Mt. Manalmon

San Miguel, Bulacan
Major jump-off: Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel
LLA: 15°15.11'N; 121°1.22' E; 196 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: Half-day / 1 hour
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-2
(Source: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/10/mt-manalmon-196.html)

The Backpackers:
Ivan Ignacio
Heinz Lopez Alvarez
Jovy Duremdes
Liz Honrade
Ralph Flores

Mt. Manalmon and 
the Big Five Madlum Adventure
By: Ivan Ignacio

The Backpackers Big Five - Ralph, Jovy, Liz, Heinz and Ivan stopped a bit for a pose by the Madlum River's entry point.

The five backpackers were greeted by the sight of Biak Na Bato and the Sierra Madre mountain range. Jovy was baffled because she did not expect that we will be climbing a mountain that day. And what seemed to be an ordinary day became an adventure packed day!

Upon seeing the view of Madlum river at the end of the rough road, the small group dazed at the beautiful sight in front of them. And everyone forgot about Anawangin, Sembrano or their respective abodes – all hearts were set in conquering this majestic place, Madlum!

  

Mt. Arayat

Arayat, Pampanga
Pampanga
Entry point: Brgy. Ayala, Magalang, Pampanga
Exit point: Brgy. Juan Bano, Arayat, Pampanga
LLA: 15.2067N, 120.7441E, 1030 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1-2 days / 5 hours (NP) 8 hours (SP)
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 5/9, Trail class 1-4 (10kms)(Source: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/mt-arayat-1030_09.html)

The Backpackers:
Ivan Laurence Ignacio
Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.
Len Tomas
Liz Honrade
Ralph Flores
York Advento
Frank Aguilar

Jovy Duremdes
Contz Cirujales
Deepee Piano


Plus:
Mon Sarmiento
Jovy Almero

The Backpackers Survived 

Sinukuan's Traverse Challenge
~By The Backpackers Lead, Ivan Ignacio

Poster by Ivan Ignacio

A Climb Master

Mt. Cristobal

Dolores, Quezon; San Pablo, Laguna
Major jump-off: Brgy. Dolores, Quezon > Traverse to: San Pablo, Laguna
LLA: 14.064° N 121.428° E, 1470 MASL (600m gain)
Days required / Hours to summit: ASCENT- 4.5 Hrs. TRAVERSE-6 Hrs. TOTAL-10.5 Hrs.
Specs: Major Climb
(Source <selective>: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/09/mt-cristobal-1470.html)

The Backpackers:
Ivan Laurence Ignacio
Angelica Cawaling
Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.
Mon Sarmiento


Mt. Cristobal: Traversing the Devil's Mountain
By: Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.

February 26 to 27, 2011 - Perhaps the most uniquely anticipated climb among mountaineers and enthusiasts of all time because of the curiosity it brings as this mountain is known for "hair-raising stories" which, they say, were actually experienced both by mountaineers and the locals. For the two Backpackers, Ivan and Heinz, this climb was extremely exciting because of the above mentioned reason; second, it was their second major climb; and third, it was Ivan's birthday climb.

From Left: Ivan, Angel, Shine, G, Will, Mon, Heinz, Rex, and Louie (ducked)

The group boarded a JAC Liner bus at its Buendia Station soon as the headcount was found complete. Composed of nine climbers, they traveled Manila to San Pablo City, Laguna, for an hour and fourty-five minutes (09:30 AM - 11:15 AM) while pretty much  preoccupied with "what lies ahead".  The drop off  spot was Jollibee- San Pablo City, where the group's guide, Kuya Lito, was already waiting.

Mt. Tarak

Mariveles, Bataan
Jump off point: Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles
LLA: 14°30.357′N, 120°30′E, 1,006 MASL (ridge); 1,130 MASL (peak)
Days required / Hours to summit: 2 days, 5-6 hours
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3
(Source: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/tarak-ridge-1130.html)

The Backpackers:
Ivan Laurence Ignacio
Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.

Mt. Tarak: A Great Major For Us

By: Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.

While the media was busy with interrogating majors and generals in the Armed Forces of the Philippines about the corruption in the said office, i preferred to select nice pictures, wrote this entry and published it via this blog.
 

Tarak Ridge taken from a national highway.

January 30 and 31, 2011- It was the "end of the first month in 2011 so might as well end it with a bang!", I thought.

