sweet revenge: Pico de Loro

Vengeance is Mine, sayeth the Lord…

But I think the Heavens won’t mind if I overstate my title opposing His words. It thought it’s my only way to express a triumph from once a thrashing quest.

Last year, the unforgivable hike to Mt. Pico de Loro taught me a lesson about the climb… This year, the famous beaked-mountain of Cavite gallantly rewarded me the much coveted prize…with a bonus!

Still dealing a hangover from Batad, J and I geared up for our first official mountain climbing date. Haha. Most of the time he tend to decline my invitation for a climb, but perhaps his Batad experience made him decide to defy the mountains.

The first climb of the year for the Call of Nature, yet only three of us from the first Pico climb were seriously up for the challenge. Me, mommy Earl and my adopted brother, Inch. New recruits were J and Paulo, (Inch’s friend.)

What made this more challenging for us was that it was an overnight climb. J and Paulo purposely decided to join because of the overnight thing. At dahil overnight, we need to bring more equipment than the usual day hike – tent, sleeping bags, food and cooking sets… Mas nakakapagod umakyat ng maraming bitbit...

I can still vividly remember how hard and tricky the way to Pico – but we decided not to hire a guide. Armed with our powerful instincts, the ever reliable ribbons along the way and the escort of His hands, we knew we can make it.

We were blessed with a perfect weather every climber could ever wish for – the complete opposite of our last year’s hike.

 Jollibee Delivery's Mission: To serve great tasting food, bringing the joy of eating to everyone.. Everywhere!! haha - Inch

After 30 minutes, we reached camp 1. They were kidding to just pitch the tent in camp 1 and continue the trek the next day – pagod na kasi. We stayed for more than ten minutes and resumed our hike. We were targeting to reach the summit in the next two hours – assuming the fine weather will continue to favor us.

I have telling J that we need to pass through a lot of batis (creek) on our way to Pico. Well, during our last climb last September, we had at least four or five batis to freshen up and cool down our wounded and heavy spirits. But now, we saw nothing but rocks and twigs. They’re all dried up.  

Somewhere in the middle of the trek, it drizzled and it rained. I seriously panicked. History cannot repeat itself, I mean, not this time. Not in Pico. Haha. Moreover, we are God’s favorite children so He then stopped the rain … and overwhelmed us of His grace.

On the last stretch of the climb, J saw a loose bundle of woods. He picked it up and started to collect more woods along the way for our bonfire. Dagdag bitbit whew!  It was then when he started to ask ‘are we there yet?’ Haha.. 

We were victorious to reach the camping grounds – after two and half hours. Lo and behold!

There were other campers in the ground. According to them, it took them five hours to reach the area. Haha. Well, most of them were first timers, so it’s very understandable.

After taking few shots, we started to pitch our tents before it gets dark. The camping grounds were almost cleaned up as according to DENR officers, there were around 300 climbers in Pico that previous weekend. I can’t imagine the crowd. Parang may piyesta daw sa taas. Traces of garbage were still visible. Tsk tsk.

Just before the sun rest for the night, we hurriedly climbed the summit. Well, hurriedly in a sense that we didn't retire ourselves and took the chance to witness the sunset in the summit right after our tents were put in place. But you cannot trudge up the summit as quick as you can because the trail is far more dangerous. It’s as steep as the walkways to Tappiya falls in Batad, or even worse than that.

 

Climbing the summit of Mt Pico de Loro is a little death defying. But upon seeing the famous Parrots Beak that once rejected us – it was all worth it. I have always dreamed of climbing the beak, but by the looks of it, I must admit, I chickened out. Haha. Nakakatakot. Besides, it was getting dark, it will be very risky. So we just enjoyed the rest of the sun set moments in the summit, while getting pleasure of being slapped by strong winds.

I am a sucker of sun rise and sun sets. Not just because it’s one of the easiest yet most beautiful photographed subjects, but because it always reminds me of a message that there is a time for everything. A time to rise...and a time to rest.

