Mts TALAMITAM-BATULAO: New to Old traverse

This is the first time I have been with a large crowd.

Most of who I was with, I have not yet met, but only thru the MTalk room. But anyway, soon we were all laughing like maniacs.

small sidetrip pics.. hehehehe

We did the tree planting first in Mt. Talamitam. Partly, i have to say it was a horrible experience - horrible on the part that you would feel the rage of what have they done to the mountain. It was so bare, so lacking of trees or anything alive (but for a few wayward grasses and insects) that is suppose to be grazing Batulao’s sister. Being new in this mountaineering business, I do not know who to really blame in my opinion.But maybe I blame them all - those who live in the proximity,  and those climbers who have previously sited it’s once beauty and have not helped maintained it. Like what I said, I dont know. Why do they have to make the cruelty at such lengths. It is a shame.

I felt like as though we were teleported to the flat lands of Central Luzon, this is infact an area mid-way to the summit, as shown in the background.

After this, we went to the PINK HOUSE, Coohlet’s home actually, to have a rest, wait til afternoon to begin our night trek.

REST daw.. pero in reality, bawal talaga matulog. Dignity is already stripped the time you wake up. 

We convinced Bry unfortunately not Ivy. After a few hours the second team arrived. A third is yet to come, but we moved on ahead. Joanne waited for this third team. I think I began to use my head lamp at Melvin’s place - the little kid we met -the bukohan.

 We reached camp around 8 or before I think. Set up tents, mine receiving the most criticism.. hmmm. Anyway. I cooked the Sage Porkloin thingy I posted before and everyone practically “OOHH” when I slid the apples in the pan. Fascinating.

The third team arrived at around 11pm. I think they started to trek at about the time we arrived at the camp. Anyway, Socials started and as usual a blast. But thankful that it wasnt a “til 4.30 socials”.

 We did the traverse the next day. Summited at around 10.30. Halo Halo on top of the mountain. san Ka pa. Ika nga ni sir marts “Eto Na ang pinakamasarap na halo halo na natikman ko.”

So Of course the customary Japan Japan, Jump, Continuous, and Tuwad shot.

uhm, may naging version sina macao. lols to put the continuous shop its gonna be difficult ata. so I let it be.

OK. So just beyond this summit. The real journey begins. FACE the WALL. followed by numerous sheer drops. Heart pumping fist clenching drama.

just before face the wall area. Not really obvious that my heart’s racing like the horses in Sta. Ana. And then below, doing it finally with explicit instructions from above - Macao, and below, Mark. tsk! My angels.

So basically after that, some more sheer drops almost vertical, lots more of wall to kiss and crawl on to.

But the most frustrating part of the trail was, I dropped, and nearly blacked out. I hated that feeling, becoming the liability to your team. Anyway. they quickly “recucitated” me with water, sweets, bars, halo halo, and I forgot what else. I hated it. I wasnt even able to speak til my breathing became normal. I hated it.

Well lessons learned. I wish I did. Cos Cinco is coming.

TALAMITAM CAST

NT

Ninya

Mark

Macao

Julie

Lups

Reds

Eman

Bry

Ivy

BATULAO NIGHT TREK Cast:

NT

Ninya

Mark

Macao

Julie

Lups

Reds

Eman

Bry

Omeng

Ivan

2nd batch Night trekkers:

Joanne

Marts

Marion

Francis