It’s been nine (9) months since our last mountain, and I was kind of nervous because I didn’t know how my body would respond since I don’t have a lot of physical activities for the past few months. I made a few preparations before the climb; started exercising through the Nike App and also I slept few hours before the hike ( unlike before) but I am still nervous and was actually thinking of backing out ( hehe).
The trail which opened last November 2016 is part of the Quatro Mountains in Brgy. Laiban; Mt. Ngusong Kabuyo ( 625 MASL) and Tangka Peak ( 602 MASL) but what excites me are the falls which have Kawasan-like features. I am thrilled to plunge into the cold water of Laiban Falls. But before we reach that part we still have to go through the two summits.
Reaching the summit is like one of the most challenging part ( always) not just for this but to all the mountains I have been. But thanks to Ate because she was there through my journey, we just chatted all throughout for like 6 hours. It was fun getting to know the locals and the community itself.
Brgy. Laiban, is one of the hard-to-reach community of Tanay, Rizal. There is only one Jeep that travels from and to the place every day, and because of that, a lot of people owns a habal-habal to get to the town proper. They also use it now as a means of income by bringing the hikers/tourists in and out of the Baranggay.
Some locals are part of the Dumagat Tribe and the Cultural Fee worth PHP 20.00 goes to the Scholarship program for the Dumagat kids according to Ate. They have one elementary and one high school ( which opened last 2014, I think I am not so sure). Because of that children were given the opportunity to finish high school unlike before that only a few can afford to study High School in town.
On our way to the falls, we planted rambutan seedlings as part of the reforestation program of the local barangay. We paid PHP 10.00 per seedling which our guide brought. Ate mentioned that local guides grow their seedlings in their backyards so when hikers come, they got to plant their own trees. We planted ours near the falls because the soil is still moist so that seedlings can grow accordingly.
Last weekend was definetely fun. Got to bond with my Tropang Sumabit again and conquer my first mountain this year. I am excited for more at hopefully we can achieve our one mountain per month goal.
Photos from: Glenford and Sheyna
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EXPENSES:
- PHP 20.00 – Jeepney from Katipunan to Cogeo Gate 2
- PHP 55.00- Jeepney from Cogeo Gate2 to Mayagay 1
- PHP 100.00 – Habal-Habal per pax from Mayagay 1 to Brgy. Laiban
- PHP 100. Registration Fee (20), Environmental Fee (40), Cultural Fee ( 20) Entry to Falls ( 20)
- PHP 100.00 Guide fee (max of 5pax)
- PHP 80.00 – Seedlings ( we need to plant seedlings along the way)
- PHP 150.00 – Habal-Habal per pax from Brgy. Laiban to Sampaloc Jeep Terminal
- PHP 65.00 – Jeep from Sampaloc Terminal to Cogeo
- PHP 22.00 – Jeep from Cogeo to Anonas Cubao
- PHP 150.00- Mt.Inasal ( Food Fee) 😀
- PHP 8.00 – Jeepney from Anonas to Katipunan
- PHP 220- Trail Food, Water and Canned Goods ( baon for all of us)
PHP 1, 070.00 -TOTAL
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