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Mt. Maculot; 930 MASL - Cuenca, Batangas
Topic Started: Jul 17 2017, 08:49 AM (134 Views)
emancampos
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Mt. Maculot

930 MASL
Cuenca, Batangas


LLA: 13°55 N; 121°2 E; 706 MASL (Rockies) / 930 MASL (summit)
Major Jumpoff: Brgy 5 (Grotto), Cuenca
Days required / Hours to Rockies / summit : 1 day / 2-4 hr
Specs: Minor, Difficulty 3/9 (Rockies); 4/9 (Traverse) Trail class 1-3.
Features: Scenic views of Taal Lake, rock formations, forests

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Maculot is one of the must-see destinations for hikers

One of the best hiking destinations because of the good view of the Taal Lake and the surrouding plains of Batangas plus the lush green forest and challenging trail with rapelling at some spots, which even beginners can take nonetheless.

If you start the trek in the morning (5:30am), the clouds will creep into the slopes, leading to the summit, which gives you a trail that is enveloped by the clouds. It's definitely cool and another unique trail considering that this is just Batangas and not those of Benguet and the summit is just around 930 meters above sea level.

The Stations of the Cross leading to the Grotto is a favorite destinations for devotees. As per our tour guide, the devotees reached 1000 plus during the Holy Week.

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You will also love the view of the Batangas plains including the bay area and a glimpse of Taal lake when you have reached the Grotto.

The background at that spot is a lovely view of the forested slope, capped by the clouds. A relaxing view indeed for nature lovers like me.

The slopes during the rainy season will be more challenging but fun!

A bit muddy and slippery!

Some were even almost crawling on the muddy ground just too keep their balance and to prevent their feet from slipping because there's nothing to hold on to except the muddy ground itself at some spots. :D

Well, it can happen to most beginners and those who did not have their trekking pole with them and those whose footwear aren't the trekking shoes but the usual running shoes or sneakers.

So, for those who wanted to try hiking at this rainy season, get yourselves your own trekking pole and trekking shoes.

Going back to the topic, you will also enjoy the rappelling. The tour guide will even tell you where to place your foot and where to grab on to help you climb safely.

Enduring the slippery ground, the rappelling and the long walk will reward you with new set of skills that you can use for your own next hikes.

Yes, of course, another bragging rights for the newbie ;) .......... like meyh! :D

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Our group (16), with me taking the role of the fotographer

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Mt. Maculot as viewed from the Rockies


More about Maculot

Mt. Maculot is one of the most popular daytrip destinations. It is so popular that on weekends and summer months, there is a sari-sari store, dubbed ‘7-11’ at the campsite. This mountain, at the heart of Batangas, is known as a landmark for locals and travelers alike; it is easily identifiable because of its abruptly terminating east side – forming a cliff that is challenging for rock climbers and breathtaking to everybody else. Others describe the shape of the mountain as ‘igloo-like’.At 930 MASL, the mountain has three destinations: the famous Rockies (706m), the summit (930m) and the Grotto (510m). These can all be covered by a traverse dayhike, but most climbers head to the Rockies, which is the reason why Maculot is the paragon of an easy hike. Only 5% of hikers pursue the traverse, but we hope more people will explore the “forested side” of the mountain.
It is understandable, though, that the Rockies is Maculot’s most powerful draw. This rocky formation stands beside Taal Lake, creating a scenic view, encompassing the whole of Taal Lake including the world-famous Taal volcano; as well the plains of Batangas. From a distance looms, on opposite sides, Mt. Makiling and the Tagaytay Highlands. If you follow Batangas Bay to the South you can see Maricaban Island, and beyond that, Mindoro’s Mt. Halcon. The climbing time is variable; experienced climbers can reach the Rockies in less than an hour, but on a more relaxed pace, one could take up to two or three hours. Being a very popular trail, some entrepreneurial locals would sell drinks, like buko juice, at the rest stops along the trail, which is somewhat steep.

