Hikes where hiring Mountain Guides / Local Guides are not mandatory.

Hiring mountain guides are usually mandatory nowadays. As local government units / barangays promote eco-tourism, the livelihood of the locals are made to benefit as well (to the detriment and disappointment of some hardcore mountaineers who just see it as an additional expense that they ought to pay).

Just to make it clear, I am not against mountain guides / local guides (who I refuse to call tourist guides) because they are in a way sharing their domain to us. In other words, we are just visitors in their area. Nonetheless, below is a list of mountains where the hiring of guides is discretionary especially for those who have previously traipsed on the trails of the specified mountain.

1. Mt. Balagbag - There are guides, sometimes kids would offer their services, but the trail is relatively straight. Hence, as long as you know your bearing, there is no way that you will get lost until you reach its summit.

2. Mt. Tagapo - As of my last climb, mountain guides are mandatory for 1st time hikers only. Guide rate is pegged at P500.00 for every 5 hikers/climbers.

Mt. Paliparan - Traverse to Tuoy + Tungtong Falls (where the kites roam free)

"Unless we are willing to encourage our children to reconnect with and appreciate the natural world. We can't expect them to help protect and care for it."

                                                                                    - David Suzuki

The town of Tanay in the province of  Rizal is fast becoming a mountaineering/hiking hotbed. Proof of this is the emergence of new tramping grounds in the area.

The newest addition to the growing list of mountains in Tanay is Mt. Paliparan (meaning "airport" or "from where things are flown"). Situated in quaint Brgy. Cuyambay, Mt. Paliparan was christened as such since this is supposed to be the place where people belonging to the Dumagat Tribe fly kites, either for fun or for wagers. According to our guide Mang Carling, aside from bragging rights, bets in the kite fighting usually involve a sack of rice, kamote, and other agricultural products.

Mt. Paliparan...taken from the ridge leading to Tuoy

Another view of Mt. Paliparan

Mt. Paliparan...photo taken from Tuoy

Mt. Paliparan Summit

After more than an hour of travel from Quezon City, we finally arrived in Brgy. Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal. As we tried to ask a lady who just bought something from a store for directions in going to the Brgy. Hall of Cuyambay, a man suddenly appeared and inquired if we intend to climb Mt. Paliparan, The man was no other than Kuya Inso, also referred to as Sir Inso by our guide. He then conducted a brief lecture regarding what to expect during the hike, including the climbing conditions and the places of special interests along the trail.

We were greeted by this view of Mt. Batolusong

Subsequent to paying the registration and environmental fees, we waited for the arrival of Mang Carling, the guide who was assigned to us for the day. It was 0745H when we left the trailhead (Brgy. Hall) for another day of adventure.