My Mt. Amuyao Traverse Experience! Part Two

April 19. The soft murmurs from the next house awaken me from my deep slumber. They’re all busy preparing for our breakfast and packed lunch when I stepped out of the native Ifugao house that I slept last night. If it wasn't for the early trek we've planned last night, I would have probably stayed longer and savour the relaxing feels of the house.

the sunrise greeting us from Pat-yay village

While waiting for the breakfast to be served, we had a surprise yoga session to warm up our aching muscles and joints. It was so good that most of my co-climbers participated while Oliver and the guides took pictures of us. Of course, there’s another set of photo opts with the scenic view and with all the cute kids of Pat-yay. It was epic!

Suprise yoga session! photo credits to Sir Oliver Dao-ayen

the in-charge group for our breakfast and packed lunch

fun time with Pat-yay kids

Peace, brotha!

Breakfast was served at around 7:30. Due to exhaustion made by our yoga session, everyone took an extra ounce of everything that was served. The meal was both energizing and filling. Little did we know that we’ll be burning it in no time at all.

yep...they're hungry...for pics!

our breakfast!

We gave our thanks to our great host for the wonderful accommodation and for the organic red rice that was given to us. By 8:40, we started our trek to Cambulo Village.

prayer first before trekking!

After 15 minutes or so, came the steep trail. I was hoping that it wasn't the one they tagged as ‘cardiac assault’ to ‘Mt. Umayaw’ (a misnomer given to the mountain wherein steep assault can push you to the hilt!) but I was wrong. It is indeed the cardiac assault! Damn 30 minutes! Everyone was breathing heavily along the trail and until we reached the Pat-yay viewpoint from Mt. Umayaw. It was a good warm up, though and the view of Pat-yay village was amazing even on a foggy morning!

view of Pat-yay village as viewed from 'Mt. Umayaw'

We even took a picture of pitcher plants gracing the viewpoint.

pitcher plant anywhere you look!

We continued with our trek passing the slopes of Mt. Umayaw five minutes after we've reached the viewpoint. The first 15 minutes was just rolling ground with gradual assault and descent. Right after that was a different story....we were faced with steep descent.

Fog-covered peak of 'Mt. Umayaw'

At around 10:45am, the group reached the stream after successfully manoeuvring a very stressful trail with all elements known to mountaineering. There’s loose rocks, slippery muddy trail, leeched-infested with thick vegetation covering even the very trail that we’re passing. Our guide and porter had no bolo knife to cut down the protruding thorny plants and branches. They’re probably trying to preserve the mountains by leaving minimal trace as possible. I commend them for that but a little knife would be fine....right? J

the 'pilapil'.

We arrived at the river around 11:45am. The team decided to grab our packed lunch at the nearby house and to refill water since it’s still an hour before we reach Cambulo Rice Terraces and the Cambulo village. After ample time of rest, we resume trek at around 1pm. The magnificent beauty of Cambulo Rice Terraces was so fascinating that walking thru the elaborate dikes (pilapil) was not a problem to most of us anymore.

yeah...that's a view!

After crossing the steep cemented downward stairway and passing through a hanging bridge, we arrived at the Cambulo village by 2:30pm. Compared to Pat-yay, Cambulo has more population and offers a lot of lodges and cabins for hikers and tourists like us. We’ve decided to rent a lodge at the nearby Cambulo Country Cabin. From the basketball court (with the infamous cemented backboard), it’s less than 3 minutes to the cabin.

the cemented stairway to Cambulo village

group pic at Cambulo hanging bridge

that's what we call 'hard' court!

I immediately head on the shower room after knowing that our rooms are still being prepared. 

my reliable baby, Sal!

our bags lined up outside Cambulo Country Cabin

the blogger chillaxing a bit

view from our room at Cambulo Country Cabin

‘At last, a comfy bed!’  I utter at the very sight of our room. Sol and I are room mates for the night. I went downstairs right after fixing my things as I’m in charge of the red rice cooking while Jason and Ka Gerald were busy preparing our dinner.

the ever reliable Jason and Ka Gerald

By 7:30pm, dinner was served. The red rice was so hard to cook, if I may add. After dinner, some of the boys stayed until 10pm for a little social with the guide, porter and the cabin owner. For the rest of us, lights off by 9pm.

April 20. Wake up call was set at 6:30. The group in charged for cooking that day has already finished preparing our 7am breakfast. After some photo opts with the cabin owner, we said our goodbyes and off we go to Batad by 8am.

Banaue Tour Map.

And it’s ‘pilapil’ trail once more! The sun was invasive and I can’t help but take out the fan I borrowed. The trail was easy to moderate. If not for the scorching heat, I would have stuck my judgment to easy. By 9:44am, we reached the famous Batad Rice Terraces. 

approaching Batad Rice Terraces

Batad Rice Terraces

the blogger and the rice terraces

I was in awe upon seeing the amphitheatre-like rice terraces. It was incomparable and grand! And so, I grab my camera and shooting! The sun was too intense showing all the glory Batad rice terraces has to offer  but after enough pictures taken, I decided to push through at the nearby store. And the Coke said ‘hello’ and I said ‘how much?’ 50 pesos....yup! Till today, I consider it the most revitalizing soda I have ever tasted! The price made it yummy, mainly.

