7 Mountains for the 1st Timers

Pinoy Outdoor Planet has selected 7 mountains that is a must for every newbie in mountaineering!

Have you climbed any of these mountains yet?

Mt. Batulao – Nasugbu, Batangas - tops our list for the mountains for the 1st time climbers due to its location and ease of the trail. Although mistakenly thought to be in Tagaytay City, a quick trip to the city's popular destination is a must after a successful hike in Batulao. From Tagaytay proper, one can take a bus or a jeepney going to Nasugbu and ask the driver to take you down in Evercrest Golf Club, from then you can start the trek all the way to the summit. The trail is very straightforward and guides can be optional. Batulao is a favorite for photo ops because of the dramatic effects of the peaks. A daytrip is well recommended but the sunrise and sunset is great prize if you decided to do overnight. Nowadays, for those who are into extreme climb, a twin dayhike to Batulao and its neighbor Mt. Talamitam located also in Nasugbu is now gaining popularity.

Mt. Gulugod-Baboy, Mabini Batangas  - Another mountain located in Batangas is well recommended for the first timers. From Manila, one can take a bus going to Batangas City Pier then ask the driver to take you down to the Diversion Road, from there you can take the jeepney to the town of Mabini, if you are with a large group, you can even ask the driver to take you down directly to Philpan Dive Resort which is the jump-off for this mountain, in case of 2 or 3 pax, you can just take a tricycle from the town proper. Guides is optional, since the trail is very straightforward and there are locals that you can ask for directions. The view in the summit is spectacular, with slopes of grass that makes you just lie back and relax plus it gives you a refreshing view of the ocean. Since it is facing directly with the sea, the wind is likely to be strong so secure your tents. Back in the jump-off, one can soothe your aching muscles and take a plunge in the numerous resorts. You can even go and dive in one of the best dive spots in the country-Anilao!

Mt. Pico De Loro, Ternate Cavite – another mountain that is dramatic and challenging and the same time is Pico De Loro in Cavite. Dramatic because there are rock formations in the summit that can play around with your imaginations, such that photoholics cant resist to take pictures everywhere. Another great feature of this mountain is that it has a rock column near the summit, that all adventure seeker mountaineers can’t resist to climb this column. I might say though, that it is more advisable to climb Pico in summer days because during rainy days, the rock climbing is not advisable because it is very slippery. From Manila, one can take a bus going to Ternate via Cavitex, and then from the town proper, you can hire a tricyle going to the DENR office in the magnetic hill which is the jump-off. Unlike the 2 mountains previously mentioned, POP will be recommending to secure guides prior to climbing Pico, because there are numerous forks in the trail, blogger himself experience being lost in Pico when they climbed it last 2011.

Mt. Cristobal. Dolores Quezon – if there is a mountain that has a negative notion prior to climbing, maybe Mt Cristobal is likely to top the list. Dubbed to be the “Devil’s Mountain” newbie in climbing think twice before hiking this mountain. But as per the blogger’s experience last 2012, climbing this so called Devil’s Mountain will bring Heaven to your heart and mind. Of course you should take all normal safety precautions into considerations, to make sure. Climbing Cristobal is a mix of feelings and emotions, just like its terrain, a combination of rainforest, grasslands with swamps that swells during rainy season. A view of 7 lakes of Laguna is a prize you can achieve once you arrived in the summit in a bright and sunny day. A guide is a must for all 1^st timers. Likewise it is advisable to start your trek early in the morning, since the trail is quite long. What special for a Cristobal hike, is that after you completed it you can visit the village wherein you can see and buy stuff like gayumas, anting-anting and the like that can bring shiver in to your veins, you can even dip into the cold and equally famous healing waters of Banahaw, near the village. From Manila, one can take a Lucena bound bus and ask the conductor to take you down in San Pablo, then ride a tricycle to the town proper, from there ride a Dolores bound jeepney, that will take you directly to the jump-off.

Mt. Maculot, Cuenca Batangas – Climbing Maculot is an easy one, so easy that climbers usually forgot all the safety precautions resulting to untoward incidents just like recently. There are two known ways on how to climb Mt. Maculot, Commonly people climb the “Rockies” part which also serves to be the campsite, once settled, you can go directly and climb the rock formation on the right side. People usually do horseplaying that leads to accidents. The blogger usually say to his friends that if there are rain drizzles for a couple of days prior to climbing, do not attempt to climb the rockies, because it may get so slippery. For those season mountaineers, they opt to climb the summit and do the traverse on the grotto on the other side. From Manila, one can take a Taal bound bus that pass the town of Cuenca, from there, you can take a tricyle directly to the jump-off

Mt. Tagapo, Binangonan, Rizal – How will you feel if before you can climb a mountain you may take a boat ride first? That’s the Mt. Tagapo experience! From Manila take a jeepney to Binangonan, Rizal and then take the boat going to the island. You will navigate with the largest inland lake in the Philippines which is the Laguna De Bay, the duration which is about a 30-40 minutes ride of which you can see fisherman lifting their nets and birds roaming around waiting for their prey. From Binangonan, the trail towards the summit is about 1.5 hours only, but if you will start your climb in the other parts of the island, the trail is quite difficult and requires a lot of strength. Indeed if you are in the top waiting for the sunset in the bay is an awesome experience!

Mt. Pulag Benguet – Mt. Pulag being the highest peak in Luzon might scare the 1^st timers, but for the blogger experience its more of a time, travel and financial constraint that may hinder the climbers to experience this majestic mountain in the north. Because of the high altitude, you may think that you are not in the Philippines anymore, with its stout mountains, ferns and exotic flora and fauna that is looming wild and over the horizon that you can see. The sunset and sunrise view is priceless. Why, because as the sun rises, you are sitting over the sea of clouds! An experience that you can treasure over your lifetime! Just remind yourself to pack a lot of jackets, and everything that may protect you from extreme colds, don’t worry about lifting heavy loads! Manong Porter is just around the corner to help you out, with a fee of course!:)

Now POP adventurers are you ready to start your climb?

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