Mt. Banahaw via Turos Kanan trail UPM OD TC2 2012

Mt. Banahaw we have met again it has been a few years since I have been in your realm and now im back trying one of your numerous trails up.

Sept. 1-2, 2012

Mt. Banahaw via Turos Kanan trail

JOP: Brgy. Luquin, Liliw Laguna (400masl) 

Elevation: (of Turos Kanan Campsite) 1560masl 

Difficulty: On a scale of 9 being the highest most technical, 5/9 

Trail: Muddy Farmers trail (w/horse trails), Cogon area assault w/limatik in this area, muddy trail along forest up to the mossy forest area with plenty of teka-teka and fern like plants with long sharp needles in its body 

Temperature: The Cogon area is exposed to the sun but as you enter the forest line and into the mossy area coupled with rains then expect a 28oC then to the mossy forest a whopping 22oC then averaging at 26-28oC at the campsite 

Trek Time : Ascent:  5hrs 25mins Descent: 4hrs

Actual Itinerary: (credits to scribe Sir R.Z and photos by Sir G.M)

Day 1  Sept. 1

01:25       HM Bus Terminal, Cubao, Q.C.
Some already arrived earlier and were sleeping on the benches.

02:40       Load Up

03:05       Depart Cubao, All soon took much needed sleep.

04:00       Calamba, Laguna

04:55       Arrive at HM Bus Terminal, Pagsanjan, Laguna

05:30       Leave Pagsanjan for Liliw, Laguna, by jeepney
Five peeps had to ride top-load with the packs.

06:00       Arrive at Liliw poblacion
Quick re-supply at Liliw Public Market, met the guides
The town has a sweeping view of the three peaks of the Banahaw-San Cristobal National Park. To the left, the distinctive cone of Mt. Banahaw de Lucban, Mt. Cristobal with its characteristic three peaks to our right, and beckoning majestically before us, Mt. Banahaw

06:35       Depart Liliw poblacion

07:00       Arrive at Jump-off, Brgy. Luquin (400MASL) Registration and Breakfast

07:30       Start Trek. Follow the yellow brick road; Mt. Cristobal, with its sensuous slopes, seemed accompany us as we began our climb.

07:55       Compression stop at a vegetable garden. Good view of Laguna de Bay, with Mt. Sembrano across the lake. A hazy Mt. Makiling at a distance and Mt. Kalisungan at the foreground. Mistook Mt. Kalisungan for Manlipunyo-Manabu Range which was actually at the back of Mt. Cristobal. 

08:15       Compression stop at “limatik garden”, hike down to falls

08:40       Rest at falls (820MASL)

08:55       Resume Trek, from here on it was all uphill!

09:05       Take 5

09:30       Take 5 (960MASL)

09:40       Resume climb, through more vegetable gardens.

09:50       Walk through cogonal area (1110MASL)

10:00       Forest Line (1150MASL), the party was over.

10:30       Take 5

11:00       Take 5

11:30       Take 5 (1350MASL)

11:45       Lunch (1375MASL)

12:40       Resume trek

14:15       Arrive at campsite (1560MASL) Set-up tempo shelters and campsite

17:30       Prep Dinner. Braised pork in tomato sauce w/ potatoes, red bell pepper, carrots
and essence of Magic Sarap. Kare-kare from another group and for dessert Sir Ramon’s special halo-halo for dessert

19:00       Socials

22:00       Lights Off *this starts our long 7hrs sleep time J

Day 2 Sept.2

05:00       Wake-Up call. Prep Breakfast, Tapsilog.

08:20       Start Trek
09:10       Take 5 at the lunch site of the previews day
10:45       Out of forest line
11:40       Lunch at falls. Spicy Buffalo Wings marinated in herbs and spices and dipped in Maj’s secret sauce “Mix#2”

13:30       Back to the yellow brick road
13:40       Arrive at end of trail (Jump-off), Brgy. Luquin
14:40       Leave for resort/Papa Dic’s house at Liliw poblacion
15:10       Arrive at resort
15:40       Leave resort
15:55       Park at Liliw Church, buy pasalubongs
16:35       Leave Liliw for Pagsanjan
17:10       Arrive at HM Bus Station, Pagsanjan
17:20       Leave Pagsanjan for Cubao
21:00       Arrived at HM Station Cubao

Piece of advice, never stay at the front when on the top load In the morning, its gonna be a windy cold trip with a bug’s life hitting your face and whole body

Kami ang mga anak ng Baog Brothers, patunay na di baog an gaming mga tatay

Mt. Cristobal as seen at the Cogon area during our ascent

One of the compression stops. TL at the front followed by Group 1 and then Group 2 (my group), this is the cogon assault area after the waterfalls its all uphill, cogon area is also home of the limatik

11:45am seems like 6pm at the lunch area along the trail. Group 2 was now at the head (groupings are usually shuffled to give chance and for everyone to experience what is like on different parts of the group, this also give chance for the TL and GL’s to assess the status of the group and climb

After lunch, we rest!

Mossy forest, with the rains the temperature here reached 22oC and to lessen the cold, you either brave it all the way or use a poncho or shell to stay comfy. But in the end, when we reached the campsite it was already raining cats and dogs and we still have to find a place for our tempo shelter (3 types! Using ground sheets, trek poles and tying strings and yes there is a proper knot to secure the tempo shelter) and a suitable place for the tents.

GL Ram-mon preparing his halo-halo treat to his groupmates, group 2! And yes there was enough for other participants to try the halo-halo @ 1560 meters above sea level

Now everyone is given a chance to kaskas the yelo for our halo-halo. Ngayon alam ko na na may talent me sa pagkaskas kasi onting kaskas lang halos puno na ng yelo. Tuloy sa akin pinapuno yung remaining cups hehe

Alas the finish product! Enjoy!

…and YES WE DID ENJOY IT!!

Day 2. Me preparing my things for another slippery trek down, pack seen is my GF’s Deuter 45+10 SL (gusto ko nito! Hahaha) and yes I opted to use my thermal leggings for the trek instead of wearing again my black leggings because of its freaking wet and cold. Just don’t mind the bulge seen at the lower part of my mid section hahaha. Instead of using water containers, I used two 2L bladders to minimize space after water has been spent.Thanks Love for letting me borrow your pack! Hee-hee

Preparing to break camp, the right side was the tempo shelter slash cooking area of groups 1 and 2