Mt. Arayat - Traversing the pride of the Central Plains

Growing up in the fertile plains of Central Luzon, Mt. Arayat is one of the then very few mountains that I am familiar with. Knowing that it was an extinct (or was it dormant?) volcano so close to home added to the mystique that it radiates everytime we would pass by the North Luzon Expressway on the way to and from Metro Manila. As such, there always was that desire in me to climb this sentinel of the verdant plains and home to the mystical Mariang Sinukuan. Hence, with our supposed climb in Mt. Pulag, we finally decided to do an Arayat Traverse (“ArayTrav”) dayhike as one of the needed practice climbs.

Mt. Arayat (taken from the highway in Arayat Town)

It was already 0420H when we arrived at the Bataan Transit Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City (it shares the same terminal with Five Star Bus). At 0440H, the bus went on its intended journey as we desperately tried to get some needed sleep. We were so fortunate to be stirred at the right time as we were roused from our deep slumber just as the bus reached the Robinsons Starmills.

We then debated amongst us if we are going to take the jeepney towards Arayat town and from there, just hail another jeepney going to Magalang or go straight to the SM Public Transport Terminal and wait for the 1st trip going straight to Magalang. Until we finally decided to try our luck at the SM Public Transport Terminal.

The jeepney ride from SM in the City of San Fernando to the town of Magalang went on for 40 minutes. I’d say it was the better choice for us sleep-deprived individuals. We went straight to Jollibee Magalang (opposite the Municipal Hall) for breakfast. On the other side is the terminal for tricycles that would take us to the jumpoff in Brgy. Ayala, which is about a fifteen minute ride. Less the formalities, it was already 0800H when we started to hike.

Mt. Tagapo - Hiking in the middle of Laguna Lake



While we were already along EDSA going southbound at that time, we were still debating where to go for a hike. And since it is the end of the APEC Holidays, we anticipated the traffic down south as countless vacationers troop back to the Metro. Hence, we decided to proceed to Binangonan, Rizal to try our luck for a parking space (our only consideration actually), before we proceed to Talim Island and hike up Mt. Tagapo.

Mt. Tagapo...up close from the grassland

Mt. Tagapo in the middle....Bundok ng Susong Dalaga

We then arrived in Binangonan at 0715H and tried to look for a much-needed parking space. We first tried to park at the nearby church, but since Sunday mass was on-going at that time, we decided to push our luck somewhere else. Good for us, we eventually were able to secure a parking slot (along the road) on the side of the local hospital.

After buying some of our supplies, we proceeded towards the port, bought packed lunch, trail food and water, jumped into the boat headed for Brgy. Janosa (which incidentally was the first boat in the queue), and waited for the departure time (0800H).

A usual scene at Binangonan Port

The boat left Binangonan Port at exactly 0800H. Along the way, we were treated to views of birds diving for fish from the lake, a series of fish pens, and locals doing some fishing. The boat then made a brief stopover in Barangay Buhangin to drop of some passengers. A few minutes later, we were already in Brgy. Janosa.

Mt. Kanlaon - Tramping Advisory (Alert Level 1 due to volcanic unrest)

Mt. Kanlaon, one of the most active volcanoes here in the Philippines has been put on Alert Level 1 status by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) because of volcanic earthquakes and moderate emission of white steam and plumes at least 150 meters above its summit crater.

Alert Level 1 means that Mt. Kanlaon is at an abnormal condition and is in a period of current unrest.

 

The Phivolcs further stressed that entry into Kanlaon's 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is strictly prohibited because of the possible occurrence of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions. In other words, hiking up this venerable peak in the Visayas is banned until further notice by the authorities.

Please refer to the website of the Phivolcs or to its Facebook.PHIVOLCS page for further updates.

*Credits to the Phivolcs for the photos / or to the owner if there is one.



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Mt. Kanlaon - Alert Level 1

Mt. Pulag - Tramping Advisory (Medical Clearance / Certificate as a mandatory requirement for climbing)

The Office of the Mt. Pulag National Park Superintendent issued a directive mandating climbers/hikers/mountaineers to secure a medical clearance/certificate from a licensed physician before being allowed to hike up Luzon's highest peak, which incidentally is also one of the most famous tramping grounds here in the Philippines.

*** As per the Park Superintendent, personal waivers (such as those being required by some climb organizers) will not suffice for the purpose for which the medical certificate is mandated.