Trekking down from the summit is more challenging than the other way around, worst if you’re doing it without sunlight. Even with our headlights on, the trail is just complicated. Mapapa-one-wrong-move-and-you’ll-be-dead ka talaga. Haha.

Back to our tent, we started to prepare our dinner and the anticipated bonfire. As J would put it, what’s a camping without a bonfire.

 

  So what’s for dinner: adobong manok, binagoongang baboy, itlog na maalat, sardinas

 …and what’s bonfire without marshmallows… Haha!

It was indeed a fantastic night camping experience. We surrendered to our tents at around eight in the evening. Unlike my Pulag experience, where I had the longest night of my life, I succumb to a deep and uninterrupted sleep in Pico – an illustration of a victorious pursuit and a very sweet revenge! Haha.

***

Rise and shine!

We woke up at around five in the morning. We planned to trek back to the summit but we will be running out of time as we needed to head back down because mommy Earl has to go to work. Instead, we just savor the morning, had some coffee and prepared our scrumptious breakfast.

What’s for breakfast: noodles, bread, corned beef, tuna, luncheon meat, strawberry jam, srambled egg, rice and leftover food from dinner…

We realized our baon was actually good for two nights, pinilit na lang naming ubusin para mabawasan ang bitbit pababa.

And before we head back to the trail, we went camwhoring in the camping grounds, showcasing again, the wonderful view of the summit.

shao-shao kid!

to pooh or not to pooh! lol*

i believe, i can fly

first climb of 2012!

 flashback 2011!

We left the camping grounds at 825 in the morning. We took time trekking back as a reward to ourselves from a successful climb. Haha. We reached the DENR office at 11am.

Except the last two, all unmarked photos by Inch Datuin!

The Peak: Mt. Pico de Loro

A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world - Oscar Wilde

Frustration and disappointment enveloped my entire body when I finally accomplished the sole mission of the day. Yes, I won the game. But why didn't I feel any satisfaction about my winnings? What a very discouraging moment. Imagine an ultimate dream just shattered right in front of you, and you can do nothing but embrace the mere fact that you actually lost the battle you thought you won over. 

It took us  four tough freakin hours to get to the top of Mt Pico de Loro. Holding a handful of hope that all our efforts will be rewarded. Yes, we were. It was a cloud of  fog covering the vastness of the lush green mountains. The complete opposite of what I dreamed about the beautful Mt. Pico.

How can you appreciate a beauty when it's barely there?

But, I cannot allow myself to dwell in frustrations forever, right? I've gone this far, I had a rough climb, might as well sieze the moment that I actually conquered the mountain.

I snapped back to reality and realized that the last group finally made it to the peak. So what can you do on top of  the very foggy Mt. Pico de Loro?

..keep a lasting memory and secure pieces of evidence that we made it through the rain.



As much as we wanted to explore the mountain we have dreamed of for such a time, it was way too dangerous.  We hardly see any the trail to the famous Parrot's beak, we can't even see anything apart from the fog and the grounds where we at.

To ease my pain, I just pretended that she doesn't exist, or at least I'd like to think it that way. However, seeing other people's  photo with her was  like a  knife pierced to the different parts of my body.

credits to the owner

We stayed at the peak for the shortest time. Then head back on the road for our descent. We can't afford to spend the night traversing the same rocky roads we took on our way up.

And just when I thought the descent will always be easy compared to the climb, I ended up to be one who literally took one step at a time. I can no longer force my feet to move. I was dead tired and the only way I can walk comfortably was to walk barefooted again. So I did, for at least an hour and half.  Poor feet.

kasi nasa hulihan kami

Slowly, as I wander the rough roads again, trying to contemplate about the uncomfortable pain in my back, I can't help but be emotional about what just happened. We planned for this, we dreamed of this, we sacrificed for this, and yet. this is what we get? *deep sigh*

Talked about conquering Pico next year, probably summer, to completely enjoy the half-baked journey we just had.

It was the longest descent ever. As if trail was never-ending.

