MT SEMBRANO: Trek on Its Night High (May 9-10 ‘09)

We were warned, threatened by constant rain, and was speculated with the endless debate of whether it is safe or not to pursue Sembrano.

But we are a group of hard-headed people, with a group leader who claims that the force is with him. I have not even known that this is going to be a night trek, all I now is that come Saturday we’ll be having a party in Sembrano amidst the warnings, first, by fellow climb mates. When I learned we’ll be trekking night time, I scampered to secure myself a headlamp, even crossing my eyebrows at NT saying “Why didnt you say so?!” But well we pushed thru.

Our meeting in Crossing was blessed with Manila being under rain. A sign? Not really, but I was just in constant fear, doing a night trek while under rain isnt exactly a cup of tea if I shall do something for a first. I met up with someone and bought my headlamp, again the cat calls cos, I have yet another new plaything. And if it isnt enough, they all kid around about my headlamp being overly exaggerated having 12 led, theirs only with three which they say is enough. Well! I was afraid of slipping so the more light the better - and that as it turns out I mostly provided the light for the whole group while taking out 5 or 10 minutes of rest while on trail! so much for their earlier bickers!

We took off at the Bgy. Malaya hall at exactly 5:45pm, dusk almost biting the ground. We all prepared our headlamps for quick grabs. After the prayer, we took off. With us is Sir Jeric, a local mountaineer from this very town; he was our own pre-caution against the on-going theft advisory. Having sir Jeric with us proved to be really really essential as we only not have someone to be our protective shield against those who would dare make an attempt for theft but he is an exemplary guide whole throughout. After making a courtesy stop over at their house, we proceeded on, and their dog, Black-e, tagged along with us. It wasn’t long when night fell. With our trusted head lamp, we walked along, NT imposing a hushed no talking on trail command when we started bickering. I guess it was during this time as well when the ‘mountain dwellers’ had started to perhaps spy upon us. It wasn’t exactly an ominous feeling, just that you’d feel it was different indeed. So on we throttled and was a good thing rain had not touched Pililia; we didn’t have to struggle against a mud covered trail. Perhaps there’s also the psychological effect of night trek, of not seeing the path ahead but just the trail a meter ahead of you that your light could show. It’s exciting and nerve-wrecking at the same time; specially when sir Jeric would give a heads up call ahead of “Sir Ma’m, Bangin sa kanan, Lean tayo sa left.”. With a constant “Tabi tabi po,” or “makikiraan lang po,” or “pahawak po sa puno, salamat.” In front of something you know exists, the permission asking is endless. This would continue on till we nearly reached the campsite.

It was a relief on my part when we reached the Manggahan area, a flat wide resting space filled with Mango trees. My headlamp was nearly falling off and I cant see the trail properly. I removed it earlier from my head placed it somewhere near my shoulder strap because of the onslaught of the night insects, a mistake I learned of not to endure them instead. So after adjusting my lamp again, I eagerly went with the team who wanted to take a fill of water at the falls below. From Manggahan, you could hear the water rampaging. Leaving our bags at the mentioned clearing, we hiked down, careful not stepping on puddles water, my reason primarily was to prevent my shoes from getting wet. Wrong Reason. We reached the water source. Though I wasn’t able to see the very falls, we went directly to where we could fill our water containers. The water way was fixed in such a way where filling is easy: they placed a cut in half bamboo, jutting from the big boulders. But the real marvel is when you look up: two massive boulders are on top of this water source, joined at the middle, looking as if about to fall, from the left and right of the area but supported by the landmass at the sides. Resting on top of these two boulders is yet another bigger boulder where a tree was planted, its gnarled roots encircling this huge top most boulder. With the chill of the night, amidst animal and insect calls only night time brings, and only our lamps as source of light, the place however wondrous, gave me a creepy feeling which could made my skin crawl that time. Even if I wanted to look up longer to survey the place, I couldn’t. After having our fills, we hiked back, until I stepped on a wrong footing, and had my right foot drenched in a water puddle. This I did not mention, thinking it’s just a small thing. A very wrong mistake I would learn later on.

Calling off the break we proceeded on. We have not yet cleared a ten or fifteen minute gap away from manggahan when I stretched up my arm and yelped for a “Take 5! Teka lang! P*cha cramps ako!” I was quickly asked if I slipped my foot on the watery trail. Thus the effect of my foot being dipped in water for even a second. A lesson again, I was told, and of course saying this now to everyone, that it would have been better if I had removed my shoes and soaked my entire feet for a good few seconds instead of continuing on as I had done earlier. The feet, after being enclosed so long is generating heat and if dripped with a bit of water would only cause cramps. And so we waited till my cramps subsided and when it became manageable for me to walk on. It wasn’t long thankfully.

So on we walked, waving off insects, leaning on left when the cliff is on the right, our lamps minding only the less than foot, and most of the time rocky and boulder-y trail. Just as when we started to see the grassy assault, rain suddenly began to pour slowly. But even if it was a light drizzle, the trail is fast becoming slippery that we were practically beginning to crawl, using arms and knees to assault the steep and muddy trail. I was so exhausted yet the only thing that circles my mind is to push and push ahead – we need to set up camp before heavy downpour would occur. We reached the campsite, thankful that the rain didn’t progress but kept a steady slight drizzle. Even more thankful that it stopped in time for our dinner preparation; we were indeed blessed that night

So Dinner and socials. What can I say, that was a record for me! We slept at around 4.30 am. T___T

Becoming the cook!

And then again, we woke up late, as expected. Making it a reason to not make it to the summit. So one day, I shall return. After the numerous customary jump, japan japan group shots, a new one was invented: The Tuwad group shot.

Going down was a breeze. Though now that we could see the trail, I was so surprise to see what we trekked the night before, really really narrow trails, some even was declining towards the very very steep cliff. I was perplexed.

We were told we are not going to tampisaw in the manggahan falls. Disappointed a bit but I was thinking it’s okI wasn’t aware that at the latter part of the trail heading down we took a different path. As it turns out we were making our way towards a secluded and out of the way lagoon, uncommon to most hikers. Having a local amongst us truly is a perk. Hehehe

The mini falls Lagoon thus concludes the trip becoming the side trip. As I’ve said I would want to return to Sembrano even if only to go back to that lagoon, you’d fast fall in love with its tranquility.

No one sleeps.. you’d only became a prey for the camera and numerous japan japan hands close to your face.

SEMBRANO NIGHT TREK CAST:

Sir Jeric

NT

Julie

Macao

Mark

Ninya

Shali

Jin