Peak 5: Mt. Daguldol
Mt. Daguldol, a mountain that belongs to the Lobo-San Juan Mountain Range, is located in San Juan, Batangas. This mountain is a minor climb with a difficulty of 3/9 and an elevation of 672 meters above sea level.
COO PEAK
This climb was a collaboration between the Mapúa Institute of Technology Mountaineering Club (MIT-MC) and the MIT Council of Organization (COO). It's goal is to bring up students from different organizations to partake in a team-building activity that promotes environmentalism while having fun.
P.E.A.K. stands for "Pathway to Environmental Awareness and Knowledge". COO PEAK aims to have a fun, open and clean-up climb. An open climb is an organized climb with a number of guests as participants with corresponding group leaders that're experienced mountaineers. Open climbs are usually done to attract new members. A clean-up climb on the other hand, is a climb wherein the participants will pick up trash along the trail and bring them down the mountain to be properly disposed. The activity name is perfect for the collaboration.
The Stop-Overs
There are a lot of stores along the Mt. Daguldol's trail. Most of them sell halu-halo and fresh buko. There was also a store that offered lunch meals although, we brought packed lunches. Staying on this stop-overs are really relaxing that most of the newbie climbers just wanted to stay there and couldn't think of moving forward.
The Trail
I expected the trail to be easy because it was chosen for an fun-open-climb. I actually liked the trail even with all the assaults and sloping down. It's also covered with bushes, tall coconut trees and other enormous trees that block the sunlight. We were literally chilling.
At first, we decided to be sweepers (the tail part of the group) to enjoy the sunshine on the trees and the breeze with music sounding from our speaker. But as the group ascended after many stops and rests, the pace of the party became slower and we decided to advance and head the trail.
The group picked up the garbage on our way down. It's only logical because gathering up the trash on the way up is more of a hassle. Everybody worked together and we brought a lot of rubbish down the beach. It's quite saddening because more people are climbing mountains but don't observe cleanliness on the trail.
The Peak
The peak was unexpectedly wide. I imagined a more elevated not-so-spacious space but it turned out to be a good camping ground, too. There were even cows grazing there. The grassland isn't so green, though but is still great. It might be because of the summer heat. There were a few waste inserted and hidden in boulders but most litter were animal manure (but not many).
A beautiful sunset could be observed at the peak. But some of us were quite late to witness that spectacular view since most of us stayed at the campsite area. The first wide open grassy area that meets the hikers after the wild trail.
"Seas the day."
The beach really was a stress-reliever. Though, it's almost dark when we came down, most of us chilled by the beach. We pitched our tents and spent the night talking about the climb, laughing and making fun of each other. The others had some serious talks over the drinks while others were asleep because they were worn out. Others just enjoyed listening to the sound of the waves and the songs in the karaoke of another group nearby.
By morning, there were a few who passed out by the beach and others who really slept near the coast. Others were in their tents, sleeping in the hammock, and snoozing inside the cottage. Most of the people were already awake and were getting ready to have a morning swim. 'Twas a nice day for everybody.
The Little Mishaps
The climb was a success but what made it memorable are the little incidents that happened along the way. There were no serious accidents and all were satisfied in the end.
1. Jeepney Trouble
The first incident was with the rented jeep from SM Lipa to Brgy. Hugom, San Juan in Batangas. During the trip, one of the tires of the jeepney ruptured creating a flat tire. We had to get off the vehicle and wait for it to be fixed. However, we were on a tight schedule so the MITMC President, James Ramirez talked to the driver and managed to get us a replacement jeepney. Fortunately, the substitute wasn't that far and immediately took us to our destination.
2. No Beach Walk
The second setback was the privatization of the beaches in Laiya. This matter simply means that the group won't take the beach from the registration spot to the actual start of the trail. The beach is a shortcut which takes a shorter time and less effort in reaching the beginning of the course. Because our jeep already left, we ended up walking in the up and down, almost zigzag dirt road where the vehicles pass to the beach front where we'll stay the night which is exactly in the inception point of the path.
3. Goodbye, Lambanog!
King David Chua was the one who carried the Lambanog for the socials. During the ascent in the dirt road, the bottle suddenly slipped out of his hands and broke into million of pieces leaving the drink seep through the Earth. It was brought by the MITMC Alumni, Sir Teds. Luckily, he bought and brought 2 bottles so there was a reserve but still. What a shame!
4. The Twisted Ankle
During the descent of the group, Shamae Jecino, one of the guests, sprained her ankle. She might've took an incorrect step which led to hurting her ankle. I usually bring a simple medicine kit but that time, I brought my elastic bandage and gave it to the medic of the group. He immediately applied first aid. She was carried down by the guides using the two-person-carrying-pole. Fortunately, by the morrow, her sprain was gone.
Peak 4: Mt. Tapulao
Peak 3: Mt. Maculot
Peak 2: Pico De Loro
Peak 1: Mt. Pulag
Peak 0: Mt. Taal
Little Climber
Nice pictures and a great post! :D
Thank you @isteemit!
Great post @krizia! :)
You may want to save up and get a good pair of hiking boots. At first they will seem like it was way too much money. But they really protect your ankles and their soles (typically vibram rubber) grip rock better so they keep you from falling. And the descent is typically when this happens because gravity is working against you more and because your legs are more tired.
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Thank you @throughmyeyes! I didn't think of it much before and even trekked in barefoot. I'll save up for those hiking boots.