Pinoy Mountaineer


THINGS TO BRING

1. trekking pole
2. trekking shoes
3. face towels (to wipe your sweat and dirt)
4. 1 liter of water (minimum)
5. energy drink
6. slipper (when cleaning up back at jump off and in case your shoes fail)
7. maintenance medicines
8. packed lunch
9. trail food
10. energy drink
11. camera
12. umbrella
13. poncho
14. waterproof bags or pouches

During Summer:
1. round hat
2. extra water

Your trekking pole and trekking shoes are a must if you don't want to be like those who had a hard time navigating the slippery ground. The trekking pole even helped me navigate the rockies much easier.

Two of our companions got their rubber shoes destroyed. The soles of both the left and right shoes totally detached. Luckily, they managed to endure the trail by tying the rubber soles to their shoes. But imagine the inconvenience? So, make sure your shoes are okay and bring spares or a slipper.

No need to wear a hat this rainy season since the environment will be cool anyway. Just enjoy the cool environment. But do bring one just in case it gets too hot during your climb.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUXbKrF9uMU

#hikersph

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Edited by emancampos, Jul 20 2017, 07:12 AM.
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emancampos
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VIDEOS

Rappelling and climbing on a rocky slope

One of the best parts of the event is the rappelling. It's an exciting experience that every hiker must go through. This is simple compared to the other rappelling on those 9/9 mountains. You need this experience to be able to endure climbing longer ropes and other more challenging tasks.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02h8sgqBdwU

#rapelling


Climbing up with a rope - part 2

Another climb wherein you need to use this rope to reach the other end safely. This is not as hard as the last one. Actually, this is not even rappelling but the management installed this rope to ensure safety since the slope is too steep and you cannot afford to fall because you'll be hitting the huge rocks below.

What follows next is the muddy and slippery slope. Even my shoes kept on sliding. :D

Good thing I had my trekking pole but still my pants got soiled a lot.

It's not that muddy but simply very slippery. Be prepared for that!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMQHc-pJsrU


Rainy Season: Muddy and slippery ground


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yIcrqm_9Hg
https://youtu.be/3yIcrqm_9Hg

Navigating the muddy and slippery terrain can be very challenging to some, especially the newbies. :D

Then again, an added skill and achievement to the adventurous fun-seeker like this first-time hiker we fondly named Bonakid!

#bonakid


The Rockies

The finale of the hike is this rock formation that gives hikers a good photo op, having the lake as its background.

#rockies


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxftjWXUJ-4
Edited by emancampos, Jul 20 2017, 05:10 AM.
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emancampos
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Living Forest

First, let me show you some creatures we've encountered along the trail.

This one below is a 7-inch centipede!

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This is a smaller one with 2 antennas. In Tagalog, this is called, "Gayaman". The specie we commonly see in our backyard is smaller. It has a venom too and may cause fever if you get stung.

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I also saw a third specie. Shorter than this one above, same thickness but dark brown in color.

Hornets are also around. We've seen several species of beetles and bugs too.

The tour guide claimed there are monkeys and raptors around but we were not fortunate enough to have encountered any.

You'll be amazed by the number of tree species nonetheless.

Moreover, because the slopes are often covered by the clouds, the trees, particularly at the summit, resemble a mossy forest already.

Kung may mossy forest, may Limatik. :D

So far, it's not that notorious yet. We saw a 5-inch wormlike creature with a shiny skin. The guide told us that it is some type of a leech. Yes, a Limatik.

Nonetheless, this is not the type of Limatiks that you encounter in Makiling or Irid.

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As for the birds, i've heard several uncommon calls but I was not fortunate enough to have see them. The forest is thick and cloudy.
Edited by emancampos, Jul 20 2017, 05:52 AM.
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emancampos
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PROPER GEAR

Bring your Trekking Pole and Hiking shoes to make your climb more comfortable for you.

You can use your Trekking Pole to keep your balance and prevent your feet from sliding on the muddy slippery ground.

