Mt. Batolusong 2016

The mountains are calling, our feet are itching but our budgets are limited. Bulubundukin ng Sierra Madre is the answer.

One of my dream and goal is to see a Sea of Clouds. Mt. Pulag dapat kaso walang budget.

Then we search Mt. Batolusong of Tanay, Rizal. Just like other, this is a not well organized plan. On and Off decision. But with are guts, dedication, tibay ng loob at kapal ng mukha tinuloy namin ang day hike kahit were just only a group of three (the lakwartcherang petite-Sherly, the lakwatcherang chinita-Myla and I, the lakwatcherong kuripot).

And now, I can now present to you, the Mt. Pulag and Batanes of the South, Mt. Batolusong

4:00 am meeting place Cubao

From Cubao, ride a jeep going to Cogeo. Drop you off at Gate 2. Bring some topic and chismis habang nasa byahe kontra inip.

From Cogeo walk until you reach the jepneey terminal going to Brgy. Sampalok. Tabi lang ng City Mall of Antipolo ang terminal. I repeat “City Mall”. Ride jeep and tell the driver to drop you off at Batangas/Batangasan. First trip is 5:00 am

From there ride a tricycle going to Brgy. San Andres for Registration. Registration fee is 20 pesos per head addition 20 pesos if you will go the Ragyas Peak. Guide is required, 500pesos maximum of 5 hikers.

Adventure begins with prayer and kuya Dino (our guide)

Start trek. First Sabagan Cave. It’s an underground river. Lakas maka Palawan ang dating.  Patag pa daan, bato-bato at may umaagos na tubig. Wala to. Madali lang.

Yun ang akala namin. Papuntang Duhatan Ridge parang unending na  pataas na trek. Start ng mahilo at mamulikat ng paa namin. Bakit ba kasi di kami nag wawarm up a day before.

Sa dami ng pahinga at picture, nagworried kami na di naming abutan ang Sea of Clouds. But Lord is good. We witness ang dagat ng mga ulap sa Duhatan. Sarap mag dive. Ang ulap mukhang dagat. Ang kabundukan mukhang dalampasigan.

From Duhatan Ridge trek under the heat of the sun papuntang Mapatag Plateau (consider the campsite). The trail will give you a view of  Mt. Susong Dalaga, Mt. Susong Nanay and Mt. Susong  Lola. Just see for yourself bakit tinawag silang ganon. Napakalawak ng Mapatag, reminds me of Batanes.

Next Part the Ragyas Peak-The summit. You have two choices, Sumuko ka o Maiwan ka.

The Peak will give you the wide view of Sierra Madre.

Kanya kanyang hanap na lang ng lilim for lunch. TUNA Festival uli. Yahoo!

Along the trail, may mga water sources. The water is good and refreshing. But we suggest bring 2liters of water or more mahirap ng madehydrate at magmukhang tuyo.

The popular and malapit na side trip of the place is the Kay- Ibon Falls. Other way ito to exit.  Mas malapit lang sa high way so you can exit from there instead of going back to the registration area. Just inform your guide para saya nalang mag log out sa registration area for you.

Kay-Ibon Falls is just small place but the water is clear and cold. Best to try after ng nakakapagod na hike. Just bring extra cloths.

Uwian time. From Highway ride a tricycle going back to Jeepney terminal. Ride going to Cogeo. Ride going to Cubao.

The good thing of self organized gala is that hawak nyo oras nyo, hawak mo budget nyo.

That’s it.

Here’s our itinerary via Cubao

04:00am Call time Cubao / Ride jeep going to Cogeo
05:00amRide jeep to Brgy. Sampaloc. Drop off at Batangas
06:00am Ride tricycle going to registration area
06:30am Start trek to Mt. Batolusong

07:30am Sabangan Cave
09:30am Duhatan Ridge / Sea of clouds
11:00am Mapatag Plateau

12:00nn Rangyas Peak/Lunch
02:00pm Kay-Ibon Falls
04:00pm Back to highway

06:00pm Back to Cubao

Expected Budget

Cubao jeep to Cogeo Gate 2 - Php 24
Cogeo Gate 2 jeep to Batangas- Php 42
Tricycle to Registration - Php 30
Registration Fee - Php 40 (Php 20 reg fee + Php 20 for Rangyas Peak)
Guide fee - Php 500 (Php 125/ group of 4)
Batangas jeep to Cogeo Gate 2- Php 42
Cogeo Gate 2 jeep to Cubao - Php 24

Total expense: Php 333

Actual Expenses Breakdown

Cubao jeep to Cogeo Gate 2 - Php 24
Cogeo Gate 2 jeep to Batangas- Php 42
Tricycle to Registration - Php 40 (Php 120 per ride)
Registration Fee - Php 40 (Php 20 reg fee + Php 20 for Rangyas Peak)
Guide fee with Tip- Php 200 (Php 500guide fee maximum of 5 person/ Php 100 pasasalamat kay kuya Dino)

Tricycle to jeepney Terminal- Php 30 (Php 90 per ride)
Batangas jeep to Cogeo Gate 2- Php 42
Cogeo Gate 2 jeep to Cubao - Php 25

Total expense: Php 443 per Head