Travel Life: April 2014

Mt. Halcon in Baco, Oriental Mindoro

On the way to Calapan Pier

Mt. Halcon is one of the dream hiking destinations among outdoor enthusiast, located in the Philippines, and serves as the natural boundary between two provinces - the Oriental and Occidental sections of Mindoro. It is considered as one of the toughest mountains to conquer in the Philippines, boasting of its 9/9 difficulty tagging (as rated by Pinoy Mountaineer site.) It has been closed for about 10 years for some unclear reasons - and being provided with a chance to climb this mountain is a certain a once in a lifetime opportunity. The most important thing before climbing this mountain is to secure a permit, and we're lucky enough to have it arranged by Ma'am Jane from Conquer Outdoor Equipment.

Touchdown Calapan Pier

Itinerary

Securing Permit

Day 0

0700 Assembly Jam Pasay

0800 ETD Manila-Batangas Pier

1100 ETA Batangas Pier

1200 ETD Batangas Pier-Calapan Mindoro

1430 ETA Calapan Mindoro

1500 Take Tricycle to Pure Gold (buy supplies)

1530 Take Jeep going to Mayabig

1630 ETA Mayabig (arrange guide and porters)

1700 Dinner, prepare breakfast and packed lunch

1900 Rest in Brgy. Hall

Day 1

0300 Wake-up Call, Breakfast

0500 Stretching (pray before climb)

Rest (gaining energy)

0530 Start Trek

0600 Fisrt water sourc

0700 ETA Mangyan Village

1200 Lunch on trail

1300 Resume trek

1500 ETA Aplaya campsite. pitch tent, prepare dinner

1800 Dinner, prepare breakfast and packed lunch

1930 Mini socials (get to know)

2030 Lights out

Day 2

0400 Wake-up call, breakfast, break camp

0530 Start Trek

0630 Dulangan River, River crossing

Municipal of Baco

1000 Early lunch on trail

1000 Resume trek

1100 Balugbog Baboy

1130 Mag asawang Ilog

1200 Big waterfalls (last water source)

1300 Durungawan Campsite, pitch tent, rest a bit. (lead pack)

1445 ETA of 2nd batch

1500 Lead pack summit assault

1600 Mini forest

1630 Knife edge

1700 Summit (diving board)

1730 Start descend

1900 ETA campsite, Dinner

2000 Lights out

Day 3

Start Trek

0400 Wake-up call, breakfast, break camp

0530 Start Trek 2nd batch

0900 Start descend

1000 Big waterfalls

1030 Mag asawang Ilog

1100 Balugbog Baboy Lunch on trail

1300 Dulangan Campsite, pitch tent, rest a bit (Siesta)

1400 Take a dip (dulangan river)

1600 Prepare dinner

1700 Dinner, prepare packed breakfast, lunch

1900 Lights out

Day 4

0400 Wake-up call, breakfast, break camp

Heading to Mangyan Village

0530 Start Trek

0600 Cross major river

0700 ETD Aplaya campsite (re-group)

0830 Resume trek

1100 Early lunch on trail

1200 ETA Mangyan Village

1300 ETA Mayabig, wash-up

1600 ETA Calapan Pier

1900 ETA Batangas Pier

2300 ETA Manila

Mangyan Village

Wild Boar

We saw a post regarding a Mt. Halcon event at Conquer shop, and we immediately secured our slots by paying for our reservation fees knowing that there will only be limited participants. This is our first time to join another group, as we usually climb mountains organized by me. We decided to join this adventure as it will definitely generate fame knowing that none of our friends were able to climb this mountain yet. (just joking), but seriously we wanted to climb this mountain to try something new, something different, something hardcore, hahaha!!! We just wanted to experience testing our limits, to level up, to conquer our thrill for more adventure, and to mingle with others. Months of preparation has never been so easy - we had three consecutive weeks of tune up climbs, badminton every free time, and endless jogging.

Bubbles - Dog Climber

embracing the leeches

Our day started at 7AM along Jam Liner Pasay, heading to Batangas Pier. After 2 hours of travelling. we transferred to RORO going to Calapan Pier. We took our packed lunch and rest a bit. We arrived at Calapan Pier around 4PM and transferred to a tricycle going to Puregold to replenish our food supply. Afterwards, we transferred again to a rented Jeep going to Sitio Mayabig. We dropped by at the Municipal of Baco to secure our permit, and then took a short briefing at Police Station. Afterwards, we headed to Mayabig and arrange our porter/guides for the next day's major activity.

