THE TANTALIZING TALAMITAM | Mt. Talamitam (630+)

The year is about to end and I wanted to climb one more mountain before 2015 bids farewell. No particular mountain in mind, just one more adventure that will be worth blogging.

I sent Rovie a message and asked him to accompany me on the weekend for a day climb. He suggested to climb Mt. Talamitam. He's that one friend of mine whom I've met online in a mountaineer group in Facebook. He is also the same guy who was supposed to be part of the Maculot climb in September. He overslept and missed out on all the fun. This time, I was too makulit and made sure he does not oversleep again. 

Anyway, the day came and thank goodness, Rovie showed up!

He and another guy (Ghor) met up with me and we started the day with a bus ride from Coastal Mall to Nasugbu, Batangas. Unfortunately, we rode a bus with a very inattentive driver. We can already see Mt. Talamitam outside the window, but the driver continued driving despite being told to stop at the jump-off. We noticed that he drove further and further away from the mountain, so we stood up and confronted the driver. Indeed, we were a few meters away from the jump-off already. We went off the bus and took another jeepney ride to the jump-off.

We arrived at Km. 83 Sitio Bayabasan in Nasugbu at 8:20 AM. We registered at the jump-off and hired a guide named Joel. We started trekking at 8:40 AM and reached the summit at 11:00 AM. 

The trail starts in a man-made bamboo bridge and into a forest for about an hour. As soon as we reached the top of the hill, everything we saw were open fields of green. It may have taken us 2 hours to reach the summit but it's not like the trail was so hard. It was easy actually, but we had to stop and take several minutes to enjoy the views both behind and infront of us. 

Even when we were still in the bus, Talamitam already seemed very tantalizing. It looked so beautiful from afar, and it even looks a lot better up close. It's another one of those painting-like images that got stuck in my head for a couple of minutes. Green in all shades can be seen on every angle. That's the amazing view we had to appreciate while we were on the way to the summit.

Just when I thought that the view infront of me was spectacular, it was even just as amazing when I turn around. From afar, I saw the first mountain I fell in love with-- Mt. Batulao! 

That other view behind us was so beautiful, I was mostly lost for words.

This is why I love mountains. It gives me that feeling of peace that I don't normally get elsewhere.

We spent about an hour and a half on the summit. My companions took a nap while I was busy taking selfies. 

It was just so beautiful. Perfect weather, perfect day!

Took us an hour for our descent. Along the way, I can't help but fall in love with everything my eyes laid upon. Nature is definitely an art of God! We have such a beautiful world. 

And that's my last mountain for 2015. Mt. Talamitam, you were lovely!

I will certainly be back.



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ACTUAL ITINERARY

6:00 AM - Bus left from Coastal Mall to Km. 83 Sitio Bayabasan, Nasugbu, Batangas | P120
8:20 AM - Registered at the jump-off point | P40 
8:40 AM - Start trek | P400 for the Guide (minimum of P300)
11:00 AM - Arrived at the summit
12:30 PM - Started descent
1:30 PM - Arrived back at the jump-off and took our lunch
2:30 PM - Left for Pasay Rotunda | P120
5:30 PM - Arrived at Pasay

Visit the Pinoy Mountaineer website for more details about Mt. Talamitam:  PINOYMOUNTAINEER.COM - Mt. Talamitam

AN ESCAPE FROM THE CITY | Rizal Province

Christmas is a time for celebrations. For me, it's one of those times when I expect to have my much-needed break from all the hustle and bustle in the city. I've been living in a jungle of buildings and each time I get an invite to explore a new place, there is no room for refusal. 

Actually I was made to choose between two parties to attend. Both in the same company, but different departments. One was in BGC Taguig, the other in Punta de Fabian Resort in Baras, Rizal. I chose the latter. 

I have always been fascinated with the different places in Rizal, but I've never really explored the place. I've been wanting to experience hiking at Mt. Daraitan and Tinipak Falls, also a visit to Daranak Falls and the windmills of Pililla. Unfortunately, I haven't had the liberty of time to explore any of those. The moment they mentioned to me the venue, all I can think about was the possible view of the resort which was situated overlooking Laguna de Bay and the mountains of Rizal. I had no hesitation. I joined the group's Christmas Outing in Baras.