And as we draw closer to the grounds, I can't help but notice everyone, still ranting about their disappointments and frustrations. I totally understand. I for a moment did the same. Then I remember the prayer we had before the climb. I actually asked Him that He may give us the heart to appreciate and acknowledge His creation.  I suddenly felt guilty. Is this how we show Him our gratitude? Fog-filled-below-zero-visibility peak of the mountain still is part of His wonderful creation. I may not know exactly what are those fogs for, but they're their for something and He still made them all, they're beautiful and they're worth thanking for.

We arrived DENR office at around 6pm. Had a quick rest, washed up, coffee break and head back to the bus terminal for our departure.

Just before we left the DENR office, another group of mountaineers arrived. I was stunned. Are they gonna hike the mountain at this time of the night? They were somewhat surprised to see us too - they're outnumbered. Haha. But these people I think, judging on their full-geared bags and attire have been climbing for years now. Besides, you won't dare night trekking to Mt. Pico if you're an amateurish climber, like us? Haha.

Exchanged a few words with them. I tried threatening them about how dangerous the trail was, but they didn't seem to mind at all. Haha. They then asked of which group do we belong to. And I was like grasping my answers. And when I finally told them our groups' name, one laughed, 'naku, delikado yan,' he uttered.  Hmmm.. Why, what's wrong with our name? Haha.






****
Postcript:
I always feel sad when everyone's planning to go swimming for team building, because I'm not a pool or beach fan. I tried suggesting mountain climbing but it didn't realized. I don't think it will ever happen. But it's okay. I have found a bunch of crazy people who somewhat share the same passion as mine. 

And if there's one lesson I must learn from the recent expedition, it's the part of the song - Ain't about what's waiting on the other side. No matter how high or low the MASL's of the mountain will be, they're all worth a visit, they're all worth a climb, they're all His creation, they're all beautiful. 

Budget/Itinerary:

4am - Assembly RCBC Makati

450am - Taxi to Saulog bus terminal near D.Jose LRT - 40php (total bill divided into 4)

*540am - ETD Ternate, Cavite - 86php 

8am - ETA Ternate Cavite

*815 - trike to DENR office - 75php

*830am - Registration at DENR office - 20php

9am - Prayer, start of the trek

*10am - ETA Base Camp 1, Registration: 20php

 Brunch

1pm - ETA Pico peak-a-Booo!

2pm - Start descent

530pm - ETA DENR office

              bath fee - 5php

              coffee break - 12php

*630pm - trike to bus terminal - 75php

*650pm - ETD Saulog bus terminal, fare: 86php

9pm - ETA Buendia

910pm - bus to RCBC Makati - 12php

930pm - FX to reality - 30php

tourguide (oneway): Kuya Jun & Kuya Charlie: 600php (divided by 17) = 36.00php

      *Kuya Jun (0999.517.9414) waited and accompanied us all through out the climb, when our initial arrangement was just for them to guide us to the top* 

Tip for Kuya Jun: 200php (divided by 17) = 12php

TOTAL: P509.00

                 

The Climb: Mt. Pico de Loro

Ternate, Cavite

Major jump-off: Magnetic Hill, Ternate

664+ Meters above sea level (MASL)

Sept. 15, 2011

I'm not a fan of Miley Cyrus, but I like her song 'The Climb'.  It embodies a message that sometimes what really matters most is how you make things happen.

And if have to describe the great experience I had during our climb last Thursday, let me go it through with you, through the poignant meaning of the song.

    I can almost see it.
    That dream I'm dreaming...

Mt. Pico de Loro. A unique name fit for a unique mountain. It is said to be the highest point within Cavite-Batangas boundary. Its summit offers a very unique standpoint that will allow you to view this part of the world in 360 degrees angle.

The first time I learned about her existence, I couldn't take her off my mind, as if every night I'd imagine myself  rock-climbing or rappelling the famous Parrot's beak.

credits to the owner



We had this dream to climb the magnificent Pico since June. Her outstanding view and genuine beauty - made us all excited to experience her greatness.

There's a voice inside my head saying
You'll never reach it
Every step I'm takin'
Every move I make
Feels lost with no direction,
My faith is shakin'

The ultimate plan to topple down Mt. Pico de Loro has been long overdue. Thanks to some weather disturbances, to our less-unified schedule at work and other no-nonsense excuses.

