Peak 3: Mt. Maculot
Mt. Maculot is the mother mountain of my mountaineering organization, the Mapúa Institute of Technology Mountaineering Club (MIT-MC). The founding members first climbed Maculot on November 29, 1990. It is located at Cuenca, Batangas, Philippines and the major jump off is located at Ka Manuel's Mountaineer's Store, Barangay 7.
This mountain is famous for minor day hike climbs and has a difficulty of 3/9. Features include the magnificent view of Taal Lake, volcanic rock walls, the grotto and the forest.
The Summit
The peak rises to 930 meters above sea level and is the second highest point in Batangas.
I've never climbed Mt. Maculot's summit because I was always told, "Rockies is way better than the summit." And I agree because it still is. The summit's view is the same as what can be seen in the Rockies. Actually, better. It's because you can only observe the scenic views if you're taller; otherwise, you'll see nothing but towering grasses, shrubs in uproar and trees around.
However, since the time mountaineering became a mainstream activity in the country, the summit of the mountain was cleared to attract the tourists. (See the details here.) Although, the breathtaking view of the Taal Lake can be now observed at the peak, nothing beats a natural clearing.
)The Rockies
The Rockies that stands to 706 meters above sea level has always been the charm of Mt. Maculot. The trek to the Rockies from the campsite will take less than an hour where the astonishing sight of the Taal Lake and the Taal Volcano, itself awaits.
These angular massive boulders offers a 270° view of the crater lake, Halcon range of Mindoro, Balayan and Batangas bay, and forested regions of Batangas. Guides are highly recommended to ensure the safety of the mountaineers and tourists because some of the rocks may not be as stable as before.
And if you're lucky enough, you can kiss the clouds when it envelopes the Rockies.
The Grotto
I haven't done the Maculot Traverse just yet. The grotto is located at 510 meters above sea level and is passable in the traverse. This is where the another jump off aside from Ka Manuel's is situated. Although, the traverse via Grotto is sometimes closed.
Ka Manuel
He is a local in Cuenca who owns the Mountaineer's Stop Over and Shop. Ka Manuel seems to be in Maculot like forever. He and his family has always been a part of MIT-MC family. They accommodate the organization every year during anniversary climb celebration.
Ghost Stories
Three deaths were already recorded in Mt. Maculot. The man who committed suicide, Maricris, the woman who fell to her death in the Rockies and Victor Ayson who went solo climbing and was found dead almost two weeks later. Many believed that the first haunts the mountain. Shadows following and observing climbers were also claimed to be spotted.
I never climbed Mt. Maculot during the day. Both of my ascents were during the night. These are the times when I heard the ghost stories that hikers experienced. Here are some of the creepy stories I've heard:
The Piggyback Ride
There was once a hiker who climbed Mt. Maculot with his friends in a night trek. He carried a pack big enough for his necessities but small enough to avoid a heavy load. As the group ascended, he noticed that his load seems to be gaining weight. Because of this, he trekked almost behind his companions. He thought it was just because he was getting tired. But he was struggling that he kept on complaining. Finally, they reached the campsite. They pitched their tents and proceeded to socials. That's when his friend who was in front of the climbing pack told him that he (his friend) saw a woman on his back when his friend looked over his shoulders earlier that night on the time when he (the hiker) was complaining about the heavy load he was carrying.
I may have these stories mixed up but since I'm not sure if the previous story was connected with the following tale, I'll tell it separately. So here goes.
The Whisperer
There was a man in Maculot's campsite who got a tent all for himself. When he went to sleep that night, he was awoken by someone who called his name. He listened carefully but nobody was there. As he was slowly drifting off to sleep, he heard someone call him again. He was too afraid to check it out so he closed his eyes and tried his best to fall asleep. Then, he heard it. He burst out of his tent to his friends' and when asked why he did, he said shakily, "A woman whispered my name in my ears."
The Footsteps (from the Nomad Adventures PH)
In 2001, a group of friends had Mt. Maculot to themselves. After 10 that night, they decided to sleep. There were 3 of them inside the tent when they heard incoming footsteps. They thought there were climbers who're arriving but to their surprise no one was there when one man checked.
All the three of them were still awake around 1 in the morning when they heard the same footsteps circling their tent. They even felt it tripping at the end of the pole. It was really puzzling because it was impossible for a person to walk comfortably at the right part of where they camped.
The man grabbed his hunting knife to give whoever it was, a scare but he was shocked to find out that nobody was there. Again. Just a thick fog filled the campsite which gave him the chills.
They later learned in the morning at the registration that they were still the only group who climbed the mountain. No one else.
The Small Boy (from the Nomad Adventures PH)
A group celebrated Christmas in Maculot in 2012. They camped in the area near the trail to the summit. Amidst the fun, 2 friends noticed a small boy enter one of the tents whom they thought was their midget friend. However, their friend peed and came out opposite the direction where they saw the boy.
The following stories are connected.
The Waving Child (from Buzzy.ph posted by jhake009)
Three people, 2 hikers and 1 guide were ahead of their group and were currently going down to the Grotto when Bert (one of the hiker) saw a child who seems to be waving but also looks like inviting him to come. He told Mark (the other hiker) who was in front of him that maybe Marj (their companion at the tail group) was calling him. Mark ignored him so he did the same. He later told Kuya Ed, the guide what he saw. The latter said he heard that he (Bert) told Mark about it. He then added that they should just ignore those for they are lost black elements.
The Voice Copycat(from Buzzy.ph posted by jhake009)
While resting at the Grotto, Marj from the tail group radioed Bert:
Marj: Bert...
Bert: Yes, Marj? Where are you?
Marj: We're here near the kubos (nipa huts). You guys, rest.
Bert: We're at the Grotto. Resting.
Marj: Copy.
Bert: When you reach the Grotto, just follow the stairs down. Just continue straight ahead. Oh. I forgot you have a guide. He knows that.
Marj: Copy.
That was the end of the conversation. Or so I thought. When we were talking about the episodes of the climb, Marj mentioned that there was more to what we talked.
...
Bert: When you reach the Grotto, just follow the stairs down. Just continue straight ahead. Oh. I forgot you have a guide. He knows that.
Marj: Copy.
Bert: If you ever see a child, ignore him.
Marj: Copy.
I know I didn't tell her that. My pals also heard our conversation.
The Guide (from Buzzy.ph posted by jhake009)
When Marj and Jen climbed the stairs from the Grotto, they hear women talking. They thought some people were selling buko juice or something but they no one was there because it's forested at the side and was almost a cliff. Then upon reaching the road, Jen saw a man wearing a black shirt smiling but with a blurry face. He was waving as if calling them to come to him. Jen thought he was a guide and waved back. She then remembered that all the guides wore orange.
I met her on the trail. (from Buzzy.ph posted by jhake009)
Marj was so curious and paranoid about the mysterious events that happened in their climb at Maculot that she searched about the deaths in the mountain. To her surprise, she recognized the photo of Maricris, one of the deceased and told her friends that she met her on the trail. She even greeted Maricris, 'Good afternoon!'
Peak 2: Pico De Loro
Peak 1: Mt. Pulag
Peak 0: Mt. Taal
Little Climber
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