In the early morning of June 27, 2015; Emerson Olonan, Paolo Go, Vernad Tan, Aisha Hafeez traveled to Olongapo City, Zambales via Victory Lines bus to experience Mt. Balingkilat. Upon arriving in Olongapo at 6:15, we quickly had our breakfast at Jollibee. We then proceeded to Subic, Zambales where we registered at the Municipal PNP headquarters (PNP could be contacted at 09399386224). After the brief registration at PNP, we met the pre-arranged tricycle that will take us to to Cawag Resettlement Area to do courtesy visit to the chieftain and meet the Nelo Cosme (who could be contacted at 09473054291 should you need a guide in this mountain) . We then proceeded to the trail head located few hundred meters away from the resettlement area.
We started trekking at around 9:00 AM under the beautiful blue sky and smiling sun. Initially, we passed through few residential houses and eventually trekked along “patay na ilog” (dry river) until we reached the bank of the river. We then trekked along the bank of the river until we started the gradually inclined trail leading to the “kawayanan”, where we intended to rest and take our lunch.
At 9:36 AM, we were able to gain an altitude of almost 200 meters, this time the sun is scorching and the wind was weak to supply chilling breeze. We tried hard to battle the draining heat and keep our target to reach “kawayanan” at 11:00 AM.
At 9:36 AM, we were able to gain an altitude of almost 200 meters, this time the sun is scorching and the wind was weak to supply chilling breeze. We tried hard to battle the draining heat and keep our target to reach “kawayanan” at 11:00 AM.
At 10:22, we reached ‘kawayanan”, at least few minutes earlier than our target. We had our lunch, rested for an hour to at least enjoy the shade, and refilled our tumblers with fresh water from the source nearby. In my case, I did try to maximize my time to rest because I am sure, the trail ahead is much more ‘burning’ and ultra-exposed to the bright sun.
Around 11:10 AM when we continued our trekking under the challenging and energy burning heat of the sun. We reached a possible E-camp at 475 MASL at around 12:44 PM. Along the trail, our group took the opportunity to regain our strength under some solitary trees or shrubs scattered along the trail. Around 2:30 PM when we finally have a better situation, the clouds (mountain cloud crown) that was trapped on the upper slope by wind dynamics due to the terrain configuration gave us shade during our final ascend to the steepest part of the trail.
Around 11:10 AM when we continued our trekking under the challenging and energy burning heat of the sun. We reached a possible E-camp at 475 MASL at around 12:44 PM. Along the trail, our group took the opportunity to regain our strength under some solitary trees or shrubs scattered along the trail. Around 2:30 PM when we finally have a better situation, the clouds (mountain cloud crown) that was trapped on the upper slope by wind dynamics due to the terrain configuration gave us shade during our final ascend to the steepest part of the trail.
We reached the summit safely at around 3:45 PM and immediately set up our tents. At the campsite, we met Carl Derick, a solo mountaineer from Las Pinas who eventually joined our group in the summit assault.
We reached the summit, explored the twin peaks and delighted ourselves with the very beautiful view of the West Philippine Sea, the nearby rough terrains such as of Cinco Picos, Dayungan, Naulaw and others, and the urban areas of Olongapo City and the Town of Subic. We decided to stay for a while and wait for the sunset, however, thick clouds covered the summit; so, we decided to go back to the campsite. When we are about to descend from the summit, we saw a sign that there will be clearing again…. a ‘small window’ within the thick clouds revealed portion of the downhill view. Thus, we decided to wait again. In 15 minutes, all the thick fog were cleared. The view of the sun as it was about to hide in the horizon was breath taking! The dramatic cloud formations as it catch the beams of the setting sun further beautified the emotion enhancing view! It was the best summit sunset ever in my life as a mountaineer. The difficult and challenging hike, the tiredness, and the aching sunburn were all gone upon seeing the rewarding scenery.