Part of the group even tried climbing a different mountain last month, in exchange for Pico's shaky schedule just not to miss a month without a climb.

But for Pico's sake, one can't just go without the other, so we have to consider each others' not-so-busy-not-so-stressful-lives. No wonder it took us months to finally realize this not-so-impossible dream.

But I gotta keep tryin'
Gotta keep my head held high

We are a group of amateur climbers. No training, no gears, no name. But you cannot underestimate the mighty hearts and minds of the newbies. We're much willing to vanquish any mountain. No matter what it takes.

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm gonna to have to lose,

Yes, there are more than a hundred of mountains in the country. Each of which has its own distinct beauty. And Mt. Pico de Loro is undeniably an exceptional one.

And when I say we're willing to face any consequencies just to make a climb, it also meant filling a VL for JC, unpaid leave (UL) for me and Abi, unpaid time-off for Almae, off-swap for Inch and Paris. Never mind about little sacrifices, because we know in our hearts that we'll be rewarded with something priceless.

Except for those who have their day-offs on the 15th, each of us has only one thing in mind -  to make this date a free one to see something very very special.

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side
It's the climb

We were able to pull the days, and September 15 came. We waited long enough and we can no longer afford any single delay for this much awaited event 

Final count for the climb is seventeen. That many! Three of which were fresh recruits - Gia, Zane and he-who-claims-to-be-my-other-brother-Inch.

The two-hour travel time from Manila to Ternate, Cavite seemed like travelling the road forever. But no gruellling traffic nor any road construction can hinder us now. We made this far, and waiting will be over.

Registraion at the DENR office is 20 pesos each.

Traversing Mt. Pico wasn't as easy as our previous climbs. It is part of Mt. Palaypalay-Mataas na Gulod national Park, which is a protected forest reserve. Having said this, we definitely needed a pro-guide. We're used to hire kids as our guide, for cheaper price. Besides, we can't reserve a room for errors in the trek as three of us needs to go to work after the climb.

But DENR charges 1,500 Php fee for a guide. WhaT?! We are an advocate of  budget climbs, and 1,500 fee for a guide is waaaaay out of our pockets.

Thanks to Mommy Earls leadership and financial skills, we were able to come up with 600 peso-budget for the guide, but DENR officers vehemently denied our bargain.

But this events cannot hold us back in fulfilling our dream. Thanks to our tricycle drivers who offered their services to lead us to the top - kuya Charlie and Kuya Jun.

Nine-oclock in the morning, we had a short prayer, then we started the climb.

let the climb begin..

 The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down, but
No I'm not breaking

If there was someone I wished to join our special climb, he would be the sun. But he showed no visual signs at all. Roads were wet. Trail was muddy. It was like it rained quiet hard the other night. Perfect timing huh. But we took the perfect chance.

I really thought it was an advantage, our well-reserved energy won't be drained by the heat of the sun, unlike our previous climbs. But the best has yet to come.

First hour of the trek to the base camp 1 was never like a walk-in-the-park, nor was it like walk-in-the-dark either. What made it a little struggle  for us was the fact that most of us were hungry and our trekking-mood-and-strength were slightly affected.

It took us an hour and a half to reach the camp base 1. Everyone was starving, so we immediately settled for our brunch.

 

i think it's about time for us to make one of this



I see no valid reason why we need to pay another 20 peso each for another registration fee at the base camp, but we paid it anyway.

We're used to fast break meals at work. And this lunch was nothing but like a 15-minute break to us.

It was a breeze eating outdoors. We're sorrounded with big beautiful trees and fresh cool air carresing our tired souls. I thought it was such a relaxing day.

And just after we filled our hollow stomachs, someone we hoped not to join us in our own amazing race suddenly came and we were all terrified. His name was... rain.

 

all set and ready



I may not know it, but

These are the moments that

I'm gonna remember most

I've just gotta keep goin', and

I gotta be strong

Just keep pushing on, 

Cliche it may seem but there's always a first for everything and first experiences are seldom hard to forget. So this marks our  first trek through the rain.

