MOUNT BATOLUSONG
Located in Tanay, Rizal, Mount Batolusong is becoming one of the go-to mountains to those who just want to escape their daily lives and bring a little bit of challenge into it. The major jump-off point as of now is at Barangay San Andres as the one in Sitio Kay-Ibon is currently being renovated. Therefore, side trips to Kay-Ibon Falls would require you to hike back up to Barangay San Andres for your descent.
The mountain has three peaks: Duhatan Ridge, Mapatag Plateau, and Rangyas Peak (considered as the summit). It can be completed within a day and would require 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours of hiking till you reach the summit. According to Pinoy Mountaineer, Mount Batolusong has the following specs:
LLA: 645 MASL / 780 MASL
Days required / Hours to destination: 1 day /1.5h (Mapatag); 2h (Rangyas Peak); 3-4h (Susong Dalaga Peak)
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3
Features: Grassland slopes, views of Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon
The original plan was to do a day hike at Mount Batolusong and have a side trip to Kay-Ibon Falls. However, due to the renovations, we had to change our plan to simply a day hike. Like always, this was another DIY trip arranged by yours truly HAHA. On the night of May 29, I created and posted a complete itinerary on my Facebook account. I tagged some of my friends who gave a go signal and waited for the confirmation from there. Out of all those who were tagged and said "G kami!", there were only 4 of us who went to the actual trip! :))
We decided on doing the hike last Saturday, June 3. Since the Mt. Batolusong is just located in Tanay, Rizal, we met up on Jollibee EDSA-Aurora at 3:30 AM.
Jollibee EDSA-Aurora, sorry for the low quality huhu I didn't get to take my own picture :(
The original plan was that we'll start our climb at 4 AM so that we can witness the sea of clouds, however, since the first jeepney which travels to Sampaloc in Rizal leaves at 5 AM, we disappointingly changed our agenda.
I left our house at around 3 AM and arrived at Jollibee at around 3:30 AM. Jem was already there so I asked him to pick me up at the bottom of the scary overpass of Cubao (scary in terms of hold uppers, snatchers, and bugaws). We ate our breakfast and waited for our other companions, Hazel and her mountaineer friend, Bea.
GETTING THERE
By 4 AM, we decided on starting our journey to Tanay, Rizal!
We needed to get to Cogeo first so at the EDSA-Aurora intersection, we rode a Cogeo bound jeepney and asked to be dropped off at Cogeo Gate 2 (fare was PHP 25/person). Not long after, we arrived in Gate 2; travel time was around 30-40 minutes(?). Traffic and the typical stop overs of jeepneys included.
Cogeo Gate 2, sorry for the low quality huhu I didn't get to take my own picture :(
You will be dropped off at the designated area of jeepneys and you need to walk towards the overpass then turn right. Before that, you will be passing through a line of tricycles who will offer you a ride to Batangasan/Batangas. You can opt for that but the fare will be PHP 500 (one tricycle can accommodate up to 4 people, max of 5). We were informed that this is what most mountain climbers do if they want to start the climb early. But since we're on a budget and that we already gave up the fact that we can start early, we decided on doing it the other way.
(cont.) After turning right, you just need to walk straight pass the City Mall of Antipolo (MOA) and other establishments. You'll be seeing this white and blue building and that's where the Kamagong Terminal is where jeeps bound to Sampaloc waits for passengers.
Kamagong Jeep Terminal, sorry for the low quality huhu I didn't get to take my own picture :(
Ask to be dropped off at Batangas or Batangasan. Fare is PHP 42 and travel time is more or less an hour. The landmark of Batangas is the welcome arch of Barangay San Andres.
To get to the jump off point, you'll be needing to ride a tricycle (fare is PHP30/person). I think it was a good 15-minute ride and there were parts where the road was still not paved. Though you can bring your private car since it is drive-able. Be careful though since it really is similar to a roller coaster ride because of the sudden dips on the road.
We were assisted by some trail guides and they pointed us to where the registration area is.
We were assisted by some trail guides and they pointed us to where the registration area is.
