QUEZON | Mt. Cristobal

Mt. Cristobal also known as  "Devil's Mountain", one of the famous in the Philippine mountains for its "W" shape, creepy secrets and mysteries.  Of course it's exciting for mountaineers if it's true, isn't it?


After riding a bus from Buendia, we went to waiting shed area and rented a jeep from San Pablo to the jump-off, Sta. Lucia Dolores, Quezon. In our trip we saw other hikers riding tricycle, of course I just thought then, "we could save money if we did the same?" Hmm. . But when reached the town of kinabuhayan, our driver said that they should ride again tricycle (I have no idea how much) from the town, their vehicle can't withstand the uphill road up to the jump-off anymore. The road is so steep even our jeep run so slow. We're like climbing a mountain using a vehicle.

At the jump-off, our driver recommended a guide but it took us a lot of time because of some negotiation matter. Well it's quite much if you'll compared it to what I have read on other Mt. Cristobal blogs (so its really important to gather infos before you travel). Based on what I saw on web, it will just took us 300-500 pesos per guide only(as of may 2011), but when we negotiated, he offered us P1200 for overnight stay. He mentioned that the guiding fee is actually 600 pesos which is just accompanying to the campsite then we have to descent all by ourselves the next day, meaning we have to pay again 600 if we want to be accompanied back to the jump-off. Of course it's our first time to visit Mt. Cristobal, considered myself as a beginner. We rather choose to have a guide than none for safety and have someone accompany us to summit the next morning.

TRAIL

After agreeing on fee thingy, from jump-off, we walked an uphill cemented road followed by bushy and forested area.  It took us approx.1 hour before arriving to "Montelibano's House" where we registered and took our lunch prior to resuming the trek. From here, you can refill water and go to their restroom (esp.for girls). Upon starting the trek, we turned right and took an uphill way again.

Trail is good, you can't get lost up to the campsite (camp 1&2) (differ from campsite to peak which is kinda tricky) In the trail, you have to be cautious due slippery roots upon stepping on it, I think it's better if you just walk on dirt instead. Moreover, I can say that trail here is clean, I haven't notice any junk around. :)

ASCEND

From this point, neighborhood down from jump off can be seen here. Mt. Banahaw on background.

Trekking way up was very tiring of course, but it's really relaxing once you felt the blowing breeze of air coming from somewhere, added by tall trees giving shade and those moisten bark of trees everywhere. Also, we saw few trees went down maybe due to typhoon or what, where we took a rest, drunk or ate for awhile.

I just noticed that the 3/4 of the trail coming from the jump-off was kinda humid, you can barely felt air, unless you wait for a chance air to blew but once you reached the last 1/4, you would definitely feel the cold air.

According to our guide the trail was made by the NPA's before (impressing) and used it now as approved trail of DENR. This is amazing for adventurers due to variety of the trail itself, you have to cross between huge rocks, huge tree, a cliff and slippery slopes.

Well I can't just help but to take a closer look on the the mountain's livings.

I took this pictures along the trail going to the campsite. The first one is a fungi found on dead trunk, "Bleeding Broadleaf Crust (Stereum rugosum)", source www.treestress.com;  while the  second is a Millipede (Harpaphe haydeniana, a species from the Order Polydesmida, source: Wikipedia), I saw it along the way going to campsite until the next day we decent, I'm not sure if it's the first one I saw, but I can say I saw it on the same spot.

CAMPSITE

We pitched our tent at Camp 2 (Bulwagan Saddle) alomost 6pm. It was freakin' cold! I can't really stand it even with jacket and pants, so I strongly suggest to bring your own thermal wears so you can withstand temp here. Well during the night in the "Devil's Mountain", I haven't felt any beings around, just a huge bird tweeting beside our tent (along my side) strangely. I think it's just communicating with other birds.

3:00 AM,we're opt to summit, it was really dark then so we used headlamps and kept our eyes on our guide going left way from Bulwagan Saddle.
After passing the forested area, we went to a trail dense with cogon grass. It was like passing on a grass tunnel, so basically our  neck was bent down all the time until we reached the end, the summit.

