Mt. Batolusong - Mapatag Plateau, Rangyas Peak traverse to Kay-Ibon Falls

As a practice climb for our hike up Mt. Pulag, I decided to go back to the mountain that I last climbed. But now, I was with my former officemates (and two potential mountaineers) Marco and Cathy.

Mt. Batolusong

It was already 0450H when I was able to fetch them at the LRT2 Cubao Station (McDonalds Gateway Mall). We then continued eastward going to Cogeo. Upon reaching Cogeo, we decided to eat breakfast at an eatery near the junction. We also bought additional provisions here.

As I was already familiar with the way going to Brgy. San Andres, we were able to reach the Brgy. Hall at 0715H. Again, it was Mang Tony who welcomed us and he recognized me from my past climb a couple of weeks ago. I immediately asked him if the "Bangkaan Falls" is already open, unfortunately he said that work still has to be done at the falls before they can finally open it for hikers.

It was so nice chatting with Mang Tony and he offered the perfect idea for us to do the traverse to Kay-Ibon Falls and just hire a tricycle who will wait for us on a pre-agreed time at Marcos highway (Kay-ibon Trail). Finally, we can do the traverse. We paid the P20.00 registration fee at the Barangay Hall, and were then introduced to our very jovial and efficient guide (Wenny).

It was 0815 when we left the Barangay Hall and pushed our way to the trailhead up the Duhatan Ridge. We reached the stairway to the assault to Duhatan at 0830H. While resting, we had some photo-ops and even talked about the trees in the area.

We also took brief rest along the trail, until we reached the 1st water source at 0855H. Here, we met some locals who unfortunately were kaingeros. According to Wennie, the kaingeros plant brown rice which they actually sell at about P90.00 per kilo. While they burn mostly the portions that are planted with cogon and boho, Wennie mentioned that starting next year, the DENR will ultimately prohibit kaingin farming within the area of Mt. Batolusong, and forest rangers will be deployed to guard the mountain and the seedlings that they aim to plant there. (Sigh...1 year is a long way to go.)

Mt. Batolusong - Duhatan Ridge; Mapatag Plateau; Rangyas Peak; and Sangab Cave

Just located within the fringe of Eastern Metro Manila, Mt. Batolusong has slowly gained a well-deserved prominence in the mountaineering circles. Conveniently located in Tanay, Rizal, Mt. Batolusong is actually part of the South-Western portion of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.

Mt. Batolusong's Rangyas Peak...taken from Mapatag Plateau

Mt. Batolusong...just before the landslide

Itching to go on a hike despite their busy schedules, Skookums Oliver and Gani decided to go on a dayhike last March 29, 2015. Since the other Skookums were not available at that time (Skookum Allan was in Mt. Pulag for one of our Open Climbs this summer), we hiking buddies searched for a new tramping ground close to the metropolis. As we were already scheduled later in the day to watch one of the highly-anticipated movie sequels of summer,  we chose to scale Mt. Batolusong.

On board Goldie (one of our usual service vehicles), we left Cubao at 0515H and followed Aurora Boulevard to the East, going straight to Marcos Highway in Antipolo. After buying breakfast at Jollibee (located on the opposite corner of the intersection where Sta. Lucia Mall and Robinsons Metro East is located), we continued towards and went past Cogeo. As we reached the outskirts of Antipolo, we gained more altitude and passed by a number of highland resorts and subdivisions such as the Boso-Boso, Palo Alto and Garden Cottage. A few hundred meters after Kilometer Post 51, we arrived at "Batangasan Junction", which leads to Barangay San Andres.