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| Start Trek |
Mt. Balingkilat is a hiking destination in the province of Zambales, it is located within San Antonio and Subic towns that has scenic views and interconnects beautiful coves.
According to Kuya Plaridel, our friendly local Guide, the word "Balingkilat " came from "Thunder" it is described - "Mountain of Thunder" in the native Aeta language.
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| first stop (kawayanan) |
After the registration, we chose Kuya Plaridel as our guide and started to head our way to jump-off. On that point to the mountain at around 08:00am we started our trek with regular warm-up strides.
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| resumed trek |
0100H Meet-Up Place : Victory Liner CUBAO
0230H Take Victory Liner bus from Cubao to Olongapo
0600H Take Rented Jeep to Sitio Cawag, (drop by near market)
0630H Buy Supplies (packed lunch)
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| Mt. Cincos Pico view along the trail |
0800H Start Trek
0930H Kawayanan (rest, lunch siesta time)
1130H resume trek
1700H ETA campsite (sunrise viewing)
1800H set-up camp (prepare dinner
1900H Dinner
2000H Socials
2200H Lights Out
Day 2
0530H Wakeup Call/Breakfast
0700H Commence summit assault
0715H ETA summit
0930H Back to Campsite/Breakcamp
1030H Start Descent.
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| group picture along the trail |
1330H Late Lunch
1500H resume trek to jump-off
1600H jump-off wash-up
1700H Head back to Olongapo City
1800H Dinner
2000H Take Victory Liner Bus
2300 ETA in Manila
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| Keep calm and Travel on (Mt. Cincos Pico and Mt. Dayungan as the background) |
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| Sunset Panoramic view from campsite |
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| chopseuy ala Denver |
The first hour was technically easy and "walking in the park" trail, there were no ascents or steep assaults met along the way. We reached Kawayanan Campsite at around 09:30 AM. It is the only shaded campsite in the entire mountain and the last water source throughout the ascent. Our group decided to stay long and have an early lunch in the area afterwards took a "Power Nap".
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| Socials |
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| Sunrise viewing |
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| campsite view with neighboring mountains |
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| at the summit |
We resumed our trek around 11:30AM, by that time, we were so exposed to the sun and our energy drained by heat, so from time to time we need to take rest. We always look a shaded part of the grass land. After 5hours of trekking, we reached the campsite. We witnessed the spectacular and stunning view of neighboring mountains, all hardship and sacrifices that we experienced along the trail was worth it.
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| sunrise viewing at the summit |
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| high elevation view of campsite with neighboring mountains |
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| lovely couple (elie and sheng) |
We set-up camps and prepare our food for dinner. Night time - so windy, we just finished our socials early due of the coldness we felt outside the tents.
We woke-up early and explore the summit, by that time, we took some picture but unfortunately fog covered the area and we decided to head back to campsite to prepare for breakfast. After eating breakfast, we hit again the trail to summit and managed our shots!
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| Jenny conquered Balingkilat |
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| panoramic view from the summit |
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| dream high by denver |
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| with my sweet explorer (kileg!) |
The sun is coming up, at first it was all good because of the mixture of cold wind and warm ray of the sun, but as the time goes by and the sun rays are stinging. We broke our camp and immediately went down a little bit faster. We're running out of water. Under the heat of the sun, we felt like we're walking in the middle of a desert and will collapse due to heat stroke anytime. We drink water little by little to relieve our thirst.
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| chill at summit |
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| descent |
The trail may be very easy, but the situation made it one of most challenging, the exposure to the heat of sun, your energy will surely drain. We made us realized how water is so important in humans, without water, we would die, every living thing, trees, nature, sea life, everything needs water to survive. Luckily after two hours of trekking we reached again "kawayanan" we missed this place so much!. We prepare our late lunch while waiting the others.
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| balingkilat survivors with kuya Plaridel |
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| Descent |
Afterwards, we decided to take again "power nap", then we resumed our trek. The adventure may be the first time for some of us, yet it brought a whole lot of experience, perhaps a good memories to treasure as well as the fortitude to test one’s limitations. Against all circumstances, you can conquer something, not just the mountain, but also your self.
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| day 2 lunch (kawayanan) |
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| siesta time |
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| Dinner (greenwich olongapo) |
Special thanks to Denver for your unlimited Birthday Celebration.
Until next time guys, see you on March for the continuation and sequel of this adventure ^_^
soyah!
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| Group Picture (OT Invitational Climb) |
Budget Breakdown:
(9 pax)
212 - 207+5 (Cubao - Olongapo plus insurance fee)
100 - (Olongapo - Cawag) rented Jeep (900/9)
22 - share butane (65x3=195/9)
62 - food and socials (550/9)
60 - Reg Fee (cawag settlement)
89 - (Guide Fee 600 plus tip 200) 800/9
20 - Ligo
111 - (Cawag - Olongapo) rented jeep (1000/9)
112 - Dinner at greenwich (1000/9)
212 - 207+5 (Olongapo - Cubao plus insurance fee)
1000 (all in budget)
