Batu-WOW!

I know, I know. My blog post titles are becoming more and more...irksome, for lack of a better word.

After a dearth of trips since I got hired in a hospital as a staff nurse, I knew I have to grab every opportunity in a day-off and make every minute of it count. So after planning every detail of a day-hike, not even a sudden sixteen hour shift would deter me to climb a mountain the next day. Nope, it won't get in my way. 

With barely three hours of sleep, my good friend (and still apartment-mate), Joey, and I found ourselves preparing to conquer Mount Batulao in Batangas. Because of its popularity to hikers, newbies and experienced alike, operators of Nasugbu-bound buses already know where to drop you off. But just in case your bus operator and conductor are not in the know-how, tell them to drop you off at Evercrest Hotel in Nasugbu, Batangas. 

No silly sixteen-hour shift can stop me from conquering you, love.
(c) Cayton

We went to the Pasay Terminal of DLTB and rode a Nasugbu-bound bus for 88 pesos *bring your student ID, people* where we caught up on our much-needed sleep during the almost-two-and-a-half-hour bus ride. Worth noting for coffee(shop)-lovers is that the bus passes along the Bag of Beans branch and the new Starbucks branch, which are both along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road. 

DLTB Pasay Bus Terminal is conveniently located beside the Gil Puyat (Buendia) Station of LRT Line 1. And they also have great air-conditioning for their buses. And 'electronic' ticketing system (because it's not entirely paperless)!
(c) wikipedia.com

Once you get near the archway entrance to the town of Nasugbu, it's only a matter of minutes before the bus conductor calls out "Evercrest! O yung mga magba-Batulao dyan!" which is your hint to go down. You'd be surprised, as we were, that most of the passengers in the bus that have large hiking bags would alight at the same stop-over. From this stop-over, you have two options: (a) walk for around 45 minutes to reach the jump-off point which is FREE or (b) ride a tricycle to reach the jump-off point in around 15 minutes for 30 pesos per person. You can also rent your guide from this stopover who would charge you from 300 to 400 pesos, depending on the number of members of your hiking team. Ever since I got lost at Pico de Loro, I always have a knowledgeable guide with me during my hikes (and that includes you, Dena, my friend for our OPeak hike).

While waiting for Michi, a high school friend who would complete our trio for this day-hike, Joey and I contemplated about our choice of clothing because of the morning fog (see pictures below). 

Not shown: Really short hiking shorts and vigorous chilling
(c) Cayton

What summer?

About twenty chilling minutes later, Michi arrived and we decided to take the faster route since we have to be back in Manila in time for Joey's half-PM duty. This proved to be a good decision especially if you're one of the early hikers of the day because you get to enjoy the cool morning breeze along the trail...and while there is 'still a trail' to trek on. More of that later.

Several minutes of walking along a rocky trail from the jump-off point, you will be welcomed by the beautiful landscape-cum-challenge ahead of you. The several peaks that you have to conquer are laid down before your eyes to be marveled upon and to inspire your inner spirit. The cool morning winds also help to invigorate your will to reach the summit. From there, the challenge begins.

When the winds were cooler and we were stronger (before Peak 1).
DAT PEAKS THOUGH!
(c) Cayton

Batulao has a total of 10 peaks, the tenth one serving as its summit. Keep your eyes peeled because some of the peaks have markers where you can take a picture to mark your progress, which we did of course being the camwhores that we are. Hahaha!

Peak One, y'all!
(c) Cayton

Sadly, markers for Peaks 2 and 3 are gone so the next
marker is at Peak 4.
(My pictures literally pales in comparison to Joey's hahaha!)

Having to walk along the peaks, both sides of the trail slope downward and are covered by tall grasses that appear willowy and 'graceful' when the winds rush through them. I'm literally out of words to describe them so I'll let the pictures do the talking.

*silence*
THE HILLS ARE ALIIIIIIVE
WITH THE SOOOOOUND OF MUUUUUUSIIIIC
(c) ricaparelejo.ph

After Peak 4, you will come upon a house which - according to Pinoy Mountaineer - sells buko juice for 25 each. Sadly, this house and several stalls along the trail were closed because the day we hiked was the feast day of Saint Martin and most of the people who manage the stalls were in their own homes, preparing for the fiesta. Again, this proved to be an advantage for us and I'll tell you more about it later. 

