Ditse's Birthday Surf

I wasn't supposed to be going to the beach anytime soon. As I previously said to myself after being burned and browned from our Calaguas Beach outing, but no, I impromptly went to the beach with my sisters and friends! It was Mariel's birthday weekend, and she really wanted to go to the beach. She supposed to go with Deo and the other BU people, but Deo cancelled because he went to Hong Kong abruptly. So two days before the weekend, after arriving from Cavite from work, I planned a surfing outing for my sister.

We were thinking between Zambales (a three-hour drive) or San Juan, La Union (5-hour drive), and basically decided against Baler (um, a 12-hour drive, I think?). I made a page on Facebook, and people went! Haha More than the number of people who confirmed for Deo's planned surfing weekend Haha

Anyway, we weren't in a hurry so we met late morning on September 22, 2012 in Trinoma, had some last-minute shopping done, and go! We arrive in Zambales area around 2 pm, where we had lunch in a small panciteria that only cost less than PhP 50 for a pansin palabok or pansit malabon (or in Shee's case, pala-bon because we had the malabon but added palabok sauce for free).

We arrived in Crysal Beach Resort around 4 pm, perfect time to go swimming. But not for surfing, since the waves were soooo calm. There was a group of mountaineers' night as well, so the resort was fully booked. We were able to stay in its neighboring resort at Kakay Beach House, where it was cheaper and better because we had the resorts all to ourselves!

Sorry, poor picture of the inside of the room hehe

Can you see the contact number of Kakay's Cottage?

 We stayed in a fan room (duh, it's the beach! it's supposed to be windy and yes, it was cold sometime in the early morning where some of us were awakened). There was a room with two sets of double-sized bunk beds and a room with 1 set of double-sized bunk bed, hence good for 12 people. And how much was it? It was originally PhP 2500, but they gave it to us for only PhP 2,000! Yey! They also offered to rent surf boards good for half day with instructor (PhP 800) or without instructor (PhP 400), and whole day. Unfortunately, they only have two sets of board. And these boards were for professionals! Haha! Yes, makapal ang mukha namin porked naka pag surfing na once haha


Anyway, it was late afternoon, so it was time for a costume change, and walk around the beach area if not to swim.We had some photo-ops. Buti nalng si Shee din may dress, very girly tuloy kami haha Some local guys were skim boarding, and we watched them for a while. It was almost sunset, so more pictures.

Borrowed the Skim Boards from the Local Boys

Group Shot

Then we went to Crystal Beach Resort for dinner. Overpriced for me (actually around 3 USD but the place was ordinary and the food was usual), but hey they were the only restaurant in the area so there really is not much other choice. But there was free wifi hehe

After dinner, since it was a mountaineer's night, they had some band where we could actually watch. But no, we'd rather be left to our own devices. Some star gazed and enjoyed the beach breeze, while some of us had some fun night swimming (aka moi). After about an hour of bouncing around in the water, we decided to get up, take a bath, and start the "socials." Since it was Mariel's birthday, and she did offer to pay for the drinks, it was on her! Haha


The next morning, we woke up, praying for higher waves. We rented the two surf boards and tried surfing, sharing the boards amongst ourselves. The others (Macy, Matel, and Shee) who was late taking their time in waking up, rented boards via surf school in Crystal Beach for PhP 400/hr with trainer especially since it was their first time. It was actually worth it for them because they even had matching rash guards, and some stickers and gift vouchers from Rox.

Calm waves...

Stoked

Surfing School with Matching Uniforms

Photo Op nalang kasi wala masyadong waves e

Eventually, we were all done around noon. No one ate breakfast because we were going surfing, and we would rather have lunch somewhere on the way. We were thinking if we're having lunch in Subic, but decided it's too far, so we settled for Chic-Boy instead. We had a stop-over in Nathaniel's in San Fernando, Pampanga for some pasalubong and some merienda. We arrived in Manila a little before 6 pm, barely made it to the mass in UP hehe

Expense:
Transportation (gas, toll, and driver) - PhP 300
Accomodations (PhP 2000/8) - PhP 250 + 10 (for the 5-gal water)
Dinner (group meal for 5: PhP 650, I think) - around PhP 130
Surfing (PhP 400 x 2 boards/5) - PhP 160
Drinks and junk food - c/o Mariel

Total: PhP 850 (plus personal KKB food)

Cool! Two days only to plan and yet our expense was less than 1k! Not bad... Plus we were 8 considering that we only had 2 days haha It could have been more kaso short notice. I really thought I was going to Tagaytay with my parents this weekend, instead of celebrating Mariel's birthday at the beach. Next time, we'll research also on the swell and wave which really SHOULD be included in planning for a surfing trip. Siargao, anyone?