As soon as we arrived at the resort, this was the only view stuck in my head for a few minutes. I was in awe of everything my eyes saw. It was like standing on a summit with a great view and an infinity pool! 

I explored the place for the next hour or so. I just couldn't get enough of the panoramic view infront of me. I sat on one corner beside the pool and started guessing the names of every peak or mountain in that painting-like image. Not to mention the amazing sunset that followed. 

I needed that break. I truly did.

We held our Christmas Party on that same evening-- exchanging gifts and videoke. I had a few drinks and had a lovely talk with one of my friends while lounging on the pool and staring at the black canvass of stars up in the sky.

It's been a while since I last saw the sky so clear. I was blessed to have had a moment for myself and to have enjoyed the tranquility of everything around me.

Early the next morning, I woke up as early as 5:00 AM and waited for the sun to rise. It was another amazing view to remember.

I was trying to guess that it was Mt. Daraitan on one side and the sun rising beside it. The silhouette of the Pililla windmills made it more dramatic. Fog was starting to appear and it felt like being on top of a mountain. This was effortless. A view like this wherein I didn't even need to do a hike!

I spent time that morning in the pool, gave myself a tan and rinsed my body with chlorine!

Before we headed home to Manila, we did a sidetrip to Tanay, Rizal and visited the famous Regina Rica. After a fun-filled day, it was quite good to have had time to light candles and do pilgrimage to Mama Mary.

It wasn't really quite an outdoor thing, but having a taste of the Rizal province wanted me to explore it some more in the coming months.

A MEMORABLE CLIMB | Osmeña Peak (1072+)

Like mother, like daughter!

At the age of 5, my daughter has been hooked up to the internet. She has her own Facebook account that she can use, but only for viewing. She is aware of all my escapades for the year and even scolds me for climbing mountains without her!

In one of our Cebu trips, I got an idea of having her climb Osmeña Peak. The moment I asked her if she wanted to do it, she was frantic. 

"Yes! Yes! Sure mommy!"

And so, the mother-daughter adventure began.

As early as 4:00 AM, I woke her up and we started preparing. We arrived at the Cebu South Bus Terminal around 6:00 AM. The bus bound for Dalaguete left at around 6:30 AM.

For most of the ride, my little Andi was asleep. At least she had enough time to rest and gain strength for what lies ahead. It was her first and I didn't know if she could make it to the summit. Andi does have the tendency to get tired and to prefer going home. 

We arrived at the crossing of the Dalaguete-Mantalongon Road at 8:00 AM. We were greeted by habal-habal drivers who obviously knew we were headed to Osmeña Peak because of our attire. Since I had a child with me, I asked our driver to take us to the nearest point to the summit. It was another hour from the crossing to the foot of the mountain. Andi was wide awake since it was her first time to ride a habal-habal. She wasn't complaining about the heat since she enjoyed the view of the nearby mountains and the steep slopes. This kid did have the same enthusiastic spirit as me. She showed no signs of boredom. She loved the whole thing as much as I did!

As soon as we arrived at the jump-off, we registered, hired a 10-year old guide and started trekking. At first, Andi was getting tired, but didn't give up. We had occasional stops and just as she saw the sight of the summit from afar, she got excited and walked faster than me. Oftentimes, she'd even drag me and complain that I was walking too slow.

At 10:30 AM, we arrived at the summit and spent an hour just enjoying the view of Badian, Moalboal, Alcantara, Dalaguete and even Tagbilaran City from afar.

It was indeed a truly memorable climb since I had the chance to do it with my daughter. We seldom see each other so moments like these are quite special. 

As soon as she grows older, I'm pretty sure we will share more adventures together!

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ACTUAL ITINERARY

6:30 AM - Left South Bus Terminal for Dalaguete 

8:00 AM - Arrived at crossing for Dalaguete-Mantalongon Road

9:00 AM - Arrived at foot of mountain 

10:30 AM - Arrived at summit

11:30 AM - Started descent

12:00 PM - Drove back to crossing

1:00 PM - Lunch

1:40 PM - Left for Cebu

Visit the Pinoy Mountaineer website for more details about Osmeña Peak and a possible traverse to Kawasan Falls: PINOYMOUNTAINEER.COM - Osmena Peak (Traverse to Kawasan Falls)