Mount Manabo - The Return

Quick Facts:
Coordinates (peak): 13.9938N, 121.2361E
Location: Batangas
Jump Off Point: Sulok (Barangay Sta. Cruz), Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Elevation (peak): 830 masl (but Shiny the Techy Phone tagged the peak at 809 masl)
Elevation (campsite): 762 masl
Climb Level: 1 (Easy Climb)
Estimated climbing time: 2-3 hours

*****

Pictures are now available at my Multiply site:
View Me

My first Manabo journal is in here:
Read Me

*****

Attendance:
Obi, Dan, Ayn, Nico, Kyle, Armand, Jeff, Yaya, Mher, Celle, Carl, +2

My legs are still aching and it's still a pain going up and down our stairs but the journey's still worth every drop of sweat.

This is my second climb in this mountain and my first night trek. It was a little tough as the trail were really really muddy and halfway through the climb my headlamp gave up on me.

But this din't deter me from writing the logs along the way.

*****

(Entries were taken from my journal... some folded bond paper!)

Day 1 - Fold 1
* 4:56PM - Sta. Cruz Barangay Outpost
(Hati kami sa dalawang grupo. Pag dating namin sa Barangay para mag register, andun na yung mga pangalan ng grupo ni Mher.)

Group Dan
Obi, Dan, Ayn, Nico, Kyle, Armand, Jeff, Yaya

Group Mher
Mher, Celle, Carl, +2

* 5:06 - Sulok Jump Off
(Pre climb preps. Hinihintay na kami dito ng Team Mher as they are already prepared with their stuffs.)

* 5:19 - Start Trek
(Napaka familiar ng lahat. I was pretty sure na hindi namin makukuha ng usual na dalawang oras yung trek dahil sa putik ng daan.)

* 5:33 - Station Two
(This is a local hut. Usually sa umaga, may nag titinda ng buko dito. Pero ngayong gabi, may isang matanda lang na nag babantay dito. Sobrang putik na ng daan at ang kapal kapal na neto sa sandals ko. Wala nang torsion sa kapal ng putik kaya madulas dulas ako along the way.)

* 6:01 - Brook-side Stop Over
(Tinutuluan ng pawis ang papel ko. Parang agos ng batis yung pawis ko. Haha! Nakapag linis linis kami ng mga maputik na sandals at sapatos sa batis. May mga nakatambay din na ibang trekker para mamahinga.)

Day 1 - Fold 2
* 6:07PM - trek resumes
(May signal ang Globe! I was kinda texting along the way. We encountered some other mountaineers that are going down already.)

* 6:13 - Kubo Stop
(We took our lunch here during our first Manabo trek. This time, we just stopped here to muster the group then resumed immediately.)

* 6:16
(Another group of mountaineers are encountered going down.)

* 6:28 - Grotto Stop
(This is the last water source before the peak. Tumambay lang kami ng konti bago tumulak ulit. Sa buong trip, hindi kami masyadong tumigil ng matagal.)

* 6:43 - 1st Assault Stopover
(Eto yung 1st part ng assault papunta sa "clearing" overlooking the province of Quezon. I was walking ahead of the party before my headlamp acted up. Inaayos ko eto habang naglalakad at napagana ko din naman.)

* 6:59PM - "Wall Climb" Spot
(We stopped on a very familiar spot. Dito kami nag piktyuran dati ng mga "wall climbing" pics nung unang trek namin dito.)

* 7:01
(Finally, bumigay na talaga headlamp ko at hindi ko na maayos!)

Day 1 - Fold 3
* 7:11 - Crossroads
(This is the same spot where we got lost before. This time, tama na yung kinuha naming trail.)

* 7:53 - PEAK! (Cross of Mount Manabo)
(Hindi biro yung last part ng assault. Napaka tarik tulad ng dati pero nawala na yung mga ginawang natural hand-holds. Plus gaputik pa! Buti walang bumalentong papuntang bangin. As usual, aaaang ganda ng sights sa taas. 360 degree view ng Quezon, Batangas, at Laguna at night! Mas malinis na ngayon yung krus sa peak ng Manabo. May nag pintura na ng mga jologs na vandal.)

* 8:12 - Campsite
(Madaming umakyat ng araw na 'to. May mga tatlong camping spots sa tabi ng peak ng Manabo at jampacked sila tonight. So naki camp kami sa isa sa mga group ng mountaineers. We ringed around the edges of their campsite.)

* 8:36PM - Tent is Pitched
(Tinayo ko na tent ko. Kasama ko sa tent yung dalwang anak ni Dan kaya designated baby-sitter ako. They helped me pitch the tent while I gave pointers to them. It was really cold. As soon as I got my tent pitched, nag ayos na kami ng mga gamit then report na ko kay Kumander! I'm saaaafe!)

