Mt. Tagapo Climb

Mt. Tagapo is a nearby mountain located in Binangonan, Rizal. It's actually an easy climb, taking an average of 2 hours to climb. Supposedly, I wasn't to go to this climb because it was originally scheduled the previous week. (I had a wedding to attend on the original weekend of June 16-17.) However, because there was an impending typhoon (which was hardly felt in Manila), it was moved to June 23-24, and I was able to go.

I was able to invite Yani and my new friends, Milcah and Patrick. Unfortunately, because of Patrick's schedule we weren't able to go with Deo in his original itinerary, which was supposed to leave at 5AM from Edsa Central. Instead, we met at Edsa Central at 8 am. Supposedly. (Also, I came from duty in Cavite, where I left at around 3:30 am then went home to pack, and finally met them at around 8 am in Edsa Central.) Milcah and I were prompt. But Yani arrived at 9 am, and Patrick arrived at 10 am! Good luck! We finally left around 10:30 am!

We reached the Binangonan port around 11:45 am (where it was already hot!). The boat to Brgy. Janosa left at 12:15 pm, and we arrived in Brgy. Janosa at around 1:30 pm. We registered, and ate lunch there. (Patrick and Yani didn't have packed lunch, but there were some carinderias so it was okay.) So finally, we started the climb at 2 pm from the jump-off point! Grabe! We even met some of our co-hikers Rein and Abby who was climbing down. They went down to buy some snacks and some water. Apparently, there is a lack of water because it was so hot earlier when they hiked.


Anyway, maybe it was a good thing that we were delayed. Because it then started to rain. As in pour. We were able to take shelter in a nearby hut (the only hut in the trail actually) for about 30-40 minutes, waiting for the rain to stop. By that time, Rein and Abby already came from the bayan and we called them to take shelter in the rain. When the rain subsided, we resumed our trek.

The track was now muddier so it's harder to trek. Still, I would rate it an easy climb. I tried to help my fellow co-hikers by trading backpacks with them. (My backpack was loaded with another 6 L of water as texted by Deo, so our guide Archie was the one who carried my backpack.) It's another easy climb, needing only a few minutes of rest to recover. There were also lots of trees so there wasn't much need for my sarong. 


Anyway, we reached the campsite after approximately 2 hours. I went ahead of them because I was carrying the heaviest backpack (carried initially by rein with about 14 L of water!). After the trees, you'll get into a clearing full of very tall grasses. I reached a fork and I was a bit confused on where I was to go. Then I heard voices from one side, and finally found the right trail.

Some of my co-hikers who were there earlier was going to the summit to view the sunset. I went first to the campsite, put down the very big and heavy bag, and went with the others to the summit. 

Backpackers United at Mt. Tagapo Summit

Sunset at Mt. Tagapo (viewing Laguna de Bai)

Late Climbers Milcah, me, Yani, and Patrick... Just in time for the Summit Sunset

After climbing the summit, my friends and I finally changed clothes and settled down. Unfortunately, it wasn't a very good idea, because we only had the scraps for dinner! Haha Either that or dinner was very good some had too much, while we only had the scraps huhu We had the usual socials... Though a lot of us did remark that it's very much improved compared to the previous socials.

Sitting in a circle, holding our socials... Siyempre, wala palang group pic hehe

Breakfast Committee

We girls learned from our mistake last night, so the boys let us went ahead! Haha

Backpackers United at Mt. Tagapo Campsite

The next day, we had breakfast, fixed our things, and went down. It was still a leisure trek. The trail wasn't so muddy anymore, so the helped a lot. Unfortunately, the guide/porter wasn't on time, and there was only 1, when there was supposed to be two. Anyway, we eventually reached Brgy. Janosa, climbed aboard the boat, and left for Binangonan Port.

From there, we rented a jeepney to go to Daranak Falls. We weren't able to go to the cave anymore or the other waterfalls because it was closed. Daranak Falls is easily accessible, with a lot of people going there for a swim. Of course, there's the main waterfalls and a swimming hole, there's also a mini waterfalls on the side (unfortunately full of vandalism), where you can get a massage (though not as strong as the main falls). There's also a cliff where people can jump from (it's not that high), and people can climb the cliff by doing a little rock climbing (well, I did anyway hehe I enjoyed the rock climbing more than the jump).

Welcome to Daranak Waterfalls

Daranak Falls

Sides of the water basin

  

By the Mini Waterfalls

Backpackers United after washing up

At around 6:30 pm, we finally left the place and arrived in Shaw Blvd around 8 pm. We had another round of Elixir of Life in the jeepney enroute to home. That was pretty funny. Milcah and Yani, very talkative people seem to grow comfortable around the Backpackers and were soon joking around with them. Anyway, on with our next adventure :)

Photo Credits to my fellow climbers Isa Sandoval, Alain Cortes, Dada De Silva, Milcah Loyola (hehe tamad pa din magdala ng camera! Sige, next time, I will try to remember and charge my camera!)