"The Makiling Traverse"

7:15 AM of Saturday, July 3, 2004 I was already on stand by at the St. Cabrini Hospital Parking waiting for the bus bound for Brgy. San Miguel, Sto. Tomas Batangas which boarded the rest of the MFPI batchmembers. The 28-member mountaineering team including myself was about to try another week-ender outdoor adventure. Jumping-off at Brgy. San Miguel in Sto Tomas, ascend up to Melkas Ridge, Gubatan Campsite, ascend-pass Haring Bato until Peak 2, then descend-pass established stations of the forest reserve Laguna side until reaching UPLB Forestry. We call the adventure we are about to undertake "The Makiling Traverse".

Jokes on trails

At exactly 8:45 AM, after a short briefing, roll-call and prayer, the team went ahead and pass several local communities. Upon reaching the foot, we re-grouped and started the trek. Single-piled by group, we lead the ascend with the Team Leader Mar Melendrez of Pilipinas Sierra. We started slow and easy resting once in a while. During stops, our group devised an enjoyable short rest by having someone deliver a joke. We all tried laughing while catching our breath. Lunch time was even more enjoyable when other groups joined-in and tell funny stories while eating.

Knowing Maria

Sto Tomas trail was exciting. There were shaded and open trails with bushes and woods along. On shaded trails: rocky, sandy, muddy to watery paths. On open-clearing parts, trail-slopes from 45 to 60 degrees. Upon reaching Melkas Ridge at Gubatan campsite, all were already short of water. Knowing the trail, myself and 2 others decided to backtrail to fetch some water on the nearest water source. It was a 45-minutes hike down the trail 835m E from the last intersection going to Gubatan Camp. While everyone try to have some rest after a day-long hike, the 3 of us proceeded and tire ourselves a bit more but for a satisfying treat: mountain-fresh clear spring water courtesy of Mt. Makiling! We spent overnight at Gubatan Camp.

"King Rock" and the blood-sucking creatures

Ridges towards Haring Bato was spectacular. "King Rock" as its English translation was really its literal meaning. Shaded areas on the ridge after Haring Bato was even more challenging because of leeches waiting and wanting for us to pass-by. These blood-sucking creatures really created hysteria over the majority of the mountaineers assaulting Mt. Makiling. Our team was not an exception.

Peak 2 Descent

At exactly 12:00 noon of Sunday, July 4, the lead group, our group reached Mt. Makiling’s Peak 2. After fixing ourselves removing several leeches more from legs or arms, pants and shoes, we prepared our lunch and eat. Satisfying ourselves swallowing mouthfull of rice even at the absence of water. Other groups tried to rest taking out their ground sheets and laiddown for several minutes. Our group was eager to proceed though. By 12:30 pm after taking several pictures for souvenirs, the team proceed to finish the traverse. By 1:45 pm, reaching the first water source at Stn 21, Makiling LB side for a mouth-quenching treat of spring water that refreshed our drying throat. Several hundred meters further sown is the next water station to finish our craving for the precious water. By 3:30 pm the shole team touched-sown UPLB Forestry and took a quick shower. After a short briefing, roll-call and prayer, everyone headed home. Reserving their respective stories for the post-climb meeting 3 days after. More that the stories was one’s great feeling of strength, freedom and fulfillment of another successful adventure.