An old image of the Registration Area of Barangay San Andres. The difference is that the road is already paved now :)
Registration Hall is located just before the covered court (image grabbed from here)
Registration Hall is located just before the covered court (image grabbed from here)
We paid PHP 100/person for the environmental and other fees. The lady at the registration said it was just implemented last March of this year. Before, climbers only needed to pay PHP 40/person. Though she said at least by this time, you were provided with a receipt.
We were then introduced to our guide named Jonard. All the guides here wear their IDs and uniforms (green polo shirt) as it is required of them.
Before starting, we prepared ourselves first. You can use the CR at the barangay hall for free and they also have resting area there. We put on our sunblocks before calling out to Kuya Jonard to start our climb!
THE CLIMB
The start of the hike was relatively easy. We passed by many houses and one establishment called Base Camp before entering a rice field.
After that, we continued on passing through other houses and small rivers before reaching the official start of the hike. This lasted for 20 minutes or so and is considered as the warm up before your climb.
Our tour guide, Kuya Jonard
After that, the trail drastically changes. The trail from here is 90% continuous ascent.
For the second part, you'll be entering the forest-like area of Mount Batolusong. Make sure that you have put on your insect repellent since there are mosquitoes! There are also other insects and birds around the area plus the fauna is pretty diverse!
The major resting area after this part is when you reach the first water source. You can refill your water bottles here should you have already finished yours :)
From there, it still is going to be a continuous ascent up until you reach the first peak called Duhatan Ridge!
Along the way, you'll be surrounded by the noisy kuliglig which sounds like the printers used inside banks! Also, you'll also be greeted by the Mahiyaing Bato. This marks that you're just a short (yet, tiring) hike from peak 1 (you'll be passing through another water source where you can re-fill your jugs).
After another 15 minutes or so, we have finally reached Duhatan Ridge!
This peak also serves as the camping site for those who choose to stay overnight. From here, you can already see some parts of the Mapatag Plateau. Also, you can rest while marveling at the beauty of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range along with the other mountains of Rizal and even Quezon!
After eating our snacks and resting for a bit, we continued on to our hike to Mapatag Plateau. From here on, there's little to no shade so better be prepared for this one! We were a bit lucky that some parts were covered by clouds. Still, even though the sun was blazing hot, the cool wind up here is very refreshing!
You'll be passing by a store which offers a variety of energy boosting food. The trail here was already a mix of flat, ascent, and even descent. It's covered by tall grasses which you need to be careful of since they are very sharp!
After another 30-40 minutes, you'll finally reach Mapatag Plateau!
Overlooking the Susong Dalaga peak ;)
From here, you can see the 3rd peak which is considered as the summit called Rangyas/Rangyat Peak. You can also see the Susong Dalaga, the peak of another mountain beside Mount Batolusong. Also, some parts of Laguna Lake can be viewed.
We allowed the cool wind to refresh ourselves before pushing forward!
From Mapatag to Rangyas, the trail resumes to a 90% continuous ascent. You'll be entering an area surrounded by bamboos marking your close proximity to the summit!
You'll be greeted by a wall of rock once you got out of the bamboo area. To reach the summit, you'll be needing to climb this wall. It's just a short 5-minute climb before you can bask in the glory of Rangyas Peak!
We rested for a bit and did our kodakan session before deciding to head down because of the looming clouds. As usual, the descent is relatively easier than the climb. However because of the steepness of some parts of the trail, you can really push your knees to the limits. My left knee is actually still hurting as of this writing HAHA.
Our first stop during our descent was at Mapatag. We rested for the sake of getting our pictures ;)
We continued non-stop until we reached peak 1. Since there were bamboo seats there, we took most of our time here to chill and feel the cool wind at this altitude.
Since we noticed that it was really getting dark, we trudged on to get down of Batolusong before the rain falls. Unfortunately, even with the short stops that we made, the rain still caught up with us when we were already at the forested area. The trail became a bit dangerous because of how slippery it became. So with careful steps, we continued down.
