Calatagan, Batangas - May 2014

SM's Burot Beach always come to mind with Calatagan in the search for words related to Quick Getaways. A target missed, (for now) but none the less, a valid sacrifice to what had been a very relaxing weekend trip with friends. A little over 3hours from the city, feasible commutes, and people-less beaches makes up for a viable choice to bring guests over, heck even escape the grid if time is a constraint.
Albeit Sunrise Cove is far at the edge of the peninsula, last of the beaches in the entire stretch, it holds marvels I would personally say, I could have -not gone to Siquijor for its beaches, had I known Calatagan.

Mt. Gulugod Baboy - Mabini, Batangas - January 2014

Yeah so this is one of those old posts I still found effort to un-scrap and redeem off the blabber list. Everybodys got a point in time where inspiration, time and all em life hassles restrain you from this here.

So Gulugod Baboy.

This Mountain will always be one where I can go back to with less worry to anticipate and less preparedness to man up to. Not to say easy, but trails that trigger just enough heart-rate raise and sweat to note a worthy accomplishment to marvel a hand painted sun set, retire to a windy night, wake up to an awesome view and go down dip feet in sea after.

Mt. Batulao - Nasugbu, Batangas - June 2013

---

New to Old trail, Night Trek.
So 6 of us guys flipping out for a climb, initiated our own backyard activity ending up in Mt. Batulao. Duval had once planned to retaliate to do a New to Old trail hike and as simple as that, we hike.

Mt. Talamitam - Nasugbu, Batangas - January 2013

---

About 15minutes further down Mt. Batulao's Evercrest jump-off, is the Sitio Bayabasan jump-off of Mt. Talamitam. Seeing both mountains from Calaruega this early January, sets me off to day dream about when I will be able to break the hiatus and once again punish myself by hiking trails. Although I irk at the political squabbles going on as read from posts from Sir Nick-Talamitams initial caretaker, I forcedfully shrugged it off and joined TUCO (The United Climbers Organization) when our same-day Batolusong climb got bumped out. 

Mt. Daguldol - San Juan, Batangas - October 2012

---

It was final. Push, even if it rains. Push, even when its just the three of us.

We were initially opting to do a 2-hit climb. Mt. Maculot, then Mt. Manabu.But we were all looking for one that we have not yet tried. So even when Pinoy Mountaineer claims that it is a 5hour 670MASL climb, (it's usually longer when us, normal people pace) we head on out to San Juan Batangas and climbed Mt. Daguldol.

Laiya - San Juan Batangas - May 2012

---

Way back when we were children, with not much obligations and responsibilities to attend to, we were fortunate to be able to freely enjoy yearly summer vacations with our families. At which point, even though we highly anticipate the change of scene and the fun the outdoors bring, being children, we often do not see nor appreciate the value of family bonding's. These things that we let pass, we miss and appreciate come time that we all grew up and have families of our own.
Through the efforts of my wife and her sibs, a nearby get away was set. Laiya, San Juan Batangas. My family has been here before and the December winds that the sea brought back then reminded me of how peaceful the place was.

Mt. Batulao - Nasugbu, Batangas - April 2012

---

There's no easy mountain to climb. Each, unique. Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu Batangas, a 4/9 811MASL Minor climb is one of them so called day hikes that beginners will find challenging and rewarding at the same time. I’ve been browsing photos and reading blog posts about this mountain and have often mistaken its saw teeth ridges as one from the great Guiting Guiting. The magnificent range of the mountains that defines the old and new trail is as well an art on its own.

I was fortunate enough to have survived a couple of day hikes, some turned 12hour hikes namely and I have scaled twice each, Manabu and Maculot and once in Makiling UPLB trail, but that's just to emphasize that I am a noobie at the hobby and a lamer for that matter.

I find it jaw dropingly awesome that the Pro’s can climb this mountain in 75minutes using the new trail. Nothing is impossible, but wheres the fun in that? LOL.

Mt. Maculot - Cuenca, Batangas - Febrauary 2012

---

You know you're out of shape when you easily pant, suffer knee inflammations at a rated 3/9 minor trek and finish a 2hour climb/descent more than the projected. Then again the latter is debatable and panting is expected when you do Mt. Maculot..

Mt. Maculot Redux. I was invited by couples Gian and Leo to join them do Maculot. My wife was then forced to get herself some clothing and gear to abide by my invitation to drag her with me. So it was the 4 of us.
We took the same route when I first did Maculot with only a few differences.

• 3am-4:30am - Bus at Cubao Araneta - Old Puregold area. To Batangas, Tambo Exit. (P132x2)
• 4:30am-5:15am - Tapsi at Tessies Goto - Tambo Exit. (P60x2)
• 5:15am-5:45am - Jeep to Cuenca - (P20x2)
• 5:45am-5:55am - Tricycle to Jump off, passed by Barangay Registration. (P20x2 + P10x2 Environmental Fee)
• 6:15am-9:05am - Trek to Campsite, rest then off to the Rockies.
• Lunch at the Rockies.
• A Cold Refreshing Sprite care of the 711 at the Campsite (P35x2)
• 12:45 Descent.

Mt. Maculot- Cuenca, Batangas - October 2011

---

Disclaimer: Im not an experienced climber and to that matter, with handicaps. I’m overweight and is coping up with a knee injury I’ve inflicted on myself doing a first 10K run a few years back. Bottom line, use this info as reference but don’t take it from a noob hiking enthusiast.

I have done Mt. Manabu twice and twice learned a lot of lessons the hard way, even when I came mostly prepared the second time. I must admit that Mt. Maculot was a relief of some sort, given that it wasn’t raining unlike the 2 times I climbed Manabu.

7:30AM. Our two man group, Gerald and I, met at Robinsons Lipa.
To get there, I took the bus at Buendia Taft-going to Batangas, boarded off Star Toll exit (Tambo exit) and took the jeep to Robinsons. There are jeeps going to Cuenca in front of the mall which we took and boarded off at the Cuenca Municipal town hall. We loaded up at the nearby eatery and took the tricycle to the jumpoff. There is a mountaineers stop (Ka Manuel) a few meters before the area to load and clean up as well.

Notes:

• ·         The trail is more or less a 2hour assault.
• ·         Hardcore tip is to progress slow but non stop. You’ll be there in more or less an hour.
• ·         There are lots of mini stops as well to sit and catch breath.
• ·         Expect your heart rate to near max.
• ·         Cover up, there are mosquitos, ants and blade grasses, especially near the summit camp.
• ·         Dont get lost. It is to your physical and psychological advantage to be with someone who knows the trail as even those who previously climbed Maculot, take the wrong fork.
• ·         Pick up garbage along the way and don't add up to the pollution, please.