Itinerary: Mt. Talomo

There were two known trails in Mt. Talomo, the Baracatan trail and the Tamayong trail. Before my climb in Mt. Talomo, I have heard only of the Tamayong trail. It is where the true summit is. However upon research, I was invited to climb the Baracatan side, with the Baracatan peak as the highest point, just across the Tamayong peak. Here are my collections of notes on the two trails.

How to Prepare a Trail Mix

In my previous post regarding outdoor nutrition, I promised to write about how to prepare a home-made trail mix. To those unfamiliar with the term - a trail mix is a combination of dried fruits, nuts, grains and sometimes chocolate… which is most of the time brought on an outdoor activity and is oftentimes a desirable snack because it is lightweight, nutritious, filling and gives that very much needed energy boost.

Camp Food: TINAPAntastik Ulalammm

Something I found at the grocery, and first thing that came to mind is how handy this will be on a climb. I am a picky eater, having a pesco-vegetarian or junk food diet. Something other than my canned tuna BFF.

Directions at the back suggested that it can be reheated by soaking the pack in hot water for 5minutes. It is not microwavable. Servings indicated that this can feed 2 persons, but knowing that all climbers eat beyond their usual food serving I presume this can nourish only one hiker.

Being in a plastic pack makes it lighter as versus canned goods and more desirable to light packers, but can be an issue with the environmentalists. But for me this is perfect, all it needs is a little taste test and who knows I might find yet another addition to my climb "buddies".

I will update this blog regarding the result of the taste test, or might delete this post all the same if the outcome turns out to be horrible.

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Itinerary: Mt. Kalatungan Traverse (New Eden - Pigtauranan)

During our Mt. Kalatungan climb last October 2010, we were told that we’re a few days late from a climb event. I was handed out a flyer by Mr. Ver Alima, the Mt. Kalatungan Park Superintendent and was encouraged to do the same trail. But since we were resolved to do the reverse traverse of Pangantucan-Talakag route, I promised him that I will return for this trail and that I will share this information to other aspiring Mt. Kalatungan climbers.

Itinerary: Mt. Amuyao (Barlig-Barlig)

It was supposed to be a very nice, long weekend. But thanks to Typhoon Mina, it was devastation for our countrymen up north, and botched vacation plans for most. Though this climb was conceptualized in less than a month before the actual trip, we were almost prepared for this...cancellation was a bit disheartening. I originally intended to do a backtrail chillax climb, whilst my companion will pursue a traverse. Here is a sample IT of my botched trip (I will post on a separate entry the traverse itinerary).


MT. AMUYAO LONG WEEKEND
Barlig-Barlig
August 26-29, 2011


Day 0 Friday
1930 Meetup at Cable Bus terminal (near St. Lukes in Cubao, QC)
2030 ETD Cubao to Bontoc



Day 1 Saturday
0800 ETA Talubin junction, wait for jeep
0900 ETD for Barlig
1100 ETA Barlig, rest, quick lunch, secure guide
1200 Start trek of Monkelat trail
1500 ETA Mt. Polis summit
1630 ETA Barlig viewpoint
1800 ETA Mt. Amuyao summit, prepare dinner
2300 Lights off



Trails:
1. Awa rice field
2. Stairway to Mt. Alemmona (1800masl)
3. Stairway to Mt. Polis (2000masl)
4. Mossy forest to Lifod/Tochor
5. Barlig Viewpoint at 2200masl
6. Mossy forest leading to Amuyao Knife Edge


Reverse IT

Day 2 Sunday
0600 Wakeup call, cook breakfast
0700 Breakfast, explore area, laze around
1100 Cook lunch
1200 Lunch, rest afterwards, explore the area
1300 Socials to sawa
1700 Prepare dinner
1800 Dinner
1900 Socials ulit
2300 Lights off



Day 3 Monday
0530 Wakeup call, cook breakfast and packed lunch
0600 Breakfast and breakcamp
0700 Start trek
1200 ETA Barlig, lunch and washup
1330 ETD Barlig to Talubin junction
1530 ETA Talubin junction
1545 ETD Talubin to Manila via Cable Bus Tours



Day 4 Tuesday
0300 ETA Manila

Updated Traveler Status: My Lakbayan Grade is now B- !



My Lakbayan grade is B- !

Whoa! Has it been that long already? I first took my Lakbayan test last January 2011. The first time I took it I garnered a Lakbayan grade of C. Now after 7 months a few flights here, a few pennies spent there…. I am upgraded to a B-!

Here's my Lakbayan status before: http://bundokaholics.blogspot.com/2011/01/traveler-status-my-lakbayan-grade.html


Where had I been since I took the Lakbayan test last?
1. Iloilo/Guimaras
2. Ifugao
3. Batanes
4. Cebu
5. Legazpi/Naga
6. Bacolod
7. Dumaguete
8. Tacloban/Leyte

Regretfully, these are the places that could have improved my status:
1. Catarman (July 2011)
2. Zamboanga (July 2011)
3. Tawi-tawi (July 2011)

And these are the upcoming travels that I will miss…
1. CDO/Misamis Oriental (Aug. 4, 2011)
2. North/South Cotabato (Aug. 21, 2011)

The year is still young, and there are so many places to travel to. I just wish that I can sustain this kind of lifestyle by prioritizing what matters most. Cheers to all the places that we will grace in the near future!!!

For your own Lakbayan grade, please visit: http://forge.codedgraphic.com/lakbayan/

So… how did you fare? Care to share? =D

Travel Bloggers Forum - A Blog and Soul Event

In any Blog and Soul event that I have attended, I really appreciate the first-hand sharing of experiences by the chosen panelists per event. The latest session I went to featured the who's who of the blogosphere, with blog names such as Ivan About Town, Journeying James, EAZY Traveler, and IronWulf. As hosted by Justwandering Nina and with special guest appearance of Pinay Solo Backpacker, indeed the event was star-studded.

Get Me Out of Here!: Tacloban Airport (TAC)

Tacloban Airport (TAC) or Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport is the gateway to Tacloban City and is located in/or near San Jose, Tacloban City.

It is named so after the former House Speaker Daniel Z. Romualdez who initiated citification of Tacloban.

Gender Sensitivity: A Mountaineering Perspective by Ms. Heia Natalia

Blogger’s note: I personally met the author of the article during the “Saragka sa Bukid Bulusan 2009” event. The roster of the outdoor peeps I am looking up to are mainly composed of men. It is a rarity that I admire a female outdoor person… and Ms. Heia is one of them.

For what I know, she has already achieved the status of “Everest basecamper”. She had climbed most of the hardcore mountains in the Phils., and she is an advocate for MFPI’s All Women’s Climb. She has also scaled Mt. Kinabalu in Malaysia, and is planning to do Mt. Kilimanjaro come 2012.

What was stuck in my head was that, as a training climb for Mt. Everest, she did a dayhike of the mountain where I almost died… Mt. Isarog.

Get Me Out of Here!: Naga Airport (WNP)

One of the 3 major airports in Bicolandia is Naga City Airport (the two being Legazpi and Virac airport). The airport whose domestic code is WNP, primarily serves most passengers bound for Camarines Norte and Sur, and probably the nearby Iriga. It is classified as a Class 1 airport. Terminal fee is around php30.00-50.00 (honestly I forgot).