FIRST MOUNT HALCON CLIMB AND SIDE TRIPS

Location: Baco, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines
Major jumpoff: Brgy. Bayanan, Baco, Oriental Mindoro 

Alternate jumpoff: Brgy. Lantuyan, Baco, Oriental Mindoro
Elevation: 2582 MASL (8,471 FASL)
Days required / Hours to summit: 3.5-4 days / 15-18 hours
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 9/9, Trail class 2-4
Features: River crossings, dipterocarp and mossy montane forests, rocky ridges, water falls, massive boulders, endless cardiac assaults, fierce and populous limatiks (leeches), steep trails towards the summit ridge, sea of clouds at the summit, bamboo thickets and numerous ravines.
Availability: Open from February 1 to May 31 of every year

The dipterocarp forest leading to Aplaya campsite (Camp 1) dated April 26, 2018

April 2-7, 2017 Mount Halcon Climb

        It took me another climb to successfully climb Mount Halcon. The first attempt was April 2-7, 2017. However, by that time just from the jump-off point, the river was flooding and we we camped for an overnight at Aplaya (Camp 1) waiting that upstream Dulangan river will subside from flooding, too. Unfortunately, that night an earthquake has badly shaken us from the campsite. Thus, the following day, the organizer decided to abort the climb. It took us a year after to climb again Mount Halcon dated April 25-29, 2018, and it was a perfect climb!

The flooded river at the jump-off point dated April 2, 2017

        The documentation of this climb is organized in such a way that the pictures included from the jump-off point to Aplaya (Camp 1) were April 2-7, 2017 and those beyond from Camp 1 to the summit and back are from April 25-29, 2018. With this, I conclude that Mount Halcon has more water falls when rainy and I find it more picturesque. However, it would be impossible to cross Dulangan River when water is flooding. Thus, Halcon climb is not possible to complete. Dulangan River is quite far from the summit and it would take more than a day to reach the summit from this river.

The expansive Batangas City Pier Terminal

        Our first climb started with boarding a Jam Liner bus from Buendia LRT (Pasay City)  costing P167.00 at 11:00 A.M. of April 2, 2017.  We arrived at Batangas City Pier at 2:15 P.M.  This pier is so huge and there is a long queue of people since there was an inspection.  Butane is not allowed when it was detected on a scanner machine.

St. Braquiel Supercat at Batangas City Pier for Calapan City

            We spent more than 30 minutes to fall in line passing through the scanning machine for baggage inspection.  Then we secured to pay for Supercat fare of P185 and Terminal fee of P30.   We boarded late at the ferry at 3:24 pm and exactly 3:33 pm, our ferry left the pier.  The ferry seemed to fly over the sea surface where it only take 45 minutes for the ferry to reach its destination at the Calapan City pier.

Repacking our backpacks in our host's house

              We were ten joiners in the climb and one of our joiners has an ancestral house in Calapan City in the name of Kaiem Ganelo where Jrich Macasero and I were welcomed to stay in their house for an overnight.  The rest of the afternoon, we bought our food supplies, but Kaiem's mom served us with a sumptuous dinner.  I slept with so much excitement anticipating that our group will have a perfect climb.

While at the Municipal Hall of Baco town

             The following day, April 3, 2017, we woke up as early as 3am to prepare for the our climb. Our group chartered a jeepney for our trip to Baco municipal hall which was an hour travel to finally be allowed to climb.  Though, our permit had been processed as early as January 20, 2017 paying P1,000 downpayment to our organizer, Mr. Zeus Randell R. Manongsong aka Amber Mako in FB through pre-climb meeting at SM Megamall where we were asked to submit BMC Certificate, Medical Certificate, ID Picture and any Identification Card.  Submission of the documents were sent to Zeus thru LBC. Booking of the slot is done earlier because climbers are limited per day when it opens during its available period.

Logging in at Baco Police Headquarters after receiving our climbing permit with Mr. Mark Ubaldo

      After receiving our climbing permits and logging in at the police headquarters which are compulsory, we had our breakfast in a nearby carenderia.  Then, our chartered jeepney drove us to supposedly Brgy. Lantuyan jump-off point.

