Pico de Loro - New Trail / DENR Trail

As the Skookum Mountaineers officially turned One, I made sure that our group should at least have a hike/climb last January 31. And since my fellow Skookums were either held back by their respective schedules or personal commitments, I was forced to do a solo-climb instead.

While I would always prefer to be with my best climb buddies (of course that includes my wife) rather than doing it solo, I'd say that hiking alone also has its advantages. Nevertheless, I'd make a separate post concerning this topic once I get more ideas and experience on the matter.

As it was my first time to climb solo, I decided to just limit my options to the mountains that I am most familiar with. And it was not until after I was able to drive-thru the Jollibee branch in nearby Tomas Morato (for my breakfast) that I finally decided to head to Pico de Loro.

Pico de Loro remains to be one of the most popular climbs in the Philippines

The Monolith

My 1st mountain for 2015

Held by traffic at the EPZA area just after the Cavitex, I arrived at the jumpoff at around 0730H. Just as I expected, there are already a lot mountaineers heading to the trail head, and of course, the ever-increasing number of weekend warriors who also try to have a piece of their own adventure. I parked Jaff on the shoulder of the highway and immediately put on my gears. I paid the mandatory registration fee of P25.00 and then went on to do some stretching. At 0810, I said a brief prayer and then started to hike/run.

Oh how I missed the eerie silence of the forest, which was intermittently broken by chirping birds, the sound of crickets/cicadas and the rustling of leaves caused by the cool mountain breeze.

BMC 101 - Version 2.0

The Skookum Mountaineers has held its 2nd Basic Mountaineering Course 101 at the "Loud House ni Jaime" in Roxas District, Quezon City last January 23.

First, we had a boodle fight for dinner courtesy of Sir Allan, our ever-reliable Skookum chef. We really enjoyed the food. Then, the lecture and discussion immediately followed.

The event was graced and conducted by Sir Roy Dela Cruz, former President of the Globe Adventure Club, and also a past-President of the FEU Outdoors. He is also one of the stalwarts of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI).

Some of us belonging to the 1st batch of inductees already had our BMC 101 prior to our induction climb in Mt. Ugo last year, but still we chose to participate to at least refresh, or even widen our knowledge of mountaineering.

It was really a fun-filled evening as we even had a boodle fight during dinner. It was really a worthwhile experience for us to continue to hasten our knowledge of mountaineering, and of the outdoors as well.

Mt. Balungao - Small but Terrible

As our yearend climb, we decided to traipse up the slopes of Mt. Balungao last December 31. In case you are wondering, Mt. Balungao is located in the town of Balungao in Pangasinan.

Mt. Balungao taken from the winding road heading to the Balungao Hilltop Adventure

Mt. Balungao...taken from the TPLEX...clearly resembling a woman's breast (Susong Dalaga)

We arrived at the Balungao Hilltop Adventure (previously knows as Mt. Balungao Hot and Cold Spring Resort) at about 0730H and were gleefully assisted towards the registration area. After signing waivers, we secured a guide (Joven was the guide assigned to us) and put on our hiking gears.

The trail is located at the back of the hall cum registration area. While Mt. Balungao is just a shade below 400 meters in height, it is known for its incessant assault from base to summit. The good thing is that the trail is established and forested up until the grassland just before the summit. As such, many mountaineers especially those based up north have included Mt. Balungao among their training climbs.

It was 0815H when we started the climb. From the base, we scaled rocks and boulders (maybe a sign of its volcanic past...yes Mt. Balungao is a dormant volcano) and even had to cling on to the roots of trees for support. There are a lot of kakawate trees in this part of the trail. This rocky/bouldery trail shall continue until the upper portions, where you will pass by a bamboo grove (similar to that in Pico de Loro). This will then give way to the grassland, which signifies that you are already very near the summit.

Thank you...Thank you

We acknowledge the invaluable assistance and support that our benevolent and thoughtful donors and sponsors have extended in furtherance of PASKOokum 2014. You efforts have greatly contributed to the success of this commendable program.

The kiddos saying thanks to our donors and sponsors

You made the whole village happy

....ang blessing ko'y kayo...

They were really very happy.

While words constantly remain deficient, the Abeling Tribe are truly grateful that you have made the difference of touching their lives. The smiles that we have seen and the happiness that glowed from the faces of the children are truly priceless.

Some of our sponsors

We earnestly hope that you will continue supporting the future outreach programs and social climbs of the Skookum Mountaineers.

May you and your families be blessed a thousand-fold in return.

Aliah Travel and Tours
Workplace Design Center
Jasmin
Siony Valdez
Alpha May Melegrito
Marvin U. Zapanta
Richard A. Quiocho
Angelo Matthew B. Santos
Phil John Gil B. Wycoco
Senen M. Quizon
Atty. Jennylyn V. Reyes
Atty. Shirley C. Tuazon
Atty. Arthur Catabona
Atty. Lorraine Taguiam
Atty. Donna Gragasin
Nathan ni Lorie
In-Check
Elsa Mallari
JC and Tina Salazar
May Lorraine Saddam
Emmelyn Serafico
Monique Borromeo
Roy Dela Cruz
Zamora Brothers
Kinawag Family
Finance Team CBRE
CBRE Admin
Sharon Relos
Nina Mendiola
Verlie Gatchalian
Celia Rocamora

Special Mention to the following sponsors who decided to join us during the Gift-giving and Feeding Program.

Eisha Barriga 
Bernie Tenerife

The Skookum Mountaineers would also wish to thank the following people who extended invaluable assistance before and during the Program Proper.

Kapitan Omeng
Mrs. Vangie Tabaquero
OIC of the School (sorry I forgot the name)
The parents who helped us in preparing the Chicken Noodle Soup
The other Barangay Officials who helped us in maintaining order and gathering the children

To all the Skookums who participated during the planning, preparations, collection of donations, packing, much less, participating in PASKOokum 2014. Hats off to you guys.

Allan Calura
Jaimel De leon
Lennon Vic Del Socorro
Bryan Bognot - (marami sponsors ang nagbigay sa kanya...sorry di ko alam mga pangalan)
Espi Lang
Erickson Marzan
Nelson Apostol
Charmaine Sarmiento
Lorievie Mariano
Geovanni Tacla
Isagani Dagdag
Bette Beltran
Oliver Beltran

Until next time...let us continue to pay it forward!

PASKOokum 2014 - a priceless moment with the Abeling Tribe

The Skookum Mountaineers had its first ever Outreach Program last December 7, 2014 for the benefit of the children of the Abeling Tribe of Sitio San Pedro, Brgy. Iba, San Jose, Tarlac. While Typhoon Ruby (international name "Hagupit") was then currently wreaking havoc in the Eastern Visayas, we took the risk to proceed with our planned Gift-giving and Feeding Program in coordination with Tribal Chieftain "Kapitan Omeng", and some teachers of San Pedro Elementary School led by their Officer-in-Charge, and a member of the faculty, Mrs. Vangie Tabaquero

Charm, Nelson and Geovanni

At 0520H, we arrived at the McDonalds located near the Siesta Junction in Tarlac City and had breakfast. We then proceeded to the Tarlac City Public Market to buy additional provisions for the chicken noodle soup that we shall serve to the kids of Sitio San Pedro. Surprisingly, the all boys Marketing Team was composed by Skookums, Bogs, Allan, Espi and Oliver.

Allan and the Chieftain of the Abeling Tribe...Kapitan Omeng

...at Sitio San Pedro Elementary School...with Mt.Tangisan in the background

Happy Kiddos

Smile

Excited

Marami sila pero kayang kaya yan