* 9:58
(Dinner's done. Menu of the night ay Igado at Adobo. Yub yub! Bago mag umpisa ang trek hindi na ko mapakali dahil alam kong may nakalimutan ako... this time ko lang narealize kung ano... canteen at utensils! Ginawa ko, sa gamit na cup ng cup noodles ako kumain *enter McGyver music score here*)

Day 1 - Fold 4
* 10:28
(Called Kath. I'm ready to sleep at this point. Ang sakit sakit ng katawan ko. Iniintay ko mag umpisa ng inuman sa labas pero hindi na ko makatayo sa sarap ng pagkaka-lapat ng likod ko sa sleeping bag.)

Day 2 - Fold 4
* 5:55AM - Rise and Shine
(Nagising ako sa lamig at hindi na ako makatulog ulet.)

* 6:47 - Cooking Time
(Nag umpisa na magluto at magpainit ng tubig para sa mga naka-abang na instant noodles. Nakipag kwentuhan ako sa mga kids about DOTA. Rasta for life!)

* 7:14
(We're still eating. Nagluto ng pancakes si Mher. Pancakes in the mountains... sosi! Medyo umambon ng konti. Still freaking cold!)

* 8:22 - Break Camp
(Nag umpisa na sila mag prepare umalis. Pero naka hirit pa ako ng idlip.)

* 8:50 - Tent Packed Up
(Done packing up. Nauna na bumaba sila Jeff, Yaya, at Armand.)

* 8:57PM - Trek Starts
(Me, Dan, Ayn, and the kids went ahead as the second group to start the trek going down. Team Mher stays behind to take the rear group.)

* 9:03 - Peak
(Passed through the peak the second time before going down. Photo ops followed.)

* 9:45
(We reached the clearing again. Pahinga muna habang reminiscing kami nung una naming trek dito at kung paano kami naligaw.)

* 10:30 - Brook Pass
(Meet more trekkers that are yet to go up the peak.)

Day 2 - Fold 5
* 10:43 - Another Brook
(Hindi na gaano ka-putik this time. Andami na naming nakakasalubong na mountaineers na paakyat pa lang. Sinasabihan na namin ng balala na maputik ang paakyat.)

* 10:51AM - Buko Juice Stopover
(We passed by a hutt that's selling buko. So pahinga muna kami sabay kwentuhan with the locals.)

* 11:21 - Station 2
(We reached Station 2 and this time may tao na. Binigay ni Dan yung mga natitirang kanin namin.)

* 11:38 - We're back!
(Back to the jump off point. Kanya kanya nang ligo!)

Thanks Bro we're safe!

Mount Manabo - The Return

Quick Facts:
Coordinates (peak): 13.9938N, 121.2361E
Location: Batangas
Jump Off Point: Sulok (Barangay Sta. Cruz), Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Elevation (peak): 830 masl (but Shiny the Techy Phone tagged the peak at 809 masl)
Elevation (campsite): 762 masl
Climb Level: 1 (Easy Climb)
Estimated climbing time: 2-3 hours

*****

Pictures are now available at my Multiply site:
View Me

My first Manabo journal is in here:
Read Me

*****

Attendance:
Obi, Dan, Ayn, Nico, Kyle, Armand, Jeff, Yaya, Mher, Celle, Carl, +2

My legs are still aching and it's still a pain going up and down our stairs but the journey's still worth every drop of sweat.

This is my second climb in this mountain and my first night trek. It was a little tough as the trail were really really muddy and halfway through the climb my headlamp gave up on me.

But this din't deter me from writing the logs along the way.

*****

(Entries were taken from my journal... some folded bond paper!)

Day 1 - Fold 1
* 4:56PM - Sta. Cruz Barangay Outpost
(Hati kami sa dalawang grupo. Pag dating namin sa Barangay para mag register, andun na yung mga pangalan ng grupo ni Mher.)

Group Dan
Obi, Dan, Ayn, Nico, Kyle, Armand, Jeff, Yaya

Group Mher
Mher, Celle, Carl, +2

* 5:06 - Sulok Jump Off
(Pre climb preps. Hinihintay na kami dito ng Team Mher as they are already prepared with their stuffs.)

* 5:19 - Start Trek
(Napaka familiar ng lahat. I was pretty sure na hindi namin makukuha ng usual na dalawang oras yung trek dahil sa putik ng daan.)

* 5:33 - Station Two
(This is a local hut. Usually sa umaga, may nag titinda ng buko dito. Pero ngayong gabi, may isang matanda lang na nag babantay dito. Sobrang putik na ng daan at ang kapal kapal na neto sa sandals ko. Wala nang torsion sa kapal ng putik kaya madulas dulas ako along the way.)

* 6:01 - Brook-side Stop Over
(Tinutuluan ng pawis ang papel ko. Parang agos ng batis yung pawis ko. Haha! Nakapag linis linis kami ng mga maputik na sandals at sapatos sa batis. May mga nakatambay din na ibang trekker para mamahinga.)

