Pushing the limit!

Originally published on May 30, 2014

 

Induction Climb @Mt. Natib - Traverse (1,287+)

8 newly inducted members and the 5 officers - Summit

Location: Morong, Bataan, Philippines

Jump-off point: Hanging Bridge

Trail class: 1-3

Features: Rainforest, river, falls, & panoramic views

Specs: Major Climb - Minor Mountain

Difficulty: 6/9

Doing the traverse of Mt. Natib from Morong to Orani will surely test your limit. The blogger along with 12 other companions with full heavy load packs takes the challenge of going to the summit in the first day. But due to delays and some other factors they didn't manage to get there. Instead, they decided to camp at the "Kapehan" (Coffee stop) as the guides called it. It is a large "Kubo" - a resting place for the local hunters and farmers of pineapples who wants to take a rest after their hard work in the mountain. During the trek the team met a couple of locals along the "Kapehan" hunting for bats, saying it's for their "pulutan" or snacks for their drinking session.

Before the "Kapehan" you'll come across a land in which pineapples are planted. The blogger imagines how can these men go up a 5-6 hours of trekking along with they're supplies for every week and take care of their crops and the long way down of getting their crops after the harvest. Surely, it is not for the fainthearted.

Mt. Natib will surprise you, for some of its area will remind you of other mountains that you have climbed before because of their similarities like the river crossing of Mt. Romelo, the ridge of Mt. Arayat, the Alibang-bang Park of Mt. Palay-palay and many others. Climbing this mountain surely did push the physical and mental strength of the inductees. The trail was gradual and easy enough for beginners but hiking through open areas under the scorching heat of the sun and sometimes steep assault with a full pack will take away your breathe and ask why you are tormenting yourself. But it is all worth it, this mountain will never disappoint you with its generous panoramic view of Bataan peninsula, rich biodiversity of faunas and floras and the challenge of conquering yourself. Also, it offers a vast open area of beautiful cogon grass, generous fruits of Mango trees, panoramic view, rivers, and hot springs.

ITINERARY:

DAY 1

24:00 Assembly at Robinson's Pioneer, Mandaluyong City

01:00 ETD to Cubao

03:00 Cubao – Olongapo City

06:00 ETA at Olongapo City take jeep to SBMA 2nd Gate Entrance

07:00 ETA SBMA 2nd Gate Entrance, take mini bus bound to Balanga. Get off at Sabang (Hilltop), Morong

09:00 ETA Sabang (Petron), take trike going to Hanging Bridge

10:00 START TREK!

18:00 ETA Bahay Kubo (Kapehan), Set-up camp! Prepare Dinner

19:00 INDUCTION RITES!

23:00 LIGHTS OFF!!

DAY 2

05:00 Wake-up call! Prepare breakfast

07:00 Breakfast!!! After Break camp

10:00 ETA Summit!

13:00 Head to bunker

15:00 ETA Bunker

16:00 ETA Brgy. Tala, tidy up!

19:00 ETD to Cubao

21:30 MANILA!

Cogongrass field

Just 10 minutes away from Kanawan is this amazing field of cogongrass which is like the setting of most korean novelas. Despite the scorching heat of the sun, it is still mesmerizing view of the mountain and the vast field of this beautiful grass.

BUDGETARY:

Mode of transportation	Transaction	Unit price	Discounts
Bus	Boni – Cubao	11php/head
Bus (Victory Liner)	Cubao – Olongapo City	212php/head	170php/student
Jeep	Olonggapo – SBMA 2nd Gate	8php/head
Mini Bus	SBMA 2nd Gate – Sabang	45php/head
Tricycle	Sabang – Hanging Bridge	125php/Trike
	Guide fee - 2 days, 2 guides	600php/Guide
	Brgy. donation	voluntary
	Registration fee	30php/head
	Shower	10php/head
Tricycle	Brgy. Tala – Highway	50php/head
Bus (Genesis)	Orani – Manila	177php/head	142php/student
	Food contribution	150php/head
TOTAL EXPENSE / HEAD		823php /head
PROPOSE BUDGET		1000php/head

"Selfie - Summit of Mt. Natib"

Agawan ng nag-iisang camera na dala, for profile picture of course.

Travel advisory:

The blogger and his team had taken the risk of going to Olongapo City to Sabang, Morong with no immediate contact person and it is the first time for everyone to this mountain. There is another way which is from Pasay - board Bataan or Genesis transit going to Balanga then get off at the terminal of Balanga then take a bus going to morong and get off at Sabang (Hilltop), Morong which is far more easier and practical in time.

After getting off at Sabang the team met Sir MAX GARCHITORENA (0929-2446635) who is a tourist official at the area and also have a page at facebook "Come visit wonders of Morong, Bataan". Sir Max advised us to take a courtesy call at the nearby barangay hall. Which is a nice thing aside from the log book of the Chieftain of Magbukon in Kanawan you'll be more safely secured if your group was registered there, not to worry because they won't charge you anything.

At Sitio Kanawan you'll meet the Chieftain which will require you to have a guide with you for your security and safety. Guide rate is only 350php/guide if going for just a dayhike along Morong and 500php/guide if doing a two day climb also you'll be in charge for the meals of the guide.

Note:

Standard of difficulty, trail class, elevation, & specs was based on pinoymountaineer.com.