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Wednesday, February 1, 2017

A DAY HIKE IN MOUNT TALAMITAM FOR ONLY P493

Location: Brgy. Aga, Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines



Jump-off point: Sitio Bayabasan, Brgy. Aga, Nasugbu (KM. 83)
LLA: 14.1158° N; 120.7577° N; 630 MASL
Days required/ Hours to summit: 1 day / 1.5-2.2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3 with steep assault (100 m)
(Source: Pinoy Mountaineer)

The majestic Mount Talamitam


Scaling Mount Talamitam is like a "walk-in-the-park". If you want to just enjoy a rustic or bucolic destination, this mountain is the right place for you. Another reason why some like to climb this mountain is its proximity to Metro Manila where from Pasay City to its jump-off of Sitio is just two hours drive boarding a public bus transport. Though, you have to travel very early in the morning as traffic builds up when it is already late.

This is where the bus will drop you and the registration site


For this trip, my group consisting of Giovanni Alexander Arreglado Pido, Mafe Panizales Josue and I, left Taft-Edsa Pasay at 4:45 A.M. boarding an airconditioned bus with its terminal just at the back of Chowking and Sogo establishments and arrived in Sitio Bayabasan of Brgy. Aga, Nasugbu at 6:45 A.M.

After 10 minutes of trekking from the jump-off point


From the registration site, which is just the point where we disembarked from the bus, we learned that a guide is mandatory which is P500 per guide. I forgot to ask if there is a ratio of guide to the climbers. There is no problem also with food since you can buy your breakfast right there. We took again our breakfast at reasonable price of P50 per order. We started our trek at 7:10 A.M.

A gradual assault after trekking along a brook


It was refreshing walking along a trail grown with verdant trees and along running brook where we have seen some locals were washing clothes. We were gradually having an assault. Indeed, an easy assault.

Approaching a pasture land


Interestingly, I noted some pastured animals after a gradual assault. From this point, it was already open and definitely you will be at scorching heat if you do the trekking late. We started to feel the wind around making our trek even relaxing.

Practically a flat trail


From where I saw the horse, the terrain was flat and I can even see the summit ahead. Maybe around 300 meters, I suppose. Wind was continuously caressing my face. Since the trail is so wide, our group can walk side by side conversing with each other.

While in playful mood at the summit


It took us 1 1/2 hours to climb the summit. The summit belongs to Barangay Kayrilaw, thus, the guides belong Barangay Kayrilaw Guides Association. As you can see in my picture above, the prominent background is Mount Apayang's peak at 662 meters above sea level (MASL) where Talamitam's peak is at 652 MASL or 2,139.11 feet elevation. According to the Pinoy Mountaineer archives, Apayang is just 100 meters away, though I did not try to cross there.

The usual summit closeup photo


It was really windy at the summit. We decided to stay longer. Besides, there were two groups who were with us enjoying their solo pics on the three rock formations at the summit.

My last glorious moment at the summit


It was still early 9:00 A.M. but we invited our guide for a snacks. We took with us cakes and pastries. Giovanni still wanted to stay longer. He took as many shots as he wanted with Mafe.

Overlooking the flat pastureland and low-lying areas (Model: Mafe Panizales)


What makes it exciting to stay at the summit was seeing the Mount Batulao and Pico de Loro at a far distance. The dramatic hills and ricefields were evident.

Our group while descending


The more that our descent was very relaxing. From the saddle of the mountain, we find a shade of trees where we stayed for lunch. It was already hot and we decided to shade ourselves from trees.

Trekking along the crystal-clear brook


This climb was actually a twin-peak day hike where after this mountain, we traveled back boarding a jeepney to KC Hillcrest for our Mount Batulao climb but I am not posting it since I already have a lot of Batulao posts here. We paid P19 for the jeepney and finished our climb in Mount Batulao at 6:00 P.M. We stayed longer in Batulao as Giovanni and Mafe were first timers of the mountain and they find it too picturesque.

Breakdown of Expenses


SN Particulars Amount
1. Round trip bus fare airconditioned bus fare from Edsa-Pasay to Sitio Bayabasan at P124 one-way
248
2. Share in Guide for P500 per guide for 8 persons
100
3. Regisration fee
45
4. Breakfast and Lunch at P50 per meal
100
TOTAL
P493


CONTACTS



Kuya Eddie Erestain 09106087543

Paul Bausas - President of Barangay Kayrilaw (Talamitam) Guides Association - 09169337668

OTHER CONCERNS



Food is readily available and other food items, bottled water and other necessities in Ate Wilma's Carenderia just adjacent to the registration site at P50 per meal. You can even order a packed meal from here if you opt to take with you lunch or dinner to Talamitam. Her location which is also the registration site is just on the point where the bus will drop you. Bus conductors knew the place and just notify them so that you will be dropped there.

Buco juice are available in few strategic locations along your trail at P30 and halo-halo costs P50. Taking shower is also available at P10 in Ate Wilma's place and use of CR cost P5 per entry.

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