Mt. Pulag 2011

Bokod, Benguet
Major jump-off: Ambangeg Ranger Stn, Bokod, Benguet
LLA: 16°34'58"N 120°53'15"E, 2922 MASL (#3)
Hours to summit / Days required: 4-5 hours / 2 days
Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-2
(Source: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/09/mt-pulag-2922.html)

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


The BACKPACKERS and Friends 
Climb Luzon's Highest Peak: MT. PULAG
(2011 Ultimate Summer Adventure Via Ambangeg Trail) 

By: Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr

It was definitely an amazing experience to be on top of the great Mt. Pulag while realizing that we were literally higher than the sea of clouds.

Mt. Pulag is one of the most beautiful mountains in the country. Famous to both local and foreign mountaineers, it stands 2922 MASL making it the third highest mountain in the Philippine archipelago.

The Journey Begins...

We left Manila at exactly nine in the evening and reached the Summer capital of the Philippines at around three in the morning of the next day. As expected, it was cold in Baguio City, where a monster jeep waited for us.

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.