As the plan going to Mt. Pinatubo got scrapped because of Balikatan Exercise, EL Guido decided we go trek Pico De Loro instead. Having Sensei Weller tugging along looking like a wolf w/in a flock of sheeps, the day will be interesting indeed. The group started off at McDonalds Baclaran near Heritage Hotel. For once, I was not late early this time and to a far-off meeting place to boot. I arrived with Gary, Bernard and Gretel already waiting for the others. We departed the area by a chartered passenger jeepney. I helped lugging the bags inside the jeep, Ron's pack was surprisingly very heavy (by my standards). I'm wondering if it's loaded with a block of lead or something.
*** some travel time has passed, while almost all of us are asleep ***
Initial trek proved to be a challenge having us initiates clamber up the steep slope of some 'shortcut' trail of sort then finally was on the right track and proceeded deep w/in the shades of trees and finally got a rest on a stop-over hut at Magnet. From there, S. Weller inspected our medkits w/c was actually mandatory and reiterated many times by Prez Roni that even we have a medic, we have to bring our own personal medkits.
On with the trek, exhaustion is finally settling in. Personally, I was profusely sweating and dripping from my face every 5-10 steps or so. Good thing my daily workout is finally paying-off, my legs aren't complaining yet. It's just those straps seems eating my shoulders because I haven't rigged them properly earlier. I might have finally found my pacing (and my second wind?) having it maintained keeps me in the run w/o much trouble breathing but having myself hampered or slowed, my momentum also seems to drop. Being comfortable on my pacing, I might have a hard time assisting some friends resulting me usually trekking alone or w/ a much faster group later on.
Getting Lost
At some point on the trek before reaching the stopover before the peak assault, we got separated from the group (me, gl jeff, marian and rainier) because we got confused from the trail signs that seem's everywhere. So the group decided to go 'higher' w/c was actually the wrong way and we ended up on some peak w/ a treacherous trek downhill. Good thing was we got a cellphone signal and contacted the group that sent our sweepers to 'fetch' us lost sheeps (baaa...)On the stopover overlooking the peak, we've got our first meal of the day eating our packed lunch. Then Marian insisted on learning the rope/knot tying techniques w/ S. Weller. Surprisingly, the whole group was 'invited' instead to a 'remote' spot wherein we 'review' the knots unknowingly that we'll be having a big (albeit heavy) surprise later on.
Then the group decided to move on, finally we've arrived at the panoramic view of the peak overlooking the famous Pico De Loro. The view and height almost turned my knees to water (yeah, I'm not comfortable w/ heights). I almost adored the dog casually running up and down the peak trail w/o much effort and concern. But as they say, face your fears and w/ utmost courage almost ripping my gut I stand as confident (as it seems) that I can w/o much wobbling and looking stupid.The trek down w/ pack got many girls in real challenge, but still I admire their courage and trust to the members w/c is uncommon when it seems your life is on the line. Also the assistance from the sweeper members (Gerry, EL Guido, Jasper) even with the initiates (kudos to GL Jeff, 'GL/Sweeper/Moral Supporter Extraordinaire' from start to finish) having the patience and endurance assisting our damsels (not-so anymore) survive the trek down the treacherous peak.
Surviving the traverse down the peak w/ pack seems 'easier' having discovered there's still more to cover having us initiates cling, slide, hang, etc. down the trek. This proved to be a too-much challenge to two of our colleagues having their ankles twisted and muscles exhausted. Special mention to initiate Bernard who proved to be a real gentleman in times of need and assistance supporting our precious scribe, and GL Jeff as always 'the man'; I salute your perseverance, patience and energy.
The Teneriff Tent, 2Kilos of Tocino, 3liters of water and the other 'intruder' seems taking a toll on my stamina so I have to keep w/ my comfortable pace (to maintain my second wind?) and left the slow but sure group leaving them up to the capable hands of our helpful initiate brothers and sweepers.
Having lost the line of sight on the pointman ahead of me w/c was Sir Diego, I carefully followed the obvious trek and look for some trailsigns when confronted w/ multiple trails. I even almost doubt the trail ahead because of many low lying bamboos overhead that you actually have to squeeze between or duck into. Halfway down below, my toenails are aching mad so I have to change to my sandals and rest a while where Ma'am Lau caught up with me and finding myself breathing w/ relief knowing I'm on the right track and we've trailed together.
The Wait
Down below overhearing the first group, I slipped and got hold on some twig to compensate my balance. Releasing it and remembering Miss Lau was close behind I risked twisting around to warn her and instead got my balance upset and rewarded me with a hard brush with my butt. From here where the first group who are already resting we've waited for about an hour for the rest of the group to continue.
The Rock
I've noticed since that the tent rigged below my pack was bending in the middle. Upon closer inspection I was surprised something hard is bulging, knocking it reveals it was really solid. I was afraid the Generoso bottle was broken along the way. Then I've decided to open the zipper below rewarding me of almost 2 pounds of large chunk of rock, I've later discovered it was the largest Sir Gerry mustered lodging into my pack (as I've been told by himself). I've took a picture and Ron got interested, so the secret was out but it seems they've had it known ever since. If this is a test of some sort, we just kept mum and will just await it getting revealed later on.The Road
Minutes later, we've come across a concrete road and a passenger/delivery jeepney standing by w/ prescious water jug at the back. I've quickly replenished my water bottle and drank several times from the cups provided. We then traveled to the town to buy 'supplies' such as ice, bottled waters, etc.
