There was that need for another adventure again. The same usual past time, browsing through posts in the CLIMBER group on Facebook and see what sparks my interest. True enough, I found another one.
I have always been fascinated with the mountains of Rizal province after I climbed Mt. Daraitan. There was something about the sharp-edged stones on its mountains that made me so challenged to trek them.
There were invitations online for a Penta Climb--five mountains in one day which included Mt. Binacayan, Mt. Pamitinan, Mt. Hapunang Banoi, Mt. Ayaas and Mt. Sipit Ulang. I definitely wanted to but I knew I could not physically do it. 😅
So I settled for just two mountains, Mt. Binacayan and Mt. Pamitinan. I signed up to join the group organized by Chad Cadawas. I knew nobody in the group. But it always thrills me to meet new friends during hikes.
As early as 1:00 AM, we met up at EDSA Starmall in Shaw. When the group was complete, we set out for Brgy. Wawa in Rodriguez, Rizal. We arrived at the jump off and went through the entire registration process. We had a few minutes more to get ready and I bought a pair of rubber gloves to make sure I wouldn't get wounded with those sharp limestone edges.
Mt. Binacayan and Mt. Pamitinan are separated in between by the Wawa Dam. Both mountains are part of a legend of a mythical hero who kept the two mountains from colliding with each other. Mt. Pamitinan is also part of our history books as it is in the Pamitinan Cave where Andres Bonifacio took refuge and where he proclaimed one of the first declarations of our independence.
Other information about these two mountains can be found on this article of Pinoy Mountaineer:
 |
| Source: Google Earth |
MT. BINACAYAN
We started our trek early since we were after the Sea of Clouds at the summit. On the way up, we came across a rocky path and had to go through bushes and trees. Some were spiky like the limestone from where they stood.
 |
| Going up Mt. Binacayan |
 |
| Halfway there. Stop muna for the Sea of Clouds. |
After a 45-minute trek to halfway of the mountain, there it was. A breathtaking view of Rizal's sea of clouds. It was just as amazing as how the guides described it. The whole panoramic view of Rodriguez, Rizal was covered in thick clouds, while the sun rises on the other side of where we were. It was indeed a beautiful sunrise!
 |
| Sea of Clouds |
 |
| Simply breathtaking! |
 |
| Selfie muna! |
 |
| Sunrise at Mt. Binacayan |
After an hour of taking selfies and just simply enjoying the view right infront of us, we continued our trek to the summit. Along the way way, we encountered some difficulty on the rocks. You had to walk a path with sharp rocks on both sides. Definitely had to be careful not to take the wrong step!
 |
| Rocky path to the summit |
After another 30 minutes, we reached the summit and had to wait in line for us to take a group picture. There were other groups who reached the summit before we did. For less than 15 minutes, we had to take the same path down the mountain and head on to our 2nd mountain of the day.
 |
| At the summit of Mt. Binacayan |
 |
| Mountain #1 for the day! |
 |
| Headed to Mt. Pamitinan (that mountain on the background) |
MT. PAMITINAN
From the same jump-off, we had to cross the bridge over the Wawa River in order to reach the base of Mt. Pamitinan. On the bridge, you can see the two mountains facing each other. Looks like a hill from where I stood, but definitely not an easy climb.
From the same jump-off, we had to cross the bridge over the Wawa River in order to reach the base of Mt. Pamitinan. On the bridge, you can see the two mountains facing each other. Looks like a hill from where I stood, but definitely not an easy climb.
 |
| Bridge to Mt. Pamitinan |
 |
| Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Binacayan |
The trek starts with a usual terrain, like any other mountain. Midway to the summit, that's when the challenge starts. You have to climb a steep wall of sharp edges and make sure you don't cut yourself along the way. It was a risky type of rock climbing with no harness whatsoever.
 |
| The most difficult part |
 |
Posing on one of the limestone rock formations on the way to the summit
|
 |
| Waiting in line to have pictures on the rock platform |
After another hour, we reached the summit of Mt. Pamitinan. Our second mountain of the day!
 |
| At the summit of Mt. Pamitinan (with Mt. Binacayan on the background) |
It was definitely worth all the cuts and bruises. We went down on the same path. Good enough, everyone came down safe. We took a break at the base of the mountain. The cold buko juice quenched our thirst and made us feel high again. There was even an invite to climb Mt. Hapunang Banoi since we still had enough time! We all refused and decided to return to Manila instead.
New friends, new adventure! That is always the highlight of every climb.
- - - - - - -
ACTUAL ITINERARY
1:00 AM - Meet up at EDSA Starmall McDonalds
2:30 AM - Left for Rodriguez, Rizal
3:30 AM - Registration at the Jump-Off
4:30 AM - Started the climb to Mt. Binacayan
5:15 AM - Stopped for the Sea of Clouds
6:30 AM - Reached the summit of Mt. Binacayan
8:00 AM - Crossed the bridge and started the trek on Mt. Pamitinan
9:30 AM - Stopped for pictures on the rock formation
11:00 AM - Reached the summit of Mt. Pamitinan
12:00 PM - Trek back to the base of the mountain for lunch
1:30 PM - Trek back to Jump-Off
3:00 PM - Back to Manila
5:00 PM - Arrived in Manila
No comments:
Post a Comment