Freedom Climb - June 2010

Our freedom climb to Mt. Banahaw was the first major climb of the group. Some of us got nervous sa night trek to the Kuweba ng Diyos Ama dahil sa makitid at madulas na daan at matatarik sa bangin guided only by our headlamps and our determination.

It was been a great journey as we conquered the mountain's complicated trail together as a group. There was a time where we already gave up on going on dahil sa gutom at pagod sa pag akyat ng halos 8 hours. Pero dahil sa pagtutulungan ng groupo, we still managed to reach the summit. It was also been a great event for us as we all got prizes from the raffle held by the organizer of the climb at the summit, Sunday morning, before we started our trek down to the base camp.

We would like to thanks God for guiding us to a safe journey and to the other participants who were been friendly to us.

[View all the photos from the event here]

Attendees of the group:

 Niño

Dante

Jimi

Martin

Eds

Shirley

Lyn

Jun 11-14, 2010 - 2nd Annual Freedom Climb

Mountaineers from all over the country will be organizing the biggest celebration of Independence Day for Mountaineers. This is where groups and individuals from different walks will gather and unite as one for this occasion. The Annual Freedom Climb is a tribute climb to our fallen heroes in commemoration of their struggle and gallantry to fight for our freedom. This kind of event has never been done before and what motivates us from achieving this is our passion for the sport. Our mountains played a major role during the war. Basically, it provided them refuge which gave them strategic advantage over their enemies. As Mountaineers, we are taking this opportunity to celebrate Independence Day and bring it right where the action is during the war.

The plan is to simultaneously raise the Philippine Flag on The 13th of June at exactly 8:00am. There will be over 50 mountain summits, over 50 contingents composed of different mountaineering organizations, over 50 flags and over 50 photos to be included in the Mountaineering Photo Exhibit This July. This will also serve as a unifying cause for mountaineers to work together in promoting environmental awareness.

Registration Fee: Php400-
Inclusives:

• Freedom Climb Commemorative Shirt
• Freedom Climb Neck Wallet
• Event ID
• Certificate of Participation
• Flaglets
• Freedom Climb Friendship Band
• Raffle Prizes

Commemorative Shirt

REGISTRATION AREAS:

• Calle Rasta Grill
  8 Tindalo St. corner Dao St.
  Brgy. Quirino 3A, Anonas, Quezon City
  (near LRT2 Anonas Stn & Mc Donalds Anonas) 
• Conquer Outdoor Shop
  2/F Robinsons Pioneer, Boni 
• Montanara Outdoor Shop
  2/F Farmers Plaza, Araneta Ctr., Cubao, Quezon City 
• Camp Sandugo - Market! Market!
  5/F Market! Market!, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 
• Camp Sandugo - Ali Mall
  Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City 
• Khumbu Outdoor Shop - Trinoma
  2/F Trinoma, Quezon City
• Climb UP Outdoor Shop
  Bacolod City, Negros 
• Habagat Outdoor Shop - Recto
• Sutta Outdoor Shop - Calamba Laguna

Reference:
Freedom Climb

Mt. Daguldol Itinerary on April 24, 2010

Mt. Daguldul (April 24-25)
San Juan, Batangas
Major jump-off: Brgy. Hugom, San Juan
LLA: 13°40.380N 121°19.160E, 672 MASL (+ 672 m)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1-2 days / 5 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3

A nice trek in southern Batangas is the coastal mountain of San Juan, Mt. Daguldul. The name 'Daguldul' or 'Daguldol' has been used since olden days. It has an onomatopoeic feeling – that of suspense and grandness. Maybe it describes the grandeur of the range and the abrupt rolling of its slopes.

Actually a small mountain range, Mt. Daguldul has several 'gems' to offer. First, there is the unique seascape that greets the hiker on the intial beach trail. Then, there is trail, moderate in difficulty, passing by woodlands and light forests. In some parts, the greenery is total. Of course there is the peak, which, although not really spectacular in terms of views, has a refreshing feel. Finally, there are excellent sidetrip choices such as the unique Naambon Falls and the acclaimed Laiya beach.


Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1
0530 Assembly time at Taft-Buendia
0600 Take Lipa-bound bus from Manila (Taft-Buendia)
0830 At Lipa, buy market needs, ride rented jeep to Brgy. Hugom
1130 ETA Brgy. Hugom; arrange for guides and register; lunch
1300 Start Trek - beach front
1530 ETA Mang Lizardo's place
1730 ETA Niyugan Campsite; set camp; prepare dinner
1900 Dinner; socials
2100 Lights out

Day 2
0430 Wakeup call/light breakfast
0500 Start Trek going to summit
0530 ETA summit
0600 ETD from summit
0630 Breakfast
0730 Break Camp
0800 Start Descent
0900 Back at Mang Lizardo's place
1000 Take Naambon Falls - sidetrip (1 hr)
1100 Resume descent
1200 Back at Brgy. Hugom; head to beach resorts; lunch
1700 Rent jeep back to Lipa or Batangas City en route to Manila


Estimated cost (from Taft-Buendia and vice versa) – meals not included
Solo:
Bus - Php 120.00 x 2
Registration Fee - Php 35.00

Group:
Rented Jeep - Php 2,800.00
Guide - Php 350.00 (additional fee if the group is more than 10)
Food - To be discussed

Meals:
Date - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
April 24, 2010 (Saturday) - Before heading to Lipa or breakfast at Lipa At Brgy. Hugom, - before start trek - At Mt. Daguldol campsite
April 25, 2010 (Sunday) At Mt. Daguldol campsite - At Naambon falls or at Brgy. Hugom/beach - n/a

