An adventure at Mt. Batulao Traverse 10|29-30|11

After being stuck with piles of school papers and school stuffs I finally had the chance to unwind and reward myself a break. A break that I was waiting for too long...finally came.

Last Saturday and Sunday we had our trip to Mt. Batulao Nasugbu, Batangas, it was a bit sunny but fair weather all throughout. We (my adums family) arrived past 2:00 in the afternoon, ate lunch and rest for awhile. At past 3:00 we started trekking. 

 Arrival at Evercrest. Pose muna bago mag trek. :)
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Jason Jimenez

The trail was a bit difficult, rough roads, tall grasses and slopes with 60-70 degrees. After sometime of trekking, you will find a hut where Halo-Halo and mountain dew is sold for P20 pesos.

Taken at the nearest hut where Halo-Halo is sold for P20 pesos! Yum!
Photo Courtesy of Ate Maria Chiu

Approximately 500 meters beyond this hut is the junction between the old trail and the new trail.

The sign says "Welcome to Mt. Batulao. Dito po sa New trail.".
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Jeff Saises

We took the old trail which was at the east part. From the junction, it took us for about 1 hour or more (im not so sure) to reached the campsite. Campsites are numbered 1-10 plus there is a logbook and a registration fee which is P20 pesos and a water source! Camp 1 and 2 were already occupied so we stayed at camp 3. It was already past 5 when we reached the camp site, then we settle in and prepare for dinner.

Arrival at the campsite.
Photo Courtesy of Ate Cheng Masong

The second we arrived, we set camp then we prepared for dinner. The feeling was amazing. You can feel the wind blowing in silence, the view was magnificent. From camp 3 which was via old trail you can see the peak and some rock formations right across the new trail. After sunset, the view became more magnificent. Darkness emerged from the sky and the stars began to shine like it was twinkling.

The moon right after sunset
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Jeff Saises

Breathtaking view after sunset
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Jeff Saises

Night time came and its time for dinner. Ahhh. Yes, its dinner time. And we were blessed with good cooks. Hahaha! 

Spell graaaavvvy..
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Jeff Saises

Mashed potato!?? This one is reaaally goood!
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Jeff Saises

Hmmm. Beefsteak. Yumm!
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Jeff Saises

I don't know what it's called but I swear this one is really good!
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Jeff Saises

Gaaah! Thankyou Lord for this awesome food!!!!
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Jeff Saises

It was a blast. *Burp!* Awesome food + good company + chilly night = amazing night! Then..it's time for s o c i a l s. We stayed late at night, enjoying the cold breeze while we enjoy each others company. We shared stories, jokes and laughter. We almost lost track of time, so we settled in our tents at about 1:00 AM. We all took a rest....

We woke up the next day with so much excitement. We enjoyed the view, the warm breeze and the sun was just amazingly shinning. I could feel its rays touching my skin. And then we prepared for breakfast!

Preparing for breakfast.

This is what we had for breakfast.
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Jeff Saises

See? I told you we were really blessed with good cooks! Hahaha! Now, there is a really good reason to relax.

These are some pictures taken at the campsite...

Proud to be ADUMS.
Photo Courtesy of Justine Sesbreno

Goodmorning sunshine! leggo!
Photo Courtesy of Ate Cheng Masong

I personally took this picture. You can almost see the Batulao peak from our campsite. 

After breakfast, we break camp and continue our trek heading to the summit. We left the campsite at around 9:00am. The trail became more difficult and steeper as we go higher. I knew that the assault was tougher as it seems yet my excitement outgrown my fear. As we go higher I could see the mountain we had just crossed. As we climbed higher the view became more beautiful than what I see in the magazine and in the pictures. It was just so real. 

Pictures taken on our way to summit...

I thought it was autumn.
Photo Courtesy of Ate Maria Chiu

Practically on our way to summit
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Jason Jimenez

Way to go. 
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Jason Jimenez

We literally did some Rock Climbing too.
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Jeff Saises

Kuya Tarat trying to make a good pose. :)
Photo Courtesy of Ate Cheng Masong

The view halfway to the summit.
Photo Courtesy of Ate Zandra Pagnas

Some rock formations and other mountaineers descending via new trail
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Jeff Saises

Around 12:00pm we arrived at the summit. The view was a complete 360 turn. We had cold mountain dew for P25 pesos. The rest was history.

Pictures taken at the summit...

Mountain dew at the summit
Photo Courtesy of Jayleen Zaragosa

enjoying the 360 view
Photo Courtesy of Jayleen Zaragosa

with my adums family - this is priceless
Photo Courtesy of Ate Maria Chiu

Then we descend via new trail..

Descending via new trail
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Marvin Pineda

new trail are composed of grasslands
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Marvin Pineda

taking a break
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Marvin Pineda

Photo Courtesy of Kuya Marvin Pineda

Spell exhausted?
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Marvin Pineda

Photo Courtesy of Kuya Marvin Pineda

Grassland
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Marvin Pineda

cool rock formation
Photo Courtesy of Kuya Marvin Pineda

After hours of trekking we finally reached the junction connecting the old trail and the new trail. At the junction there is a hut where Buko juice, fresh Buko and Halo-halo is sold for P20, P25, P20 respectively. Since I almost run out of water, I had 2 cups of buko juice which literally took away my thirst! Aaaaah. It was  damn cold! I'm so refreshed. 

The last buko stop at the junction. 
Photo Courtesy of Jayleen Zaragosa

After our buko trip, we continued our trek which took us about 40minutes to finally reach the jump off point. Then we rode a jeepney from the jump off back to Evercrest Golf Course, Nasugbu, Batangas. 

"Don't change the mountain, let the mountain change YOU!"

Photo Courtesy of Jayleen Zaragosa

**The End**

Indeed, it was a great adventure after all. I believe every one has their own mountain to climb. But having people who would be there to climb with you is something priceless. I am so blessed to have such good people in my life. I will always be proud to be ADUMS.

Love, A