Kibungan Cross Country - Tri-Provincial Traverse

Kibungan Cross Country Traverse also known as "KXC", (though really not a cross country hike) is a hike starting from the town of Kibungan in Benguet, descending to the town of Licungan / Sugpon in the province of Ilocos Sur, and finally making that final push to the municipality of Santol, La Union. In this regard, KXC is also popularly referred to as "tri-provincial traverse".

On to Kibungan, Benguet

With a call time of 2200H, members of our group began to trickle in at the McDonald's EDSA corner  Quezon Avenue (also in the corner of Panay Avenue) as early as 2130H. While I live relatively near the area (maybe the nearest among all us hikers), I was the last one to arrive at 2215H (sorry guys, the usual traffic problems). After stashing our gears at the back of the van and brief moments of chit-chat, we eventually left for Baguio City at 2245H.

We had brief stop overs at the PTT Gas Station in the SCTEX, as well as at the Shell Gas Station in Rosario La Union (just before the Kennon Road), for "jingle" breaks, buy additional provisions, and more importantly, for our driver to be able to unwind and have some rest. Passing through the Kennon Road, we arrived at the City of Pines at around 0345H. We then immediately went to the public market to do some much needed marketing, which took us about an hour to finish. At 0500H, we continued towards La Trinidad en route to Kibungan.

From Baguio City, Kibungan is a 2 to 3-hour drive on an initially descending terrain through the Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun Road, until the ascend towards Kibungan town proper. We initially traversed the Halsema Highway and passed through the La Trinidad Valley until we ultimately reached the junction leading to the town of Kapangan. The roads are well paved, albeit, with brief rough portions but still, even sedans (in other words, vans can easily navigate the roads) can make their way until Kibungan.

PASKOokum 2017 - Skookum Outreach Climb

Now on its 4th year, the annual outreach climb of the Skookum Mountaineers dubbed as PASKOokum (from the words "Pasko" (Christmas) and "Skookum") will be held on December 16 - 17, 2017.

For this year, we shall be coming back to the Duacan Primary School in Tujakap, Duacan, Kabayan, Benguet and the Tinaleb Elementary School, in Sitio Tinaleb, Ballay, Kabayan, Benguet. At least 180 students are expected to benefit for this year.











Everyone is invited to join this noble activity. Should you have questions or wish to make your donations in support of this activity, you may comment below or contact the Skookum Mountaineers at the following numbers: +63 927 7470339 (Isagani), +63 906 4412618 (Oliver) and +63 917 5537819(Jaime).

Mt. Pulag - Increase in Fees

As per the new directive issued by the Mt. Pulag National Park Superintendent Teber Dionisio, the is an increase in the fees collected from each hiker / climber, the details of which are as follows:

MT.PULAG NATIONAL PARK FEES:

a. Entrance fee:  

Php 175.00 per head for local
$15 or peso equivalent for foreigners

b. Camping fee: Php 50.00/head/night

LGU FEES: Php 150.00 per head

Akiki Trail JOP

GUIDE FEES:
a. Amba - amba = 1 night = Php 120.00 per head

b. Akiki - Amba = 1 to 2 nights = Php 1800 per 7 pax

c. For foreigners: Php 800 per 5 pax

PORTER GUIDE:
a. Amba - amba = 15 kg & below = Php 600
b. Akiki - amba = 15 kg. = Php 1500

Contact number of PASu Teber Dionisio = 09182960274

Pls. Contact PASu Teber between 8 am to 5 pm ONLY

Tramping Advisory 017

009.005.017

Mt. Pulag - Increase in Fees

Mt. Damas Super Loop - Papaac to Papaac via Dueg

“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

                                                                                              - Martin Luther King -

The mountains in Tarlac have their own reputation that is, though not that high in elevation, they actually pack a myriad of surprises even for experienced mountaineers. As to Mt. Damas, while it is common knowledge that this mountain already provides a punch, we decided to add more challenge to this already grueling hike (usual dayhike) by setting the bar a notch higher owing to our intended cross-country climb in the Cordillera.

Mt. Damas (taken from Brgy. Papaac)

Mt. Damas (the Summit taken from the campsite at the western side of the mountain)

Our intended Mt. Damas Superloop Traverse commenced at the usual jumpoff point in Brgy. Papaac. It was 1045H when we left for Sitio Dueg. While Mt. Damas is already near the area, we followed the dirt road in the opposite direction (northward, leading to the basketball court) until we passed by some rice paddies and residential areas where dogs barked continuously at us. the initial part of the hike is a relatively easy walk on a flat surface. Trees along the road would sporadically offer shade, but there are also areas where we were fully exposed to the searing heat of the sun.

Decathlon - Festival Mall

Widely regarded as a haven for sports enthusiasts, Decathlon has opened its first store in the Philippines a few months ago. Located at the 2nd Floor Bridgeway Parking of the Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Decathlon became an instant hit in mountaineering circles (including runners, bikers, among others).

Rows and rows of competitively priced and quality gears are available for the budget-conscious who at least seek for their money's worth.

Membership is free for everyone where shoppers earn points and discounts. Another bonus is that members are entitled to a 2-year warranty on each purchase they make. More so, Decathlon also offers on-line purchase with free delivery within the Greater Metro Manila area. They are open from 10:00AM to 10:00PM.

You may click on the link below for more details.
Decathlon Philippines

Mt. 387 / Mt. Batong Amat traverse to Aloha Falls

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity”

                                                                                               
                                                                                           ― John Muir, Our National Parks

Mt. 387 (also known as Batong Amat) has instantly gained its ground as one of the more popular climbs in Central Luzon since the time it was introduced to the mountaineering community at the onset of 2017. Now, it has become as one of the favorites even by newbies and occasional hikers because mainly of two factors: 1. the supposed view of the so-called Chocolate Hills of the North; and 2. the cool dip at the nearby Aloha Falls after the climb.

What is referred to as the Chocolate Hills of the North is actually a part of the Caraballo Mountain Range....notice a faint Mt. Arayat in the background.

The Stone Marker near the Summit...the actual Summit is the clearing about 200 meters from this area.

Solitude

Aloha Falls

While we were supposed to participate in the National Mountain Cleanup Day, cancellations and conflicts in our respective schedules resulted to us five (5) deciding to climb Mt. 387 and do some tree-planting. It was already 15 minutes before midnight when we left McDonald's Quezon Avenue (corner EDSA), and as I practically know the easiest and fastest route to Carranglan, driving there would practically be a breeze.

Mt. Daguldol + Ambon-Ambon Falls + Laiya Beach

“Hiking is a bit like life:
The journey only requires you to put one foot in front of the other…again and again and again.
And if you allow yourself the opportunity to be present throughout the entirety of the trek,
you will witness beauty every step of the way,
not just at the summit”

As our plan to go on an extended hike up North failed to materialize, we decided to go down South for a dayhike. So we decided to drive all the way to San Juan, Batangas and climb Mt. Daguldol. It was practically a drive of about three (3) hours from Quezon City to the quaint Sitio Biga in Hugom, San Juan, Batangas.

While we were paying the registration fees and securing our local guide for the hike, we were forewarned by the locals that there seems to be brewing problem among the local guides. According to our guide, a guide from the Lobo (the summit and campsite is supposedly within the jurisdiction of the town of Lobo) was prevented from leading a group of hikers the past weekend owing to the fact that he was drunks at that time. Trouble erupted among them since those from Lobo claimed (which is supposedly true) that a guide from San Juan (the jumpoff is within the jurisdiction of the town of San Juan) was allegedly previously allowed to act as such even though such guide was similarly intoxicated at that time.