On September 4, 2015, I decided to explore Mt. Pamitinan and the nearby Mt. Binikayan. Through social media, I invited my good hiking friend, Engr. Ven who extended the invitation to her hiking buddies. We decided to meet at 4:00 AM in Jollibee Aurora Ave corner EDSA (which should have been Jollibee Farmers Plaza). Ven was joined by Rommel, Raffy, Samuel, and Thadz. In in my case, Nicko who was supposed to join me but failed to show at the meeting place.
After grouping ourselves, we then we proceeded to the Rodriguez (Montalban) bound van terminal in front of the Jollibee Farmers Plaza.
We left Cubao at around 4:30 and arrived in Eastwood, Rodriguez at around 5:05 AM where we waited for Thadz. Luckily, there was a nearby Ministop where we bought food stuffs while waiting for him.
Around 5:40, we headed to Barangay Wawa via tricycle and met Mark Anthony, our prearranged guide. With Mark Anthony’s guidance, we registered at the DENR and at the Barangay Hall.
It was 6:08 AM when we start ascending towards the saddle connecting Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Hapunang Banoi. We initially crossed Wawa River through the long hanging bridge and passed through residential area. Initially, the trail is characterized by clean, moderately muddy with protruding slippery blocks of limestone. The first trail wonder that greeted us was the beautiful old Balete Tree which enticed us to pause for a while and take some pictures of our 'freshly' perspiring bodies.
After grouping ourselves, we then we proceeded to the Rodriguez (Montalban) bound van terminal in front of the Jollibee Farmers Plaza.
We left Cubao at around 4:30 and arrived in Eastwood, Rodriguez at around 5:05 AM where we waited for Thadz. Luckily, there was a nearby Ministop where we bought food stuffs while waiting for him.
Around 5:40, we headed to Barangay Wawa via tricycle and met Mark Anthony, our prearranged guide. With Mark Anthony’s guidance, we registered at the DENR and at the Barangay Hall.
It was 6:08 AM when we start ascending towards the saddle connecting Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Hapunang Banoi. We initially crossed Wawa River through the long hanging bridge and passed through residential area. Initially, the trail is characterized by clean, moderately muddy with protruding slippery blocks of limestone. The first trail wonder that greeted us was the beautiful old Balete Tree which enticed us to pause for a while and take some pictures of our 'freshly' perspiring bodies.
While within the periphery of the old Balete, one of our companions, expressed concern on his physiologic condition. Dizziness and stomach upset is dragging him to abort the climb. He decided to pull back and insisted that to go back to the registration area where he will wait for our return. Before setting his first step to back track, we decided to convince him to relax his body and persuaded him to push and conquer the mountain. After few convincing phrases, he decided to move on following our insinuations to simply walk on 'baby steps' with a relaxed upper body.
At 6:36 AM, we reached the limestone wall with overhead ‘cantilever’ that holds some ‘stalactites’ formed by the dripping water. At the foot of the wall is a makeshift store that offers refreshment to hikers. We briefly rested in the area and took some souvenir shots. That ‘limestone’ wall is I guess the second natural treat of the trail.
At 7:00 AM, we reached the saddle and rested again for a while to let one of our companion who is suffering from dizziness recover his vibrancy. While resting for a while, since we didn’t have luxury of time to know each other more, consumed the resting time by sharing information about our works. Surprisingly, we are almost in the same field except for some.
7:15 AM, we pushed towards Mt. Banoi, and dealt with rugged and sharp limestone formation. At 7:30, we reached a ‘limestone obelisk’ which enticed us to be on its tip. Climbing this stone is very dangerous but being on top it is unexplainably delightful. We took turn in climbing and gave ourselves ample time to be awed by the rock formation.
At 7:00 AM, we reached the saddle and rested again for a while to let one of our companion who is suffering from dizziness recover his vibrancy. While resting for a while, since we didn’t have luxury of time to know each other more, consumed the resting time by sharing information about our works. Surprisingly, we are almost in the same field except for some.
7:15 AM, we pushed towards Mt. Banoi, and dealt with rugged and sharp limestone formation. At 7:30, we reached a ‘limestone obelisk’ which enticed us to be on its tip. Climbing this stone is very dangerous but being on top it is unexplainably delightful. We took turn in climbing and gave ourselves ample time to be awed by the rock formation.
8:05 AM we pushed deeper to the trail by dealing with steeper and sharper limestone formation. We also enjoyed another major unique rock formation. The uniqueness of stone formation is pleasing to the soul!
After grappling with vines and thorny plants, dealing with sharp formations, and bouldering some peculiarly shape limestone formation, we reached the summit at around 9:10 AM. As expected, it was a place where one’s heart will jump out of delight. We stayed at the summit for thirty minutes to give ourselves ample time to enjoy and avoid any regret of failing to maximize the moment on top of this rough terrain. As for Thadz, as expected, the charm of the mountain blew out all his anxious feelings!
After grappling with vines and thorny plants, dealing with sharp formations, and bouldering some peculiarly shape limestone formation, we reached the summit at around 9:10 AM. As expected, it was a place where one’s heart will jump out of delight. We stayed at the summit for thirty minutes to give ourselves ample time to enjoy and avoid any regret of failing to maximize the moment on top of this rough terrain. As for Thadz, as expected, the charm of the mountain blew out all his anxious feelings!
We then moved back to the saddle where we are scheduled to have our early lunch before climbing the twin Mt. Pamitinan.