Mt. Pico De Loro Traverse Chronicles
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| I fell in love with Pico de Loro. |
Day 1
0400 Assembly Coastal Mall Terminal, Pasay. Pack distribution. Buses heading Ternate, Cavite leaves every 30 minutes.
0430 ETD to Ternate, Cavite
0630 ETA Ternate, Cavite. The bus dropped us off at the tricycle station. The five of us distributed ourselves and our packs between two tricycles. We first passed by the wet market to buy our supplies, meat and our breakfast. There was also an eatery that offers huge serving of pancit, spaghetti, bread and a few other breakfast meals. Huge because you could last a day if you only bought one of these just for P20 each. We even think that you can throw a small party with just 5 orders of spaghetti here!
We then proceeded to DENR for a quick registration. The tricycle brought us to the jump off point. This long, one tricycle ride just cost us P90 each. This would normally cost you P70 each if you fill a single tricycle with at least 3 persons. By the way, the jump off point is only a few steps away from DENR. So feel free to stop and have your breakfast at DENR since you won't find another comfort room or sari sari store once you start the ascent until the base camp.
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| (Des and Belette) Jump off point |
0700 Start Trek. The trek was relatively easy to follow. There were yellow paints and markers on trees for the first part of the trail and a lot of trail signs after. Most of the trail was mostly earth so I think it would've been muddy if it rained. Fortunately, we were blessed with a good weather all the way. In case you are desperately trying to find a good landmark to know that you are taking the right route, you will pass by a large reddish tree and a fallen tree. You will never miss it, since it's a nice place to take a break and some snapshots, of course.
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| (Cowgirl Des) Large Red Tree |
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| (Captain Andrew) Fallen Tree. Because climbing a tree without a 50L technical pack is child's play. |
0800 After about an hour of walking, you will find yourself at the base camp. You just need to sign up and then find a nice place to catch your breath. The base camp is a large area with tables and chairs scattered in the place. I think this could hold about 7 small groups of mountaineers at the same time. There were only three groups at that time so we were very relaxed and took up a table to eat breakfast. We also prepared meat here to be cooked for dinner and cooked rice since we didn't want to pass up the water source in the camp. They also have a comfort room and a small store.
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| Base camp |
1000 Resumed trek. The trail starts getting rocky and a bit muddy after leaving the base camp. You'll pass by dried river beds and rivulets on a sunny day. So prepare to get your boots really dirty and wet if it rains.
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| Trail after base camp |
1040 ETA waterfalls. There is nobody else that I know who gets more excited than me at the prospect of waterfalls. I've never really expected anything much from this place since I read that it's barely a waterfalls when it's not raining. Thankfully, we still proceeded there. For it was one of the best moments of the trip.
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| (Excited Rommel) Waterfalls sign |
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| Pico de Loro Waterfalls |
There is a campsite just above the falls and as usual with waterfalls, you have to descend on a steep, slippery and a rocky trail to get to the falls. And as usual, it is always worth it. We swam and took the opportunity for taking pictures and simply relaxed. We forgot all about the trek because the supposed small waterfalls was just perfect at the time! There was generous amount of water flowing from the top and the sun just shone at the water as if telling us that it was blessed, there was just no way we wouldn't take our time in the cool and refreshing pool. I'm not exaggerating or being poetic, just look at the pictures and you would know what I'm talking about. It took us more than 2 hours before we resumed our trek but that's because we also had our lunch here. This, perhaps, is the only reason why I would want to cancel the traverse and pass by here again on our descent. Perhaps, but adventure calls, and we must answer.
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| Yes. It's even more magical in person. |
1300 Resumed trek. This part would feel like it's a never ending ascend, with rock formation and trees almost similar to each other at each turn. But don't worry, this will broken once you see the assault. It's just a short assault, but you really have to grip those roots if you want to climb it. And this signals that you are almost at the summit.
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| Short Assault |
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| (Yannie) Almost at the summit and higher than most of the mountains around |
1430 ETA Campsite with a nice view of the summit and the peak. I'd like to say that we organized ourselves, set camp and fixed our things when we got here. But the view was to majestic to not pause and give a few minutes to just take everything in. There was the view of the summit and the monolith. Both was so regal it trumps everything else and just beckons you to climb it and be part of its magnificence. There was also a view of the sea, and a small bay nearby that gives you the promise of the beach. Bays and islands are very beautiful when viewed from above a mountain. It gives you something to yearn for and places you at a vantage point where you can appreciate all its beauty.
