I was invited by a good mountain buddy, Jhay Villaverde to join him with the Nasakilak Mountaineering Group in climbing Mt. Arayat on June 11-12, 2011. This was part of the countrywide Freedom Climb 2011 activities.
On June 11, 2011; Jhay and I together with Ritchie left Dasmariñas at 2:00 AM to meet the Nasakilak Group in Manila. After meeting the group, we eventually took the bus to San Fernando, Pampanga and arrived there at 5:30 AM. We waited for some other Nasakilak members and proceeded to Barangay Ayala in Magalang and arrived there at 7:30 AM.
We then proceed to the Military Camp and register. Due to the huge number of climbers, the organizer decided to divide the group into five batches, each shall leave the camp every after 30 minutes. Our group were chosen to be the last to leave the camp. We were scheduled to leave at 10:30 AM, so the group decided to prepare our early lunch while waiting for our turn to trek. The long waiting time gave us a chance to at least talk and be familiar with each other, thus, during our turn to leave; we became much more comfortable with each other.
On June 11, 2011; Jhay and I together with Ritchie left Dasmariñas at 2:00 AM to meet the Nasakilak Group in Manila. After meeting the group, we eventually took the bus to San Fernando, Pampanga and arrived there at 5:30 AM. We waited for some other Nasakilak members and proceeded to Barangay Ayala in Magalang and arrived there at 7:30 AM.
We then proceed to the Military Camp and register. Due to the huge number of climbers, the organizer decided to divide the group into five batches, each shall leave the camp every after 30 minutes. Our group were chosen to be the last to leave the camp. We were scheduled to leave at 10:30 AM, so the group decided to prepare our early lunch while waiting for our turn to trek. The long waiting time gave us a chance to at least talk and be familiar with each other, thus, during our turn to leave; we became much more comfortable with each other.
The first stage of the trail is the coconut and mango farm. As we enjoy the gradual slope, we enjoy some sweet mangoes and tasteful citrus which we bought along the trail. After an hour, we entered into cogon field before entering a secondary growth forest after another thirty minutes. In this part of the trail, we met the group who left thirty minutes before us… we thought we will be advised to stop but the group decided to let us proceed. Our team managed to join the other group (who left an hour before us) in resting area after the rocky ascend. One of the military escorts enjoyed the jolly gestures and sincere laughter of the Nakasilak members, thus, he decided to join our group. We further walk through the dense forest and scale very steep trail.
We reached the North Peak (Peak 1) at 3:30 PM. The trail has Philippine National Police communication installation. I am sure that time that the said facilities is very vital in for police operations due to the significant number of police guards, and to the security and safety amenities within the site. The view on top is very breath taking… Mt. Arayat selflessly and openly revealed its grandeur! I was so fulfilled and delighted because I seldom experience an outright ‘clearing’!
We reached the North Peak (Peak 1) at 3:30 PM. The trail has Philippine National Police communication installation. I am sure that time that the said facilities is very vital in for police operations due to the significant number of police guards, and to the security and safety amenities within the site. The view on top is very breath taking… Mt. Arayat selflessly and openly revealed its grandeur! I was so fulfilled and delighted because I seldom experience an outright ‘clearing’!
After resting, we set our camp and rest our body while exchanging stories and experiences in the mountain. The military escort, who happened to be a Bicolano also was with us sharing entertaining stories as well, making our relaxation more amusing.
After the dinner, we had socials… this time, the story is much more personal and more of getting to know each other better! It was another fulfilling and delightful day in the mountain. We discussed the next early day’s Independence Day flag ceremony and rested in our respective tent assignments.
After the dinner, we had socials… this time, the story is much more personal and more of getting to know each other better! It was another fulfilling and delightful day in the mountain. We discussed the next early day’s Independence Day flag ceremony and rested in our respective tent assignments.
