Exploring Mt. Lobo

A view from Nagtuktok summit of Mt. Lobo

"Don't Change the mountain, Let the Mountain Change You"

This is not my first climb, but indeed this is my first ever blog about a certain climb.

Our team had a hike at Mt. Lobo dated March 16-17, 2013. Though I am familiar with the place coz we have a housse in Lobo, Batangas, I dont have any idea of the said mountain. So, even my schedule is really fully packed for that weekend, I still pushed through with the said climb.

At first, the plan was to make it a day hike and reach the summit before sunset. But due to requests (Im one of them), the dayhike became a night climb.

Batangas-Lobo Jeepney Terminal situated along Brgy Pallocan, Batangas City (Near SM City Batangas)

Around 3pm was the meet-up time but it was almost 4pm when we rode the jeepney. (Filipino Time, hahaha) Jeepney fare: Php 54

We arrived in Lobo past 5pm already.The travel from the city to Lobo is exactly one hour..We went straight to our old house there to fix our things, have a short rest, and buy some supplies.

We cannot yet start the trek for we were still waiting for two more climbers who were still on their way. So we decided to wait for them.

Because its getting late..we decided to start heading our way to Brgy. Nagtaluntong around 7pm.

At first, we felt a bit disappointed coz according to some of the locals, there were no more trikes for us coz its already late. But of course, we wont give up easily. We stayed for a couple of minutes along the road, and luckily a friend of mine who owns a jeepney fetch us and drove us to some trikes that could possibly bring us to our destination.

After negotiation with the price (Php 200) per trike. But if its a normal ride,,you will just pay php60...Yehey, we are now off to Brgy. Nagtaluntong , Sitio Curba.

The Headquarters Signboard

Sir Blue leading the way to the headquarters. Me on back-up. hahaha

Upon reaching the place, we headed directly to the headquarters...At first, I felt nervous. The place was so dark and quiet. Then you will just hear a voice from the dark, "Sino kailangan nyo?"

So, we explained who we are and what's our intention. Then the guy from the dark told us to enter their place.

As we enter the gate, the first thing i've noticed was the gun the man was holding...OMG.. i felt cold and nervous.

But I was wrong..their good and nice. There we meet our guide for that night. He is sir Jay. You may contact him in the following numbers : 09357851477

He has a fixed rate of 1k..regardless of the number of person for every hike.

We stayed for a while in the said quarters, trying to contact the two climbers who were left behind.

But unfortunately, they didnt make it to the last trip going to Lobo (7pm)

So the team just decided to continue the climb. Sir jay offered to have dinner on his house.

On our way to Sir Jay's(guide) House

It was more than an hour away from the headquarters. We crossed a river while going to our guide's house. Personally, I was really challenged in balancing along the stones in order to crossed an ankle-deep river:D and yes I did it:D Some of my friends got their feet wet:D

Sir jay and sir blue cooking dinner.

Bon a petite! Wew...Our dinner! Yummy

After filling our empty stomaches, it now time to start the trek:)
We started trekking aroung 10:30 in the evening. At first, the trail was so easy. But after an hour, its getting more challenging. I could hear a friend saying: "Taas , Baba ah"..
and every time we go down, a river is waiting for us. Somehow, our amusement with the scenery adds more energy for us to keep going:)

Katiting Falls at night

Energizing feeling:) Such great rock formations behind.

Around 1:30, our team reached the bahay kubo. A popular resting place for hikers and locals. There, we had a longer rest and had some snacks too. Honestly, some of us already felt tired and sleepy. Some even thought of sleeping in the said kubo and just head for summit the next day. But of course, we realized that hiking wont be complete without pitching tents and staying on the camp site. So we decided to continue.

We had a lots of rests along our way. Around 5 or more stop overs to regain energy back. The trail was not easy like we thought at first. The way to the summit is fully forested. Some of our way was covered by branches and shrubs. The guide needs to clear the way for us.

At exactly 3am, we reached the summit. Oh my, we can't help it but shout! At last were on top!
The summit welcomed us with its strong wind:) yey..all our tiredness were removed:) All we felt was fullfillment:) We're all excited to see the view during sunrise.

No doubt, all of us were so tired. The boys no longer pitched their tents. instead they just lay it down on the ground. But me, I tried to pitched mine so the girls could have a place to change clothes.

I didnt slept on my tent. I slept outside together with the other boys. Wew, I was awakened by the cold breeze in the morning. Eventhough I want to stay more lying on the ground, its so chilling. So, I decided to get up and drink something hot for my stomache.

The view from the summit was fascinating;)

As early as 7:30 we started packing our things. We need to be back before 3pm coz the last trip back to the city is at 5pm. We had our stop over along the river where we had our lunch.
It was indeed a nice hike:)