Mt Talamitam Climb

For the past several days, it's been so sunny and hot it feels like summer again. And I've been studying for what feels like an eternity when it's actually just 7 looong days. I need a break. I need some mountain air. Apparently I'm not the only one who has cravings. It's been a month since our last climb in Mt. Tapulao and even if it cost me 5 days of being house- bound due to muscle pain, I missed the mountains hehe Abby, Rein, Ralph, LJ, and Mike were game. Milcah also missed the mountains but she wasn't crazy enough when there were occasional rains 2 days before the climb. I also invited Julie because she wants to experience it without being limited by her daily bathroom rituals.

I got my things on Wed even when the climb was on a Saturday. We met in Pasay Mc Do supposedly at 4 am. I arrived at around qtr to 5 hehe but LJ was late by an hour! Hence some free Bulalo hehe

Waiting for LJ at McDo Pasay

It was an easy enough climb. No swearing or cursing happening much hehe or is it because I feel fitter and healthier? Or is it because compared to the climb on Mt Tapulao, this is easier? Hehe

Anyway, the hardest part of the climb for me, was the first part with its inclines (reminds me of Pico de loro) but its very much manage-able. Then you'll reach a short clearing, where you could see some views of a house, the road, and some mountains. Then you'll pass by some planting areas and some grasslands, and a meadow where lots of cows were grazing. (Hmm Imagine if the weather is sunny, then this will be too hot!) Then, there's the assault to the summit with its very steep incline, the hardest being as high as your waist. (So Yes, having long legs is an advantage.) but once in the summit, it was beautiful. It wasn't as high as pico de loro or batulao, but because of the great weather, the view was spectacular... With some essence of a sea of clouds. :-)

At the Barangay Hall at the Start of the Trek

Within 30 minutes from the jump-off point, you will pass this bridge

First Stop-Over

Second Stop-Over: another clearing with lots of cows grazing

Prior to the assault to the summit

View from the Summit

View from the summit

Yes for some partial Sea of Clouds!

View from the Summit

At the end of the climb back in the barangay hall

Going down was also easy despite the mud, where we only took 1 hr going down. Actually, it could be done much faster without any need for a break haha

We changed clothes and went on our way. We could do a twin dayhike, but a lot of us wants to get back to Manila early. (ahem, Ahem)

We just passed by Rowena's and had early dinner there, knowing that it would be traffic on the way back to Manila. Yey for some free Bulalo from LJ!

Rowena's