July 7-8, 2012 was remarkable in my mountaineering career, why? because I was able to conquer Mt. Pico de Loro - the highest mountain in the province of Cavite.
Mt. Pico de Loro lies and serves as the boundary of the provinces of Cavite and Batangas.
Ternate, Cavite
Major jump-off: Magnetic Hill, Ternate, Cavite
LLA: 14° 12.855 N; 120° 38.785 E; 664 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1-2 days / 2-5 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3
BACKGROUND
According to history, many years ago, it's the Spaniards who discovered the form of a giant parrot, perched in the mountainous part of Cavite. They named it "Pico de Loro" or "Parrot's Peak." And now, Pico de Loro is one of the first option in the list of mountains for the newbies in this field. Thus, mountaineers who visited Pico de Loro discovered it's natural beauty of both flora and fauna.
INVADING " PICO de LORO "
After my shift, that would be July 6, 2012, I went to an outdoor shop in a Mall in Pasig and bought rain cover for my 50 liters backpack as a preparation for my climb. The weather was not friendly, so, I've been waiting for any weather update by watching tv and waiting for a tweet from PAG-ASA. While my tv is on the weather channel, I was preparing my mountain gears and everything that I can use in conquering Pico de Loro.
Same thing that I brought last month in Mt. Manabu, and since my mountaineering gears are separated from my regular stuff, I just put those things in my bag. But this time, I put my tent in the lower part of my bag instead of putting it inside, which occupies larger space. I didn't forget my swimming cap and gogles, I don't know why, and I know that I will be on the mountain not at the beach, right? but, I considered those things as a part of my bag and maybe myself I can't live without 'em.
Again, using my BlackBerry, I set an alarm at 4AM, July 7, 2012, that's my regular alarm time even if I go to work. After waking up, I plugged everything, like my BlackBerry, Nokia QWERTY phone, Apple Ipod and my Camera at the same time at the same outlet? ooohhh commmonnn, just imagine that. I am just wondering why I am giving out my brands? hahaha, I really dunnnoo. . . . . . . . . . . . and also, why am I speaking in English? I am getting a hard time doing my blog. . . . greeeeee!!!!
Anyways, after packing up part 2 in the morning, I left the house at around 6AM. I took a cab going to the office for our meeting place in pasig for 100 pesos fare and waited my two friends. At 6:45 AM, we started walking going to Meralco Avenue to ride a jeep going to Ortigas for 8pesos and it took less than 30 mins. till we get there. Then, we took a bus for more than a hour going to Baclaran - Simbahan for 23pesos. We stayed at KFC, waited for the Couch Surfing Manila group. And while waiting, we took our formal breakfast, bought everything in 7-11. But, when Couch Surfing arrived, some took their breakfast in there. We waited Ate Sharon for more than an hour (pagtumatanda nga naman, bumabagal na ang pagkilos) hahaha and we all understood that, right Te Sharon? hehehe.
And at last!!! Te sharon arrived!!!!! then we took an aircon bus worth 83 pesos going to Ternate, Cavite. Then, we rented a jeep worth 40 pesos each going to DENR. And before DENR, we passed on the magnetic hill and we did an experiment. While it's raining hard, the driver stopped the engine and look what happened, the vehicle climbed up by itself and that was a fascinating experience.
After few minutes of travel, we reached the DENR base, we paid 20 pesos for the fee. In DENR, you can take a shower for 5 pesos, wash your face, cook, eat for free and you can also buy food and drinks.
2PM, we started walking along the muddy trail. We were 30 conquering the challenges in the trail. The trail is simple, it's not confusing compared to other mountains. But the most challenging part is the rain, after wearing the poncho, the rain stops. hahaha, so when you noticed that the rain stops, of course you need to remove it because it's warm right?, but the rain will drop again on you head, . . . hahaha. . . . that was really bad but I enjoyed it.
When we were on the trail, I noticed that my colleagues took pictures in every 5 steps, hahaha, let's do math, we will be taking more than five kilometers, if we'll take photos in every 5 steps, how many hours would it take to reach the summit? hahaha. and we reached the summit after 4 hours. Now, do the calculation it's now your job now.
While, invading the trail, we met other groups going down and some was going up with us. Helping other people is my role, because I am an ambassadress of goodwill, so, I helped others in climbing the steep part of the mountain with the sticky and muddy trail. At 6pm we reached the summit, with mud on our trail pants and leggings, we just put our bags on the grass and take a rest. That was a tiring day, hahaha, but we enjoyed everything especially the social night. hahaha, drunk 3 bottles of GSM blue, and of course chikahan challenge was there, question and answer portion for Miss Spain - Alicia Gimenez, Miss Canada - Tara Olivia and hosted by Miss Philippines ROMBLON - Dharzie.
Early in the morning, we prepared our breakfast (bread, liver spread and canton). Followed by photos shoot in all angles. Next, went to the summit for few hour then going back to DENR. I just want to make comment, DENR don't have any serious ordinance in preserving its office in that area. And also, the tricycle drivers did a verbal abuse to our driver and showed a very bad image. And the driver just went back to where he came from, just to eliminate anyone to fight that may result to a serious injury.
