Playing in Pantingan Peak, Mt Mariveles, Bataan

I think this is Maculiat Peak, not really the Pantingan Peak of Mt Mariveles, Bataan. This was taken from Tarak Peak.

Actual itinerary:

Day 1

0930 Start trek

0945 ETA River

1045 ETA Nursery

1120 Enter grasslands or "Marlboro Country". Lunch.

1320 ETA Danny's Gate

1630 Arrival at Camp 2

1800 Dinner / socials

Day 2

0500 Wake up call / Caffeine fix

0630 Start of Assault to Pantingan Peak

0800 Arrival at Pantingan Peak

0830 Head back to campsite

0900 ETA Campsite. Brunch / break camp.

1100 Start descent

1130 Back at Danny's Gate

1200 Swimming at the River

1500 Back at Sitio Gabon jump-off. Wash-up.

The mini-bus to Bagac Poblacion. First trip from Balanga to Bagac is at 0500H and stationed at Burger Junction, not in the Balanga Central Terminal. Photo credits: Senen Tancio, Arjay Escondo and Argean Guiaya.

At the Sitio Gabon jump-off point. The guide, Mr Rey Jimenez, lives here. Please contact him prior to climbing Pantingan Peak to ensure your guide. If he is not available, he can ask others to be the guide. Standard guide fee is 1000pesos for the whole itinerary. Photo credits: Senen Tancio.

This gets extremely muddy during the rainy months. Photo credits: Senen Tancio.

The first encounter with the river. It is clear but it has lots of algae. The upper portion is good for dipping and swimming.

 

Mr Rey Jimenez, the guide.

The first stop-over of the group amidst the scorching heat of the sun. Thanks to the Gmelina arborea tree for the shade.

A bug's life on my hand.

The grassland portion where everything gets hot.

The group's second stop-over where we had lunch. At this point, everyone was already tired, clamouring for a nap.

Danny's Gate, named after the caretaker of the nursery that was here before.

The Subuangan campsite.

A violet inflorescence, inflorescence of hanopol and Asplenium nidus (Pakpak-lawin / Bird's nest fern).

The magnificent inflorescence of Medinilla sp.

The scary yet interesting Solanum quitoense. Look at its thorns on the abaxial and adaxial sides of the leaves.

The red inflorescence of Leea sp.

This is where you need to turn to the right for the summit.

At the right side of this portion of the trail is a cliff.

In focus: El Saco Peak.

The group at the summit.

The Scorching Trails of Mt Sembrano

I have been hearing Mt Sembrano from friends as one of the ideal mountaineering destinations. However, more recent news about this mountain are all about negations — robbery in the broad daylight and intentional slash-and-burn cultivation. Locals also say that natural fires occur in the areas dominated by Imperata cylindrica (commonly known as cogon). With this repudiation, visitors to the mountain are advised not to stray away from their group. Pinoy Mountaineer has also raised a warning call when hiking the mountain.

To compensate my almost three-month hiatus in mountaineering activities, I join various groups from time to time (as long as I have a friend or know somebody who is also joining the activity). With this Mt Sembrano itinerary, I joined the CORE group. 

The trail is "easy" that you do not need a guide - mostly take-rights. It would only take you three hours to get to the summit.

The trail felt like burning. You may take a rest... but under the scorching beams of the sun.

The hills are green, real treat for the eyes.

A view of the coastline of the Laguna de Bay in Pililla, Rizal.

The "hotness" of the day can make the grasses susceptible to wild fire.

Though the brown grasses create a great contrast with the greenies, they are dangerous as they may get burned anytime.

The trail to summit. This is MJ leading the pack.

Some of my new-found friends: MJ, Norman and JC's cousin (whose name I forgot, unfortunately.. and a first-timer, by the way). Shiela invited me to this event.

These are some of the natural wonders I saw during the hike. Truly inspiring!

Now look at those fine hairs!

Bandera española, Canna sp.

The obnoxious yet beautiful Lantana camara, locally known as coronitas.

Aside from the 20-peso registration fee, there is a 10-peso entrance fee to the Manggahan area.

This is by far the climb I made with the most number of buko juice consumed. The extreme heat might have made me like the whale of buko juice.

And there is a small falls near the Manggahan area.

 According to some locals, there is even a longer and more exciting falls somewhere in the mountain.

Notes: From EDSA Crossing, we rode a jeepney bounded for Tanay via Antipolo (fare: 53pesos). At Tanay Market (look for the terminal area), we took another jeepney ride to Malaya in Pililla, Rizal (fare: 20pesos). We registered at the Malaya Barangay Hall (fee: 20pesos) where the group was also given a brief orientation about the mountain.

A Wonderful Occidental Mindoro Vacation

From sleeping in the pier and 12-hour agony to the sunny daytime hike and cool nighttime camping, my first adventure in the island of Mindoro was truly spectacular!

Waiting for our boat to dock.

Arriving at the Port Abra de Ilog 15 hours after.

Waking up to the sound of the waves and the gritty feeling courtesy of the white sand of Paluan.

 

It's hot, baby!

The Hunter's Hut, which is usually occupied by Very Important Persons on their breaks from hunting games, as per our Mangyan guides.

Sunset or sunrise?

Good morning, Calavite!

The beautiful sunrise!

Human-infested Batong Agila! Yes, the rock resembles a nesting bird (eagle) at a distance.

Enjoying Tarak-feeling at the Calavite Ridge.

Good night, Arabe Cove!

Crossing the sea to buy some really cheap marine creatures.

Albert, the anchorman! Oy, tama ba 'yang paghagis mo?

Waiting for the banca to arrive.

First fish! Parang first baby lang.

It's more fun in Arabe Cove! Beer + seafoods = fun to the nth level!

Preparing for the kilawin, courtesy of Master Chef Albert.

Lechon - the true star! Pasensya na, 'yan lang ang nakayanan namin..... itira!

 Photo credits: Jayson Lizardo, Edu Odovelas, Lupotz Mountaineers