What triggered me to continue hiking? When I just got back
to my hometown (Coron Palawan) and one of my days there is scheduled to hike
Mt. Dalara, the highest mountain in Calamian Island. Together with my cousins
and childhood friends we bring back the memories of hiking mountain when we
were young ones.
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| I was lucky enough to be in a good company! |
Anyway, upon getting
back to Manila one of my officemates (
Ivy) who used to love hiking very much, encouraged
us to get along with them to hike Mt. Pico de Loro, since I recently came from
hiking then I gave it a shot.
At first I was undecided if I could still go on or maybe go next
time, then only few remaining days left to decide it was “Going” that’s my final decision!
It was a bright sunny day of March 15, and we sit and wait for quite a while at Coastal Mall Pasay City. We
boarded bus bound to Ternate Cavite then went straight to their Municipal from there we rented
jeepney going to our jumpoff.
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| almost 2 hours of waiting... |
After a few minutes, we've reached the jump-off point where
you will register and 25 php is collected per head. The place also sale some
remembrance items like shirts, key chains etc. Reaching the Camp 1, another
registration awaits us with 20 php fee or voluntary donation. There were two
registrations you may encounter at Mt. Pico de Loro. The mountain is under the
protection of DENR.
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| Registration! |
The first trail after the Basecamp is quite fun and friendly
then reaching the midpoint where other groups used to rest for a while is
called Alibangbang, this area is shielded with trees thus perfect for a rest. After
the Alibangbang you might condition yourself and get ready for the assaults all the way up to the
summit that is why we used to call it the start-of-the-calvary.
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| never ever quit! |
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| feeling good still. (Mam Angel, Ivy and Jen) |
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| The two clowns! (Sir John and Norman) |
At my first time hike outside my province I wanted to test
myself how far I can endure the assault with a few rest rolled out. Unfortunately I ended up
very exhausted and pained in the right rib but I reached the summit first, as
for our rule says “We hike not to impress but to inspire others”.
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| “We hike not to impress but to inspire others” |
Arriving in the summit I went straight to small sitting area
to take rest, while waiting for them I wander my eyes to where we could pitch
our tents since almost of the areas were already get by other groups.
After half an hour, Sir June just arrives few minutes after Sir Zao then we
headed to search for areas to pitch our tents. We pitched our tents at the
grassland area, an open zone beside the edge of the summit.
The night had come, I wore my pants and jacket but still I
keep on shivering brought by cool winds pass around our very open areas. After
the dinner it’s time for socialization or preferred to say just social. Before I went to being drunk, I
carefully sneaked in to my tent and let my tiredness be my lullabies.
The morning was filled of coldness all over, the tent fogged
up, the grasses get wet and the whole summit was shrouded in mist. Thanks to
our pro-mountaineer’s companions who have been very attentive all the times and
taking care of our meals. Kudos to Sir
June and Sir
Melvin!
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| gettin ready to cook! |
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| the night will give you a cold treat! |
Getting ready to assault the Parrot’s Beak, a five-minute
steep assault awaits us. Climb at your own risk when trying to hike the
parrot’s beak of Pico de Loro, you will need enough skills to overdue the
vertigo up there. My knees shrink off and made me crawled all the way up, the
wind blows were strong enough to kick you out, I can’t even stand straight or
open my eyes reaching the Parrot’s Beak. The wind is so strong; I hardly
recommend wearing eye protector. From there, you will see closely the Monolith
or in tagalong term as
“Toreng Bato”, just a few minutes later we decided to
try climbing that rock! Before we decide to go, I need to convince
myself repeatedly if I can do it. Sudden
things push me to pursue it, my adrenaline boost me up and I packed the very piece of braveness
I have left inside of me.
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| The girls were ready! |
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| assault to Parrot's Beak! |
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| Sir Zao on the top of Parrot's Beak |
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| Mam Jessa best pose despite the strong wind on the Parrot's Beak! |
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| I can't even open my eyes! |
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| A terrifying view from above the Parrot's Beak |
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| A look of Monolith from the Parrot's Beak! |
All the way down was just hard to imagine, wrong step will
be the end of it. We passed to the sliding rock without rope or any harness,
some mountaineers used to go barefoot when ascending to monolith. It has a rope
segment up to the middle of the monolith and after that you can rely on your
hands and feet alone up to the surface. Beyond rope segment is much extreme
rock climbing awaits you, a scare stiff scale all the way up. There was a
grotto of Virgin Mary on top, a small one together with left items from other
hikers. The descent from the top is the hardest part for me; believe it or not
I have fear of heights. That feeling of accomplishment is like you’re on top of
the world.
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| passed through this slidden rock |
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| Rope segment! |
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| They're on top of the world, I mean at the Monolith of Pico de Loro. |
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| Approved! |
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| Let's fly! |
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The braved ones that made on top of the Monolith!
(Mam Ruffa, Ivy, Pen, and Kuting / Sir June, Dexter, Melvin, Ryan, Zao and Me) |
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| Grotto of Mother Mary on top. |
The descent from Parrot’s Beak is such a hard one too, the
combination of slippery slope and strong winds made it much terrifying to do.
The descent on a rope segment is much harder than ascent, when I’m almost at
the bottom, I misstepped my left foot at the very side of the rock plate thus
made me sway to the other side, luckily there were other mountaineers waiting
to ascent and pulled me back. Finally got back to the campsite safe and sound, I
never been proud to myself rather than that day – Yes I survived Parrot’s Beak
and the extreme Monolith!
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| A daredevil moves of Sir Melvin |
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| We are there! |
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"Climb every mountain, ford every stream, meet new friends and shared experiences
till you've found true happiness" |
For the record, the difficulty of the Monolith is 9/9!
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Fast Facts:
Pico de Loro was named for the towering formation of its peak which bears a resemblance to Parrot's Beak.
The climb to the summit will requires four hours of fair hike, many hikers used to do day hike because of its happy trail thanks to all leafy-trees that provide us ceiling from scorching sun.
The falls is one of few main reason why outdoor enthusiasts love to hike Pico de Loro because of its refreshing treat for tired and dusty hikers, but at the height of the summer, nothing will remains except dry trail of the water flow.
At the top of Pico de Loro, there's 360 degree view of mountains that lights green for miles and miles. Caraballo Mountains to the north, Nasugbu, Batangas to the south, Maragondon to the east and South China Sea to the west. A 664 MASL making it the highest mountain in Cavite province.
For all night packers I strongly suggest to bring extra pegs for your tent, extra socks and jacket for the wind at the campsite is so cold and strong.
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