I sensed fear started to haunt inside me. I saw instant change of  mood from everyones face. An uninvited guest was trying to devastate the frame of our minds and the state of our emotions. It was very unfavorable, we're not even halfway-through the whole trail yet.

The rain stopped for a while to make way for the resumption of our arduous journey. Little did we know, that five-minute-rain will turn our precious lives upside-down, not to mention the lives of our beloved snickers, Sandugos, Tribus and my prized Havaiana flip flops. Haha.

The more the rain, the harder the trail, the more hassle trekking up. This I think was the simplest way to  describe the very complicated climb we had.

It did rain again.. and again... and  again!

I wore no jacket, I wore no shoes, I brought no umbrella. How hassle could that be?

Suprisingly, no one gave up. Oh well, if there was even a small chance, maybe one or two would have been. Haha. We were a bit dog-tired that we kept on asking our guides if we're there yet, because it appeared to us that we were hiking for the longest time, yet we're still trekking the enclosed fuzzy forest.

Adding to my discomfort was my camera, so I decided to hid it inside my bag and focused my attention to climbing those gigantic roots and rocky-uphill roads. Before doing so, I took the last photo (below) before assaulting the real summit. See the fog? It was all over the place.

This I think was the climax of our climb. At first, I had pleasure in it, though I was a bit anxious about myself unceasingly slipping the muddy trail. I can feel the agony of my feet while taking grip to the slippery grounds. Tried my best to be prudent not to make any stupid move that may cause my life to any danger. But things were just too much to handle. My knees knocked down, half of my body glided to the swampy  part of the trail while my arms painstakingly trying to hold on to something to save my dearest life from further jeopardy.

I had three major, major plakda sa putikan  moments. Good thing, there were a lot of bamboo trees in the area for me to take refuge to. I was only taking clutch through my poor flip flops. But after three-in-a-row slips in the sloppy forest, I decided to go barefoot.

The higher the trail, the harder it gets. More bamboo trees were covering the way and the next we knew, we were lost (for a moment)!

We kept on shouting the names of our friends ahead of us, trying to relocate our lost way but it seemed like no one can hear us anymore. 

We were accidentally subdivided into three groups. The first group, the fastest climbers, I suppose, led by our other guide Kuya Charlie. The second group, which I'd rather call the-taking-one-step-at-a-time-group with the other guide, Kuya Jun, at the tail end.

Then, us - me, echo, jc and tsichen. Funny thing as we were trying to figure out which way to take through the footprints and slide-prints of  those who were ahead of us. You can also rely those tiny ribbons tied on some trees which you can barely notice unless you still have 20-20 vision, or you can take heed of a tree that bears an arrow signage -  it will lead you to the right directions.

The last stretch of the climb to the summit was even more challenging and breathtaking. Trusting my sweet life to some talahib grass, while fighting the vigorous blow of the strong-iced-cold-wind and crawling the below-zero-visiblity trail. Yes, gapang-galore.

Thanks to the human-sized talahiban, I had this chance for a quick shot.

Mt. Pico de Loro is not as high as Mt. Batulao which we hiked smoothly while typhoon Chedeng stormed the metro and its nearby towns.

It doesn't even have the hill view of  Mt. Gulugod Baboy where you can act like Julie Andrews and sing 'the hills are alive with the sound of music..'

But what convinced us to keep our faith and endure all the hardships?

It was our belief  that something magnificent is in store for us at the peak of the mountain. It was too late when we realized  that  life is but full of surprises, and most of the time, it knocks you off when you least expect it.

There's always gonna be another mountain

I know. Mt Pico de Loro definitely won't be my  last climb.

I'm always gonna wanna make it move
I love mountains and the joy it brings when I conquer them.

Always gonna be an uphill battle

Be it an uphill or downhill fight, bring it on!

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Sometimes I gonna have to win!

Ain't about how fast I get there

I can take one step at a time. 

Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side

Noted. Lesson learned. 

It's the climb

I couldn't agree more!

next: Pico-peak-a-Booo!