Once reality set back in everyone had different priorities, some were excited to get a mountain dew at the small store here while others run around and explored the place holding a small camera and few signature poses.
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| Case in point:The Hatorian |
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| Case in point: Bring me that horizon! |
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We did however stopped ourselves long enough to secure a place were we could camp. It's a whirlwind at Pico De Loro that day. There were so many campers that we were forced to camp at the outskirts of the campsite! Near the edge! With out any wind barriers! With a dome type tent! Which is, apparently, a natural occurrence at Pico de Loro. I'm just glad that the wind was only strong that night since we can see and dreaded the storm that was already brewing at a nearby area. And I'm thankful that we were heavy enough for the wind to carry the tent with us. So there we made our camp. And tasted one of the best Pork Adobo thet I've ever tasted. This was generously prepared by our resident Chef/Photojournalist/Programmer Des. Thank you Des for enduring the strong winds that lengthen your cooking time but never diminished your cooking skills!
Day 2
0800 Wake up call. Breakfast. Drink coffee, they sell coffee at the store at the center of the camp. Chill. And once again marvel at the beauty and the majestic view around us. Waking up at the summit is a feeling that you can't compare with anything else. It's always a different feeling, of course. It depends on the weather, the position of your tent, the people you are with and how the clouds roll in the sky. But nevertheless, it is always a most wonderful feeling.
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| (Yannie) Before everything else, selfie! |
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| Camp Site in the morning | |
We just prepared breakfast and went around to explore and captured more memories.
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| Pa-tweetums! |
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| Couple above the clouds | | |
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| Once more, with feelings |
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| The Adventurer: Bring me that horizon part 2! |
1000 Break camp. We took so much time capturing moments and committing everything to memory that it took us a while before we left the camp site. We knew that it was beautiful there. Just as we know that it will be humbling and be even more grand at the summit. With the growing anticipation, we packed our things and got ready for the assault.
1030 Assault summit and monolith. The trail was very steep and slippery and you would incur a few slips if you don't go through it in a slow and sure manner, especially when you are bringing your technical pack. It's only 15 to 30 minutes trek, so we were never dispirited once we started the assault. We were minutes away from the top and everybody was excited!
1050 ETA summit. The view took my breath away. Well, the view, the afternoon heat and the elevation. But what a lovely sight it was! They bay that I mentioned earlier became more prominent at the peak and we already imagined going there once we've traversed the mountain. The camp site was cute and small from this position. And the monolith with all its majesty stood there challenging us, waiting to be climbed. So there at the summit, while we breath in the view and watched a bird flew around us, we waited for the group at the monolith to finish their rappelling. Too bad we didn't break camp earlier. They said that the group before us was given a chance to rappel. I think they were shooting a promotional video or it was a sponsored rock climbing event. Anyway, the Monolith Assault is at hand.
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| View from the summit |
1115 Monolith Assault. I knew it was going to be a challenging climb. I initially thought that we would have to climb vertically to get to the peak but there was a way around the Monolith that would make what I expected a little easier. Easier by a margin of 5-10 degrees. There was still a bit of rock climbing involved though there were nice foot holds and purchases. There is also a steady rope at the most difficult part, a short vertical climb which helped us a lot. We stayed there until each of us got our monolith picture taken. If there are no people around to take your photos and one of the group is physically fit, that person can simply go back and forth the summit and the peak since it would only take 10 to 15 minutes with out a pack. We've considered this scenario, but thankfully, we were with the ever gracious and kind Yannie. She stayed at the summit to take our photos because she had a picture there before and wouldn't mind staying. Thank you very much! We owe you big time.
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| The Journey |
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| The Vertical Climb |
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| Above the monolith: Part 1 |
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| Above the monolith: Part 2 |
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| I fell in love with Pico de Loro. |
1200 Start descent to Nasugbo. The first 20 minutes was very very steep. I'm glad I was with a group that even cheered with excitement when they saw how difficult this first part of the trail was. Crazy people. Just my kind of people. And now the fun begins. The descent is really a good word to describe this first hour. There was no flat ground to be seen anywhere here. And you would literally look up or look down when talking to each other.
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| The Descent |
There were a lot of bamboo trees in the area that gave a most welcome shade from the afternoon heat. These also gave a feeling that we were walking in on a relaxing movie set. It was a long but nice walk.
