I was not able to join the Group when they climbed it for the first time in 2011. Because of that, and though I was aware of an accident that happened to a first-time hiker, who fell to her death attributed to human error, I was very excited and was looking forward to a memorable year-ender climb in a mountain where scenic views of Batangas could be seen - Mt. Batulao.
And yes, with The BACKPACKERS' Way in mind, that is individual sense of responsibility to personal and co-members' safety, we were able to seal the Group's mountaineering activities for 2012 safely and with pride.
The BACKPACKERS Year-Ender Climb
Mt. Batulao Traverse
By Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.
December 29, 2012 - It was an intermittently gloomy Saturday past noon in Metro Manila and it actually drizzled when the Group was waiting to be boarded on a bus bound for Nasugbu, Batangas. Because it was two days before the new year's eve, that terminal along Taft Avenue in Pasay City, for Genesis and BSC buses and jeepneys, was crowded and lines of passengers hurrying to go home to the South were literally lengthy. As a matter of fact, it took almost an hour before we found ourselves finally climbing a BSC bus! But it was totally fine because our Lead, Ivan Ignacio, had already briefed us ahead of time that it was going to be a night trek for us. We were eight in the group namely BPs Liz, Chons, Heinz, York, Resty and Ivan; and guests Wilson Galapon and Alva Zarte Nombrado.