For more updated information, you may access the Facebook Account of the Mt. Pulag National Park / Mt-Pulag-National-Park-Bulletin or call Sir Roy at +63 929 166 8864


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Medical Clearance/Certificate


***Update as of 012.013.015

As personally confirmed during our Outreach Climb, there is a doctor near the Ranger Station in Bokod, Benguet who issues medical certificates for PhP50.00. However, a lot of would-be climbers usually line up just to get one.

PaSkookum 2015 - Cordillera (Kabayan, Benguet)

"A simple act of kindness creates an endless ripple."

As the season to be jolly is fast approaching, the Skookum Mountaineers invite you to participate in its annual outreach program as they go up north and bring smiles to the students of Doacan Primary School in Brgy. Doacan, Kabayan, Benguet (Akiki Trail jumpoff of Mt. Pulag) this coming December 12-14 2015.

Our traditional gift-giving shall include school supplies, slippers, toiletries, medicine, vitamins, raincoats/umbrellas and even pre-loved clothes the kiddos in that part of the Cordillera. We shall likewise treat them to a sumptuous treat after the fun-filled games.

Join us and feel first hand how enlightening it is to make others happy through some of the most simple deeds.

The PASKOokum 2015 Shirt courtesy of Jaime

Should you wish to contribute and share your donations, you may do so in cash or in kind. For more details, kindly contact Jaime (+639175537819), Bette (+639228689893), or Charm (+639063343917). You may also approach any of us Skookums in case you wish to personally join us. You may likewise send us an e-mail at skookummountaineers@gmail.com.

For a sneak peak of our last outreach program, please click on this link: PaSkookum 2014 - Abeling Tribe (Tarlac)

Let us continue spreading good deeds and sharing our blessings. Thank you and may God bless you always!

Mt. Hapunang Banoi - Climbing the Eagles' Eyrie

The popularity of the Wawa area in Rodriguez, Rizal as a mountaineering/hiking destination has really reached leaps and bounds since the time that the area was formally opened earlier this 2015. When we first hiked the trails of Mt. Binacayan and Mt Pamitinan, Mt. Hapunang Banoi is yet to be formally opened for mountaineers and hikers. Hence, as fate would have it, we saved the best (...and for me the hardest..) for last.

Peak 1

Peak 2

Peak 3 (Summit)

From our usual meeting place in Quezon City, we left for Wawa at 0515H and arrived at the registration center at 0600H. Surprisingly, the local guide assigned to us was Alvin, our guide when we first hiked the trails in Wawa.

We immediately commenced hiking after saying our own personal prayers. We crossed the Hanging Bridge to the other side of Wawa River, and made our way to the concrete steps leading to the residential area until we had to cross the mini-river onwards to the forest part of the trail. We continued and decided to take a short rest at the fork leading to Pamitinan Cave.

...at the Hanging Bridge

The famous Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Binacayan



Wawa River

The wrath of Typhoon Lando wreaked havoc on the Banana Trees along the trail.

Mt. Pulag - Climb Advisory (Typhoon Lando / Koppu)

With the impending effects of Typhoon Lando (International Name Koppu) in Northern Luzon this coming weekend (October 16,17 and18), the Office of the Mount Pulag National Park Superintendent has issued a directive declaring that Mt. Pulag National Park will be closed to hikers on the said dates. The Park Management likewise emphasized the dangers of travelling in the Cordilleras during stormy weather.

Previously, an advisory dissuading all climbers from pushing through their scheduled climbs.

As per Weather Advisory No. 3 issued early today at 11:00AM, Tropical Storm Koppu is still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is estimated to be 1,515km east of Luzon (15.8°N, 135.7°E) with maximum winds of 65kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80kph, and is moving west at 22kph.

Typhoon Lando is expected to be at 990km east of Luzon by Thursday morning, 560km east northeast of Baler, Aurora by Friday morning, and 310km northeast of Baler on Saturday. On Sunday, it is estimated to be at 40km north of Aparri, Cagayan, and 180km northwest of Calayan Island by Monday morning. (As posted in Mt. Pulag National Park Bulletin Facebook Page).

Please be advised accordingly.

A copy of the Warning Advisory issued by the Office of Civil Defense (taken from the Mt. Pulag National Park Bulletin Facebook Page) is reproduced below.

 

For more updated information, you may access the Facebook Account of the Mt. Pulag National Park / Mt-Pulag-National-Park-Bulletin or call Sir Roy at +63 929 166 8864


***Credits to the owners of the photos used...PAGASA and Mt. Pulag National Park Bulletin.

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Typhoon Lando - Northern Luzon