post imported from another site dated 08.11.08

Climbing Mt. Daguldul proved to be more difficult than I first expected.  We scheduled the climb two (2) weeks ago and prayed to the gods that it won't rain or that no storm will come on the scheduled date.  My sister and her officemate even did the "sun dance" to coax the heavens to suspend the rainfall even only for a weekend.  I guess the gods do want to see us sweat over the climb or the sun dance did its magic trick.  We had a very sunny weather last weekend.

We started the day last Saturday (August 9) early.  For people who know me, that would mean really early for me.  My brother insisted that we leave the house in LB at around 2am.  I said that would be too early and it's quite difficult to find yourself without a ride in the wee hours of the morning and without a bench to sit on.  So we agreed to leave at 4am.  We were 11 people plus 1 who will come from his house and will meet us before we take the jeepney to Calamba. 

After the usual morning bath and breakfast before a climb, we finally left the house at 5am (an hour later than the agreed time).  Nevertheless, we were in Lipa early enough.  We took a bus from Turbina, Calamba.  This took a shorter time since the bus passed through the Star Tollway. 

Upon arrival in Lipa, my brother had to wait for a former classmate who wasn't sure if he could come with us.  It took us almost an hour to wait for the guy who as it turned out couldn't really join the climb.  Then we left Lipa riding a jeepney to San Juan.  The driver agreed to take us directly to Brgy. Hugom where we will start the climb.  The fare was P120.00 each.  It was fair enough so off we went.

It wasn't difficult to find the beach front where we'd start the trek.  We had to register at the HEGA (Hugom Environmental Guides Association) where we were assigned a guide.  Registration fee is P35.00 per head and the tour guide fee for the entire group is P350.00.  After a 10-minute wait the guide arrived and we started the trek. 

We took a 15-minute hike along the shore to the takeoff point.  Then we started the climb without even the usual stretching that is a must.  I suppose my brother who is used to the climb forgot about it or we just didn't bother.  And like I said at the beginning, it was more difficult than I expected. 

Since the gods I was talking about earlier decided to let the sun shine that weekend, we climbed Mt. Daguldul under the scorching heat of the sun.  We were sweating and puffing our way up.  Yeah, I did sweat some despite my skinny frame.  There were a lot of stopovers as our companions were not all experienced climbers.  Or the last climb they had was years ago.  So we took our time.  Along the way, we passed by the famed (there actually were three of them) halo-halo store.  We got to experience the sweet, savory goodness of Batangas hospitality for P20.00 a glass.  It was a welcome treat after an hour or so ascent to the top.  We decided to cook and eat lunch at the halo-halo store.

Trek then resumed at 1:00pm.  This time it was more difficult since we just had lunch and we'd much prefer a nap.  But being our first time to climb Mt. Daguldul, we weren't sure how much longer it would take us to reach the top.  We were more concerned with being there before sunset to see the majestic view.  After a few more stopovers we finally reached a campsite.  That would probably be the Gulugod Baboy they were talking about at the different sites I've visited to know more about Mt. Daguldul.

We went to the other campsite which was nearer the water source.  There were already a few people there when we arrived.  They were the first group up and were able to take the better spot.  Nevertheless, there was more than enough room for all our tents.  It was 4pm when we got to the top and was still too hot to set up the tents so we just lazed around.  Not surprisingly, I fell asleep on the carabao grass covering the field with a garbage bag to lie on.

Then the guys pitched our tents (4 in all). One tent was for the guys, my brother's tent was for my sister and her companions (they're 3 in all) and another one borrowed by my sister and her officemate from another officemate was for them and myself (we were 4 girls). 

Before long, the guys were cooking our dinner of corned beef and spicy tuna (canned) sauteed in oil, tomatoes and onions.  The first group who came before us ate their dinner earlier than we did.  We took pictures (lots of them to be posted later) and went to the water source to freshen up.  Yes, girls need freshening up after an arduous climb under the sun.

The first group who got there ate their dinner early.  After a few minutes our group was ready to eat ours but the guys have started sharing the only bottle of gin they brought along and decided to eat later.  After dinner there was nothing much to do.  A socialization would have been good but our group was a little shy and the first group started their drinking session after dinner.  Had we known there wasn't much to do at night we would have brought our own drink.  Since we didn't, we simply contented ourselves with playing cards and turned in early.  After all, we were all really exhausted with the climb.

The next morning we were up before sunrise.  As we opened our tent, behold!  The fog surrounding the campsite was as thick as smoke.  So we got our cameras and phones ready to take pictures.  They will be posted soon.  As the sun slowly came up, the guys once more prepared our breakfast.  We brought salted eggs, tomatoes, dried fish and noodles for breakfast.  Soon enough we were eating our hearts out.  They weren't much but when shared with friends at the top of a mountain you labored to climb, it was a feast for us.

We decided to start the trek down earlier so we can pass by the Naambon Falls.  We started at 8:30 and arrived at the falls by 11:00.  The descent was a lot faster than our ascent.  We took pictures at the falls then headed down to give us enough time for swimming at the beach.  Once more, we passed the halo-halo stalls and had our fill.  This time, there was fresh coconut too.  Almost an hour of rest at the place then we resumed our trek.  By lunchtime we were at the beach front.  The guys (as always) prepared lunch while we took a swim.  We couldn't swim long since it was almost noon and we were scheduled to leave by 2:30.  They talked with a jeepney driver in the place who agreed to take us back to San Juan for P55.00 each. 

A short swim and lunch of breakfast leftovers and some luncheon meat and we were good to go.  After the last person had showered and all the trash was in its proper place, every bag secured and nothing was left, we headed for the jeep and rode to san juan.  Some of us (that includes me) were asleep during the trip.  The short swim and the breeze (dusty that may be) lulled us to sleep.  We arrived at San Juan then rode another jeep to Lipa.  By 4:00 we were in Lipa ready to board the bus once more for LB.  My brother and his friends took a bus to Batangas while the rest of us went to LB.  My sister's friends were bound for Alabang but they decided to ride with us to Turbina where they took a bus bound for Alabang.

It was a good weekend.  Tiresome really but fun.  Our pictures should describe what we went through.  But the soreness of every muscle in my legs and feet and even in my stomach (how could it hurt?) wouldn't be seen in the pictures.  Suffice it to say that I groan once in a while of muscle pain and soreness.  I am not complaining!  It was all worth it.  I can't wait for the next climb.