BTW, be aware on some cogon sharp cuttings (cut to form the tunnel) that might poke you face/body. If you're just alone, it's a little hard to get there esp. if the trail is not well formed. It's better if you do it after the sky lightens up.


AT THE PEAK

Upon reaching the summit, you will surely notice that it's just a portion of the peak's view about 1/4 and most are covered by cogon grass, but on the other hand, you'll definitely appreciate the scene. Great backdrop though. :)

Summit shots :)

DESCENT

After breaking camp and took pictures we started our descent. Compared to the ascent which was almost 5 hours trek from Montelibano's house to the campsite, it just took us then 3 hours to return. It was the same trail we took on the first day so basically we can't get lost even we're left behind.

Same trail, same trees, same creatures (like what I mentioned millipede above) but along the way I saw this black ant-lik- insect with huge eyes and red tint on it's appendages. Haha really looks strange for me.

ITINERARY

I think Mt. Cristobal adventure is really a 2-day climb, but if you are an expert and can accomplish it from morning till dawn, I think it's possible.. :)

MOUNTAINEERS, one foggy morning at Bulwagan Saddle (left to right standing) Jay Adrian Evidente, Jeffrey Inovero, Ryhan Carascal, John Vincent Balingit, Jasmin Balingit, Julie, April Joie Ramirez, Aime Maranan(me), Raymond Rotairo(bf), (sitting) Michael Angelo Halog, Mikel Arcinue and Karl Kevin Hizon

**Thanks to Nash our climb guide and Manong driver for keeping us safe to and from jump-off and to our other side trips. Acknowledgement to Ryhan Carascal for other photos exhibited in this post. Thanks :)


CHECKLIST

BUDGET (12 person group)

 Momon and Me. Mt. Cristobal climb happened last September 24-25, 2011 (Saturday and Sunday), our 3rd mountain since April 2011.

CARAMOAN│Minalahos Island

Our last Island destination was Minalahus Island. This Island is similar to other Islands for its rock formations and white sand but compared to others, majority of it is rock formation proportion, (about three fourths).


This Island is interesting not just for it's sand and waters, I discovered something here.. A trap!

Upon walking in the Island, and appreciating it's beauty, we discovered ab unfamiliar thing near the heightened rocks.

This is an improvised trap to catch "bayawak" or monitor lizards, made by the locals. At first I was wondering how it works, looking into it very closely. Actually we saw two traps. There are lot's of "bayawak" there because of many holes and little caves where they can hide. But how it really works?

Hmm, they said that you have to put a bait first at the end of the plant's branch (at the center), the plant will be bent forward. Then the door-like something in front together with the bamboo fence will serve as cage. Once the lizard ate the bait, it'll will be thrown against the rocks around it.

That time, we weren't able to saw a full setup "bayawak" trap but still amazed how it is done and conceptualized.. :)

Another interesting thing here has something to do with the "survivor show". Remember those challenges for the contestants with the question and answer challenge and then they'll climb in a bamboo-rope ladder in a huge rock in the middle of the salt waters?

From the Lampikaw Tablet rock, this thing came from, but because of typhoon that hit Caramoan, it was dislodged and castaway to Minalahus Island.

Well, I was disappointed then, I wasn't able to experience the said challenge because it's ruined. :(
Hope that locals will fix this for added activities there and attraction, it's a great factor most especially to those survivor-fanatics.

Ah, by the way Lampikaw Tablet Rock is quite near the Island, you can see it upon going back to Lagonoy River.




Our "Bangka" or boat just waiting for us.. :)

This is our Island guide Kuya Joseph. He's very familiar with all the island and it's secrets.


In our last Island to visit, we're able to write on the sands.. The usual thing everybody do in beach..hehe :)


Another unique thing in this Island is a huge rock with a hole that looks like a picture frame. Obviously we didn't missed it! We inserted our heads and stroke a pose :)





I'll never forget this Island, not because it's the last but for it's beauty and uniqueness in spite of it's land area compared with the previous ones. :)

JULY 30, 2011
HAPPY GALA!