            

The highly flooded river at the Lantuyan jump-off point

            As the Lantuyan jump-off point was not passable, we again drove to an alternate jump-off point in Barangay Bayanan where starting the climb here was so steep heading to a Mangyan village.

Denis Ruiz with a Mangyan mother

              We stayed for a stop at the Mangyan village to have refreshments and have interaction with the Mangyan villagers.  Some of my companions bought for hot instant noodles.  

Our group of 13 at the first Mangyan village in a group prayer

            There were few houses there of the native Mangyans and they are very welcoming.  Basic food supplies are available for sale including the fresh buco fruit. They have water source there, but the only thing is, from this point, limatiks were already in multiplicity.  Our group of 13 is consist of ten joiners, 2 guides and the Expedition Leader, Zeus Manongsong.

An overlooking view from the Mangyan village

            After the Mangyan village, was another long walk strutting along bamboo thickets and thick forest with occasional open gradual trails.  By then, light showers were chasing us and we were trekking wet.

The group on a gradual trek along Mayabig trail

            We were composed of the following:  Giovanni Alexander Arreglado Pido, Mark Ubaldo, Tins Apelado Amos, Kaiem Ganelo, Richard Jrich Macasero, Christian Anthony Araja, Denis Ruiz, Attorney Ralph Rojas, Mc Bueno, Amber Mako (the organizer), Paulo Soneha and Chrisval Agustin.  We had two local guides.

The bamboo thickets along Mayabig trail at 12:49 noon

         After another stop in the second Mangyan trail was another long trek alternately on open and forested trails.  Limatiks were not much on these trails.  On the second Mangyan village, there is a concrete basketball court where we had a buco juice fruit stop.

A typical Mangyan house at the third village

This creek-infested with limatiks is the start of assault to Ayambukog campsite

An assault heading to Ayambukog campsite at 2:16pm

            After a long trek, we passed through another village with a water source and we crossed a creek with limatiks thriving substantially at the water current.  Then, an assault to the campsite followed.

Arriving at Ayambukog campsite at 3:03pm for an overnight camping

            I was so mesmerized with the sceneries I saw along the trail.  Thus, I never got tired of our long trek, not to mention that the light shower refreshes me in my shoe-squelching walk.

The morning of April 2, 2017 at Ayambukog campsite

            The wake-up call was at 5:30am to cook for breakfast and eventually to have our breakfast.  Break-up camp was at 6:45am.  The trek from Ayambukog campsite started at 7:15am.

A captured shot along the trail at 8:20am

  

              My climbing buddy was Giovanni Arreglado Pido and we alternately took photos of each other though we maintained our position at the lead pack just behind the guide.

My climbing buddy, Giovanni Arreglado Pido

Crossing a creek on top of slippery rocks

Enjoying the wet trail

Giovanni and I crossing the creek

Braving the unfriendly trail at 8:58am

Navigating into the deep forest

Richard Jrich Macasero collecting cold fresh water for drink

Crossing the Egatol raging river in between a deep ravine

            It was only 10:45am when we reached Egatol river and our group decided to have our lunch here after a non-stop 3 hours 30 minutes trek.  We stayed longer in this part of the trail.  Despite cold water of the river, we took a bath here without removing our clothes and shoes.

Very cold water but refreshing to Christian Anthony

Christian Anthony Araja enjoying a bath at Egatol river

While at Egatol River (from left to right)  Kaiem Ganelo, Atty. Ralph Rojas & Christian Anthony

            Just an information, of the three, only Kaiem joined the second Halcon climb.  Atty. Rojas as of this writing is already dead and Christian decided not to join anymore the revenge climb.

Started trekking from Egatol at 11:01am (from left to right): Mark Ubaldo, Mc Bueno and me

         Without regrouping, we are far distant from each other.  The lead pack always consist of the guide, Giovanni and me.  The temperature was cold but with continuous trekking, our bodies burn hot and wet clothes did not matter to us due to light showers.

Scaling a deep ravine

A closer look of the ravine with a cascading downstream

On a closer range

            The trail was superb in scenery with rushing waters coming from all directions including the downstream flowing from the mountain slopes and massive rocky walls.  They do not look magical when the trail is dry.