Heading to Aplaya Campsite

Aplaya Campsite - Mt. Halcon as the background

panoramic view of Aplaya Campsite

Day 2 - Start a day with a prayer

Day 1 - We started trekking around 5:40 AM. The first hour was not that easy as the trail is starting to turn from mild to gradual. After the first water source, we were welcomed by aggressive leeches, making this climb more thrilling and exciting.

We reached the Mangyan village around 7:00 AM and waited for the rest of the group. We resumed our trek around 8:00 AM. We encountered various groups along the trail, some who started their trail in Lantuyan. Some of them came from Cebu.

River Crossing - Dulangan River

Chilling time - Regroup

Lead pack - Summit assault

We reached the Aplaya Campsite around 2:00 PM as fog covered the mighty Halcon. We pitched our tents and rest for a bit while waiting for the rest of the group. Around 4:00 PM. Mt. Halcon welcomed us - from that point, it made me realize how difficult it is to reach the summit. The weather is good and the food was compensated with an astonishing view of the surroundings. We had a great "getting to know each other" activity - Mini Socials. Not long after, it's lights out, time to recharge for a Big day.

almost there

The "Knife Edge" of Mt. Halcon

Sea of Clouds

The Conquerors Batch 2 (pic credits to sir jerry)

Day 2 - Wake-up call 4:00 AM. We found it hard waking up, not to mention the cold weather. We ate our breakfast and immediately broke camp. The group was then divided into two batch. From the aplaya campsite we need to descent and cross Dulangan River. Amazed by its pristine crystal water, we had to stop for a quick photo ops and enjoy the scenery. Our group then continued the trek. The trail is more difficult, with the surrounding filled with slippery roots, steep assaults continuous uphills that elevates to up to 80-90 degree at some point. The terrain's certainly ain't getting any easier. We passed by several streams, rocky cliffs, and path that is almost muddy the whole time. There's water source everywhere, which makes the climb more lighter as we won't need to stock plenty of water in our bags. We reached Karawayan Campsite as early as we expected.

The Conquerors Batch 1

OT rocks!

One Love!

panoramic view from the summit

the Famous "Diving Board" of Halcon

To maximize our time, first batch decided to have a summit assault (sunset viewing) with permission from the Support team, while the 2nd batch will have their summit assault early morning. It is more convenient to trek "Knife Edge" without our heavy bags. As we entered the ridge, our excitement heightened when we saw a glimpse of scenery along the trail as we go higher. We were all captivated by the beauty in front of us. God really has His perfect timing, we're so glad He gave us more than we expected - a wonderful view at the summit. This kind of bulky clouds is something we hoped we would get in all our trips to Mt. Pulag, but never came, and here He showered it all - so much thankful and blessed. I'm so in love! Glad to end our second day with the superb view of the summit.

Siluet shot from the summit

favorable weather

panoramic view from knife edge

descending

Day 3 - the 2nd batch pushed through with their summit assault, and we're happy to know they also have clearing the same as what we have yesterday. Overall, it was a successful climb for us. Camped near Dulangan River.

Day 4 - last day of expedition. We started our trek around 6:00 AM as we continued with our journey - endless walks, where from time to time we had to be more careful with our steps. There's no safe trail, and we thank God for a nice weather throughout our adventure. The sunset view that we had is breathtaking!

Sunset - superb view

knife edge

descending

M' Lenie, & Joana with our porters/guide

This is what I've learned with the mountains - to keep moving forward, even if it's painful and as if the journey is endless. Just keep making little steps, and eventually you'll notice that you're slowly reaching your goal. No turning back, just pray and He will do His part. This is the climb that truly pushed us to our limits, at the same facing our fears and extending our experience of the outdoors. I enjoyed the magnificent view, the perfect weather and the relaxing ambiance.

Halcon - rich in water source

Mangyan Village

I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You to all the people behind this expedition - to my OT family and friends for their prayers, to our family who supported us, to our guide/porters who helped and assisted us, and to Conquer Outdoor Equipment for a well-organized, safe, wonderful and comfortable first time experience of conquering Mt. Halcon!

What an exhausting but still very memorable adventure. New friends, awesome people! Until we meet again Conquerors! #kupalclimbthebest
It's a "Dream Climb True"! =)