Day 1 - Fold 2
* 6:07PM - trek resumes
(May signal ang Globe! I was kinda texting along the way. We encountered some other mountaineers that are going down already.)

* 6:13 - Kubo Stop
(We took our lunch here during our first Manabo trek. This time, we just stopped here to muster the group then resumed immediately.)

* 6:16
(Another group of mountaineers are encountered going down.)

* 6:28 - Grotto Stop
(This is the last water source before the peak. Tumambay lang kami ng konti bago tumulak ulit. Sa buong trip, hindi kami masyadong tumigil ng matagal.)

* 6:43 - 1st Assault Stopover
(Eto yung 1st part ng assault papunta sa "clearing" overlooking the province of Quezon. I was walking ahead of the party before my headlamp acted up. Inaayos ko eto habang naglalakad at napagana ko din naman.)

* 6:59PM - "Wall Climb" Spot
(We stopped on a very familiar spot. Dito kami nag piktyuran dati ng mga "wall climbing" pics nung unang trek namin dito.)

* 7:01
(Finally, bumigay na talaga headlamp ko at hindi ko na maayos!)

Day 1 - Fold 3
* 7:11 - Crossroads
(This is the same spot where we got lost before. This time, tama na yung kinuha naming trail.)

* 7:53 - PEAK! (Cross of Mount Manabo)
(Hindi biro yung last part ng assault. Napaka tarik tulad ng dati pero nawala na yung mga ginawang natural hand-holds. Plus gaputik pa! Buti walang bumalentong papuntang bangin. As usual, aaaang ganda ng sights sa taas. 360 degree view ng Quezon, Batangas, at Laguna at night! Mas malinis na ngayon yung krus sa peak ng Manabo. May nag pintura na ng mga jologs na vandal.)

* 8:12 - Campsite
(Madaming umakyat ng araw na 'to. May mga tatlong camping spots sa tabi ng peak ng Manabo at jampacked sila tonight. So naki camp kami sa isa sa mga group ng mountaineers. We ringed around the edges of their campsite.)

* 8:36PM - Tent is Pitched
(Tinayo ko na tent ko. Kasama ko sa tent yung dalwang anak ni Dan kaya designated baby-sitter ako. They helped me pitch the tent while I gave pointers to them. It was really cold. As soon as I got my tent pitched, nag ayos na kami ng mga gamit then report na ko kay Kumander! I'm saaaafe!)

* 9:58
(Dinner's done. Menu of the night ay Igado at Adobo. Yub yub! Bago mag umpisa ang trek hindi na ko mapakali dahil alam kong may nakalimutan ako... this time ko lang narealize kung ano... canteen at utensils! Ginawa ko, sa gamit na cup ng cup noodles ako kumain *enter McGyver music score here*)

Day 1 - Fold 4
* 10:28
(Called Kath. I'm ready to sleep at this point. Ang sakit sakit ng katawan ko. Iniintay ko mag umpisa ng inuman sa labas pero hindi na ko makatayo sa sarap ng pagkaka-lapat ng likod ko sa sleeping bag.)

Day 2 - Fold 4
* 5:55AM - Rise and Shine
(Nagising ako sa lamig at hindi na ako makatulog ulet.)

* 6:47 - Cooking Time
(Nag umpisa na magluto at magpainit ng tubig para sa mga naka-abang na instant noodles. Nakipag kwentuhan ako sa mga kids about DOTA. Rasta for life!)

* 7:14
(We're still eating. Nagluto ng pancakes si Mher. Pancakes in the mountains... sosi! Medyo umambon ng konti. Still freaking cold!)

* 8:22 - Break Camp
(Nag umpisa na sila mag prepare umalis. Pero naka hirit pa ako ng idlip.)

* 8:50 - Tent Packed Up
(Done packing up. Nauna na bumaba sila Jeff, Yaya, at Armand.)

* 8:57PM - Trek Starts
(Me, Dan, Ayn, and the kids went ahead as the second group to start the trek going down. Team Mher stays behind to take the rear group.)

* 9:03 - Peak
(Passed through the peak the second time before going down. Photo ops followed.)

* 9:45
(We reached the clearing again. Pahinga muna habang reminiscing kami nung una naming trek dito at kung paano kami naligaw.)

* 10:30 - Brook Pass
(Meet more trekkers that are yet to go up the peak.)

Day 2 - Fold 5
* 10:43 - Another Brook
(Hindi na gaano ka-putik this time. Andami na naming nakakasalubong na mountaineers na paakyat pa lang. Sinasabihan na namin ng balala na maputik ang paakyat.)

* 10:51AM - Buko Juice Stopover
(We passed by a hutt that's selling buko. So pahinga muna kami sabay kwentuhan with the locals.)

* 11:21 - Station 2
(We reached Station 2 and this time may tao na. Binigay ni Dan yung mga natitirang kanin namin.)

* 11:38 - We're back!
(Back to the jump off point. Kanya kanya nang ligo!)

Thanks Bro we're safe!