we started to hike. My legs were already tired and just before I give up came my favorite part - the "four -wheel hike". I patiently ascended the 70-80 degrees slope to the saddle. Above me is a line of butts and a row of headlamps beneath me. I put all my energy pushing myself up to what seemed to be an endless assault!

DIAMONDS AND FIREFLIES. Tall grasses finished the long assault. Past it are small spaces for tents and my fellow climbers exclaiming with joy! I looked up, savored the cool breeze and breathed in the scent of the mountain. The stars twinkled above us like diamonds! There were so many! The heaven is stuffed! I lowered my head and a wide plain glittered like fireflies below us! What a sight! What a lovely sight!

BEAUTIFUL MORNING. I woke up to the voices of my climbing buddies. When Dex got up, we joined the others at the highest point of the saddle. The view was breathtaking!!! Some have identified 10 peaks from where we stand. Most of them, I haven't scaled yet. On the other side is the mountain range of Banahaw. So green and fresh! Later, clouds started to set in. The once clear peaks looked icy already. A heavenly view formed just right below us. Beautiful!

Icy Mt. Cristobal as seen from the saddle of Mt. Banahaw

DESCENT. The clearing has disappeared just before we started our descent. We took a different trail - the trail via Tatlong Tangke. This time, I belong to the sweepers. The trail was steep. very steep. I fell twice. All except for the four (4) of us were far ahead. My feet felt sore. I descended patiently and slowly. This made me appreciate the details of the trail. The mossy roots. The mushrooms. The dried flowers. The berries. The trail signs! We saw 2! The arrow and the fresh leaves :) There was also a baby red snake by the trail. That made me walk faster! The trail where horses pass was exciting for me. I forgot my sore feet as I hopped. Then there were these plantations of beans and bitter gourds and lemons. Then there was this loud sound of motorcycle. Then there was this familiar place - the DENR!!!

5:10PM. Marvin, Dex and I have successfully and safely descended Mt. Banahaw.

CREDITS. Thank you Erickson Recto, Sendo and Joela for making this Banahaw climb happen! Thank you Outdoor Buddies for the company! I know you too are happy climbing with me! Hahaha! :)) Thank you also Manong Dingdong and Kuya Sweeper :) Thank you, Dex for making my load light, for pushing me and for everything! :) at sa naghain ng masarap na post-climb dinner, thank you!!! 

This is one of the memorable activities I have done! Priceless beautiful experience!

Sa uulitin? ;)