Mt. Maculot and Rockies: A Beginner’s Mountain

My Mountaineering adventure starts at Mt. Maculot, Cuenca Batangas with other 12 young enthusiastic climbers; exposing in this kind of outdoor activity opened my heart to care about the Mountain and our environment.

When you’re at the top of the Mountain, you will feel a sudden sensation of excitement as if you are one with nature. 

Going back, Mt. Maculot and Rockies are measured 930 and 706 above sea level respectively and beneath the towering Mountain is the famous Taal Lake. Having said some distinct information regarding our destination, we’re set for a two days and one night hiking adventure.

at the Rockies |  2010

Paul, our leader and coordinator set the meeting place at 7-11 near LRT – Buendia Station we're bound to South, we've ride bus headed to Lemery and dropped by at the town proper of Cuenca, Batangas. From there we’ve travel by means of tricycle /pedicab and brought us to the registration site usually a baranggay center. We've changed clothes and started the adventure with a simple prayer.

We've began our hike late afternoon and we’ve reached the peak in 2-3 hours, before sunset.

I must say, going up in the mountain is not an easy task plus the fact that you’re carrying your own belongings – 2 liters of water, jackets and other clothes, can goods and camping tent.

Going Up | Credits to Paul Egonia

Stranded | Credits to Paul Egonia

View at the top | Credits to Paul Egonia

As the trail ascends, the much difficult for us to advance forward, our things were getting heavy. Thanks for the company of my friends who throw naughty pick up lines to ease the exhaustion of the situation.

We've noticed the change of the environment, entering a forest and we’re now in midst of grassland in an uphill scenery – superb!

Taal Lake is now visible from our Location; we took a 10 minutes break to boost up. Paul suggested that we must fasten our pace as the sun is bound to rest. Must see the sun faded from the lake.

Indescribable feeling!!! As we set our foot on the top of Mt. Maculot. A panoramic view surprises our naked eyes as the color of the skies changes from above. A 15 minute trek from the peak of Mt. Maculot going to the Rockies to have a clearer sight of the magnificent sunset – speechless!

Taking Picture | Rockies | Credits to Paul Egonia

We've immediately go back to our camp site to set up the tent and to prepare our food.

After eating, Paul had group activity for us – social time.

We've played Pinoy Henyo. Everyone enjoyed the game. Sleeping time

The Girls | Credits to Paul Egonia

The Boys | Credits to Paul Egonia

Here’s the challenge guys. It was very cold; we had our jackets but the feeling of chillin’ persist over night.

We woke up early in the morning to cook for our breakfast and descend right after. But first we visited again the Rockies.

Photo Op | Credits to Paul Egonia

Going down was easy, something to do with gravity huh?

Say Cheese | Credits to Paul Egonia

Wasted | Credits to Paul Egonia

at the Lake | Credits to Arem Gelogo

We’re on time for our feast – lunch time everyone. Tinolang manok and fried galunggong.

Ahead of time, the group agreed to have a cooked lunch to save time and effort.

7 out of 13 voted to visit the majestic Taal Lake and yours truly is included to trek to the one thousand plus stone staircase kind of path going down the Lake – effort huh?

Going down was easy but going up – another issue.

Merienda Time | Exhausted | Credits to Arem Gelogo

We’ve enjoyed the lukewarm water of the Lake as well as the small chitchat we had.

As I’ve said going up was difficult but we managed to reach our camp site on time to head back in Manila.

Fresh | Credits to Arem Gelogo

ITINERARY:

DAY 1
09:00 – 10:00 - meeting Place at 7 – 11 Buendia (near LRT Station)
10:00 – 1:00 - Bound to Cuenca, Batangas
01:00 - 01:30 - at the registration site and Changing Clothes | gearing up
1:30 – 5:00 - Trekking
5:00 – 5:30 - Setting up the tent | Peak of Mt. Maculot
5:30 – 6:00 - at the Rockies
6:00 – 7:00 - preparing for dinner
7:00 – 8:00 - dinner time
8:00 onwards – socials (optional)

DAY 2
5:30 wake up
5:30 – 6:00 – sunrise at Mt. Maculot / Rockies
6:00 – 7:00 – preparing for breakfast
7:00 – 8:00 – packing up | cleaning the area
8:00 – 11:00 – trekking down
11:00 – 12:00 – lunch time at the Cariendia / Sari Sari Store
12:00 – 1:00 – going to the Lake
1:00 – 2:00 – swimming | socials at the Lake
2:00 – 3:30 – back at the Sari Sari Store
3:30 – 5: 00 – packing up | taking a bath | buying souvenir | rest
5:00 off to Manila