CARAMOAN│Cagbalinad Island: Good Spot for Snorkeling

Another Island explored after Lajos Island, the Cagbalinad Island. Before we proceed to the Island itself, we had snorkeling.

Island is so rich in marine life, you can see how much fish enjoy swimming with you without any feed (bread to attract fishes) and corals beautifully arranged under. It's like 5-10 meters away from the shore where this experience is no way impossible.


Vest are provided by our tour guide and goggles are rented for 100 each. Well that cost is cheaper compared to what Island waters offer you.

It's so good take pictures here because of it's clear waters and well marine life, but be sure to have good cameras as well. Charge it into full or bring extras, or you'll missed this underwater exploration like us. haha.

After snorkeling for about 30-45 mins, we went to the Island proper through hitching the boat's outrigger. It's really fun to be dragged though the water, so relaxing! :)


After feeling of sand touching our feet, we walked then to reach the Islands shore. Here it is, the Island. Actually it's beach isn't visible because of high tide. Compare it with the previous photos above.


You'll notice this huge rock in the middle once you've reached the shore. Underneath it lies many holes, like mini caves, which is more evident during low tides, however in high tides you have to submerge in water first to see it.


Then we climb on the said rock bare footed. It's kinda spiny in texture and it might hurt you so be careful. Also do not jump on waters if it's not that high, you might get injured. BTW, the view in our back is the Hunongan Beach.

Its a good thing we went there in high tide because we're able to jump and splash into the waters, maybe next time we'll try in low tide so we can take a good picture of it's sand and compared it on other Caramoan's Islands.

JULY 30, 2011
HAPPY GALA!
---felicitousgalaera :)

CARAMOAN│Lajos Island

After Matukad Island visit, we went to another Island named Lajos or Lahos which means "overflow" because the sea can wash over a part of this narrow island from one side to the other. Vewing from a far, you'll see a beautiful Island, it's like two separated rocks situated on a flat white sand paper and can be appreciated only during low tide.

This Island also has beautiful rock formations like in Matukad's, but in comparison with the sand consistency and color, Lajos has less finer and kinda yellowish one.

This Island is unique for it's appearance because of two prominent rocks act like two towers and passing through the middle will take you to the other side of the Island

This is the one side of the Island's beach front where we docked our boat. Kuya Joseph, our tour guide said that this is Island is owned by Bichara family and they let able people to rent it like the survivor show. Sometimes, people just camp there for their accomodation and just hire tour guides for the Island hoping and other possible activities in Caramoan 

I love this rock formation, Isn't that beautiful? For me it's like a huge coral reef. :) These rocks are not as high as those in Matukad but there are more bushes here

Now, let's see why this Island called Lahos. Here's the two sides of the Island separated by a space of white sand. During High tide, this part of the Island is unseen.

 

This is the other side of the Island, the one I'm talking about awhile ago. Swimming area is not that huge compare with the other side but it is also beautiful yet intriguing. I discovered something under it's rocks

While swimming here, I saw a small jumping creature that looks like a tadpole (a little larger version) with 2 arms in front! Upon searching the internet, I discovered its name. It's a mud skipper (left). Actually I didn't saw it on mud, under a huge rock, (behind me on the picture) instead hiding on it's holes. I tried to catch it but it's hard, it skips so fast! Well It's my first time to see this one, I just thought that maybe it is the one mentioned on science books where evolution on animals came in..haha just linking to my high school lessons before.

After several attempts to catch the mud skippers, I gave up. I know I can't catch them with just bare hands, maybe next time i'll bring paraphernalias!haha. After several minutes staying on this beautiful Island, we're then off to next one! 

By the way we're planning to have camping here next time, to add excitement on our vacation and adventure and to reduce expenses as well! haha.

JULY 30, 2011

HAPPY GALA!

---felicitousgalaera :)