Mt. Maculot

Cuenca, Batangas
Jump-off point: Brgy. Poblacion, Cuenca
LLA: 13°55'15"N; 121°2'30"E; 706 MASL
Days required / Hours to Rockies: Half day / 1-2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-3
(Source: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/mt-maculot-685.html)

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

Guest:
Angel Cawaling
Mon Sarmiento 
Weng Topasi


On June 16 and 17, The Backpackers experienced the most exacting course they had to face as a group.

All-strengths was tested...
Challenged by a death-defying trail...
Lost and arrived at an emergency camp...

But after that event, the Group was proven to be SOLID!   
With members believing in the "survivor spirit" within -  

So Mentally, Physically, and Emotionally STRONG.   

And They Readied for this...

Mt. Maculot: The REDEMPTION

By: Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr

Mt. Maculot

Cuenca, Batangas
Jump-off point: Brgy. Poblaction, Cuenca
LLA: 13°55'15"N; 121°2'30"E; 706 MASL
Days required / Hours to Rockies: Half day / 1-2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-3
(Source: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/mt-maculot-685.html)


The Backpackers:
Conts Cirujales
Jovy Duremdes
Liz Honrade
Deepee Piano
Frank Aguilar
Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr. 
Ivan Laurence Ignacio
Ralph FloresYork Advento
Len Tomas


Guests:
Angel Cawaling
Marion Macapagal
Weng Topasi
Mark 
Andie Yardan



The BACKPACKERS: 
Proven SOLID After Mt. Macu-LOST
By: Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr

Estimated Time of Departure (ETD) was moved to a later time. Shopping for climb food took  a longer time. Some BP members arrived late at the JAM Bus Terminal in Cubao. Those delays happened definitely due to valid reasons. However, though many different things were delayed that day, the group still looked forward to reaching the peak of a mountain in Cuenca, Batangas. A mountain very known to local climbers as Mt. Maculot. 

From left: Andie, Dee Pee, Contz, York, Len, Heinz, Jovy, Mark, Marion, Liz, Weng, Angel, Ralp, and Ivan.

Each mountain that we had climbed in the past varied on the challenges they offered. But this Mt. Maculot Climb outlasted them in terms of the difficulties that we encountered and the all-kinds-of-challenges that we had to go through.

Bayukbok Cave Adventure

Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan


Night Spelunking

"The adventure didnt stop after we finished climbing the 3 peaks of Bulacan. Since we are The Backpackers, we normally have some side trips after the main event (100 islands after Team Building in Pangasinan, Harbor View after Mt. Marami trek in Cavite,etc). But this time, it's a more challenging one. We did night spelunking, which according to our guides (Madlum Association), first time that will be experienced by their visitors/trekkers. We started the caving with Rappelling. And I have to admit, I really had a hard time finishing this task coz I really hate trusting my life with a piece of long & strong rope (remembering the rope in Toreng Bato in Pico de loro). Then we are welcomed by big spiders, sounds of snails (Gary), beautiful rock formations and stalactites. This is far more difficult than the first caving we had when we did the Men's Room. One wrong step and you'll die (or you'll be lucky enough if you will just break a bone). But seriously, for me this night spelunking is the most difficult among all the things we did for the entire two days." ~ Ralph Flores

THREE PEAKS: Mt. Manalmon

San Miguel, Bulacan

Third Challenge: Acing Mt. Manalmon
By: Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr

A view taken from Mt. Manalmon's peak.

"Third peak is the nice and easy Mt. Manalmon. For me, this is the most beautiful among the three peaks that we conquered. This is actually my third time here in Mt. Manalmon." ~ Ivan Ignacio

As what has been mentioned previously, the descend from Mt. Bagong- Bali was manageable.  It was quite a long trek though, from the foot of Mt. Bagong- Bali to our first major stop before climbing Mt. Manalmon.- the river. And, we had to bear with another set of crossing-the-river phase.

THREE PEAKS: Mt. Bagong Bali

San Miguel, Bulacan

Second Challenge: Be Among the Firsts at Mt. Bagong- Bali
By: Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.

From left: CONTZ, YORK, Gwen, FRANK, Andie, Marion, HEINZ, Clue, Weng, ANGEL, IVAN, LIZ, RALPH, Alex [In CAPS: The Backpackers]

"As per the Madlum Association, we are the fourth team to conquer this mountain. Good job Backpackers!" ~ Ivan Ignacio, The Backpackers Lead 

It was a very challenging course for all of us. It started soon as we were completely off Mt. Gola's elevation and back to the relatively flat surface of the earth. A lot of crossing-the-river challenges, muddy, rocky, sloping, and sometimes dangerous trails. And all of those (?) in almost total darkness of the night! many got tripped, slid, and got soaked.