At around 12 PM, we finally reached the registration hall. By this time, the rain has already stopped and mother sun was already shining in all its glory!
Since there was only 1 CR at the barangay hall, we decided on asking the locals if they offer the use of theirs. The store in front of the registration hall agreed and we paid PHP 20 each. The payment for our guide was also settled here and it was a total of PHP 500 for our group.
After washing up, we rode a tricycle back to Batangasan/Batangas since we were informed that there was a lomi house at the highway. The fare was different when going up and we paid a total of PHP 160.
After eating our late lunch, we decided on riding a tricycle to the jeepney terminal (jeeps bound to Cogeo, LRT Santolan, NOT Cubao) since jeepneys here are very rare. We paid a total of PHP 200 for our group and travel time was more or less 45 minutes.
We got lucky since there was still a jeep bound to LRT Santolan and Riverbanks waiting at the terminal. We paid PHP 100 each and waited for other passengers. And from LRT Station, we went our separate ways ;) Jem and I rode a jeepney bound to Cubao, while Hazel and Bea rode the LRT.
-----------------------------------------
Aside from the budget breakdown, I decided on putting our itinerary :)
You can follow this one should you decide on doing a DIY day hike at Mount Batolusong!
3:30 AM - Meet-up at Jollibee EDSA-Aurora, Breakfast
4:15 AM - Travel to Cogeo Gate 2
4:45 AM - Arrival at Cogeo Gate 2, Walk to Jeepney Terminal bound to Sampaloc
5:15 AM - Travel to Batangas/Batangasan
6:15 AM - Arrival at Batangas/Batangasan, Ride Tricycle to Jump-off Point
6:30 AM - Arrival at Registration Hall, Pay Fees, Get Ready for Climb
6:45 AM - Start Hike to Mount Batolusong
7:10 AM - Arrival at "Official" Jump-Off Point of San Andres
9:00 AM - Arrival at Peak 1: Duhatan Ridge, Rest, Eat Snack
9:30 AM - Arrival at Peak 2: Mapatag Plateau
10:15 AM - Arrival at Peak 3/Summit: Rangyas Peak
10:30 AM - Start Descent
12:00 PM - Arrival at San Andres Registration Hall, Rest, Wash up
1:00 PM - Travel to Batangas/Batangasan
1:15 PM - Arrival at Batangas/Batangasan, Lunch
1:15 PM - Arrival at Batangas/Batangasan, Lunch
2:00 PM - Travel to Jeepney Terminal bound to LRT Santolan
2:30 PM - Arrival at Jeepney Terminal at Sampaloc
2:30 PM - Arrival at Jeepney Terminal at Sampaloc
3:30-4:00 PM - Arrival at LRT Santolan Station (depending on traffic)
And for the moment you all have been waiting for: Budget Breakdown!
Jeep from Cubao to Cogeo Gate 2 - PHP 25/person
Jeep from Cogeo Gate 2 to Batangas/Batangasan - PHP 42/person
Tricycle to San Andres Jump-off Point - PHP 120/4 = PHP 30/person
Registration/Environmental/Other Fees - PHP 100/person
Trail Guide Fee (required) - PHP 500(per group of 5 people)/4 = PHP 125/person
Food and Drinks (depends on how much you consume!) - PHP 150/person
Use of CR - PHP 20/person
Tricycle to Batangas/Batangasan - PHP 160/4 = PHP 40/person
Tricycle to Jeepney Terminal at Sampaloc - PHP 200/4 = PHP 50/person
Jeep from Sampaloc to LRT Santolan - PHP 100
TOTAL OF: PHP 682.00 PER PAX!
Of course you can still lower it down should you be travelling with a large group :) Also, we think you can go cheaper if you brought your car along since the parking at the registration hall is only PHP 20.
If you plan on camping you may bring your own tent and other necessary stuff with you. The guide fee for overnight campers is worth PHP 1,250. Kuya Jonard said that it could be up to 6 people :)
If you need more information about Mount Batolusong, you can follow their Facebook Page here. They are quick to respond to inquiries!
No comments:
Post a Comment