Mt. Batulao

Nasugbu, Batangas
Jump-off point: Evercrest Golf Course, Nasugbu
LLA: 14.0408 N 120.8011 E 811 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-4 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3 with 60-70 degrees assault
(Source: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/mt-batulao-811.html)

The Backpackers:
Ivan Laurence Ignacio
Len Tomas
Ralph Flores
York Advento
Frank Aguilar
Pam Bautista
Jovy Duremdes
Contz Cirujales

Mt. Batulao: A Twin Peaks Adventure
Letters from: Ralph Flores and Contz Cirujales
Photo Selection and Captioning by: Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.

The fascinating Mt. Batulao.

**********
The ITINERARY

DAY ONE – January 22

8:00 AM - ETD Baclaran

10:30 AM - ETA Tagaytay Market
11:30 AM - ETD Tagaytay Market
12:15 PM - ETA Evercrest. Jumpoff point.
12:30 PM - Start Trek
2:00 PM - Arrival at Wilson’s kubo. Photo ops
3:00 PM - Continue Trek via New Trail
4:30 PM - ETA Campsite (Peak 8)
Set up camp. Rest
5:30 PM - Prepare dinner
7:00 PM - Dinner
8:00 PM - Socials
12:00 AM - Lights Out

DAY TWO – January 23

6:00 AM - Sunrise viewing
7:00 AM - Assault to Summit
7:40 AM - Summit. Marvel at the view. Photo ops
10:00 AM - Go back to campsite
11:00 AM - Quick Lunch
12:00 PM - Descent
2:00 PM - Back at Evercrest
3:00 PM - Gubat Beach Resort
6:00 PM - Departure
9:00 PM - Arrival. Baclaran
**********

Poster by Ivan Ignacio

From The BackPackers 

~ By Ralph Flores

As part of our commitment to have at least one climb per month, the group decided to conquer MT. Batulao, in Nasugbo, Batanggas. It was an easier climb compared to our first (Mt.Pico de Loro) and almost the same as our second one (Mt.Gulugod Baboy) coz we are able to witness the beauty of the place on our way to the campsite and to the summit. And the rest of the trek can be described with the following: Bruno Mars-ie. Early dispatch. New found friends. Lecel. Chai. Mommy Ems & Daniel. Tagaytay Market. Hot Bulalo. Frank's new DSLR. Marben & the other Porters. Horses, horses and more HORSES. Start of trek. Long walk. Buko Juice. Halo-halo. Peak 1-8. Peak 7-Campsite. My new tent. Summit-summit-an. Solo pics. Pam's Menudo. Rice-ala-chicken food. Ivan's Ensalada. Socials. 3 Cosack Vodka + 1 Grand Matador = Gulong pababa at pagtatawag ng uwak. Zombie. Len's hair.

Chillin' morning. Headache. Hangover. Our way to the Summit. York's turn comes in 3s. Group Pics. Jovy's checks. Solo pics sa Batuhan. Conts' slide. Jump Shots. Daniel's porter. Long walk again. Gubat-Gubat resort. Cold Swimming pool. Lecel's Vegetable salad (wow). Interview portion. Late dinner in KFC. --- Can't wait for the next climb in February. CONGRATULATIONS UNSTOPPABLE BACKPACKERS FOR ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL CLIMB!!! oO,)rockenroll Jan. 22-23,2011

~ By Contz Cirujales

Sa itaas ng bundok ng Mt. Batulao, may isang lalakeng nag tanong kung tama ba o mali na tanggapin niya pa ang taong mahal niya. Hindi sinagot ng mga taong tinanong niya. Kaya umepal ako at sinagot ko ang tanong niya ng ilan pang mga tanong. Hind ko nasagot ng maayos sa itaas kaya heto ang kabuuan ng sagot ko.

Hindi mo dapat tinatanong kung tama o  mali kung tatanggapin mo siya muli, instead you should be thinking of how are you going to define yourself after making the decision. Anu na ba ang magiging tingin mo sa sarili mo pagkatapos mo saying tanggapin muli?Magiging sino ka na ba kung pakakawalan mo na siya. Is the decision going to make you worst? is it going to make you a better person?Because how you look at yourself would determine how you live your life everyday. When you wake up in the morning how are you going to keep yourself moving with or without her.

Sana nakinig siya…. 

Photos show it all

The Backpackers: Ralph, York , Pam, Frank, Len, Jovy, Contz and Ivan; and a guest climber.

The Backpackers' very own Masculados.

Mt. Batulao... explored!!!