MAKI The Great: MT. BATOLUSONG (4th National Mountain Cleanup Day)

As part of annual tradition, the 4^th National Mountain Cleanup Day was held last July 8, 2017 where different mountaineering, outdoor and nature groups around the country did simultaneous mountain cleanups. The venues are the mountains and areas with hiking activities and participating groups will select the mountain of their choice.

4th National Mountain Cleanup Day Logo (Source: www.pinoymountaineer.com)

Baratpackers Outdoor Group took participation for the second time. Our organizer, Chu De Castro chose Mt. Batolusong for clean-up.

Mt. Batolusong is one of the rising destination in Rizal. It is located between Brgy. Cuyambay and Brgy. San Andres (jump-off) in Tanay, Rizal. Nearby mountains are Mt. Maynuba and Cayabu, as well as Mt. Irid. These towns are part of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges, making it popular because of its proximity to Metro Manila.

At the peak of Rangyas.

View on the way to Mapatag Plateau.

GETTING TO JUMP-OFF

Our group met at around 3:00 am at McDonald’s Cubao (the national meet-up place J). From Cubao, just ride a jeepney going to Cogeo and drop-off at Gate 2. Fare is Php 24.00. From there, walk to your right (Olalia Road) until you reached the Jeepney terminal. Take note that the first trip is around 5:00 am, so you have to wait if you arrive early. Ride a jeepney going to Barangay Sampaloc, and tell the driver to drop you at Barangay Batanggasan (Kanto). Fare is Php 42.00. It is a 45-minutes ride and if you want a Benguet-like experience aside from the sea of clouds, you can do top-loading and feel the cool breeze of Rizal.

Top loading at its finest. A Benguet-like experience.

Arriving at the Brgy. Batanggasan with the Top loaders. (Photo courtesy of Anj Dejecacion)

Landmark is the Welcome Arc of Barangay San Andres, with various directional signage to the jump-off of Mt. Batolusong, Mt. Maynoba, Mt. Cayabu and Tinucan Circuit. From there, ride a habal-habal/ tricycle going to jump-off. Fare is Php 150.00/trike.

Registration Fees are quite costly compared to other mountains of Rizal because you have to pay the following:

Environmental Fee- Php 50.00

Cultural Fee- Php 20.00

Tourism Fee- Php 30.00

Tour Guide Fee- Php 500/group of 5 persons

Mt. Batolusong has same route going to jump-off of Mt. Maynuba and Cayabu.

This is the Barangay Batanggasan "Kanto" where you can ride a habal-habal/tricycle going to jump-off.

Jump-Off of Mt. Batolusong; tehre's a covered basketball court and small sari-sari stores. You can even enjoy their pancit at a minimal price. Registration Area is on the right side of the court, adjacent to Barangay Hall.

Updated schedule of Eco-tourism fees for various activities.

Group shot before we begin the mountain cleanup.

(Photo courtesy of: Anj Dejecacion)

I can say these fees were managed properly because during our mountain clean-up, we only collected 13 kilograms of trash, which is a good news because Mt. Batolusong is being maintained by the locals once a week. According to our guides, they do their own mountain clean-up every Tuesday.

We started the trek at around 7:30 am. On the trail, you will be crossing some rice fields with visible fogs in the background (these are also the sea of clouds if viewed from the summit). There’s also a small community with grown-ups making sawali (woven split bamboo mats) as their livelihood. We crossed a stream and the trek is more of an uphill climb. There’s a water source before we reached Duhatan Ridge at around 9:00am, which also serve as a camp site ligned with Duhat (java plum) trees. You can take a rest here and try some duhats while enjoying the panoramic view. If you’re lucky enough, you can even get a glimpse of the sea of clouds from below.

A foggy Saturday morning.

These fogs are the "sea of clouds" if viewed from above.

Mini fish pens are one of the livelihood of the locals of Brgy. San Andres.

Crossing rice paddies.

Stop over at Base Camp at San Andres

Panoramic view from Duhatan Ridge.

Enjoying some duhats with Toff and Bryan.

Doing some Korean "<3 <3" with Anj, Chu, Bryan and Toff.

Duhats are energy boosters! There's plenty of duhat trees at Duhatan Ridge.

Duhat (Java plum) is a good source of calcium and fair source of iron.

Korean "<3 <3" with the group.

(Photo Courtesy: Chong Venadas)

With Bryan, Anj, Chu, Toff, Kareem and Wang.

Squad goals! (Photo courtesy of Toff Castillo)

Selfie with the Buraots: Toff and Bryan. (Photo Courtesy of Toff Castillo)

From Duhatan Ridge, we then headed onwards to Mapatag Plateau. The trail is much easier, with scenic views. You will pass by Nanay Yolly halfway along the trail, with her small store selling softdrinks, boiled eggs and even pancit canton!

Selfie from Duhatan Ridge.

With Nanay Yolly. Make sure to buy some boiled eggs and softdrinks before heading down!

Mapatag plateau is also one of the camp sites aside from Duhatan Ridge. There are large boulders, grassland and scenic view of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. This reminded me of the trails of Mt. Talamitam, and Mt. Naulao (Cawag). From there, Rangyas and Susong Dalaga peaks can be seen.

The Southern Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges.

View from Mapatag Plateau.

The view reminds me of Mt. Talamitam because of its grass land.

With Kareem, Chu, Anj, Toff and Bryan

Baratpacker guys doing the Korean "<3 <3"

(Photo courtesy of Anj Dejecacion)

We reached the peak of Rangyas at around 11:00 am, almost 20 minutes trek from Mapatag Plateau. Its marker is the green flag. The view is a green scenery, Laguna de Bay and a better view of the Southern Sierra Madre mountain ranges. You can traverse to Susong Dalaga peak, (Lady’s breasts, yeah you heard it right) but in our case, we decided to go back so we can have our lunch at Nanay Yolly’s store and took some rest before heading down.

On the way to Rangyas Peak.

View from the Rangyas Peak.

Baratpackers Outdoor Group at the Rangyas Peak.

Our dog guide to summit.

BASE CAMP AT SAN ANDRES SIDE TRIP

We decided to stay at "Base Camp at San Andres" for our sidetrip so we can take a rest and at the same time, relax while enjoying the newly opened mini-mountain resort. You just have to pay the entrance and registration fee of Php 50.00 and enjoy the swimming pool, cottages and shower rooms for washing-up. You can also buy some Emperador & Red Horse (but be a responsible drinker) for your group’s social after the climb.

Base Kamp at San Andres.

Overall, we collected around thirteen (13) kilograms of trash on our cleanup drive. Not a large amount of trash as we expected but still a good thing because the mountain is well maintained. There are minimal trash along the trail.

Kareem and Chu weighing the trash collected from the mountain cleanup.

It was indeed an overwhelming experience participating in activities dedicated to preserve our mountains. We as mountaineers must work hand in hand to make our second home clean with utmost importance.