It’s been almost a month and I miss the smell of the mountains. Every
time I passed by fields, I paused and try to remember how it felt...up there. I
terribly miss climbing.
Lucky me! An invitation to climb Mindoro’s Mts. Iglit-Baco one day
popped out of my event. Without hesitation, I clicked ‘Join’ and the rest was
pure bliss!
DAY 1. Still dizzy from a quick nap aboard the ferry, we were awaken by
the loud voice coming from behind the speaker just right above us announcing
our arrival at Abra de Ilog Port at around 5am.
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| Sunrise at Abra de Ilog Port |
Most of the seasoned climbers usually climb this mountain during August
where rain is more of an ally but surprise of all surprises, the sun was all
smiles to us while riding a coaster (yup...
a coaster! Astig ni Jepoi Mansibang!!!!) to jump off at Barangay Poypoy.
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| the coaster! |
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| 'Groupie' inside the coaster. |
The group took our breakfast along the way. The carinderia, good thing, was serving breakfast and coffee. A decent
breakfast would cost you at least 50 pesos including coffee.
After that, we head back to our coaster and continue the never ending
ride to jump off. It took us more than 5 hours (we had like 5-6 stops) until we reached our host residence.
Lunch was already waiting for us when we arrived at the super
accommodating residence of the Oreiro’s. After eating, we fixed our bags and
prepared ourselves for the trek then head straight to jump off where our guides
are already waiting for us.
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| Receiving area of Oreiro residence |
At the jump off, time check – 1:30pm. Damn! The sun was punishing us!
It’ll pass, I uttered.
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| at the jump off |
We reached Station 1 by 2:15 and had ourselves registered. We took a
quick break before passing a hanging bridge which marks the first hour of our
trek.
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| the hanging bridge after Station 1 |
By 3:30, we reached this river and what do you know....a teeny weenie
bridge! I fondly called it “The V-ridge.” When the water is not that deep and
the current isn’t that strong, one can actually cross the river with caution,
of course.
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| The "V-ridge" |
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| waiting for our turn to cross the "V-ridge" |
After 2 more hours, we saw the “BMS 2KM” signage across the small river.
Yes! One more hour to go before the Ranger Station! The way to Ranger Station,
commonly known as Station 2 was infested of the dreaded (for me) limatik. I was too tired to mind if there were limatik on
me. All I wanted at that moment was to reach the Ranger Station and throw
myself on the comfort of my sleeping bag.
At exactly 7:08pm, I reached
Station 2. Tired and with 2 limatik in me! I freaked out at the mere sight of
it but since it’s my first time, might as get the best out of it....I had
it documented in a video.
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| the first bite! |
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| the second bite! |
After eating dinner, I packed my assault bag for Iglit summit and grind
my teeth in slumber.
DAY 2. The day started early for us. After eating a quick breakfast; by
5:30, we started trek to Mt. Iglit.
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| the blogger at Station 2 |
Armed with just our daypack (My version of daypack – water, lunch, trail
food, rain jacket, fan, umbrella and the ever important, lipstick!) we
lazily started walking. We took pictures from time to time. Feasting our eyes to
the scenic beauty of Mindoro then all of a sudden....the drop! Literally, an 80
degree! One by one, we slowly manoeuvred going down that steep descent where a
potable stream awaits. After crossing the stream, came the first assault....yup
another 80 degree! We took a “V” trail crossing one mountain to the other.
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| the steep descent to Mt. Iglit |
We we’re lucky enough to have been given a very nice weather. It was not
raining nor was it too sunny. The rain clouds are visible but not threatening
us for a battle between mud and rainfall. Thank God for that!
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| selfie while nearing the summit |
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| the scenic beauty gracing Mt. Iglit |
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| pamorama while nearing Mt. Iglit summit |
Pass 9 am when we
reached the Mangibok Ridge and not an hour later, we reached the summit!
Finally!!!!
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| the foggy view taken at Mt. Iglit summit |
It was a small flat ground covered with knee-high grass. Nothing too
grand but the view was probably boasting with beauty if not for the foggy weather.
While waiting for a much better clearing, we began eating our packed lunch.
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| Team lunch at summit of Mt. Iglit |
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| my version of "lunch" |
After waiting for almost an hour, a small clearing came. It was not a
360 view but nevertheless, a clearing worth seeing. Mt. Iglit did not disappoint
us. After taking group pictures, panoramas and some ‘selfies’, we decided to go
down while the sun is still bearable. Also that, we are still following the
itinerary for Mt. Magawang where in a closer look of the tamaraw (Mindoro dwarf buffalo) awaits us.
