MakTrav (Mt. Makiling Traverse)

November 3, 2013

MT. MAKILING TRAVERSE (MAKTRAV)

Sto. Tomas, Batangas and Los Banos, Laguna

Entry point: Sitio Jordan, Brgy. San Miguel, Sto. Tomas

Exit point: UP College of Forestry, Los Banos, Laguna

LLA: 14.13°N 121.20°E, 1090 MASL (Peak 2)

Hours to Peak 2 / days required: 1-2 days / 5-8 hours

Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 5/9, Trail class 3 with roped segments

Features: Roped segments, rocky face, limatik, rattan, tropical rainforest

Article history: Last updated May 20, 2013
Source: Pinoy Mountaineer

Pinoy Mountaineer classified MakTrav as 5/9 but I beg to differ. It's harder than that. Just think of it this way, you are walking on foot from Batangas to Laguna through that mountain. Somewhere along the trail you will be in the boundary of those two provinces. Amazing right? But it won't be easy. Expected trek time is 9.5hrs but it took us 10hrs because it rained.

The tricycle ride from Sto. Tomas Market in Batangas

 

The start of our trek from Bay

The trail is characterized by abundance of plants and trees hence the plenty leeches, challenging roping segments and some parts were still masukal, after all it is a rainforest. I must say all of my body parts were used in this trek especially because of the ropes of this slippery trail.

During the first 30mins of trekking from Bay to the first hut where there is a waterfalls, the trail was just an easy, gradual ascent. Perhaps a 2/9 class. After that is the start of THE ACTUAL climb.

The hidden falls of Makiling

The first 40mins of our climb was bearable and the view was rewarding. You can see Mt. Maculot, Taal Lake and Volcano. It was a really nice view and I appreciated it because I have also trekked Taal Volcano. In my opinion, the climb all the way to station 10 was much like climbing the north peak of Mt. Arayat where it was full of assault but Mt. Makiling differs because it is a rainforest meaning the trail is covered and can be slippery unlike Arayat which is very dry and the trail is open.

The view from the top

 

 

Unfortunately for us there was no clearing at the top. We saw not much view but a background of white clouds.

There were some parts where you literally had to climb/crawl the trail through the ropes because it's almost 70degrees. It was a luxury to see a flat ground and we'd scream for joy if we found one.

The Leech!

 We arrived at the last station where we had our lunch and then when we reached that descent part, the rain started to pour. This made our descent slower because the trail became really slippery.

See the muddy trail?

There was a time during our descent when walking felt like forever and I just wanted this trail to end. Sobrang nakakaumay yung trail. We started descending at 2PM but we reached Agila Base at 4PM, I think.

It's funny that this limatik bite occurred when we were finished with the trail and I was just helping my friend to get rid of the leech from her raincoat.

Then from there to the tindahan another hour. Upon arriving at the store, we really can't take walking any longer so we took a habal-habal to reach the base at UPLB. It was much easier and faster but according to our friends who walked all the way, it took them an hour.

 

Tips:

1. Be prepared for the rain
2. Prepare for limatiks. Limatiks attach to raincoats easier. Have a buddy to check you every now and then
3. Bring enough water
4. Prepare for a muddy and slippery trail

Itinerary:

0330 Assembly Time Ceres Bus Station Cubao (Near Dagupan Bus)
0400 ETD Manila
0530 Drop off at Sto. Tomas Market; Head to Brgy Hall Sitio Jordan
0600 Registration at Sitio Jordan; secure guides
0630 Start trek
0930 Trail Junction (Station 7)
1100 ETA Melkas Ridge (Haring Bato)
1130 Lunch at Peak 3 (1020 MASL)
1200 Continue trekking
1330 ETA Peak 2 (1090 MASL)
1400 Start descent
1630 ETA Nursery
1730 ETA College of Forestry; take jeep to Los Banos proper
1800 Lunch at Grove
1900 Take bus back to Manila
2100 ETA Manila

Expenses:

99-ceres bus cubao-sto. tomas public market

150-breakfast
50-tricycle to bay registration
100-guide fee
50-habal-habal
10-reg fee
=459