2013)

(This is the fourth part in a series of five entries for Tanay – Daraitan)

Slippery Descent

After we got our proper dose of sunlight and warmth, we prepared cups of chocolate drink or coffee and sandwiches to satisfy our bellies and get ready for the descent. After our breakfast, we cleared the camp and went down the mountain. We posed for a picture at one of the other peaks near the summit.

If you think that going down is a lot easier than climbing up, you are definitely, definitely wrong. The heavy rain that dumped so much water made the trail more muddy and slippery. Trekking down also placed a lot of pressure on our knees. It occasionally inflicted pain and induced cramps from time to time. Also, angle of descent is now 30 – 60 degrees. A couple of slips here and there, butt bumps on the ground, scratches and bruises and we finally reached the grasslands. Whew.

Buko Juice Pit stop

We walked another trail that leads to Tinipak River after the grasslands. Ground was loose and was rocky at the same time. Our water supplies were almost empty (except for my Gatorade). Luckily, our guide told us that he can get Coconut / Buko Juice along the way. Coconuts are also known as the “Tree of Life” – taught since primary school. I think the one who coined the term for the tree is definitely correct. The juice, rich is electrolytes, energized and refreshed our bodies.

Hello Civilization

We stumbled upon a couple of houses and plantations of calamansi and mangoes along the trail. We also get the chance to meet and greet goats, horses and dogs along the way until we reached Tinipak River.

Hello Tinipak River!

Links:

Part 1: https://solersystem.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/travel-tanay-calinawan-cave-05252013/

Part 2: https://solersystem.wordpress.com/2013/07/02/travel-mt-daraitan-ascent-05252013/

Part 3: https://solersystem.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/travel-mt-daraitan-sunrise-05262013/

Part 4: https://solersystem.wordpress.com/2013/07/04/travel-mt-daraitan-descent-05262013-2/

Part 5: https://solersystem.wordpress.com/2013/07/05/travel-daraitan-tinipak-river-and-cave-05262013/

Travel: Mt. Daraitan Sunrise (05/26/2013)

Jul3

(This is the third part in a series of five entries for Tanay – Daraitan)

The Moon

At the western side of the camp, while waiting for the Sun to come up, the Full Moon shines brightly and illuminates the other side of the mountain range. The moon also highlights the clouds covering the river valleys.

The Sun

One of my favorite activities when climbing mountains is waking up early and patiently waiting for the Sun to slowly brighten up the horizon and then cast its piercing rays to energize our body. It is like vividly watching a painter color the sky with hues of reds, oranges and yellows.

Enjoy the pictures below:

Links:

Part 1: https://solersystem.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/travel-tanay-calinawan-cave-05252013/

Part 2: https://solersystem.wordpress.com/2013/07/02/travel-mt-daraitan-ascent-05252013/

Part 3: https://solersystem.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/travel-mt-daraitan-sunrise-05262013/

Part 4: https://solersystem.wordpress.com/2013/07/04/travel-mt-daraitan-descent-05262013-2/

Part 5: https://solersystem.wordpress.com/2013/07/05/travel-daraitan-tinipak-river-and-cave-05262013/

Travel: Mt. Daraitan Ascent (05/25/2013)

Jul2

(This is the second part in a series of five entries for Tanay – Daraitan)

After our Calinawan cave traverse, we immediately took off for Daraitan proper and bypassed Daranak falls due to time limitations. Travel time from Calinawan to Daraitan Proper is about an hour. We still get to peek at Laguna de Bay once more before we arrive at Daraitan / Tinipak River crossing.

Laguna de Bay

Mt. Daraitan at a Glance

Mount Daraitan is a mountain in the boundaries of Tanay, Rizal and Quezon Province. Average height is around 400m above sea level.

Daraitan River Crossing

Daraitan Proper

Daraitan Proper is more of a Sitio / Barangay. It has a barangay hall, school, market at its center and is surrounded by the houses of the community. We headed to the Barangay Hall to register and get to hire two guides for the hike. We rested for a bit and enjoyed halo-halo for only twenty pesos. As an added bonus, we also get to know that we would be one of the first ten groups to reach the peak of Daraitan. (I am not sure if this is true though or the locals just made it up)

Halo halo Break

Team getting ready for the Climb

The first thirty minutes of our climb was grueling. The heat was intense, the sun was at its peak and the inclination of the soil was varying between 10 to 30 degrees and there are the occasional inclinations of greater than 30 degrees.

Hot and Humid

And then, for an hour, it rained hard. For me, it was a blessing that it rained because it made our climb less tiring. The catch is that it made the trail slippery and our backpack along with its contents wet. (Waterproofing is always advised during climbs) Nevertheless, I was happy hiking while raining (I don’t know about the others though. Hehe)

Grasslands – easy but tricky

The Grasslands

Upon reaching the famed grassland, the weather cooperated and the sky brightened. The scent of grass and the cold breeze was a pleasure to the senses. The trail is similar to Mt. Gulugod Baboy’s Summit trail though the grasses are taller and sharper. Take caution while navigating the grasslands as they can really inflict shallow wounds in which after some time the part of the skin touched by the grass becomes itchy. This is why it is advised to wear long sleeved shirts and trekking pants to avoid contact with the grasses. Along the trail, we also got the opportunity to view Daraitan’s peak.

Daraitan Peak from the Grasslands

Assault – hardest part of the climb

After 15 – 30 minutes of easy walking comes one of the toughest parts of the climb – the assault. Loose rock and soft soil make up a significant part of the trail so it is advised to make use of your four limbs. Inclination of the trail is mostly greater than 30 degrees with occasional angle of greater than 60 degrees. I really think that this is not a class 2 – 3 trail >_<. Also be observant as the trunks and bushes that you cling on to are sometimes sharp and thorny. We also came across a cave system along the way.

Assault!!!

Cave System along the Way

The camp at the summit

The camp was full of shrubs and bushes that’s why we had to clear the ground using a jungle bolo for us to set our tents. We also got a view of the Daraitan / Tinipak River in the western section of the peak and Polillo Islands on the eastern side. Two other groups accompany us as the peak of daraitan. The first one was a lovely couple in their twenties and the other was a group of Lasallian IT graduates.

Daraitan River at a Distance

Polillo Islands at a Distance

Dinner by Lester

If you are a mountaineer, I bet that you become thankful for every food served and every food served tastes more delicious and filling. I was happy that Lester came along the trip. I did not imagine in my wildest dreams that he will cook menudo / afritada (chicken with tomato sauce) atop the mountain.