If summiting Iglit was hard, then going down is much harder. Imagine descending
an 80-degree trail covered with loose small rocks, mud and a ruler-length grass
to grasp on. Not to mention the ravine on your left side. It was challenging
and scary and fun in a morbid-kind of way. Fortunately, all of us made it back
to Station 2 safe and tired. Some did not pushed through with Mt. Magawang due
to minor injury and decided to rest.
Around three in the afternoon, we resume our trek to Mt. Magawang.
According to our guide, it is a sweet 2-hour walk to Mt. Magawang. He was
right! The trail was wide and the ground does not consist of loose rocks and
steep assault. It was a gradual up and down but mostly; flat grounds. The only sharp
ascend you will encounter on this trail is when you’re nearing the Ranger
Station. And that’s just 10 minutes away from the summit of Mt. Magawang.
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| Mt. Iglit |
Twenty minutes before 5 when we reached the viewing deck or the Ranger’s
Station of Mt. Magawang where one can have a closer look of the tamaraws; by
the help of binoculars lent by the personnel of the Ranger Station.
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| area where tamaraws are viewed. Taken from Mt. Magawang Ranger Station. |
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| believe it or not...those are tamaraws! I need a 200 mm camera!!!! |
Aside from tamaraw viewing, there’s also the beautiful sunset showcasing
the majestic beauty of Mindoro mountain ranges. It was a nice way to cap the
day off!
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| sunset at Mt. Magawang Ranger Station |
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| it was a sight to behold! |
For those of you wanting to check Iglit-Baco National Park, check below
itinerary. Note that this are all based on my personal climb.
Day 0 , August 22,2014
09:00 pm Assembly time at Jam Bus Terminal in Buendia
10:00 pm ETD manila
Day 1, August 23,2014
01:00 am ETA Batangas Port / Secure tickets
02:00 am Board ferry going to Abra de Ilog
05:00 am ETA Abra De ilog
05:15 am Road trip via rented coaster
07:30 am Breakfast
09:00 am Bound to San Jose Occ. Mindoro
10:50 am ETA Calintaan / Oreiro Residence /Buy Supplies
12:00 pm Lunch *hosted meal
01:20 pm ETA Jump Off. Register and meet local guides.
01:30 pm Start Trek
02:15 pm Station 1. Register again. Take 5.
02:30 pm Hanging Bridge
03:30 pm River crossing
05:50 pm ETA small river with "BMS 2km" signage. Limatik attack starts here.
07:08 pm ETA Station 2. Limatik check! Got 2 :)
07:30 pm Set-up camp. We slept at the Tamaraw Ranger's HQ.
08:00 pm Prepare for Dinner
09:30 pm Socials / Lights out
Day 2, August 24, 2014 - Long day for us!
04:00 am Wakeup call / Breakfast
05:30 am Mt. Iglit Summit Assault. Bring assault pack only.
06:30 am ETA stream (water source)
09:00 am ETA Mangibok Ridge
09:45 am ETA summit / photo ops
10:00 am Early lunch at the summit
11:05 am Start descent
01:30 pm ETA stream. Cool down.
02:30 pm ETA station 2.
03:00 pm Resume Trek to Mt. Magawang.
04:40 pm ETA Mt. Magawang Ranger Station. Tamaraw viewing deck.
05:00 pm Tamaraw Viewing (and limatik viewing again)
06:15 pm Sunset viewing. Photo Ops.
06:30 pm Start descent to Station 2.
07:30 pm ETA Station 2
09:00 pm Dinner / Socials
10:00 pm Light out.
Day 3, August 25,2014
05:00 am Wakeup call
06:00 am Breakfast /BreakCamp / Photo opt at Ranger Station
07:00 am Start descent
07:45 am ETA "BMS 2km" signage
09:20 am ETA River crossing
11:30 am ETA jump off
12:15 pm ETA Oreiro Residence.
12:30 pm Lunch *Hosted Meal / Wash up
02:00 pm ETD Oreiro residence to Abra de Ilog Port
06:00 pm ETA Abra De Ilog Port
08:00 pm Board ferry back to Batangas Port
11:30 pm Batangas Pier
Day 4, August 26,2014
12:00 am ETD Batangas Port. Board bus bound to Buendia.
01:30 am ETA Buendia
02:00 am Home :)
Till then!
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