The Rocky Trail Of Mt. Binacayan. It's An Extra Challenge!

What is the most significant change you've seen in the world in the last 10 years? That was a question last 65th Miss Universe show. So what do you think can be an answer? Do you have an example? 

If I were in their position to answer this. I would say, Social media. There may be disadvantages like "cyber bullying" and somewhat compromise the quality of family bonding after dinner. But with this, we created a new generation called "Millenials". Evidently, it is a new platform for everyone to see the beauty of the world. As we Millenials, spend most of our time checking what's trending online. We become more aware on where to go on our next rest day and what's the best places to spend our grand vacation, it may be on a cruise, out-of-town or outside the country. These ideas we read and see online push us to go to that places and experience what backpackers or travellers felt. Mostly those shout-outs like "It's priceless!". We also get used to popular hashtags on instagram like #photooftheday, #instagood and let me include #itsmorefuninthephilippines. Sorry, it's addictive! This generation really saves so much memories like forever. You can't blame us. Because travelling is I can say living your life. The feeling of curing your soul and relaxing your mind. It is incomparable. Tell you what, you need this. You need a break! 

I'm not rich but it's not a hindrance for me to travel. Going to different places treated the pain of my depression before and now I still do it because it fights my stress at work. Somewhat it also refrains me from asking myself "why I'm still single?" Well, it's effective because I'm now very happy to be single like forever too. Everywhere I go I follow like what Bob Marley said "Live the life you love. Love the life you live".

To travel on foot

Rodriguez, Rizal- Totally I don't have any idea about mountaineering or trekking. This is new to me. But this tested that I'm really a risk-taker. Remember when I went to my aunt's house last month in Montalban, Rizal? There were mountains that really got my attention. It was a perfect view in the morning and I didn't know at first that it was famous. I found out when I went back to Manila that it has a local folklore about Bernardo Carpio. A legendary figure in Philippine Mythology who said to be trapped in between these two boulders(Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Binacayan). I said before I hope I could climb at these two mountains. Finally, it happened.

I didn't prepare so much for this although I researched about it. I thought it would a piece of cake for me since I also had my stretching a day before the hike. I was hesitant to continue because it was raining like 4 in the morning. So I had to chat my friend who is living in San Mateo, Rizal to check if we could go 8am instead of 6am. I thought it would be safer for us to do that time. I went out of our house 6am. 

Check out my itinerary and breakdown of our expenses during our climb at Mt. Binacayan.

6:00am- From our house in Manila ride a Jeep with Makati-Guadalupe MRT station(11pesos fare).

6:30am- The fastest and affordable way to go to Cubao Station is to ride MRT from Guadalupe station(20pesos fare).

6:45am- From Cubao station there is a terminal near Farmer's Market. Make sure to stand in the line for UV Express with route Latex-Eastwood (50pesos fare). There are instances that you will encounter long queue of people but if there's none sadly you will wait for like 30 minutes to an hour.

9:00am- From San Rafael Puregold ride a Jeep with Wawa Dam route (8pesos fare).

9:10am- It is a must to coordinate with their Barangay or local district to hire for a local guide(50pesos per climber for Barangay fee).

9:45am- We started the trek with our well-trained guide Richard. Again it is serious to hire one because not only they know first aid but they have been climbing these Mountains like Binacayan for more than 10 years(500pesos guide fee).

Locals plant different seedlings like this pineapple. 

It was neither good nor bad weather that time. It was cloudy and we didn't know if it would rain heavy any moment. Our guide said that the time was perfect though because it's not really hot and the sun was not painful. And in fact although we have not seen so much fog, a very beautiful rainbow welcomed us after that rain shower.

We took the normal trail and highly advisable for beginners like me. 

The trail became more challenging as we get closer to the summit. 

It was beyond my expectations. It was not a piece of cake. We had to stop for a couple of minutes and enjoy this view. We were not yet on our 70% but I felt of giving up. I had sweat excessively and although I brought bottled water I felt a bit dehydrated. I had realizations after that, one was don't give up.

Things You Need To Know Before You Climb Mount Binacayan

1. Be prepared! Do a lot of research. I was surprised that this is a rocky mountain.
2. If not necessary, don't bring big backpack bag. A quality drawstring bag is better to carry 1 extra shirt and short.
3. 1 liter of bottled water and biscuits are your best friends.
4. Wear a cap to protect your head and eyes from the rays of the sun. Make sure your skin is protected by sunscreen.
5. If you're on a tight budget and want to pursue this hobby. You can start to invest from the basic gears like climbing shoes and belay gloves.

Thank goodness! We had another stopover. Still I had a doubt why I did this. But on the other side I was thankful that I experienced this like not many can do this. One battle you need to face when you're a beginner is the muscle pain. Like this can kill you especially if you don't exercise religiously. You need to trust your immune system to get used with it quickly.

Now I can shout it out. This kind of experience is priceless!

It's an extraordinary journey.

Fear of heights no more! The summit.

2:05pm- It was more than 4 hours when we reached the summit. Sadly, I did not bring enough water to stay hydrated. I had to make a quick change of shirt. We stayed really short because we couldn't stand the heat. And even today I'm still thinking why the summit are mostly made of rocks. I'm still not sure if these are sedimentary rocks because if these are. These could be part of the ocean before?  Sorry for being so genius.                 

I'm gonna miss this view. FYI. These humps are already part of Sierra Madre mountains.

One of the best things why you need to hire a local guide is they know the story and the history of their place. Richard, our guide, said the name Montalban came from the famous white rock formations.

3:15pm- We took the 90 degrees trail when we went down. It was accident when my friend led the way. There were 4 very difficult rock formations we passed. It was an extra challenge! Although it was faster and only took roughly 2 hours until we reached the ground it required us so much patience and endurance. Since it rained, the trail was slippery and during those times you would question yourself why you were not wearing climbing shoes and belay gloves, even why you didn't eat enough to stay full. There were moments that you would say "thank you" to those bamboos beside you because you mostly rely on it. You would also appreciate those climbers you saw who said "take care" because honestly it's really a not easy journey. Good thing I only got bruise and minor wounds. 

4:35pm- Thank goodness! Now we're back on the ground. Before this, we stopped in a store that sells mango smoothie(35pesos) and refreshments. You would never thought that you could see it inside a mountain.

5:00pm- It is a must to go back to their Barangay Hall and sign on their form to assure them that you came back. Like what happened to me, since it rained I got a lot of mud. Not a problem, just a few steps from Barangay Hall there are bathrooms that you can rent for only 25pesos.

Not to brag so much, our guide was also the guide of Angel Locsin(Filipino actress) when she went to Mount Pamitinan last month. He was cool and he also took great shots of us during our hike. I said to him, "I will not do this again!" then he replied, "you will eat what you said". He is right! He will be our guide again when we go back. I prefer to go on weekdays. For more details you can also contact Richard-09983266559. 

"Ain't about how fast I get there. Ain't about what's waitin on the other side. It's the climb"-Miley Cyrus.