Mt . Tapulao Climb

We finished the 9-hour uphill hike at Mt. Tapulao! I thought l wouldn't make it! Really! First hour in the climb and I just wanted to go back! It was cold and raining and carrying a really heavy backpack! l think that's the first mountain l honestly wanted to give up. But maybe because our pace is actually fast. From an original hike of 12 hours in the itinerary, we finished it in 9 hours only and it was raining already! Grabe!

Let me start from the beginning. Six climbers were crazy enough to climb a mountain knowing (1) it was a 12-hr climb, (2) that you have to carry heavy backpacks because the weather is as cold as Mt. Pulag, and (3) that all weather forecasts showed rainy showers and thunder storms! Crazy indeed! l was already cold in the PLDT office as is. What more on top of the mountain, wet with a very heavy backpack? Especially when I'm usually a light-packer. I would have backed out if Abby did. I thought she was a sensible person, but I was wrong haha I just don't want to back out by myself haha

Victory Liner Caloocan Bus Terminal

So we met up in Victory Liner caloocan to reach the 11 pm bus. After a 4hr disturbing bus ride, we reached lba, Zambales (PhP 342). We passed by 7-11 for breakfast and continued our tricycle ride to Palauig (450/tricycle/3pax). We started our trek at around 6am.

Arrived at the registration area

It was a never ending trail of rocky road, there wasn't much cliff, just endless views of rocks,rocks,and more inclined rocks...

If we only knew that this is the view that we can see... 

After approximately 2-3 hours of rocks, we reached some forest part followed by another set of rocks then the swamp.

Never ending trail of rocks

After 4 hrs, we reached the first water source. After approx 2 hrs,we reached the second water source where we had our lunch. It said 10 km, which basically means we're 2/3 into the trail! Yey! And so we thought...

10-km mark (a lie, I tell you...)

After about 2 more hours of rocky road, which actually became a stream and eventually a river trail because of the heavy rain, the trail became a series of orange (clay i think) path with some rocks.

clay path mixed with the river tral

Eventually, we saw the sign saying 13 km... Meaning only 2 more km into the bunker! And eventually the first set of pine trees appeared.

First set of pine trees

There were also some parts where there seemed to be some landslides. There wasn't much cliff and the path was very wide so it was still "safe" despite the weather.

land slide

Eventually, we reached the 15 km mark! But where's the bunker? False hopes because there was about another 1km to the bunker! Hmph! It was the looongest 3km of my life! Knowing it's just nearby, I let them go way ahead haha (by this time, I was really missing Milcah and Ralph and all those other co-hikers who are slower than me haha). 

15-km mark... fake...

By this time, the rain was also coming so hard that there was part of the trail that I have to wade in, knee-deep. I sort of started walking fast despite that I was really tired because it was scary and I was alone. Anyway, shortly after was the bunker. Finally!!

Still wet inside the bunker because of the holes in the roof

We reached it shortly after 4 to 5 pm. We unpacked our wet things from our wet packs despite the so-called rain cover. Also despite my raincoat and rain trousers, I was still wet to the bone! It was all useless... Well, the raincoat helped against the wind.

We changed into dry clothes. By this time, my jacket was soaked. I just wore the REST of my dry clothes to keep myself warm. Then hid myself in my sleeping bag, which was very cozy against the rain pouring outside. I was awakened to quickly eat dinner.

I was in the top bunk and it was hard getting down because there were no stairs or stepping whatever. I just told abby to get me some 3 slices of spam. Then I went back to sleep. No more water, no bathroom routines. I was scared that once i get out, I'll be cold. I even thought that I may wake up in the middle of the night because of the cold. (Well, technically I woke up, but it was because of my sleeping position and my back hurt.)

I know that we're supposed to wake up early to go to the summit, etc but no. Hearing the rain drops outside made me to tired to get out of my comfortable sleeping bag. (Okay, so it was worth it to bring this really heavy backpack.) We got up around 7 am. Yes, that was the only climbing experience I had where I slept for 12 hours! Haha I know that we couldn't possibly go to the summit because we won't be seeing any Sea of Clouds or any view because we're in the rain cloud.