The Town
I've downed two bottles of Cobra welcoming the rush of ice cold liquid and the sudden spike of sugar rush and bought several bottles of water as well. Darkness is finally creeping in so we've equipped our headlamps. Securing our packs and checking the waterproofing, we now headed to the last of three boats waiting ashore bound to the island on the other side of the beach.
The Beach
Arriving at the island, the first group has already pitched tents and setup camp. The beach features a mix powdery sand, spongy rocks and scattered shells. We've also witnessed corpses of several mutilated, murdered and probably eaten sea urchins who are unceremoniously left in the open with their spikes obviously hungry for vengeance. Myself, Rainier and Gary was assigned to the Tenerrif Tent I was lugging on my pack, Gary who decided to sleep over to Ron's helped pitch the hulking single-sheet green of a tent. Unfo (I wouldn't like to lug it along in the near future). Unfotunately, there's no breeze on the beach w/c actually feels hot even after the sun was hours gone. We've rigged some prusik cord as clothesline to hang our clothes. I've planned to sleep outside making good use of my 13 year old Montanara earthpad by pulling it out of my pack. I'd remembered giving my 'external' mother plastic bag to someone else earlier so I've decided to pull the plastic out of the pack as well and leaving all the contents of the bag in it. Out of the blue, I've decided to hang my pack upside down on a tree branch. Dunno if it was because I might lug another rock on my way home tomorrow, I know It's kind of reckless but it's a beach camp. The least creature that can get comfy inside my pack is either ants or hermit crabs if they manage to climb up that tree. Now's my first time changing clothes using malong, I kind of get concious because the malong seems short so whenever I move I feel my butt is sticking out behind good thing we're positioned on a dark corner of the camp. Poor teneriff, didn't give much use other than stand there lonely by itself. Probably already haunted by those murdered sea-urchins.
Dinner time
Having GL Jeff along the group proves to be a 'delicious' event. His chicken adobo was super! I haven't tasted this kind of adobo before, you'll have to try it yourself to be enthralled. Also cooked some soup w/c I've actually missed since my elementary days (does Royco ring a bell?). The usual buffet was organized having us sit on the sandy shores while the 'night flyers' buzzing along our lamp hanging on a tree and sometimes landing on our food. The socials aren't much having the initiates so tired from the previous difficult trek. As for the extra-curricular (or extra-judicial) event, I'll leave it to your imagination so as not to spoil it for those who are interested to become a UTrek initiate... =P Later that night, Rainer and I decided to go bivouac and slept outside on our earthpads.
Morning Spider
Finally, my 2k tocino was liberated. This we cooked for breakfast and for lunch. As usual Sir Weller has better plans ahead, having us zipped our mouth and throw our colleagues across that straw web on the other side w/o having any part of ourselves touching it. Having touch the straw/web 3 times, one of us must take a punishment (or rather refreshment) dipping on the sea or rolling on the sand.
Boodle fight
After the day on the beach and returning to the 'town' for washup, we've finished the day eating Boodle fight style. Tocino, longanisa, hotdogs and adobong squid are spread along a mountainous lump of rice on the center of the flysheet (atop the table, not on the ground).
The experience
All-in-all, I'd say this trek would be a memorable one for me. Challenging trek, leg-watering heights, fantastic views and a great beach and of course my fellow initiates and members having along this great trip. Don't forget the hilarious rock hitching along the ride and the nefarious activities we've been through.
Others: My loadout
- 3 sets of clothes packed / occassion (trek up/sleepwear/trek down) - shirt/pant/underwear packed together in a ziplock bag x 3, easier to pullout in a hurry. no need to take out several plastic bags if separated. 1 extra short, 1 extra satin pants, 2 sets of socks, trek shoes
- 2 kilos tocino - our breakfast/lunch the next day
- hygiene pack - toothbrush/paste, soap, sunblock/off-lotion/omega painkiller/shampoo/gel in stacked pillbox, not the whole bottle each for portability
- medkit - assorted bandages, band-aid, betadine, surgicel absorbable hemostat (for severe cuts/bleeding), ammonia, anti-bacterial solution, vicks, micropore, mini scissor, elastic bandage
- utilities - swiss knife, pocket butane torch, stainless plate, prusik cords, headlamp
- several plastic bags - for trash, quick waterproofing, used clothes, motherplastic bag, etc
- the heavyweights, the liquids - 4 liters water, 1 liter water, 2 gatorades, 500ml trail water
- trail foods - 4 gandour pik-one, 18 pcs jellyace, 6 pcs metos fruit candy, several potchi's
- packlunch - 1 1/2 cup rice on a plastic bag, 1 can of corned beef
- misc - bonnet, malong, solartek, earthpad, 4 pcs AA's, 4 pcs AAA's, monocular, whistle/compass/mirror/mag glass/thermometer combo, midsize beach towel, pocket money, mrt card, porta-chair, sandals, bobcat waistbag (for assault), conquer wallet bag
- The large 4-5 Person Teneriff Tent - a single sheet bulky tent, no wonder it's heavy and would take a large portion of your bag's real estate if packed inside. Usually upsets my balance when scaling down some treacherous trail.
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