4th CS Hosting 2010

October 27, 2010

       

 

My 4th CS Hosting is with a French guy Romain who has a layover in Manila for 18 hours. He was just passing thru to Manila for his trip to Shanghai, China.

His friend, Melf and I, waited for him at the NAIA airport about 4 AM. With my car, we went to Tagaytay City for a good view of Taal Volcano.

Since Peoples Park that has 360 degrees view was closed at 6 AM when we arrived, we went to Taal Vista for the view.

It was nice clear sky at 6:15 AM. The weather was cold and nice with some burst of wind from the East.The sun was peeking between rainclouds.

We did some picture perfect shots of the volcano. 

We took coffee at the Taal Vista Lodge and look around for good restaurant. Unfortunately, most good restaurants are closed. We decided to eat Chowking to savor chinese food and for them to compare it genuine chinese cuisine.

We had some good conversation about each other and about each other countries. France, Germany, Philippines and China where Romain is working, 

At about 8:30 AM, we went down to Taal Lake Yatch Club located at town of Talisay. The zig zag road going has some nice view point and we of course stopped. Along the way, so many guys are offering boat ride. We avoided them since we heard that they to persuading to talk and will end up a the cost to boating and trekking.

At the yatch club, the lady was very accommodating. Despite the price of PhP 1,800 posted at the internet, my companion was able to haggle it to Php 1,600.

i did not join them because I got some business to attend to near the site.

Later in the evening, I got text message that they enjoyed the trip a lot and of course, will come back again to the Philippines.

 

Conquering Mt. Daguldol

October 11, 2010

    

 

Conquering Mt. Daguldol

A conditioning climb in preparation to summitting Mt. Apo in Oct 29 - Nov 1, 2010 

Preparing the blog

INTRODUCTION :

 

After traversing Mt. Apo in Feb 25, 2010 in 5 days, Mt. Ugo in March, 2010 in two days and Mt. Nagsasa in March 2010 in one day followed by two weeks of training to prepare for triathlon, my left knee gave away. After an extra, the doctor said the space in my knee joint is narrowing. In technical terms, the doctor suspected osteoarthropathy. It is caused by too much use such as running and by wear and tear caused by old age.

 

Wow! I had 8 sessions of therapy and taken Glucosamine Sulfate, 1500 mg daily for 3 months. GS helps to regenerate my cartilage. After about 4 months, I started to train by light jog and biking. From time to time, I can feel some pain specially if I jog with 25 lbs. backpack.

 

I missed several climbs by my group. I missed Mt. Tapulao, Mt. Amuyao since I am not sure I can climb with 25lbs-backpack with my OAP.

 

Now after good one month of light jogging and dumbbell training exercises (20 lbs. only), I feel ready to climb again. To start, Mt. Daguldol is level 2 difficulty per internet information.

 

LAND TRIP

 

Our main group gathered in Makati and left about 6:30 AM and I was picked up in Alabang exit about 7:30 AM.

 

We took our breakfast in Rose and Grace consisting rice, bulalo and soup, chop suey, fried tilapia, nilagang ulo ng Maya Maya and finished with hot brewed coffee. We left R&G, about 8:30 AM and reached Laiya, San Juan about 11:30 AM. We registered and took two guides and four porters to carry our four big TNF dome tents, our food and my backpack.

 

I bought 1 liter of Mineral water in addition to two 500 ml mineral water from home.

 

Day 1 Trek

 

We left the registration area about 1:20 PM and started our trek along shore of Laiya. The day was hot and humid and the sun was staring at us.

 

My left knee felt some pain in stepping on the soft sand and I began to think that I might be injured again.

 

I was wearing a blue long sleeve dry-fit (my favorite one) and cap to protect me from the sun. I consumed about 500 ml of water knowing that there is water after after this difficult sand trekking.

 

The view is good. Nice beach, nice cottages, nice mountain-view and I like the rock formation. Nice to look at climbers with umbrellas!!

 

After 30 minutes, about 1:50 PM, we arrived at the jump-off point. There is a sari-sari store selling drinks. Since I want to conserve my mineral water from Las Pinas City, I drank Sprite 250 ml. Then we ate our packed lunch of two piece Jolibee Chicken and again with one glass of coke.

 

Rehydration is a must since it was quite hot and the trail is open under the sun.

 

After some rest, we start our climed about 2:20 PM. Suddenly I remembered that there was no knee pain. So far so good.  I joined the lead group. Why? In case I slow down ascending, I will be with the pacer (middle group) and if it will be difficult, I will be with the sweeper (the last climber).

 

About 2:45 PM, I was at the middle and I reached the open shed tent where you have a good view of the forest and Batangas bay. Trail was good and was not giving problem with left knee. The trail was flat and wide and dry.