Of course, Giovannie, the Manlalakbay na Manunulat vlogger has the same captured photo

The rest descended next after the lead pack

           Since Giovanni and I got first on this point, we waited on top of the ravine to capture their descent and ascent at this ravine.  We reached this point at 1:32pm.  Then, we had a regrouping at the massive flat rock on top of it.

Scaling a cascading rapids

The trek continues (from front to rear): Jrich, Kaiem, Atty. Ralph & Christian

Tired but all happy (left to right): Kaiem (standing), Christian (seated), Ralph & Jrich

Resting on the trail with the guides

Catching the sweepers: Paulo Soneha, Mark Ubaldo and Chrisval Agustin

            We reached this point at 1:52pm.  I tried to ask the guide what is the name of this part, but to no avail.  The trekking was not at all exhausting despite the assaults. The reason for this was we were mesmerized by the view.  I have not experienced a climb like this so picturesque and yet not that hot.

How lucky you are Giovanni, I am giving you best shots

And Giovanni reciprocated the picture capture

And even a closer shot

The entry to the mossy forest at 2:52pm

Along the mossy forest trail at 3:13pm

Into the deep mossy forest at 3:46pm

The mossy forest opens to this dipterocarp forest though it was too misty

                The duration of the trek in the mossy forest was one hour and an assault followed towards the dipterocarp forest, then there was a descent along a slipper trail towards a creek.  There was again an assault leading to the Aplaya camp site.

Reaching Aplaya campsite at 4:29pm

           There was one group when we reached the Aplaya camp.  They were eight of them.  By then, the sun partly showed and  thus, we were able to pitch our tents conveniently. Cooking dinner followed and we had even a chilly socials.   At around 10pm, there was an earthquake that hit our area.  We barely slept well. 

Break-up camp at 10am of the following day, April 5, 2017

            The night before caused us so much worry, but anxious if the trekking will push through.  However, we were finally advised that summitting will be aborted for two reasons:  Dulangan river is not passable and the guides took the earthquake as a bad omen.  The decision to abort the climb had a resistance particularly for Giovanni and Christian and they wanted to pursue.  However, the group disapproved since the protocol is to have two guides for 8 climbers.

Group picture before descent (Left to right): Mark, Paulo, Chrisval, Christian, Ralph, Mc,

Yours truly, Randy, Zeus, Denis, Kaiem, Giovanni & Jrich

            Our group started to descend at 10:46am and we were racing down battling the unfriendly trails thinking that there will be after shocks.  This time, no more picture taking.  We were just rushing down.

Viewdeck before Ayambukog campsite with our two local guides

            The only regrouping we had since descended from Aplaya was in Egatol for our lunch.  Still disappointed but relieved, we had a group picture at this point at 3:15pm.   This was the only regrouping where we stayed much longer.

Reached Ayambukog campsite at 4:09pm drying our wet stuff

            It has been agreed that instead of pushing to jump-off point, we settle for an overnight at the Ayambukog campsite. Since it was still sunny, we dried our stuff and pitching our tents was the last thing we had in our mind.   After pitching the tent, we cooked our dinner and socials followed till 11pm where we had a soundly sleep.

Our sumptuous breakfast at Day 5 (April 6, 2017)

Wild berries were abundant and so we picked them for our consumption

Our Expedition Leader (EL), Zeus Randell Manongsong

A casual conversation after breakfast

While at break-up camp

What's bothering you, Denis?

Christian waiting for our trek resumption

                Our group finally left Ayambukog at 8:40am.  We were so relaxed that we took our trek without time pressure.  Besides, we knew that it was still early to be back in Calapan City. 

Giving time for Mangyan kids with Randy seated

(Standing from left to right): Yours truly, Paulo, Chrisval and Mc Bueno

Buco break at 9:36am in the second Mangyan village

Crossing the bamboo bridge to the jump-off point at 10:59am (Model: Jrich) 

The river now has subsided

At the background is a buried church due to massive landslide years ago

The remnants of a landslide-covered community

Crossing a log bridge at 11:18am

Our prize at the jump-off point: this refreshing river for the coolest bath ever at 11:51am

Christian Anthony Araja

Denis Ruiz

Randy Apelado Amos

Atty. Ralph Rojas

Mark Ubaldo

Mc Bueno

Giovanni Arreglado Pido

Of course, me, too!

