Advertisement
Published: August 21st 2006
Edit Blog Post
Everytime you searched the web and look for info about this mountain, they all say one thing ... "the place is muddy". We have already experience how it was to trek a muddy mercky trail and its isnt really funny at all. Knowing that Mt. Famy is supposed to be an easy fun climb. Because of this, I told myself that we will only be climbing this mountain on summer. I guess those mud are signs that we shouldnt be there in the first place and the rainy days are supposed to be the time that the mountain should rejuvinate from all the stress that people are giving them. but some people doesnt seem to understand it. So summer is here again and so are we!!! This is actually our first climb for the year 2004. Originally, we were planning to go there by commuting but plans have changed. Since we are just "day trekkers" (as we are not yet comfortable spending the night up there) we are a bit worried on how do we get back to Alabang after our decend. Anyway, to make my story shorter we have decided to hire a taxi cab. The cab will bring us
in action !!!
oh no... I dont know how to swim!!! to the place.. and then wait for us till we get back. (How does it sounds to you... expensive he he he) . Since our driver is also not familiar with the place, we actually miss the jump off point. Its good that a tricycle driver gave us the direction to the jump off point. Unfortunaltely, our second attempt didnt succeed so we ask another man who is busy eating kaimito at that time. And finally, we found the place. We should be looking for the TROIS restaurant. And just on the other side is where you can find the trail to the jump off point. Its good that there are lots of people there and they are kind enough to lead you to the right direction. A boy about 10 years old I guess led us to the Jump off point which is the house where Aling Marlin resides. She is now the official carrier of the log book after the previos one died. Before you can reach their place, you have to cross a shallow river so if you dont intend to get you shoes wet then you have to try you balancing skills with the rocks that
the sound of music
the hills are alive with the sound of the music is just half submerge on water.Wooh.. that wasnt difficult at all ... though I almost fell in the water when one of the rock I stepped in isnt stable. My balancing act must have been really really good.... So after signing in at the log book and paying ... i mean ... giving some donation (sounds better right?), we were asked by Aling Merlin if we need a guide. She presented her son to us and we agreed to be our guide. Did you know that you can also rent a horse to carry your loads going to the falls? You can also ask Aling Merlin about it. The horse actually comes with a guide and you will also be paying just the same amount if you either chose just a guide or a horse with a guide. Its your choice. According to our guide there are two trails to get to the falls. But we all have one common thing in mind... to take the shortest and easiest trail. The starting trail seems to be not as easy as we expected as it is already a bit steep. Knowing that is our first climb for the year, it really
been there done that
Is that a beach short? ah .. ehh .. gave us some hard time. But dont worry its just the start of it. After some 30 minutes , its more of a walk in the part thing. We have reached the barangay outpost in less than 30 minutes where we are required to login again. Sounds like another donation here. But never mind that small amount you are giving as long as it will guarantee you safety during your trek to the falls. There used to be an incident when hikers where robbed ... so whats a little amount for a robbers free trek? Or should i say we have just been robbed so no more robbers up there. 😊 we have reached the first falls. this is the longest falls and this is also the camping place. We have also learned that there were already nipa huts with comfort rooms that are for rent. And I personally, disagree to such idea as it will defeat the purpose of what a real camping should be. Well, I guess its a business opportunity that they cant resist. But please do not patronize them. We just spent some time here to relax and after 15 minutes were were off for the BATYA BATYA falls. Going there is a real challenge as it is no longer a walk in the park as is also include some swimming. That is because the only way to get there is by crossing a shoulder deep river (that is in reference to me.. Im 5'8 1/2 tall) so you can imagine the extra challege to get there. Also we need to change our attire .. change shoes to sandals...change my hiking pants to swimming short and I am set to cross. Opps before i forgot .. what about my heavy big backpack!?!?! Cant afford to get it wet as I have my newly bought 10x digital camera inside. Its a good thing that I always bring with me a big plastic bag when ever we climb. So what I did is to put my bag inside and closed it and just let it float. Finally,we are in front of the batya batya falls. But looks like the challenge is not yet over as our guide invited me to go to the next catch basin. I guess that is the reason why it was called batya batya. Two cascading basin. It is really a bit scary going to the next basin as I have to swim to a basin with an unknow depth. And to think I am not a good swimmer. But the guide is already up there so I have no choice but to pretend that it is as easy as chicken. Ok the water is really cold ... Im done with that... now i have to swim towards the falls and then climb the rocks where the water flows. One slip... just one slip and and I feel that im going to fall to the basin that is sooo deep . Thanks god that my tribu sandals is so dependable and its not as slippery as I though. Ok to make the story short .. I am stopping from here (still has a work to finish)... But I tell you If you have nothing to do on a weekend.. you should try it.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.093s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 10; qc: 49; dbt: 0.0646s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb