Altitude Outdoor Shop

Altitude Outdoor Shop
CTC Building,
Taft Avenue cor. Pedro Gil St.,
Manila
Mobile No. +63 916 795 9147 / +63 947 477 7116

Altitude Outdoor Shop is one of the popular shops that outdoor enthusiasts go to for all their outdoor needs. It is located near the Pedro Gil LRT Station. Business hours is from 8:00am to 7:00pm. You may browse through their Facebook page for more details.

Xplore7107 Outdoor Gears

Xplore7107 Outdoor Gears
2nd Floor Muñoz Market
EDSA cor. Roosevelt Avenue
Quezon City
Contact: Louie Dela Cruz
Contact Nos. +63 998 361 9819 / +63 2 710 8460

XOG, as the shop is popularly known, is a one-stop shop for all your outdoor needs. Tents, bags, shoes, sleeping bags, and other necessities are available in different brands and sizes. It is very accessible since it is located near the Roosevelt LRT Station. They are open daily from 2:30pm to 7:00pm. Here is their Facebook page for more details.

Mt. Batulao - New Trail to Old Trail Traverse (Solohike)

"Great things are done when men and mountains meet."

                                 - William Blake -

Mt. Batulao has been known in the mountaineering circle as one of the better climbs near Metro Manila. It offers a challenging hike that offers a lot of rewards to aspiring hikers that would wish to practice some technical facets of climbing. Hence, it is not uncommon for mountaineers to have their baptism of fire in this mountain.

This popularity of Mt. Batulao has reared its ugly head. Controversies and issues regarding registrations and rules on climbing and guides resulted to climbers shying away from tramping in this hub of Philippine mountaineering.

Previously, in any given holiday or weekend, hikers would come in droves, 300 hikers tramping on its picturesque peaks and ridges would be an understatement. Foot traffic at the roped segments is comparable to EDSA and the summit is jam-packed at any given time of the day. But now, according to the local that I talked to, a lucky day would mean about a hundred or so hikers passing through the registration areas. I admit, I am one of those who were disenchanted and eventually became indifferent to climbing this popular tramping ground because of the so many issues that supposedly cropped up from the personal interests of some people.

Mt. Kanlaon, which is located in Negros Oriental has been put on Alert Level 1 status by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) because of a phreatic eruption that happened last June 18. Hence, the public is advised that entry within the 4-kilometer radius permanent danger zone is prohibited.

Again, no hiking in Kanlaon for the meantime.

Tramping Advisory 016

006.018.016

Mt. Kanlaon - Phreatic Eruption
Mt. Kanlaon - Phivolcs
Kanlaon.18June2016

Mt. Bulusan - Tramping Advisory - Volcanic Eruption

One of the more active volcanoes in the Philippines, Mt. Bulusan has erupted Friday morning.

The Phivolcs has put Mt. Bulusan under Alert No. 1. In this regard, the public is advised that entrance to the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone is prohibited. Hikers/climbers/mountaineers may visit the Phivolcs website for future updates.

Tramping Advisory 015

006.010.016

Mount-Bulusan-erupts

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.