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| Mt. Makiling viewd from Sto. Thomas Batangas jumpoff. |
Trekking coming from peak 2, ascended via UPLB trail to the mystical mountain of Mt. Makiling, we continued our descent via traverse trail, right path. It was dense of cogon grass and trail markings (pink, blue and green straws) which were quite unnoticeable.
After approximately 3 hours, we finally reached peak 3. Same as the previous peaks, the whole area was mostly covered by cogon grass and lots of limatics creeping around.
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| View from peak 3. |
Again continued our journey to Batangas jumpoff where trail was so dense you have to battle your way through, bended forward and a huge leap from a certain rock to another. Upon approaching to Melkas Ridge, we engaged three rope assisted areas, one was 90 degree assault.
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| Preparing for the 90 degree descent assisted with 2 ropes. |
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| Here it is! Actually for me it was really fun and exciting. However, one wrong step and rope maneuver, you'll reach the ground the faster way and no one could save you...So be careful! |
This 90 degrees descent was really "buwis-buhay" especially if it's rainy. Steps and ropes would be totally slippery
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| Melkas ridge, the last clearing we found, then after this, cogon grass battle again! |
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| View from Melkas. |
Upon continuing, we noticed Limatics were gone, maybe because of the humid temperature in this particular area. Trail was still dense and not well defined you have to engage in long cogon grass battle again. Then we reached a very steep area where you can just hold on to grasses around or just decide to do that power slide all the way down.
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| Flower found at peak 3 (left). Carnivorous plant found at near 1/4 end of the trail (right). |
Also, in our way down, we noticed this cute plant known as Pitcher plant. This is a carnivorous plant whose prey-trapping mechanism features a deep cavity filled with liquid. And then pokemon character came in to my mind, "Victreebel".
After 5 hours from peak 2, we reached finally the jump-off. We're really dirty and thirsty due to absence of water supply along the trail. We thought we could get water immediately as soon as we got there.. But unfortunately, it didn't happened. There were no locals around, just a ranch with no one inside. After 30 mins, the ranch care taker came and allow us to get plenty of water and clean ourselves. After cleaning up and gulp lots of water from the mountain source, we then off to meet other members of the group and eat a lot! As in a lot, because we haven't took our lunch and miryenda for that day.
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October 23, 2011:
My 4th mountain climb started at UPLB trail (October 22, 2011) and continued through traverse trail for descent (October 23, 2011) which was totally "trahedya", tragic! We experienced los of cuts, limatic bites, grass irritations and buwis buhay rope assisted assault. However, If you're planning to have Mt. Makiling Climb, I suggest you start with UPLB trail for ascent (easy) and Traverse Trail for descent, because it is so steep it is much more harder if you you'll do it in your ascend. Moreover this trail has some parts that were eroded, so bring rope and knife so you can arrange it for yourselves. But if you are planning to experience side trips in UPLB like mudsprings and flat rocks, you might choose Traverse trail to start or ascend and descend via UPLB trail.
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