Equipment/Things to Bring:

• Backpack (at least 40 liters)
• Sandals/Slippers/Shoes
• Headlamp/Flashlight
• Tent (can be shared)
• Cookset (stove, pots and pans)
• Water (there is a water source in the campsite)
• Food/Viand (to be discussed)
• Meryenda foods, slice bread
• Extra Clothes
• Cold Gear/Sweater
• Swimming Attire
• Kikay Kit/Tissue/Soap/Alcohol/Sun block/Towel
• Medicine Kit
• CAMERA
• Small garbage bag
• Lantern


For more information, you can check the link below.
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/11/mt-daguldul-670.html

Mar 27-28, 2010 - Mt. Gulugod Baboy, Anilao Batangas

Mt. Gulugod baboy
Brgy. San Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas
Jump-off Point: Philpan Beach Resort, Anilao, Batangas

Location: 13" 43.000N 130" 53.000E
Elevation: 470 meters above sea level 
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-2
Days required / Hours to summit: Half-day / 1-2 hours 
Distinct Characteristics: 360" view of Anilao

BACKGROUND
Gulugod-Baboy is the general term that describes the hills that traverse Calumpan Peninsula. Located in Southern Batangas, the peninsula is more known for the diving resorts of Anilao – the birthplace of Philippine scuba diving. Since dive enthusiasts are also enthusiasts for anything ‘outdoor’, they began exploring the hills, and soon, Gulugod Baboy became a hiking destination on its right, although today it remains a popular sidetrip to a diving escapade to Anilao, or to the nearby Sombrero or Maricaban islands.

There is confusion regarding where the real “Gulugod-Baboy” is. From SE to NW (from Brgy. San Teodoro to Brgy. Laurel), there are three peaks in the range. The first is 470 MASL, the second is 485 MASL, and the third is 525 MASL. This third has a large, ancient tree as its landmark, and is known to mountaineers as the real Gulugod Baboy. However, locals say that this third peak is actually Mt. Pinagbanderahan, and the first peak is the Gulugod Baboy. Fans of Long Henson, father of itineraries, would remember that he wrote about a Mt. Pinagbanderahan in Mabini, Quezon. This may actually refer to Mabini, Batangas, and is actually one and the same as the Gulugod-Baboy we know. Thus, there are three peaks, from SE to NW: Gulugod-Baboy, Gitna, and Pinagbanderahan.

Gulugod-Baboy is a playground for adventure: you can refer to the map and ascend/descend to any point in the peninsula using the compass. Most directions have trails; indeed there are many trails in the mountain which is both an advantage and a disadvantage. At its peaks, you can see, from east to west: Janao Bay, Maricaban strait which bears Sombrero and Maricaban islands, a distant, faint blue Mindoro, Verde Island (SW) and Batangas Bay. The city and port of Batangas is visible on the west, following a farther Mt. Daguldul. To the north is Mt. Maculot, and even Mt. Batulao and the Tagaytay highlands.

TRIVIA
Gulugod-Baboy means “pig’s spine”, so named because of the contours of the hills. “Gulod”, however, means hill; “pig’s hill” can also depict the pastoral scene of the mountain. You would normal encounter cows, goats, and in the past, pigs, as you trek through the mountain.

SUGGESTED ITENERARY
Day 1

05:30 - Assembly @ 7-11 Taft, Buendia

06:00 - ETD Mabini, Batangas (crossing/ junction jeepney ride going to Anilao-Eagle Point )

09:00 - ETA Mabini, Batangas (crossing/ junction 1st jeepney ride going to Anilao-Eagle Point ) (last minute na pamimili sa palengke kung may bibilhin kayo)

10:00 - ETD for Brgy. Sulo(market/terminal another 2nd jeepney ride to jump-off- Philpan Dive)

13:00 - ETA Jump off  LUNCH! Philpan Dive Resort (Equipment/last minute check)

13:30 - Start of trek.

15:30 - Campsite na!!! Pitch tent (Pwede tayong maaga makarating or late depende sa pacing)

18:00 - Prepare Dinner

20:00 - Socials

22:30 - Lights out

Day 2

05:30 - Wake up call, prepare Breakfast (maaga ang wake-up call para mahaba ang time natin sa beach)

06:30 - Break Camp

07:30 - Start Decent

09:30 - ETA Philpan Beach Resort (Lunch and swimming)

01:00 - Get ready for departure (depende ito kung mabilis tayo lahat kumilos)

13:30 - ETD Philpan

15:30 - ETA Tritan Bus Station Batangas

16:00 - ETD for Manila

18:00 - ETA Manila 

Estimated Expenses: (as of March 2010)

• Calabarzon bus - 166.50php
• Anilao jeep - 30php
• Philpan trike - 80php (3climbers)
• Register - 10php
• Guide - 250php (09091321862 jun2/alvaro) (optional)
• Entrance to Philpan beach - 60php
• Cottage - 300php (hati-hati)

Special Consideration in Climbing
During summer, the bare shoulder becomes too hot so it is better to hike in the late in the afternoon and leave early the next day. At the jump-off point there is a store where u can buy other needs. There is also no water source available at the campsite so bring enough water. Last water source is the last house before the campsite. The trek would only take 2 hours depend on the pacing. Watch out for dogs, cows and horses roaming around the campsite.


Reference:
Pinoy Mountaineer