I'll scratch your back and you will scratch mine! (top to bottom: Denis, Mc & Giovanni)

Cool!  Feel at home! (Mark and Randy)

Jrich!  Hindi ka naligo! Eiw!

                For us, having a swim in this very clean river is once in a lifetime.  After a 30-minute swim here, we proceed to the nearby barangay hall at the jump-off point where we changed our clothes and finally left at 12:35 Noon heading to Calapan City.

A souvenir photo at Calapan City Hall

         While on our way to Calapan city proper at 1:47pm, I requested to be dropped off at the city hall for a souvenir picture.  It was only me who did such while the rest were already sleeping while on board the chartered jeepney.

Buying food stuff for overnight and lunch on this mall

            Atty. Ralph Rojas invited us to stay overnight in his sponsored accommodation since the following day, he invite us too to spend a beach swim in Harca Piloto Island, their family owned island off Calapan city coast for barely 30 minutes boat ride.

Our overnight accommodation

The "bow" part of our concrete ship accommodation along the beach

Our accommodation at a distance

            Our group enjoyed our overnight stay here.  Drinking liquor was one of the activities and it was really a night full of fun.  The sea breeze at night made our stay a very refreshing one.  Thanks to our host, Atty. Ralph Rojas.

Harca Piloto Island (left side): Our Day 6 Destination

            Our wake-up call on Day 6 (April 7, 2017) was at 4:30am, since we have to cook for our food for breakfast and lunch as we planned to stay in Harca Piloto Island till early in the afternoon.

Approaching Harca Piloto Island at 5:16am

Touchdown at Harca Piloto Island at 5:30am

We call this as sand therapy

Jrich and Kaiem collecting sea shells

At the far distant background is Calapan City

Local fisherfolks are selling their catch at a very low price

A very refreshing seascape

Giovanni, Mark and Mc Bueno enjoying a cool dip

Randy Amos relaxing in his hammock

Giovanni in his unique style of sunbathing

Atty. Ralph Rojas, our host,   in his pensive moment

Rewarding my self with a soothing swim after 5 days in the mountains

Feeling the vibe of being fisherman

Scaling to the cottage on  top of the island

Seeking a shade in the island's only cottage

The other side of the island

Jrich's underwater shot

Holding my breath to avoid bubbles coming from my mouth

            We left the island at 11:30am and we were just timely for our lunch at the city's mall.  After our lunch at 12:35noon, Jrich and I joined Kaiem to their house to fix our stuff in preparation for our trip back to Manila.

While at Sto. Nino Cathedral in Calapan City

The interior of Sto. Nino Cathedral

            After fixing our things, Kaiem toured Jrich and I in the city and he brought us to eat in a refreshment parlor serving the best halo-halo in town.

The very green city plaza where locals gather for their siesta time

            Finally, Kaiem brought us to a pasalubong and souvenir store so that we can buy something for our love ones as we go back to Manila with our respective families.

Arriving Calapan City Port at 3:19pm

Kaiem (center) bading good bye to us on our trip back to Manila

            It was Kaiem who drove Jrich and I to the port to catch our ferry trip to Batangas.   He decided to stay in their ancestral house in Calapan to stay longer with her beloved mom.

Boarded Starlite Ferry for our trip back to Batangas City Pier

A wide angle shot of Calapan City Pier

A departing shot off Calapan City pier

            We left Calapan city pier at 4:00pm bringing our good memories from the beautiful sceneries of Mount Halcon; the blood that was sucked from me by the hungry limatiks; the cheap food; the hospitality of Kaiem and his family; the physical bonding of my climbing buddies; the hospitality of Atty. Ralph Rojas; the vivid and vibrant culture and tradition of the people of Calapan; the humbling and submissive attitude of the Mangyans; the horror stories of Giovanni every socials in the mountains; the highly abled leadership and management of our tour organizer, Master hardcore Zeus Randell R. Manongsong and the victorious feeling that nobody was injured in our entire trip.

While at the high seas sailing back to Batangas City Pier

        This first Mount Halcon climb was a failure, for we were not able to reach the summit due to weather condition.  Watch out with my second climb where our group successfully reached the summit of the most toughest mountain to climb next to Mount Guiting-guiting.

        Thanks for reading my blog!