After 24 hours of keeping it in, Abby and I finally peed! (Shucks, we hold it in for 25 hours! Tsk tsk... I wouldn't be surprised if we would have urine infection.) So we just had breakfast, break camp, and went on ahead. Since there was a time where the rain ceased or at least was light, Abby and I took pictures with the nearby water source and waterfalls. (This is the best view that we could get in this climb since there was no summit to see.)

Tapulao Mini Falls

with the water source behind me

On the way down, I know that we couldn't help not getting wet because of the weather, but I just cannot stand to wear my wet clothes from yesterday. So I just wore the clothes I slept in (I just made sure I have one set of dry clothes to change into when I board the bus), which was still dry. I put on a garbage bag over my dry clothes, then put on my moist cool jacket. Yep, learned that from Master Hiker Rein on Waterproofing 101. (Though I wished I learned of this yesterday when I needed as much dry clothes as possible.)

Six Crazy Climbers at Mt. Tapulao despite the Habagat Rain

The downhill hike was so easy! We only had 2-3 breaks on the way down, and you can actually trail run on your way down. (Though your knees will certainly not thank you for it.) Though we did stop, where there was a wide break in the "river" trail and washed ourselves with the cool refreshing mountain water. (Haha! So basically all those water proofing ourselves was for naught.)

Yes, I have my thermal suit (with long sleeves and turtleneck) and dri-fit shirt with my leggings and shorts to protect myself from the cold... but I swam in the cool refreshing mountain water anyway

Our downhill hike only took us 4 hours and 20 minutes! Almost 2x as the uphill! Whew! Though if you compared our time to the original itinerary, we were actually pretty fast. The average hiker can hike it uphill for 12 hours and downhill for 8 hours, but we did it in 9 hours uphill and 4 hours downhill. Yes... our pace was really fast. I'm not climbing with these people again if there was just the 6 of us! I'm not sure if I can take our pace that fast again! I'm only climbing if there are people who are slower than me! I mean, a more relaxed pace than me! Haha

Lessons learned to waterproof your things or to bring in cold, rainy climbs:
1. Bring extra ziplock bags and garbage bags. Put your valuables and gadgets in ziplock bags to waterproof them.
2. For your electrical gadgets, bring silicon gels to make sure the moisture will be absorbed. (Dada thought me this one. Apparently, he learned this lesson the hard way when his phone broke down. Thanks for the silicon gel.)
3. When sleeping, the moisture from the cold can get your things wet. Waterproof your things by putting surgical gloves over your dry knitted gloves, putting plastic and rubber band over your socks, and wrapping your sleeping bag in plastic. (This one is care of Deo from my Pulag experience.)
4. Rain covers are basically useless. Simply put a garbage bag inside your bag, then put your items inside. (Or use a large vacuum, compressed bag like I did so you can also compress your thick clothes and sleeping bag.)
5. Rain trousers made of ethylene something and rain coats are also useless if there is some heavy wind and heavy rain (I think it seeps through.) You can try trousers made out of PVC which is made of  thicker materials. Another thing is you can wear a garbage bag (cut holes for the head and arms) over your jacket, so there's more waterproof protection. (I got this from Rein.)
6. I'm not sure how to waterproof your shoes or your socks, except to simply use waterproof socks (which I think is similar to the one used in scuba diving). This one I still have to test. I just thought of this one while I was there.
7. I think it would be a good idea to just have one set of clothes to be wet... Darn, but if you're a guy, I guess it would be a good idea to climb topless. But if you're a girl, just one set of dri-fit shirt and a pair of leggings would be enough. There is no need for additional jacket to cover yourself, because you'll get yourself drenched anyway.
8. Just make sure you have enough DRY clothes when you get up there. I suggest a thermal suit, normal shirt (which you can also use the next day when you hike downhill), another shirt (that you can wear after the climb), fleece jacket, and a thicker jacket. For my bottoms, I had shorts, leggings (which I used during the hike downhill), and a cotton-thick jogging pants (which I also used after climb).
9. They say Oil of Wintergreen or Salonpas will give you warmth. I haven't tried this one but apparently it works.
10. Drink alcohol! Haha I brough Mojito for this climb, but apparently, I didn't need it. :)