Experiencing Mount Batulao

Hi Everyone,

"The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.: - Eleanor Roosevelt

It never crossed my mind that I will have a picture taken on top of a mountain. How utterly cool was it?!

Daddy asked me if I want to join Alex, Anna and him in climbing Mount Batulao. I am thinking, why not? I need a long walk to lose some pounds. I said yes. I did not know we were in for a surprise.

We started our hike for the foot of Mount Batulao at 7:30AM. Note that the time stamp on the pictures are off from the actual time because of the camera setting. It started out to be a steady walk. There were houses along the way, and guides, who would offer their services to hikers for Php500. Since we were with Alex, who had been to Batulao numerous times, we did not need a guide anymore. It seemed a bit boring at first, but as soon as we reached the foot of the mountain at 7:50AM, the trek became more interesting at every turn. It felt like we were in a video game. As we neared our goal, the stages were intensifying. We took the old trail because a t.v. commercial was being shot at the new trail.

I was scared really! I was regretting my joining when I saw this almost 90 degree wall that we need to climb to get to the top. I was thinking poor Sofia, both Mommy and Daddy were risking their lives. Wrong turn dead kept coming in to my mind. I know I was not a model of optimism.

However, when we reached the summit at 9:45AM (still in one piece), all worries, doubts and fatigue were lost. This was 811 Meters Above Sea Level, people! Hurray! So amazing. I, who couldn't lift myself on a monkey bar, was on top of a mountain. Achievement of a lifetime. 

The view was great - I saw town after town after town and there was that power plant I visited when I was a kid. At the summit, they were selling the most delicious (you know why) halo-halo. I opted for the ice buko though.

After refueling and appreciating the view, we began our descent at 10:15AM. There were many hikers that day, and with a very narrow road, it took us longer to reach the foot of the mountain. The wind was strong, too, and it kept blowing dust on our faces. Since the commercial shoot was done already, we took the new trail this time.

We reached our starting point at 2:00PM. For me, the old trail required a lot of courage; the new trail required a lot of endurance.

 Here are the things that I learned from our mountain adventure:

1. Make sure you are properly attired. Make sure you are fully-covered from head to toe to avoid scratches. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the dust and tall grasses. 

2. Smile and greet fellow mountaineers a good morning even between heavy breathing. These gave me additional strength to complete the course.

3. Take time to talk to people. It felt like the mountaineers were old friends. Most of them were ready to talk to you and share you stories. I guess the ordeal that we had to surpass gave the people a certain kind of bond.

4. Be ready to hold out your hand for other mountaineers, and be ready to hold onto a held out hand.

5. Do not get or listen to a guide who will tell you 'scary stories'. My knees really buckled. Good thing, Alex has a way to forget our worries and focus on our ascent.

6. Refuel whenever you have the chance. Eat, drink, rest. 

7. Even if there is a cliff in front of you or deep ravines on both your sides, take time to look at your surroundings and appreciate where you are. Wow!

8. Make sure that a rock is stable before you place your weight on it.

9. Do not quit! If you are in the middle of the hike, I don't think you will a have a choice anyway. 

10. Come prepared at least physically. If you are not totally worn-out, then you will still have the energy to...

11. Celebrate your achievement!

A few notes for Mount Batulao climb. You need to pay environmental fee for passing through any of the old and new trail. Fee for each trail is Php20. Parking fee was Php100. There are also restrooms near the parking area where you can take a bath or clean up for Php25. They also sell bath soaps for Php12. 

At first, I want the title of this post to be "Conquering Mount Batulao". However, I felt that Mount Batulao has been very kind to us that it allowed us to experience its grandeur. I did not came there like a mighty warrior; I survived only with the help of my friends and with my floundering mountaineering skills if there is any. Haha! 

I did a lot of conquering though - I conquered a lot of my fears (heights, dogs, wall climbing, rappelling). For that, I dub myself a Certified Mountaineer. Another picture, please!

Live, Love, Laugh with Family (and Friends)!