 

About 3:15 PM, I reached the first Halo-halo station selling where almost everybody was there. Well, at least the sweeper did not catch up with me yet. Again I drank one Sprite and consumed one glass of Halo-halo. The cold concoction was soooo good. Some said very cold drinks are not good for climbing but for me, it was refreshingly good.

 

At 4:00 PM, I reached the residence of Mang Lizardo who is also selling halo-halo and soft drinks. I passed continue the trek. The sun is again blazing and tried to rehydrate every now and then. The trek was muddy but I was lucky not to step on deep mud.

 

According to Mang Lizardo, it will be dark before we reach the camp. So I prepared and make my head lamp ready. Tested it and put on my wrist for easy access. That was a mistake for me.

 

After about 30 minutes, we passed the last house selling buko and soft drinks. I passed again and tried to trek faster since I got the confidence climbing without fear of my left knee.

 

At about 4:45 PM, it began to rain and I had to wear my raincoat. It was getting dark. The trail now was muddy deep with running water, very narrow, and slippery.

 

One trail was so narrow and deep and we had to avoid it by climbing on the steep side. Two climbers are helping one to passed this steep side.

 

The trail was muddy and I tried to step on hard one instead of deep mud. The sun was now hiding and trek was fairly easy

 

At about 5:00 PM, we reached a new shed. It was not there, five years ago. Everybody are squeezing to avoid the rain and tried to wait for the rain to stopped. We are about 10 climbers and others are still coming up.

 

It was very cold and my body is wet with perspiration that is keeping my body hot. When I removed by raincoat, I chilled since my body temperature was going down. I immediately, put on my raincoat to retain my body heat. I suppose I did it right and I did not chill anymore.

 

Then I realized that I dropped my head lamp. Wow! How can I trek without headlamp. I knew it was difficult to climb without it and difficult trying to share the light with the others.

 

I prayed that someone will see it. Then someone came along with my headlamp. I thanked God and him (forgot his name and face).

 

Since the rain wont stopped and the shed cannot accommodate 30 climbers, we decided to climb under the rain. I was confident and joined the lead pack.

 

That time, my climb was faster than before. Why? That is adrenalin rush since I was afraid to be left behind alone in this total darkness of trekking.

 

The trail was now muddy deep and very slippery. My shoes are waterproof but rain entered from the calves. It was very difficult to step up with wet shoes. Sometimes, you fight by pulling your shoes out of sticky deep. You can feel the suction effect of pulling shoes against deep sticky mud. It was tiring and draining your energy.

 

At about 5:45 PM, we reached a small camp site where there are 3 tents. It was dark. It was raining. We are confused where to camp. We waited for the two guides who were behind us. Wow! We are just standing under the heavy rain and slight wind and quite envious of climbers inside the 3 tents. 

 

After few minutes, the guides came and we went up further to Anahawin campsite. Our lead pack arrived about 6:15 PM with only one tent. I waited for my tent carried by my porter. After about 15 minutes, Mang Lizardo came with my backpack and the rain stopped for good till next day.

 

Because of heavy rain, muddy deep and slippery trail, and darkness, many arrived exhausted at 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM.

 

Casualties

 

One lady climber slipped and cut her lips because of her braces. Many got headache due to high altitude sickness. Whole shoes mired in deep mud. One climber bitten by a bug with marks like that of limatik bites.

 

My Condition

 

I conquered my Osteoarthopathy. No knee pain.

 

It was a very challenging climb for me due to its difficulty although accordingly Level 2 only. I love this climb being prepared for rain, mud, night trek and cold weather. I got slight muscle pain in my calf and arms due to use of two trekking poles to help my knees.

 

Am I now ready to traverse Mt. Pulag this end of October? Yes of course. Just need to train more.

 

Day Two

 

We did not assaulted the peak of Mt. Daguldol due to difficulties encountered by the group.

 

We started our trek down about 9:00 AM with several stopover for buko and soft drinks.

 

I saw two lady climbers of one group going down in barefoot in deep mud. They are adventurous and excited about their trek.

 

I was alone trekking and joined the other group of climbers in going to Naambon Falls. It was part of our itenirary but our group skipped it. I was lucky and saw the wonderfull falls. It was very high with several falls from the top.

 

I reached the last shed before the jump-off point and rested with fellow climbers and a guide.

 

We reached the jump-off point about 12 NN. We are about 12 including the sweepers. Others had gone and trekked the shore going to Laiya.

 

I was among the last group.

 

After paying the porters and guides, Marcel, the long hair guide, shared his booty with 2 liters of cold Red Horse beers. Marcel is a nice guy. He has two cute kids.

 

The ten of us drank happily the Red Horse beers and came to Balai Resort about 2 PM. We took our sumptuous lunch about 2:30 PM.

 

We left Balai about 5 PM and I am home in Las Pinas City about 10 PM.