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| climbing party vans 1 and 2 |
After having attended the Coleman Basic Outdoor Course on 9, July, 2016, I was enticed by my Advocates for Heritage Preservation friends (Pheeyah Salones and Ofie Palma) to join them on a trip to the Mount Maynoba circuit. Tour organizer Leigh Tatli assured us of an easy climb and a wondrous experience of a walk in the clouds and a view of 8 waterfalls. Who wouldn't want to go? So I agreed to join them the weekend of 18 July (Sunday).
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| my companions in van 2 |
I was at the appointed pick up point at around midnight so I won't be left behind for the van pick up at one a.m. The van got to the base camp at the foot of the two summits at around three in the morning. After a brief orientation and some reminders of the Leave No Trace principle, we started our ascent at 3:30 a.m. armed with hiking poles and headlamps and some provisions for the day. Our guides were Mang Celso and the sweeper was Christian who led us through paths they were familiar with.
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| sea of clouds |
The difficulty of the ascent was pegged at 3/9. If you think about it, it would normally be an easy climb, but it didn't seem that way since the climb was way before daybreak. It was still dark and the terrain was mostly a steep ascent with wild vegetation and the trail was narrow interspersed with craggy rocks or muddy trail. we could sense the ravines in some parts but the sight of stars overhead kept us going. We had to stop from time to time to catch our breath. Next thing we knew we were going through campsites where the climbers greeted us on our journey. Finally we got to the summit of Mt. Cayabu. Mt. Cayabu's summit is about 400 meters above sea level which was a preliminary climb before one reaches the second summit of Mt. Maynoba.
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| heavenly view at the summit |
The circuit was recently opened on 22, March, 2016 and is fast becoming an item on every mountaineer's bucket list. It was still dark when we summitted Mt. Cayabu so we didn't have as much pictures in the area. We continued hiking up the trail with some deep descents that had roped trailways to prevent us from falling into jagged ravines. Muddy and scary to say the least. One wrong move and impending injury would be the result.
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| Ofie Palma and Lea Barcinal at the summit marke |
The ascent to Mt. Maynoba was more challenging. Some of the steps carved into the trail was still difficult as it was a near vertical ascent. Now, I've been to Banaue many times over but this climb was becoming more technical. Glad I brought my hiking pole! It proved very helpful on this assault. As we were nearing the summit it was becoming light, when I looked behind me i could see nothing but peaks engulfed in a sea of clouds. my mouth gaped open. Then we got to the clearing... finally I could whip out my camera to take my now much adored photos.
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| campsite of Mt Maynoba |
God, Almighty... I worship you for all this wondrous creation! At 662 meters above sea level, Mt. Maynoba's (pronounced may.nu.ba) summit affords one a 360 degree view of the eastern side of Tanay and parts of Quezon province on the west side we could see Montalban, Rizal blanketed by fog as well. Only the Kakawate ridge was visible above the clouds. Note to self... spend a night on the campsite next time so the walk would be more leisurely...
After this, the hike got progressively worse. From a 3/9 it notched up another point to a 4/9. To get to the falls, we've had to ascend up higher on the ridge then descend over the ridge. To reach the falls, the trail got worse and more challenging. I felt my knee buckle twice. Thank goodness I had my hiking pole. Finally, my companions and I could feel the rushing sound of water. However, we couldn't enjoy the water as there were too many people crowding the area. So much for the waterfalls...
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| natatago'ng paraiso falls |
It wasn't a let down, it was just too crowded. So in ordere to enjoy the rest of the falls, we had to go further downstream. Our friend was suffering from dizziness and fainted from the exertion of the assault so she had to be carried on a hammock halfway back to the base camp. The rest of us had to just forego the rest of the falls as we were concerned for our companion. The descent to the base camp was as difficult as well. We found out later while resting at the ranger shack that there were other "casualties" as well. We went through river crossings, over boulders, muddy trails, steep trails narrow pathways with ravines on one side until finally... flat lands! We rested a bit near some rice fields before we got to the bamboo gate that was the start of the trail from the other end of the circuit.
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| Montalban covered in clouds ; view from the summit of Mt Maynoba |
We reached the base camp by 12:30. That was a good 9 hours of hiking! Success!!! We had some cold drinks and Halo-halo before we headed out for lunch at Cafe Katerina along the Tanay ridge (which happened to be closing for the lunch service). We then decided to have lunch at Marcos Highway that was en route to our drop off point at Eton Centris.
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| me at the summit* |
It was worth the effort and sweat, but let me warn you... get enough sleep and rest a day or two before the climb and prepare yourself with lots of cardio routines at least two weeks before so you're not out of breath in getting to the top. The circuit can drain you although the experience can be uplifting as well...
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| to the falls with Pheeyah Salones* |
*photos from Eileen de Luis, Lea Barcinal, Ofie Palma
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