It can help you endure the trek better since you can use it to lessen the weigh on your knees while you climb up and while you climb down.

Believe it or not, climbing down is more painful for your knees than climbing up because you gradually shift the weight from one leg to another when you climb up but when you go down, you somewhat try to stop your body weight that is dropping on your knees all at once as you make your step.

The pull of gravity adds weight to your knees that are absorbing the weight of your body (and whatever you are carrying). Combined weight and gravity are pressing hard on your knees as you drop your foot. This is painful. That pain on your knee will cause you to walk slower. Perhaps, this will entice you not to go further with the hike and just head back to jump off.

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Use proper footwear too. Trekking shoes have spikes or grooves that help you keep a stable hold on the ground. It prevents your foot from slipping too.

If muddy terrain, muds get stuck on your shoes, which will make it harder for you to walk.

If your shoes get damaged, like when the sole gets detached, it will be a lot harder for you to make a stable step.

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The Climb

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prayers, briefing .... after registration at Baranggay hall

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start of trek, summit is seen from here

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heading to Station of the Cross

As per our tour guide, devotees flock here during the Holy Week. The number reaches to about a thousand.

The Station of the Cross is composed of 14 stations and then the Grotto caps off the climb.

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It is easy to climb due to the concrete steps all the way up to Grotto.

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My first selfie while climbing the steps

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My peers. There were 16 of us.

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The view

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Plains of Cuenca, Batangas

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Glimpse of the Grotto

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Grotto
Edited by emancampos, Jul 20 2017, 07:38 AM.
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emancampos
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Blessed day!

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lovely sunrise smiling at us and somewhat giving us the blessing!

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Clouds embracing the lush green forest. ............ What a lovely view!

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Clouds and greens behind me!

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One of our peers taking a souvenir shot

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Proceeding to the summit

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The Ropes

Rappelling time!

There are 2 more of this along the route but are much easier and the last one when you head back to jump off.

It may look challenging but this is easy. Trust me.

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emancampos
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More rocks and slippery ground ahead

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This relaxing view and the cool surrounding will inspire you more nonetheless

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2nd rope


The Summit

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mossy forest plus clouds

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sa gitna ng gubat meron pa ring Bonakid :D

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the Survivor! .... First-timer, pinulikat ng ilang beses, nasira ang parehong sapatos, napunit ang shorts.... pero tuloy pa rin siya haggang natapos ang trek!

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ang dungis nyo mga bes! :D

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the summiteer

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groupie
Edited by emancampos, Jul 20 2017, 08:46 AM.
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emancampos
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Heading to the Rockies

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PHIVOLCS monitoring station, watching Taal Volcano's activity

- camera
- microwave transmission to base
- solar power

Edited by emancampos, Jul 20 2017, 07:08 AM.
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emancampos
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The Rockies

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First glance of the Rockies

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view while climbing the rockies

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Taal Lake, southern side

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Taal Volcano island as viewed from the Maculot rockies

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Summit of Mt. Maculot
Edited by emancampos, Jul 20 2017, 08:38 AM.
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Lunch and back to base

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Lunch area near the rockies


TRAIL DOG

This dog joined us when we reached the summit. It accompanied us as we head down.

It's a male. He reminded me of another dog back in Mt. Binacayan who somehow acted as our guard, barking at something at some points along the trail.

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Last stopover. There were 12 of these shelters along the route, spaced by around 50 meters.

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Buko Juice: we came across this Buko stand as we reached the community


BATANGAS LOMI

Lomi is a specialty of Batangenyos.

This one is one of the best. It costs P50 per serving.

Luckily, our tour organizer, Ren Auditor, gave us a treat. He paid for all the group's Lomi meals.

There's also a store back at the base that's offering Lomi (topped with boiled egg) and it also tastes good as per those who tasted it. In fact, they said that they liked it. Try that too.

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Batangas Lomi @ G2B Lomi House and Eatery

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shomai

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Ren in orange
Edited by emancampos, Jul 20 2017, 07:36 AM.
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