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[infandousthoughts-blog]

Mt. Daraitan 2017

January 5, 2017 Though we left Ministop at 4:30AM, our day started earlier than that. My friends came over to spend the night at our place, and it was a pleasant reunion of some sort. As soon as they arrived, stories were shared and the latest updates were discussed among us. Rain followed us as we drove to Tanay, Rizal, and it was a tedious 3-hour drive from where we met up. It was a smooth ride until we entered the side road to Barangay Daraitan. The trail was invariably filled with rocks and mud. Numerous times, I've considered turning back and finding another mountain to hike. We've made it this far, I thought. Might as well finish it. When we finally reached our destination, the rain was still pouring. Knowing fully well the implications of the weather, we discussed our plan. "We can just go back and find another mountain to climb." "Let's just go to La Mesa Park." "We should have just stayed and watched a movie." In the end, we decided to push thru with our original plan. This was going to be a challenging hike. I parked the car 120 meters away (as mentioned by Ka Boots) from the jump off point. We were transported to the other side by a raft which cost us P5 each, and to the barangay hall with a tricycle that cost us P20 per head. Considering how famous Mt. Daraitan is among hikers, I expected the barangay hall to be full of people eagerly waiting to start their ascent. It was almost empty, with only the local tour guides seated in rows beside the registration booth. "Mt. Daraitan hike po?" I asked the person manning the booth. "Opo," the man said. He was old and haggard. When he spoke, his voice was raspy. It was an effort to understand what he was saying. "We have various options for your itinerary. Just look at what's posted beside you." The list included numerous choices, including hiking, touring the butterfly farm, spelunking, swimming, and even rapelling. We chose to forego the swimming and just hike to Mt. Daraitan. Once the environmental and tour guide fees were settled, we also secured our own hiking gloves and ponchos. As we finished the logistical concerns, we met our tour guide. Kuya Celso was an aged man with a burly physique. He was wearing boots, board shorts, and a long-sleeved shirt. After the formalities, he oriented us about the area and what we were to expect. "As early as now, I'm already saying that the trail will be steep and hard and long." Kuya Celso warned us. "It will be muddy, becaue of the rain. And the rocks will make the traverse slippery. But if we manage to reach the peak, we might catch the sea of clouds that Mt. Daraitan is known for. After hiking, we'll start our descent to Tinipak river." Though he was just explaining our itinerary, I was already excited. We were really going to hike! "If you have no more questions, let's start." --- With only three stations located at different points along our hike, it took us only a little bit more than two hours to reach the peak. Honestly, it wasn't as difficult as I expected. It was the rain, however, that made it a bit more challenging to climb. And it was precisely because of the drizzle why we weren't able to experience the clearing and the sea of clouds. Fortunately, we were also quick to realize that rock formations proved to be effective areas for photoshoots. Surprised at how quickly we were able to get to the top, Kuya Celso suggested a new itinerary for us. Before reaching Tinipak river, we were to pass by the waterfalls and other rock formations found in Mt. Daraitan. It was a great to way to make the most out of our day, and we all agreed with the plan. As we traversed back down to the barangay, we stopped at the waterfalls Kuya Celso mentioned. We all got ourselves wet from the waterfalls before eating our lunch. And, of course, it was another opportunity to have our photos taken. Continuing our descent, I already started to feel my knees and ankles getting sore. Each step was greeted by a sharp rock or mud that could swallow up one's whole foot. It was a long way down. "Patag na tayo." Kuya Celso would tell us sometimes. "But never trust those." We knew fully well that levelled paths were just as challenging as going on top of rocks. They were muddy, and a wrong move could immediately send one down on the ground. Surprisingly, it wasn't even 4:00PM when we finally arrived at the barangay hall. Except for one fall, there were no serious casualties during our traverse. Though we still wanted to see Tinipak river, we were all tired from the length of the traverse and my friends still had to go home to their provinces. "If that's the case," Kuya Celso said. "You'll have to come back to Daraitan to see Tinipak river and the rest of the rock formations!" We all agreed enthusiastically. "The next time you come, the other summit and the cave might already be open." He added. "You can invite more friends and try the best part, which is to overnight at one of our camp sites." Before saying our goodbyes to the locals in the barangay, Kuya Celso discussed how we are all equals when going up mountains. Not knowing where the conversation was going, we were all just nodding our heads. It was with great surprise when he confessed to us that he was actually the second president of the barangay. It was part of his plan not to tell us until after the whole trek. Once done, we went back to the car the same way we came, first starting with the tricycle and then the raft. Even though it still took us almost three hours before returning to Katipunan, the drive home seemed to be shorter. My friends called taxis and I drove back to Cavite, each heading their own way. This was the first time the three of us went on a trip like this, and it sure isn't the last time. --- It wasn't just the hike that was a great experience for me. In fact, it was also the drive going to the area and back! Being my first time to drive to Tanay, I was afraid we would get lost or that the car would get stuck somewhere. None of those happened and I can only feel relief and surprise upon realizing that I was able to do those things! At this moment, the famous ideology of Nietzche echoes in my mind: Man must surpass himself. I guess in this context, for me, it is when I surprise myself by being able to perform tasks I never thought I could that I surpass myself. I'm sure driving to Tanay and hiking up a mountain while raining are just a few of those instances for me. As I was hiking up the rocky and muddy Mt. Daraitan, I knew that each mountain offered a unique experience. No two mountains were the same in their traverse and peak, and that's what makes hiking for me such an amazing experience. It motivates you to reach as many peaks as possible, to conquer as many mountains as you can. The sense of fulfilment, of knowing how you were able to surpass yourself and conquer a mountain, is what makes each hike worthwhile. --- Summary of Mt. Daraitan Trip Transportation: Private Car Route: Marcos Highway, Marikina-Infanta Road, Barangay Daraitan side road Expenses: River Crossing - P5 + P5 (per head) Tricycle - P20 + P10 (per head) Environmental Fee - P50 (per head) Tour Guide Fee - P500 (per group) Tip - P100 Duration of hike: 2 hours going up and 2 hours going down Start Time: 8:30AM End Time: 3:45PM Notes: Rainy weather, side trip to waterfalls and rock formations

[infandousthoughts-blog]

1/365

So today is the first day of the year, and to guide me somewhat in the next three hundred and sixty four days of life, I decided to set up some goals for myself. Being a goal-oriented person, I know this will help me and hopefully make 2017 a fruitful one. 1. To record important events in my life, be it through photos, videos, or journal entries. 2. To go deeper in my friendships with people: have more friends other than my high school barkada and college drinking buddies whom I can confide in. 3. To have my own stand on controversial issues and to set my ideologies in life. 4. To go back to or to make new hobbies for myself: going back to writing and reading, getting serious in baking and firing -- being able to call two more things as my hobby. 5. To travel more so I can experience more: to visit at least one more Philippine city and country, by myself if possible. 6. To wear more skirts and dresses at least every week. 7. To spend less time with my work and organizations and to spend more time with myself, my friends, and my family. I'll probably add more as I go through the year, but this will be my general list. Here's to a better year!