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.
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, 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.
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”.
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.
We went to Balingkilat and faced tough challenges… in the end, we gained more and grow further.