A few minutes of walking from this house will take you to the fork where you have the choice between trekking the New Trail or the Old Trail. Given our restricted schedule, we took the New Trail by taking the right-middle path which would take us along the peaks. This trail will take you up and down the peaks of Batulao which is a very breathtaking experience. 

Good thing, a stall was open for business!
Although I didn't try their halo-halo, they said it tasted so much better up there.
(c) Cayton

Upon reaching Peak 8, there is a campsite good for overnight hikers. Situated here is the registration center for the New Trail where you have to pay 30 pesos for environmental fees. From hereon, the trek became more difficult as the sun started to beat down on us. Even upon entering a forested area, the sparse vegetation provided too little shade from the heat. Remember the 'still a trail' I talked about earlier? Batulao's trails, especially during the dry summer months, are composed of loose sandy soil, so imagine doing assaults and taking the rear. Yep, you are literally eating dust. Not to mention it's dangerous because you might slip on loos soil when lifting yourself. So better use the guide ropes to assist you in these parts. Moreover, because of its increasing popularity to hikers, the remaining compact soil are eroded leaving more loose soils along the trails. Imagine our relief when we had to walk along the jagged sides of a peak where the trail was rocky and we were behind the cool shadow of the 'Peak of Deception' which is a challenging sidetrip for adrenaline junkies.

Few slides along the trail and innumerable inhaled dust particles later, we reached the summit! Being the precise-things-loving person that I am, I rushed the last assault to clock in exactly two hours for my Batulao hike. The view from the summit is just wonderful. And that is even an understatement! Our very good guide, Kuya Allan, pointed out the other peaks in Batangas which can be seen from up there: Pico de Loro, Maculot, and Talamitam (the latest being next on my list of mountains to hike).

Happy faces at the summit!
(c) Cayton

Jeje pose for mah hommies!
(c) Cayton

Since it was Michi and I's birthday hike, we had a hearty lunch of canned tuna, crackers, and spaghetti (which later became tuna pasta once the crackers were gone). It was a simple celebration in such an extraordinary place. After taking in the view, we started our descent since the sun was already becoming more and more unforgiving even at an 'early' hour of 10 AM. The descent was faster although it was dustier because of the eroded trail as more and more hikers were making their way to the summit that morning. This only proves that hiking early was a good decision to make (take note of that). 

As we were nearing the jump-off point and the residential area of the trail, we were welcomed by the warm greetings of the locals and their invitations to their homes as it was the feast day of their patron saint. Who are we to say no to these invitations (and free lunch, too! :))), right? If we only had the liberty of time to stay a bit longer to celebrate the feast day with the people (and agreed to dine with everyone who invited us into their homes, which was practically every house we passed), we would stay because it was so festive with every house booming with karaoke songs, party music, and happy conversations.

 Thanks Tita Lita for the food! People, buy fresh buko juice from her 

for 30 pesos apiece! Definitely a must whenever you found yourself hiking Batulao.

(c) Cayton

An hour and forty-five minutes later (this included our hearty stop-over at Tita Lita's for lunch), we're back on the jump-off point. We took a tricycle back to the highway for 30 pesos per person. For those who want to clean up before catching a bus ride home, several houses right in front of the Evercrest entrance offer their homes (20 pesos for a bucket of water and free use of their restroom). Manila-bound buses for 88 pesos traverse the very same highway so you can just hitch a ride back to the Metro just by waiting, albeit under the blazing midday sun.

Batulao provides a unique hiking experience, as every mountain does for that matter, especially for beginners because of its easy but amazingly beautiful grassy trail and its numerous peaks - each a testimony of your strength as you push yourself towards the summit. The panoramic view from up the summit will also spur the hiker within you because other "dayhike-able" mountains are within sight - Pico de Loro, Talamitam, and Maculot. Now, Talamitam is on my list and a twin dayhike is in the (possible) works. Any takers? :D

P.S. Again and again, check out Pinoy Mountaineer's take on Batulao for more hiking tips and itineraries.

Until the next trip!

- Paulo

Honor and excellence at Batulao's Peak 10