We reached the summit, explored the twin peaks and delighted ourselves with the very beautiful view of the West Philippine Sea, the nearby rough terrains such as of Cinco Picos, Dayungan, Naulaw and others, and the urban areas of Olongapo City and the Town of Subic. We decided to stay for a while and wait for the sunset, however, thick clouds covered the summit; so, we decided to go back to the campsite. When we are about to descend from the summit, we saw a sign that there will be clearing again…. a ‘small window’ within the thick clouds revealed portion of the downhill view. Thus, we decided to wait again. In 15 minutes, all the thick fog were cleared. The view of the sun as it was about to hide in the horizon was breath taking! The dramatic cloud formations as it catch the beams of the setting sun further beautified the emotion enhancing view! It was the best summit sunset ever in my life as a mountaineer. The difficult and challenging hike, the tiredness, and the aching sunburn were all gone upon seeing the rewarding scenery.
During our stay in the summit, Carl became our photography director, giving and suggesting instructions on how could we capture the dramatic view. As a result, we were able to capture the best summit sunset in perpetuity! We had beautiful photos… showing our delight and unquestionable enjoyment.
When the sun settled on the horizon, we went back to the campsite and cooked our dinner together. Carl Derick joined our group and offered his presence in our next hiking schedules and activities. During our dinner, as we shared our food with each other, I felt that all of us were a member of a long-time mountaineering group.
We rested in our respective tents at around 9:15 PM. Emer joined me in my tent. For the first time after series of planning a hikes, Emer and I were able to climb together. We have been talking and planning on facebook for almost a year, this time, God rewarded us a good hike! Emer and I had a fruitful conversation that time before falling asleep.
At 5:00 AM, I woke up to volunteer in the preparation of our breakfast. At 7:15 AM, together, we enjoyed our breakfast while sharing stories about future hiking plans and past climbing experiences.
Around 8:00, we started trekking down via Bira-bira Trail… the trail was very challenging but the downhill view and the trail setting itself is far optically rewarding. It took as so long to trek the rocky ridge to the Bira-bira trail not because the group is experience difficulties but because we enjoyed taking photos and further delighting our eyes with the view while we were under the shades of the “mountain cloud crown”.
Around 8:00, we started trekking down via Bira-bira Trail… the trail was very challenging but the downhill view and the trail setting itself is far optically rewarding. It took as so long to trek the rocky ridge to the Bira-bira trail not because the group is experience difficulties but because we enjoyed taking photos and further delighting our eyes with the view while we were under the shades of the “mountain cloud crown”.
At 12:15 PM, we reached the end of the ridge and turned left to the trail leading to the jump off. We decided to drop our plan to go to Nagsasa Cove due to the unpredictable sea condition. Under the heat of the sun, we proceeded downhill until we reached the river after one and a half hour of further hike from the end of the ridge.
Some of us enjoyed the refreshing river while others were preparing our late lunch. For the first time, I had a very meaningful boodle fight experience. Believe me, it took us only 9 minutes and 2 seconds to finish the food, probably out of hunger and exhaustion.
We further enjoyed swimming before going back to the trail. We reached the jump off at around 4:49 and immediately neatened ourselves before going Victory Liner Terminal.
Some of us enjoyed the refreshing river while others were preparing our late lunch. For the first time, I had a very meaningful boodle fight experience. Believe me, it took us only 9 minutes and 2 seconds to finish the food, probably out of hunger and exhaustion.
We further enjoyed swimming before going back to the trail. We reached the jump off at around 4:49 and immediately neatened ourselves before going Victory Liner Terminal.
Thanks Engr. Paolo Go for spearheading the climb, to Engr. Vernard Tan and Engr. Emerson Olonan for sharing your presence, to Ms. AIsha Hafeez for being may trail buddy, to Carl Derick for sharing yourself to the group, and to Juan and Nelo, our guides for bringing us on top.
We went to Balingkilat and faced tough challenges… in the end, we gained more and grow further.
We went to Balingkilat and faced tough challenges… in the end, we gained more and grow further.