Happy Campers Club: 2peaks Mt. Talamitam ~ Mt. Batulao 2011

(1st published Feb.3, 2011)

HCC Climbers hiked Talamitam in less than 2hrs on assault packs and numerous take-5’s plus close encounters with the Talamitam Cows. Sunbaked hikers were greeted by the cool mountain breeze, we spent a few minutes on the summit then decided to head back. We then proceeded to Sir Nick’s pad to get out packs and headed to Tagaytay’s Mahogany via jeep (Php40) where numerous canteens serve Tagaytay’s specialty, Bulalo (Php300 4-5pax or individual w/c is only meat at Php80 per serving) not to mention Batangas’ famed fish, the Tawilis. Start trek was around 7:41:18 AM and reached the summit by 9:45:12 AM

(the Author playing 3 stages of  Cow Chasers 2000)

(Author's Love One capturing the bounty of Cow Chaser 2000) 

                                                                            

(The Author, dead tired lols . Mutya Power Nap!)

                                                  

We spent a good time in Mahogany and we realized its already getting late so we head back to the direction of Nasugbu, to evercrest and set our 2nd peak, Mt. Batulao.

Batulao start trek was 5:19:28 PM and we reached campsite 7 around 5:59:38 PM, now that was fast given that we have our overnight packs and not the one used in out assault of Talamitam. We have shed 20-30mins walk time from Evercrest gate to the jump-off due to the trike ride which costs Php100 3pax. Registration and mind their manners is Php25, they knock on our tents in the morning just to collect the fees, now that’s rude! Heeheehee.

(First Blood of our new Sideout tadpole tent, 

meet MK-1 aka Red Pink 1 "ampanget!")

 (Monkey located at the JOP/Batulao)

 (New trail view)

   (New trail view. We clocked 45mins from JOP from Mahogany Bulalo Galore from Mt. Talamitam, so 45mins hiking to reach camp 7 ain't bad)

 (Our Compsite view)

 (Me and Love)

(Joan Anjo's scary resting spot)

After an exhausting but happy happy happy climb we headed back again to Mahogany for a late late late lunch….

Thanks for patronizing Happy Campers Club (HCC)and do please join Happy Eaters Club (HEC), Happy Pictures Club (HPC) and Hysterical Tours Presents future adventures!

Yours truly,

Maj and the Hysterical Happy Family (Happy Campers Club)!

Photos By: Khaye, Maj, Mutya and Joan
PP's By: Maj
Gear used: Sony TX-5/Nikon D60


ITINERARY

Happy Campers Club: 2 Peaks Talamitam ~ Batulao 2011

Jan. 29-30, 2011

Day One Saturday 1.29 Day Hike: Mt. Talamitam

0300 Assembly time EDSA-Taft Batman Bus Line
0400 ETD Nasugbu Batangas
0700 ETA Sir Nick’s place (Entrance Fee P20 / P25 BrgyHall Reg)
0730 Start Trek ( 1hr 40mins)
0910 ETA Summit Rest/Picture-picture (30mins or 1hr ONLY)
1020 Start Descent to Sir Nick’s place (1hr 40mins or less)
1200 ETD for Ever Crest-Mt. Batulao / Lunch at Tagaytay for Bulalo
Or near the vicinity of Ever Crest (jump-off) (jeep)

Sir Nick, formerly the caretaker of Mt. Talamitam, gave the following instructions: “Take the two footbridges, turn left, walk 65 steps straight along the treeline then turn right into the woods. From there, it is as smooth as an MRT ride."

Day One Saturday 1.29 Trek/Overnight: Mt. Batulao via NEW TRAIL (WEST)

1330 ETA Ever Crest / Take Trike to Jump-off (Php100)
1400 Start Trek (2-3hrs)
1700 ETA Campsite w/c is nearer to the summit
1730 Set-up camp / Prep Dinner / Socials
2030 Dinner and Socials!
2300 Lights-Off?

Day Two Sunday 1.30 Batulao

0630 Wake-Up call or later (2peaks eh, REST! Hahaha )
0900 Break-Camp / tambay-picture-picture
1100 Start Descent
1530 Ever Crest / Wash-up
1600 ETD Tagaytay (jeep)
1630 Tagaytay! Bahala na gang!