Manabu Peak - Mataas na Bundok

"He that plants trees loves others besides himself."
- Thomas Fuller -

Manabu Peak is one of the more popular minor climbs that is relevantly close to Metro Manila. Most enjoy its dense forest cover, the interesting flora and fauna within its range, and the wonderful views that it offers. Of course, who would ever forget the free civet coffee of Mang Tino and Mang Pirying. There are really a lot of reasons that climbers continue to flock and climb Manabu.


Arriving at the trail head, we changed gears and prepared to climb. Holding the seedling that we purchased at the registration area in one, we were so eager to trailblaze again.

Engr's seedling

The initial part of the trail is similar to the approach in Mt. Sembrano and Mt. Romelo. Subsequent to the preliminary plunge and ascent, we passed by agricultural  crops and some orchards as we slowly went deeper into the forest and reach the Stations of the Manabu Loop (Yes, the trail is a loop that is comprised by a number of Stations).

The rolling terrain went on until we finally arrived at Station 3 where we briefly stopped for some photo ops. Here, we also had to cross the brook. As the forest in the Malipunyo Range (where Manabu is located) is really one of the more impressive ones in the entire Philippines, it is not surprising that the flora and fauna in the area is really remarkable.

At the Station 3

Onwards, we passed by farmlands and even had to stoop down at one point in order to get pass by steel wires that resemble a clothesline, which I supposed is being used by the locals as a trellis for their vegetable crops.We decided to have our first rest stop at Station 4. This is where the loop trail merges. The trail on the left leads directly to the Grotto (Station 8) and is relatively an easier ascent towards the summit. On the other hand, while the conventional trail on the right is the steeper assault, it nonetheless leads to Station 5, where Mang Tino and Mang Pirying shall gamely offer a free taste of civet coffee to hikers.

Mt. Pulag - Tramping Advisory (Akiki Trail temporarily closed for hikers)

It was announced by the Mt. Pulag National Park administration that the Akiki Trail in Mt. Pulag is currently closed due to the loose rocks that were caused by the forest fire that recently affected the area.


For further updates on the matter, you may seek for updates at Facebook Page of the Mt-Pulag-National-Park-Bulletin or directly contact them: 09291668864 or 09103010423. You may likewise click on this link.


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Mt. Pulag - Akiki Trail (Temporary Closure)

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Mt. Pulag - Tramping Advisory (20 hikers per group)

The Mt. Pulag National Park has imposed a limitation on the number of hikers that a specific coordinator/organizer shall be allowed to include in a group. Now, the maximum members allowed for each group shall be twenty (20) and only those who comply with this requirement shall be allowed to leave for the Ranger Station.



In line with this, all organizers with more than 20 participants are advised to reduce the members of their respective teams. Those who have previous reservations are given the chance to enter the park but from now on, the management will now start imposing the 20 pax per team to give chances for other climbers to trek the park.

Also, the DENR has qualified that the suspension of reservations for 2017 covers the Babadak Trail on Saturdays only. Trekkers below 10 members per team could however be accommodated to provide social assistance to the community guides and porters.

And lastly, since the park management has not increased its fees since 2000. It was also announced that there shall be an increase in the Entrance Free from P100 per head to P175.00/head pursuant to the Resolution of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) in 2015. .

Link to the post: Mt. Pulag - 20 members in a team

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Mt. Pulag - Members per team; Suspension of Resevations

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Mt. Pulag - Tramping Advisory (Marking of Hikers; Suspension of Reservations for all weekends in 2017)

The management of the Mt. Pulag National Park has mandated the marking of the hands of all trekkers at the Visitors' Center, after it has been verified that the hikers involved have reservations and that they have undergone the orientation before entering the park. As such, trekkers with no seal from the Visitors' Center/Protected Area Office shall not be allowed entry. Hence, trekkers with no reservations are hereby advised not to proceed directly to the Babadak Ranger Station.

 

Organizers who usher hikers more than what were actually indicated in their reservations are also advised to just visit the mountain lakes located at the northern part of Mt. Pulag so that they may have an alternative activity.

Lastly, it has also been resolved that reservations for all weekends of 2017 are suspended until further notice.

Visit the post here: Mt. Pulag

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Mt. Pulag - Marking of Hikers; Suspension of Resevations

#MtPulag #SeaofClouds

Mt. Mamara: a newly-opened mountain in Daraitan

“You don't need to climb a mountain to know that it's high.” 

                                                                            ― Paulo Coelho, Aleph

Nestled within a river valley in the Southern Sierra Madre is a paradise known as Barangay Daraitan, which lies within the boundaries of Tanay, Rizal. What was previously a haven for illegal loggers, has now become a sanctuary for mountaineers, hikers, weekend warriors, and casual tourists that ceaselessly flock to the place especially during holidays and weekends. So, as our first hike for 2016, we finally decided to hike in Daraitan.

Mt. Mamara...taken somewhere along the Tinipak River

Mt. Mamara...as seen a few meters from the jump off point

Fly high...Skookum jump

As our plan to hire a van did not materialize, we decided to just meet at the designated stop for jeepneys bound for Tanay opposite the Shangri-la Plaza Mall along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City. It was already 0445H when we boarded a jeepney, hoping that we are still within the 300 hikers to summit in a day quota that was recently imposed in Barangay Daraitan. We ultimately arrived at the Tanay Public Market at 0610H together with at least 12 hikers that flagged the jeepney somewhere in Cainta and Pasig.