Mt. Batulao (It's more fun in Nasugbu, Batangas)

Isinulat ni Lakbay Diwa

Mt. Batulao

It's more fun in the Philippines. It's more fun in Nasugbu, Batangas! 
An adventurous gateway to Mt. Batulao. Never Stop Exploring!

After the Pagsanjan Falls expedition, we were all set for another adventure. This time, it was to reach the summit of Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangas. The initial plan was to climb Mt. Balagbag and go for a dip in Wawa Dam located in Rodriguez, Rizal, but as we all know, the original decision is not always the final one.

As this is my first time to climb a mountain, it was challenging but extra special to me. The day started gloomy, but that did not stop us from pushing with the trip. My officemate and I took the MRT from the GMA-Kamuning station at around 10:00 a.m. and headed towards Taft Avenue station where we met our companions. By this time, it was already raining.

Due to the government’s new policy on provincial buses without appropriate terminals, we had to ride a jeepney to the Coastal Provincial Bus Terminal. When we got there, we boarded a bus bound for Nasugbu at around 11:25 a.m.

We arrived in Evercrest, at 1:30 p.m. The weather was already getting worse, and I did not have any raincoat with me. My umbrella didn’t help much either, so I decided to just secure my DSLR using the big plastic bag that a local gave me. After praying, we started the trek.

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After 15 to 20 minutes of walking on a slippery cement road, we reached the muddy forest area. I won’t deny that I had difficulty going through this area, even slipping four times, but I was determined to continue. Thanks to Sir Rex of Kaskas Mountaineers, we were able to carry on with our climb. We met locals and other mountaineers along the way and exchanged greetings and cautions with them. Some even helped us by giving directions to the right trail. By 4:20 p.m. we reached the new trail’s campsite. There was no good view since it was still foggy, so we decided to pitch our tents and prepare dinner. We also paid the registration and environmental fee of Php30/pax, and by 5:30 p.m. we had our dinner of sinigangnababoy and adobo, perfect for the cold atmosphere. It was lights out by 9:00 p.m. since the wind and rain were getting stronger.

At 4:15 the following morning, we all woke up and was welcomed by a still foggy campsite. We packed our stuff, and by 7:00 a.m. we left the campsite to conquer the summit and do a traverse via the old trail. During our trek towards the summit, we passed by tall wild grasses, and just before the assault, we had to walk along a critical ridge that had narrow ravine on both sides. You will not have any idea on what might happen to you if you are very unlucky and fell from such a height. Deo Gratias we were able to pass through it successfully and at exactly 8:00 a.m. we were at the summit.

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Because of the thick fog, there was still no view, so by 8:20 a.m. we decided to leave the summit. Since we were traversing, we had to rappel from an almost vertical side of the mountain. After 30 to 45 minutes of trekking, we finally reached the old trail’s campsite, where we paid Php 20/pax as a green light exit. The sun was already starting to shine, and we took it as a sign to start taking pictures. Before we reached the jump-off, we passed by a stream where we rested for a while and freshened up. We were back at the jump-off point by 11:45 a.m., and still had time to take a bath for Php 25/pax. We arrived in Evercrest at exactly 12:15 p.m., and from there we boarded a bus going back to Manila.

Even with an uncooperative weather, it was still a wonderful experience, especially for a first time climber like me. More mountains to climb!

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For more images, just click here.

Mt. Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas - Actual Itinerary (Via Manila - Nasugbu, Batangas Route)

MT. BATULAO
Nasugbu, Batangas
Jump-off point: Evercrest Golf Course, Nasugbu
LLA: 14.0408 N 120.8011 E 811 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-4 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3 with 60-70 degrees assault
Features: Open trails, rolling slopes, scenic views of Batangas
Courtesy of: pinoymountaineer.com


As of August 17-18, 2013 (Traverse via New to Old Trail)


1st Day

10:00 AM - ETD at MRT GMA-Kamuning Station via MRT Taft Avenue Station
10:59 AM - ETA at MRT Taft Avenue Station
Take a Jeepney bound via Taft Avenue - Coastal Road
(Drop off to Coastal Provincial Bus Terminal)
11:25 AM - ETA at Coastal Provincial Bus Terminal
(Take a Bus bound Nasugbu, Batangas)
1:30 PM - ETA at Evercrest
1:45 PM - ETA at Jump off
(Start the Trek)
4:20 PM - ETA at New Trail's Campsite
(Registered at Registration Area and Put up a Tent)
5:30 PM - Preparing a dinner
7:00 PM - Dinner Time and Social
9:00 PM - Lights Off

2nd Day


4:15 AM - Wake Up Call
(Photo Ops)
6:00 AM - Break Camp and Pack up
7:00 AM - ETD at New Trail's Campsite
8:00 AM - ETA at Summit
8:20 AM - ETD at Summit
(Traverse via Old Trail)
9:20 AM - ETA at Old Trail's Campsite
(Exit Green Light)
10:00 AM - ETA at Stream (Revitalize)
11:45 AM - ETA at Jump off
12:15 PM - ETA at Evercrest
(Revitalize (Ligo)
12:30 PM - Board a Bus to Manila (Coastal Provincial Bus Terminal) 
3:10 PM - ETD at Coastal Provincial Bus Terminal
3:30 PM - ETA at MRT Taft Avenue Station
4:10 PM - MRT GMA-Kamuning Station


Expenses:

Php 14.00/pax - MRT GMA-Kamuning Station - Taft Avenue Station
Php 10.00/pax - Jeepney via Taft Avenue - Coastal Provincial Bus Terminal 
Php 102.00/pax - DLTB Bus bound Nasugbu, Batangas
Php 30.00/pax - New Trail's Registration Area (Includes Environmental Fee)
Php 20.00/pax - Old Trail's Registration Area (Includes Environmental Fee)
Php 25.00/pax - Revitalize (Ligo)
Php 104.00/pax - San Agustin Bus bound Coastal Provincial Bus Terminal
Php 10.00/pax - Jeepney via Coastal Provincial Bus Terminal - Taft Avenue
Php 14.00/pax - MRT Taft Avenue Station - MRT GMA-Kamuning Station

*********Exclusive of Food*********


Mt. Batulao is highly recommended as a mountain climbing destination for dayhikers and novice mountaineers. For its main attraction, the summit of Mt. Batulao offers a spectacular 360-degree view of the Batangas landscape, including Taal Lake and Volcano, and Balayan Bay.

Batulao’s name was derived from “Bato sa Ilao” (Illuminated Rocks) which later on became abbreviated to “Batulao.”  According to local residents, every yearend the sun sets right between Batulao’s two peaks, creating a spectacular image of rocks surrounding a disc of red light.


Vital details

• Height: 811+ MASL (meters above sea level)
• Difficulty Rating: 4 (out of maximum of 9); Minor Climb

Location

• The mountain lies between the Balayan and Nasugbu towns of Batangas.

Looking for more adventures, read about:

Hundred Islands
Pagsanjan Falls