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| Adventure Proof: Yannie |
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| Chilling under bamboo shades |
1300 ETA at the big fork. From what I've read, the left trail would lead you back to the trail near Ternate. We took the right trail to continue with our traverse. This is also a good place to rest because of the flat ground. You can even cook here and rest since the place was shrouded by trees. I personally lied down on the earth and looked up the sky. There is something peaceful when you are looking at the sky under the comfort of trees.
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| Big Fork. Flat Ground |
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| Don't forget to admire the clouds, leaves and the sky |
1430 Arrived at the second fork. Andrew and I split to check the trails in front of us. We decided to take the right trail, since it made more sense, following the river and it was descending. Created trail signs. Crossed the river. Crossed a small bridge. Saw a "white save the earth" tarpaulin.
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| Small Bridge. This is the way. |
1445 ETA Closed Barricade. I wanted to go over or around it to check the trail. But the party stopped me and said that there might be animals guarding the area, and the land might be a private territory. It was a wise council so we decided to back track and check the left route.
1500 Back to the second fork. Took the left ascending trail.
1515 Saw a barricade with an opened door. Entered and thought that it was the correct trail. After all, what could be more welcoming that an open door? Realized that the trail was starting to be filled with overgrowth. Saw another fork. Split up and advanced. Andrew followed to report that the right trail ended as soon as it began. I was fixing my pack here to check if there was signal so I asked him to go ahead and check the trail. After a few minutes, there was yet another fork there and he reported that it was really becoming overgrowth. We only wanted to be sure that this trail was not the right trail. And we wanted to exhaust our options before we trailed back. And we did just that. We decided to go back to the fork and call one of the Store keepers to confirm that the trail included going over the barricade. Thankfully, there was good signal in the area, and I was able to call Raffy. Always get contact numbers from the local. From the jump off, base camp and camp site whenever you can. You would never know when you would need their help.
1545 ETA closed barricade once more. Went around the big rock to by pass the barricade. Created trail signs. So if you are unsure of where you are heading, hopefully, there should still be a sparkly purple thread around branches and stems. Since this was the area that we got lost, we wanted to be sure that future mountaineers would find a more lasting trail sign. We had to carve an arrow on a tree. So we said our gratitude, permission and sorry to the tree and created Desiree's arrow. It's really just a small boxed arrow with out any writing on or below it. Hopefully, this will be useful to others.
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| Trying to create an obvious trail sign |
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| Desiree's Arrow |
1615 ETA Three unmanned huts but with traces of mountain dew and fire wood. Beyond the hut at the right most part was the flow of a river and a trail. There is also a water source here. You can rest here if you want but you are only 15 to 30 minutes away to the main road. Cross the river and continue your trek. Long walk, easy enough trail to follow. You might find yourself resting in a natural hobbit hole created by a large tree and two adjoining big rocks.
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| Hobbit Hole with Belette |
1645 ETA Firing range. Luckily there was still one tricycle left. He informed us that they were plenty of them earlier but his comrades decided to went home since there was already hints of the setting of the sun. He also informed us that there was a waterfalls just 15 minutes across the street. The Waterfalls-lusting side of me wanted to continue. And I've actually already went to the top of the trail when they stopped me and said that we had to go. Awww. Too bad. I haven't found any post about that other waterfalls so I'm not sure if it was beautiful. I'm quite sure it isn't as beautiful as the Pico de Loro Waterfalls, but a waterfall is a waterfall, and it must be visited. Anyhow, we just asked to tricycle driver to bring us to the closest store so that we can revel in the simplest pleasure of life that we overlook everyday. Drinks and Snacks at the palm of our hands. I've already lost track of time at this point so I'm not sure how long the commute to Nasugbo proper took us. I would think that it took us about 30 minutes to an hour. When we arrived at the proper we asked around to check the last bus ride to Coastal, we were informed that we should be there by 1930 as the last bus would depart at
2000. We then proceeded to Mang Inasal, went to Yannie's cousin to wash up then rushed to board the bus.
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| Firing Range: Success! |
1920 There are two bus lines at Nasubo that offer a bus ride to Pasay
Coastal Mall, by this time, the last bus of the other company already
left. Thankfully the other line still had a last bus waiting to depart.
Boarded the Bus.
2000 ETD to Coastal Mall, Pasay
It was truly humbling looking at the summit of Mt. Palay-Palay along with the Monolith with all their glory. And climbing them was just exhilarating! I've already decided to go back here someday after my experience in the waterfalls but I fell in love with Pico de Loro at the first sight of these two.