We woke up at 5:00 AM and immediately some members prepared the breakfast, while I volunteered to prepare to look for a good place at the camp site where we will raise or wave the Philippine flag during the ceremony. Observing LNT rules, we did not cut any shrub or tree… instead, I connected my trekking in a wooden pole that I managed to find while looking for the best spot to wave the flag.
After enjoying our breakfast; we had a very solemn flag ceremony. This was the most meaningful Independence Day celebration that I had.
We immediately broke our camp and prepare for our descending. This time, via Barangay Bano, Arayat. We were advised that this will be the most difficult part of our trekking activity. Once again, our group was the last to leave the camp site. At 10:00 AM, our turn came to leave… we started the journey with a very steep in almost unrecognizable trail at the back of the PNP installations. We passed through various obstacles, the almost 90-degree descent, large boulder crossing, densely covered ridge, steep loose-soil slope, and the thorny shrub covered trail… that covers the trail from north to the south peak! It was dangerous and difficult. Reaching the other peak is the best news for us… because that’s the start of a very manageable descend to the other side of the mountain.
After enjoying our breakfast; we had a very solemn flag ceremony. This was the most meaningful Independence Day celebration that I had.
We immediately broke our camp and prepare for our descending. This time, via Barangay Bano, Arayat. We were advised that this will be the most difficult part of our trekking activity. Once again, our group was the last to leave the camp site. At 10:00 AM, our turn came to leave… we started the journey with a very steep in almost unrecognizable trail at the back of the PNP installations. We passed through various obstacles, the almost 90-degree descent, large boulder crossing, densely covered ridge, steep loose-soil slope, and the thorny shrub covered trail… that covers the trail from north to the south peak! It was dangerous and difficult. Reaching the other peak is the best news for us… because that’s the start of a very manageable descend to the other side of the mountain.
While we were on the gradual part of the trail, almost about to exit to Barangay Bano; due to leniency, I stumbled into an 8-foot deep gully. Luckily, due to the thickness of dry leaves and the absence of rocks, I was not hurt… but my mind suddenly paused and remembered the reminder of Fr. Gani when we were about to descend at Mt. Cristobal in 2008 that most accidents happen on the way down. Never again that I would underrate every part of a trail, steep nor gentle because a mountaineer needs to go home safely to be able to share his story, to be able to stare at the heights where he once stood, and to reminisce the feelings from time to time. A mountaineer should be able to share his stories of grappling, pulling ups, crawling and even jumping to inspire others to patiently and courageously climb their own rough terrains. Likewise, I remembered the story of a man who won in a marathon but died on his way home, the soul of the man was quite lonely not because he did not enjoy the family celebration but he can no longer share the feelings of being on top, the feelings of experiencing the competition, and the thrill of accepting his prize.
After we crossed the forest, we passed through mango farm, vegetable farm and finally a registration check point! After exiting, I looked back at the mountain…closed my eyes and whispered ‘thank you’. Then, I walk ten steps farther, had a glimpse of the rough terrain again, and softly spoke ‘I was there'.
After further walking down through a zigzag road, we arrived at the spring resort in Barangay Juan Bano, neatened ourselves, and eventually went back to Manila. I was very thankful with Jhay and Nasakilak Mountaineering Group for this climbing opportunity. This Mt. Arayat climb was a great chance to be able to appreciate the beauty of nature; meet new friends; enjoy the spectacular view; and most importantly, discover oneself.
After we crossed the forest, we passed through mango farm, vegetable farm and finally a registration check point! After exiting, I looked back at the mountain…closed my eyes and whispered ‘thank you’. Then, I walk ten steps farther, had a glimpse of the rough terrain again, and softly spoke ‘I was there'.
After further walking down through a zigzag road, we arrived at the spring resort in Barangay Juan Bano, neatened ourselves, and eventually went back to Manila. I was very thankful with Jhay and Nasakilak Mountaineering Group for this climbing opportunity. This Mt. Arayat climb was a great chance to be able to appreciate the beauty of nature; meet new friends; enjoy the spectacular view; and most importantly, discover oneself.