20 minutes had passed when we decided to start our sidetrip to Tappiyah Falls. At 10:20am, we reached Tappiyah Falls!

She was a beauty even from afar. I present to you, Tappiyah Falls.

The water from the falls was so inviting. Good thing I didn’t give in....not a swimmer here! I just stayed nearby and enjoyed dipping half of my body to the cold relaxing water. It was so refreshing and I can feel the water soothing my tired legs. Since we’re on a tight schedule, we left the falls by 11am and took our quick lunch at nearby store while waiting for our guide and porter to arrive with our refilled water bottles.

me at Tappiyah Falls photo grounds

We resumed trek by 12:20pm and made a faster pacing since the weather isn’t smiling on us anymore. We arrived at Batad Village by 12:53pm and.... drank Coke again! Took pictures again and resume trek to Batad saddle by 1:15pm.

our smiles....it must be the soda!

The clouds can’t contain it anymore and so it goes.... ‘Raindrops keep off my head!’ Good thing that I put my camera bag in my bag before it started to rain. Despite the quick change of weather, we made it to the 412 steps shortcut signage by 2:20pm. Dripping wet and super relieved, we commenced the 10-minute assault to Batad saddle signalling the end of our traverse. Finally! We made it! Tired and cold....we ALL made it safe and sound. Thank you, Lord!

Batad signage

We arrived at Banaue after more than an hour jeepney ride. Took a quick shower and had an early dinner at a ‘carinderia’ (food stall) near Ohayami terminal. After learning that our trip is set to depart by 7pm, we hurried ourselves across Banaue public market for a quick shopping of treats and ‘pasalubong.’  I got myself a rosary made of wood and some Taro cookies. By 7pm, we left Banaue and the dozing off started earlier than expected (took medicine that morning for my headache and it’s running after me!)

April 21. We arrived at Ohayami terminal in Lacson two hours earlier than expected and I was home by 5:30am and went to work that very same day.... This is LIFE!

To those who wanted a quick recap of my actual itinerary, here it is!

ITINERARY (based on my personal climb)

Day 0 (Apr 16)

2100 Assembly at Ohayami Station (Lacson Ave., Manila)

2220 ETD for Banaue, Ifugao (P450)

Day 1 (Apr 17)

0820 ETA Banaue/ Breakfast at Hidden Valley Restaurant

0940 ETD for Barlig, Mountain Province, via rented jeep

1215 ETA Macalana, Barlig. Register at Police Station (no fee).

1250 Lunch before trek at nearby basketball court

1325 Start trek

1604 ETA Barlig Viewpoint (~2400 MASL) -- waiting shed signify half way going to Summit

1640 Resume trek to summit

1836 ETA Summit (2702+ MASL). Stay at summit bunkhouse.

2100 Dinner / socials

2200 Lights off

Day 2 (Apr 18)

0500 Wake-up Call. Prepare breakfast.

0830 Start descent to Pat-yay (descend 1500 meters)

0945 ETA Waiting shed. Prepare for limatik battle!

1005 ETD Waiting shed

1120 ETA Stream. Water source. Lunch. Swim at nearby mini falls.

1245 Start ascend (400 meters) to Pat-yay Village

1400 ETA Pat-yay Village (1400 MASL). Stay for the night. Sleep at native Ifugao house.

1730 Dinner

2100 Lights off

Day 3 (Apr 19)

0530 Wake-up call

0630 Surprise yoga session!

0730 Breakfast

0840 ETD Pat-yay Village. Start trek.

0920 ETA Pat-yay viewpoint via cardiac assault to "Mt. Umayaw"

1045 ETA Stream. Steep descent.

1200 Lunch at nearby house before Cambulo Village. Refill water.

1300 Resume trek to Cambulo Village.

1430 ETA Cambulo village. Check in at Cambulo Country Cabin.

1830 Prepare dinner

1930 Dinner (brown organic rice was too hard to cook!)

2100 Lights off

Day 4 (Apr 20)

0630 Wake-up call

0700 Breakfast

0800 ETD Cambulo Village

0944 ETA Batad Rice Terraces

1000 Recharge. Drink coke! (P50)

1020 Sidetrip to Tappiyah Falls

1100 ETD Tappiyah Falls

1130 Lunch. Refill water.

1220 Resume trek.

1253 ETA Batad Village. Drink coke...again! Photo opt.

1315 Resume trek to Batad saddle

1420 ETA 412 steps shortcut signage

1430 ETA Batad Saddle

1545 ETA Banaue. Wash up.

1730 Dinner at carinderia near Ohayami terminal.

1800 Leisure trip to Banaue Public Market. Buy souvenirs and pasalubong.

1900 ETD Banaue-Manila via Ohayami Bus(P450)

Day 5 (Apr 21)

0500 ETA Manila

0530 Home. Prepare for work....Arghhh!

Till then!